The Sinking of M/T ERIKA: Erika Casulaty

1328 Words3 Pages

Based on the review of the CEPM Report released, regarding the sinking of M/T ERIKA. Some miles south of the coast of Brittany, it has been noted that the ship-owner and the ship-manager of the vessel having the responsibility for the maintenance of the ship, relied on the inspection procedure of vessel’s classification society. Moreover, it is evident that vessel’s classification society was not able to effectively monitor the deteriorating structural condition of the vessel. Even though some areas of concern have been identified and inadequate mitigating measures have been taken.

At this point, we have to note the ship-manager’s lack or ineffective preventive maintenance procedures which should be in place in order to identify the problematic areas concerning the structural integrity of the vessel and adequate corrective actions should be taken prior the escalation of the problem. In addition the ship-owner and ship-manager since they were aware of the condition of the ship and based on past incidents involving sister vessels like M/T ERIKA, they should have utilized a more effective and elaborated preventive maintenance procedure including visits from superintends at predetermined-frequent intervals and not upon vessel’s dry-docking periods only.

Ship-owners and ship managers should not rely on the classification societies for managing their risks. The International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) state that the certificate of class is not an evidence providing proof regarding the seaworthiness of the vessel (IACS, n.d).In addition to the above the classification society surveyor will attend the ship on an average of once per year were the attending class surveyor will perform a sample inspection of the str...

... middle of paper ...

...] [viewed 23 March 2014]. Available from: http://www.imo.org/OurWork/Safety/Implementation/Pages/PortStateControl.aspx

ISM CODE. 2010. 3rd ed. London: International Maritime Organization

PARIS MOU, Strategic Plan Paris MoU 2012-2017 [online] [viewed 23 March 2014]. Available from: https://www.parismou.org/Content/PublishedMedia/4d64b287-228e-48f4-bca2-0c176ac6519e/Strategic%20Plan%202012-2017%20%28final%29.pdf

RAMONA, S. E. 2011. Advantages and Disadvantages of Quantitative and Qualitative Information Risk Approaches. [online] Chinese Business Review 10 (012), pp. 1106--1110 [viewed on 08 March 2014]. Available from: http://www.davidpublishing.org/DownLoad/?id=3010

TANGEN K. n.d. Large-scale Use and Exchange of Classification Rules in

the Maritime Industry [online] [viewed on 22 March 2014]. Available from: http://www.w3.org/2004/12/rules-ws/paper/37/

Open Document