CHIRP annual digest 2016 6th
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Annual Digest <strong>2016</strong><br />
The first report in this section concerns two separate cases where people were<br />
ordered to disregard the MARPOL regulations. In one case they reported it, and in the<br />
other they refused, which does them great credit whilst showing their superiors in a<br />
very poor light. Sometimes it takes considerable courage to do the right thing, and<br />
that courage is seldom rewarded, but it is heartening to discover that people are still<br />
prepared to stand up for what is right.<br />
We also include a report which demonstrates how deficiencies can be detected if<br />
people keep their wits about them, and others listing brief cases submitted to us.<br />
These may all be brief, but they are important and instructive nonetheless.<br />
There are two reports of fires that should never have broken out, and it is worth<br />
noting that in one case the fire was fed by accelerants trapped between layers of<br />
paint – a reminder that a coat of paint should be allowed to dry properly before<br />
overpainting. There is also a report of a traditional galley fire almost breaking out,<br />
and only being prevented because someone saw the situation developing and did<br />
something about it. Vigilance should never be relaxed!<br />
We have depressing reports of misuse of VHF radio and obstructions to emergency<br />
doors and hatches.<br />
One common thread in this section seems to be that vigilance must be exercised<br />
constantly. If you keep your eyes open at all times, you may well see things which<br />
others have not noticed, and you may be able to prevent serious accidents. Perhaps<br />
companies should be required to reward people like the ones we meet in this section,<br />
whose powers of observation have prevented so many potential disasters.<br />
We close the section with a thought-provoking report by one of our <strong>CHIRP</strong><br />
ambassadors, Captain Arie Nygh, on the subject of dangerous heaving lines and how<br />
one New Zealand port is dealing with the problem.<br />
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