NAUTILUS P01 NOVEMBER 2009.qxd - Nautilus International

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10 | telegraph | nautilusint.org | November 2009 NEWS Union warns on crews’ welfare Steam Packet crews support TT charity A fundraising effort by Isle of CMan Steam Packet Co passengers and crew has this year netted £14,000 to support an important local event: the TT bike races. The money will go towards medical and rescue equipment used around the TT course — without which the famous motorsport event would not be able to take place, stressed Steam Packet chief executive Mark Woodward. The annual charity effort takes place during the Isle of Man’s twoweek TT season in May and June. Coordinated by Nautilus member Captain Allan Albiston, it involves whip-rounds with collection buckets by ferry crews. Old ships’ logbooks dating Hback to the 1760s are being used to help ground-breaking research into climate change. The UK Met Office is part of a project that is examining almost 300 digitised historic logbooks — including the famous voyages of Charles Darwin’s ship, the Beagle, Captain Cook’s Discovery and William Parry’s polar expedition in HMS Hecla — to use the accurate weather information they contain to reconstruct past climate conditions. Research team leader Dr Dennis Wheeler, of the University of Sunderland, commented: ‘The observations from the logbooks on wind force and weather are As in previous years, the money raised this summer will be donated to a local charity, the Rob Vine Fund. The fund is well known among bikers visiting the TT races, as collection boxes and buckets can be found in pubs and shops around the island. But the annual Steam Packet collection is the single biggest contributor to the fund, which helps injured riders and spectators. Some £140,000 has been raised since Capt Albiston started the onboard collections in 1997. David Stevens, medical director of Isle of Man Motorsport Medical Services, is pictured, far left, with Capt Albiston and members of the crew of the IoMSP fast ferry Snaefell. Old logbooks offer help to climate change study astonishingly good and often better than modern logbooks. ‘Of course, the sailors had to be conscientious — the thought that you could hit a reef was a great incentive to get your observations absolutely right! ‘What happens in the oceans controls what happens in the atmosphere — so we absolutely need to comprehend the oceans to understand future weather patterns,’ he added. f Images of the logbooks can be seen on the website: badc.nerc.ac.uk/data/corral and a fully searchable version will be available on The National Archives website in 2010. Crew clothing for a perfect performance For more information on how we can dress your crew T +44 (0)23 8033 3771 E sales@miller-rayner.co.uk W www.miller-rayner.co.uk Nautilus tells maritime medical conference of need for holistic approach PSeafarer welfare remains low down the system,’ he added. itime Health Association but with welfare is inadequate, he ‘woefully low’ on the Many believe that seafarers fail would assist with quality standards.’ the European Union countries, added. ‘I found it astonishing that agenda, Nautilus International warned a top level marpanies are seeking to reduce the Seafarers face a complex range led by the UK, and also other non- standards more often when comitime health conference last number of employees, he said, of health and welfare issues, EU states threatened not to month. and the UK had seen a large number including considerable levels of approve the MLC if it contained A radical change of approach is medically severed in the late stress, criminalisation, excessive anything mandatory regarding needed, in which the health and 1970s and early 80s ‘at the cost of working hours, reduced crewing the provision of onshore welfare wellbeing of seafarers are given the industry-wide pension and often poor standards of crew facilities if there was any implication greater priority and treated in a scheme’. accommodation and communication that the financing might ‘holistic way’, Nautilus official Mr McEwen suggested many equipment. he pointed have to come from governments.’ Peter McEwen told the 10th International seafarers may be reluctant to out. To move forward, all sides of Symposium on Mar- complain about the medical ‘There are insufficient interna- the shipping industry — includ- itime Health. examination system because tional regulations to cover all of ing flag states, owners, unions and He told owners, managers, regulators they feel they will not win. ‘I won- the various issues that exist,’ Mr seafarers — should work together and medical experts der whether it would be appro- McEwen warned, ‘and there is on a holistic approach to health attending the three-day conference priate for an external researcher nothing which imposes a duty on and welfare, with better assess- that cost considerations may to organise focus groups and anybody within the industry to ment of the quality of services often affect the approach taken questionnaires to seafarers on the have a holistic approach linking being provided, he concluded. to seafarer welfare. whole issue of how they have the medical general welfare and The conference also included ‘The industry faces commercial been, or feel they have been, wellbeing of seafarers.’ presentations and discussion on pressures and although cer- treated by maritime doctors,’ he Whilst the Maritime Labour such key as stress, psychological tain aspects of health are high on added. Convention should improve and interpersonal problems at the agenda for employers, others ‘The results might not be comfortable things when it comes into effect sea, medical care and medical are less so, and welfare is woefully for the International Mar- in a few years, the section dealing standards for seafarers. Fitness training call for cadets Shipping companies are being urged to Ainclude a health and fitness awareness training syllabus as part of their cadet training programmes. Physical Initiative, a company that specialises in seafarer health and fitness, has written to shipping companies and to the Merchant Navy Training Board encouraging them to look at the benefits of such training. ‘Currently there is no time in the various courses of training given to discuss positive health at sea, personal fitness, good nutrition, physical exercise needs, lifestyle issues, etc,’ said Physical Initiative director Andrew Neighbour. Physical Initiative is calling for the education and training framework of all maritime studies contributing to the foundation degree, HNC and HND to include a structured health awareness training syllabus. The syllabus would be tailored to fit around current programmes, complementing and developing any existing subjects that may touch on such relevant health topics. The aims of the syllabus, Physical Initiative suggests, would be to enable students to understand their health status and physical limits, to make informed choices about exercise, nutrition and lifestyle throughout their careers at sea, benefiting their own physical health and those for whom they become responsible. Backing its proposal, Physical Initiative, sponsored by the Seamens’ Hospital Society, has amassed a database on the health and physical condition of more than 10,000 seafarers it has consulted. ‘Our work has revealed that there are many health issues in the seafaring community,’ Mr Neighbour explained. He warned: ‘The physical status of many personnel deteriorates steadily throughout their careers, giving rise to many health problems such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. ‘Our most recent surveys have highlighted the very poor cardiovascular fitness of the majority of those tested, and this fact alone is contributing to the growing problems of crew fatigue. ‘Confronting these issues early in the career of seafarers will considerably improve their chances of a healthy life in what is still an arduous working environment.’ New UK cruise company is launched A new UK-based cruise Fcompany is being launched next year — using the Bahamasflagged vessel Marco Polo, pictured left, and the Portuguese-registered Ocean Countess. Cruise & Maritime Services International (CMS) says it will be offering a year-round programme of cruises with both ships, aiming at the UK market. It has secured a five-year time charter agreement for the 22,080gt Marco Polo, which will commence operations under a new livery on 2 January 2010. The 16,795gt Ocean Countess will begin services with CMS in April 2010 under an initial two-season deck and engine charter arrangement from the Greek based Majestic International Cruises Group. Prior to delivery, the vessel will undergo a £3m refurbishment and upgrade programme. Picture: Eric Houri
November 2009 | nautilusint.org | telegraph | 11 NEWS ‘Drunk in charge’ skipper is fined £1,000 A fishing vessel skipper who Fwas more than twice over the legal limit and had to be rescued with his crew when his boat ran aground was fined £1,000 last month. Following the case, the Maritime & Coastguard Agency said it will now examine the suitability of the skipper — George Wood, from Ayr in Scotland — to hold a master’s certificate of competency. Mr Wood was charged with being over the prescribed limit when in charge of a boat after he failed a breath test when the 30m trawler Honeybourne III ran aground near Filey, North Yorkshire, in August. The multinational crew of seven all escaped unhurt, but Mr Wood — who had celebrated his birthday ashore on the previous night — was tested by police and found with 81mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath, more than twice the 35mg limit. York Crown Court heard that Mr Wood has previous maritime convictions, including travelling the wrong way down the English Channel which resulted in a £3,000 fine. He also has other minor convictions including failing to keep a proper log book, excessive use of a dredger and failing to notify his arrival at port. Mr Wood claimed that he was undertaking an anchor drill at the time and misread the tides. His lawyer, Jim Withyman, told the court that his client — who has 21 years experience as a skipper — had lost his job as a result of the incident and may also have his certification withdrawn. Fining Mr Wood £1,000, Judge James Spencer told him: ‘I am doing that because you have lost your job and you stand the prospect of losing your master’s ticket.’ Captain Jeremy Smart, head of the MCA’s enforcement unit, commented: ‘Being drunk in charge of any vessel is a very serious matter. It puts at risk not only all those onboard but other users of the sea.’ Norway slammed over ‘criminalisation’ case Unions and managers condemn ‘legally and morally indefensible’ treatment of officers Ship master jailed by US court The bulk carrier Full City aground off Norway after dragging its anchor during a storm in July Picture: Kystverket PSeafaring unions and ship managers have jointly condemned what they have described as the worst case of criminalisation since the ‘Hebei Two’ controversy in Korea. In a hard-hitting statement, the International Transport Workers’ Federation, Norwegian maritime unions and the international ship managers’ association InterManager accused the Norwegian authorities of ‘legally and morally indefensible’ treatment of two officers who have been detained since their ship ran aground after dragging its anchor in a storm in July. There was a small spillage of oil as a result, and prosecutors have filed charges of gross negligence against the Chinese master and third officer of the bulk carrier Full City. Hopes that the two men would be allowed to return home last month were dashed when an appeal court overturned a district court decision to give the men their passports. It also altered their bail conditions to keep them in the country pending a trial for negligence that is unlikely to be held until next year. ‘This is looking all too much like another Hebei Spirit, where seafarers doing their job are hauled in front of a court to satisfy an illusory public requirement that someone gets punished when oil leaks onto water,’ said Intermanager president Roberto Giorgi. HA Greek shipmaster has been jailed for six months and banned from US waters after admitting obstructing justice and breaking maritime safety and pollution laws. Capt Panagiotis Lekkas, master of the 71,242dwt bulk carrier Theotokos, will also have to serve a further four months in a community confinement facility and pay a $4,000 fine. He was sentenced in federal court in New Orleans last month after pleading guilty to one count of obstruction of justice, one count of violating the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships, and two counts of violating the Ports and Waterways Safety Act. ‘This sentence, including the three-year ban from US territorial water, sends the message to ship crew members and captains that violating environmental and ship safety laws will have consequences,’ said acting assistant attorney-general John Crudden. ‘We are serious and we will continue to prosecute these cases and seek sentences that appropriately punish the crime.’ The charges were brought after a US ‘This automatic reaching for the handcuffs is emphatically not the way to solve the fact that sometimes ships get into trouble, and actively undermines all the efforts everyone in shipping puts into making sure that safety is made paramount. ‘Norway, a nation that understands safe shipping more than most, has shot itself in the foot by pandering to ignorance of the realities and a desire to blame someone, anyone, when things go wrong,’ he warned. ITF general secretary David Cockroft added: ‘The criminalisation of seafarers — the vilification of workers for accidents that may be beyond their control – is one of the ugliest developments in shipping. ‘Sadly, it appears that once again we are looking at a knee-jerk response to an incident, which, more sadly still, is happening in Coast Guard inspection on the Liberianflagged Theotokos discovered fuel leaking into the forepeak ballast tank. In addition, the ship’s oily water separator was not working property and bilge waste had been discharged directly overboard. Inspectors also found that crew members had failed to notify the USCG about a crack on the ship’s rudder stem, even though they had informed shore management about the problem some three months earlier. The investigation led to the first criminal prosecutions under US laws designed to the country where you’d least expect it.’ Captain Hans Sande, director of the Norwegian Maritime Officers’ Association added: ‘There is a wealth of maritime experience in Norway and we hope that some of it will find its way into the judicial process. ‘If that happens, the court case will be dropped and the normal maritime investigation processes will be free to take action unfettered by political considerations or nods to public opinion. ‘If common sense prevails, then the lessons of the grounding will be identified and learned, and the cargoes that we all rely on to sustain our way of life in every country in the world will travel that little bit more safely,’ Capt Sande added. ‘If not, we will once again see not just the criminalisation of these two men, but a new generation of potential ship’s officers deciding that the job isn’t worth the risk of being unfairly pilloried that increasingly seems to come with it.’ control the spread of invasive species through ballast water, and also saw the ship’s chief officer and chief engineer being brought before the courts. The ship’s manager, Greek operator Polembros Shipping, has been fined US$2.7m and banned from operating any of its 20 owned or managed vessels in US waters for three years after admitting a series of related charges, including making false statements during the USCG investigation. The company will also pay $100,000 towards research into ballast water issues. Crew members on the FPanama-flagged containership Cosco Tianjin are pictured above helping to produce a new training film to counter the threat of pirate attack. Produced by Maritime Training Services, the DVD film — Piracy: Preparations, Precautions and Response — outlines a ship’s five key vulnerabilities, identifies active and passive defensive measures, introduces anti-piracy technologies and explains how to apply your ship security plan. Many of the scenes were shot onboard the 66,380gt Cosco Tianjin — with the crew simulating mustering exercises, stocking the safe haven or citadel, and removing weapons, all as precautions against piracy attack. BIMCO offers new service for security The international shipowners’ Dorganisation BIMCO has launched a new ‘one-stop shop’ to help owners and seafarers to assess the security risks of specific voyages. Its new Automated Voyage Risk Assessment tool (AVRA) has been developed in conjunction with private security consultants Aegis and the International Maritime Bureau to assess the level of all sorts of nonnavigational risk that need to be considered during the full extent of a voyage — including piracy, stowaways, and people or drug smuggling, as well as the level of crime and robbery in port and at anchor and the problems of corruption which may arise in some parts of the world. Switch & save! Introducing the new energy price comparison service for trade union members Union Energy’s free 100% impartial energy price comparison service will find the most competitively priced gas and electricity providers in your area to help keep your home energy bills as low as possible. And if you register for our Ongoing Monitoring Programme we’ll contact you again when energy prices change to ensure that you continue to save money in the long term. It only takes a couple of minutes to find out how much you could save and many union members have already saved hundreds of pounds each. Go on, give it a try! Visit www.unionenergy.co.uk or call 0800 094 9039 (Mon-Thurs 9am-6pm; Fri 9am-4pm; Sat 9am-1pm) NB: Union Energy’s service can be used by households in England, Scotland and Wales (mainland only)
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