ERRV Viking Islay - Marine Accident Investigation Branch

4.2The Maritime and Coastguard AgencyThe Maritime and Coastguard Agency has:• Conducted an ISM SMC additional verification audit on Viking Islay, and found twomajor non-conformities. However, because a full review of the PTW system wasongoing, and as the second crew (the crew on board at the time of this accident)had not been audited, the non-conformities were downgraded from major to minor,rather than closed out.• Witnessed tank entry and rescue, fire, and abandon ship drills on board VikingIslay, and found them to be satisfactory.• Commenced a series of general inspections on a number of other ships in theVroon fleet.• Scheduled an ISM DOC audit of Vroon during spring 2008.• Issued an Operational Advice Note to ensure that MCA surveyors remind ships’crews, particularly those in the short-sea sector, about safe procedures concerningentry to dangerous enclosed/confined spaces. When carrying out surveys,inspections or ISM audits, surveyors have been requested to include checks:• That the content of the SMS is appropriate and is being applied• That confined space rescue drills have been correctly carried out• That the master is fully aware of his particular responsibilities regarding confinedspaces on board his ship• To ensure that testing equipment is fit for purpose, is calibrated and in-date, andthat the crew have been trained in its use• That those persons responsible for issuing permits to work for entry intoenclosed spaces are aware of section 17 of the COSWP.4.3Marine Accident Investigation BranchThe MAIB has:• Issued a Safety Flyer, giving a summary of the findings of this investigation to themarine, offshore and fishing industries via representative organisations in order toheighten owners’, operators’ and seafarers’ awareness over the dangers of entryinto enclosed/confined spaces.37