In this issue, we’ll look at 4 detained ships disclosed by KR. We’ve compiled them for your reference, dear professionals. 

Detention Case 1

On October 14, a Korean-flagged chemical oil tanker was detained by Indian authorities at Hazira due to 5 detachable deficiencies.

1. Emergency fire pump found not building the required pressure.

2. Few PV valves lines found blanked.

In accordance with the provisions of IBCC/C8/N8.2, the ventilation system of cargo tanks shall prevent water from entering the cargo tanks, while its outlets shall allow cargo vapors to discharge unobstructed to the outside. This function is actually achieved by the PV valve.

The PV valve, whose Chinese name is pressure/vacuum valve, is a key component of the ventilation system for liquid cargo ships. It consists of two independent parts: a pressure valve and a vacuum valve. When the vacuum pressure in the cargo tank drops below a specified value, the vacuum valve opens automatically to prevent the tank structure from being crushed and deformed by external atmospheric pressure. When the pressure in the cargo tank exceeds a specified value, the pressure valve pops open automatically, releasing the high-pressure gas inside the tank to the atmosphere and reducing the internal pressure of the cargo tank.

The PV valve is a routine item in PSC inspections. During an inspection, PSC inspectors will require crew members to manually open the PV valve, then release the valve handle and check whether it can automatically reset and close. If not, a deficiency will be identified.

The figure below shows a detention deficiency issued by Jiangsu MSA, with the deficiency description as follows: The high-velocity venting valves of S1,S2,S3 and P1-P6 cargo tanks-blocked.

The cause of the deficiency was that the cargo tanks required inerting prior to loading. To prevent inert gas from escaping through the PV valves, silicone was used to seal the PV valves to their seats, but the valves were not restored to their original condition afterwards, resulting in detention.

3.Starboard side lifeboat rudder found not moving to port side

4.Fuel oil leakages noticed on main engine fuel pumps

5.Water level in boiler gauge glasses could not be sighted

Detention Case 2

Nantong MSA detained a Liberian-flagged bulk carrier. The PSC inspectors issued two detention deficiencies in total:

1. malfunction of the water sprinkler above the boiler, and the deficiency description is as follows: The boiler local water spray system failure.

This deficiency is based on SOLAS Regulation II-2/10. Passenger ships of 500 gross tons and above, and cargo ships of 2,000 gross tons and above shall be fitted with this system if their Category A machinery spaces have a volume exceeding 500 cubic meters. This system has become a key focus of recent PSC inspections, and PSC authorities worldwide have intensified inspections on it.

Unattended machinery spaces require both automatic and manual modes, whereas attended machinery spaces only need the manual mode.

During inspections, nozzles in the oil separator room are usually selected for testing. Some PSCOs may conduct excessive inspections, such as testing one by one the water mist nozzles installed above the boiler, main and auxiliary engines, oil separators and incinerators. If any of these nozzles is defective, the ship will be detained.

2.The radar's PM test failed to meet requirements. Deficiency description: Radar PM test showed the radar not performance optimization.

Mastering the radar's PM function is a must for every officer on watch. Officers shall not operate based on experience; instead, they must refer to the instruction manual prior to testing and strictly follow the procedures specified therein.

A failed PM test is generally caused by magnetron aging, which can usually be resolved after replacement.

Below are PM test operations for several types of radars for your reference:

1.   Furuno Radar

1)  PM Test Operation Steps

Press MENU → Select ECHO → Choose Item 4 (PM) → Tap ON

2)  Radar Performance Judgment

After activating the PM test, the range is automatically set to 24 nautical miles, and one or more arcs appear on the radar screen. If the radar transmitter and receiver are functioning as well as their initial status when the monitor was activated, an inner arc will appear at a distance of 13.5–18.5 nautical miles. (The required distance of the inner arc varies by radar model; refer to the radar's instruction manual for details. The common range of 13.5–18.5 nautical miles is used as an example below.) If there is no inner arc within 13.5–18.5 nautical miles or the inner arc has excessive attenuation, it is recommended to contact the service provider and confirm whether the magnetron needs replacement by taking into account the magnetron operating hours, tuning indication (generally 80%–90%), and magnetron current.

2.   JRC Radar

1)  PM Test Method

Press Main Menu → Select Item 9 (Test Menu) →Choose Item 4 (MON Display)

2) Radar Performance Judgment

3.   Wärtsilä SAM Radar

1)  PM Test Method

PRESS THE MENU, UTILITIES AND PERFORMANCE MONITOR→Besides the GAIN field, the colored symbol PM appears, indicating that the performance monitor is switched on→Perform tuning and set the gain.

2)  Radar Performance Judgment

Detention Case 3

On October 10, Lianyungang MSA detained a Panama-flagged bulk carrier with two detention deficiencies:

1.Severe corrosion on the engine room skylights. Deficiency description: Engine room skylight corroded seriously.

2. The handholds for personnel to climb on the rescue boat are missing. Deficiency description: Righting line for non-self righting rescue boat not found by crew.

This deficiency was first identified by Lianyungang MSA, and Liberian-flagged vessels have been detained for it most frequently.

Lifeboats and rescue boats with self-righting function are not subject to this requirement. For non-self-righting lifeboats and rescue boats, handholds for personnel to climb onto the craft must be fitted on the hull bottom (in accordance with LSA Code 4.4.7.4 and 5.1).

This rescue boat has no self-righting function and no handholds fitted on its bottom, so detention shall be imposed once identified.

The picture below shows a non-self-righting rescue boat fitted with handholds.

The picture below shows a self-righting rescue boat, which does not require handhold installation.

Detention Case 4

On October 2, the Antwerp PSC of Belgium detained a Panama-flagged bulk carrier with 7 detention deficiencies:

1.Crew members were unfamiliar with fire and abandon ship drills, and the drills failed. Deficiency description: Crew not familiar with Abandon ship/Fire drill.

2.The maneuvering test interval of the lifeboat launching has expired (exceeding 3 months, or 6 months for fully enclosed lifeboats). Deficiency description: The maneuvering of FFLB and R/B is overdue

3.The vacuum pump for priming the bilge pump was damaged. Deficiency description: Priming/vacuum units installed on the pumps for the direct suction engine room bilges not functioning

4.Generator No.1 and No.2 had oil leaks, and the ship discharged the leaked oil into the fuel oil drain tank via pipelines. Deficiency description: No.1 and 2 Aux. engines have been mechanically bypassed by continuously draining the F.O. leakage tank

5.The rescue boat davit was faulty. Deficiency description: Rescue boat & R/B davit defective

6.The engine limit switch was faulty, causing the engine to start and stop repeatedly. Deficiency description: Engine repeatedly stopped by itself, limit switch not responsive

7.SMS failure

-------------------------------Reprinted from PSCReady