News and Information regarding container ship El Faro

USCG has released a formal report with recommendations including "Phasing out of open lifeboats in favour of totally enclosed lifeboats." I believe these would have saved the crew. Other than this there is a lot of regulation based proposals.

The global implications of the El Faro investigator's recommendations - http://www.fathom-news.com/global-implications-el-faro-investigators-recommendations/

The full list:

1. Create a regulatory initiative (US and IMO) to require high water audio and visual alarms, capable of providing audible and visual alarms on the navigation bridge, in cargo holds of dry cargo vessels.
2. Review of US and international rules relating to ventilation and other hull openings in vessels.
3. Phasing out of open lifeboats in favour of totally enclosed lifeboats.
4. Regulatory requirement for watertight closures to have open/close indicators on bridge.
5. Installation of CCTV in cargo spaces and steering gear.
6. A regulatory initiative to require that a company maintain an onboard and shore side record of all incremental vessel weight changes (deadweight surveys) to track weight changes over time so that the aggregate total may be readily determined.
7. Create international regulations for approval and review of cargo loading software.
8. Update policies with flag authority and the Class/RO for review and approval of cargo loading software.
9. Create a regulation to ensure voyage data recorders are ‘float free’ and equipped with position indication beacons (EPIRB). Additional suggestion to push IMO to include additional information on VDR such as all two-way conversations on telephones.
10. Examination of the reliability of Self-Locating Datum Marker.
11. Determine ability to attach position beacons around objects/ deceased found during a coast guard search and rescue operation.
12. Push forward with rules to require that all personal flotation devices on oceangoing commercial vessels be fitted with a personal locator beacon.
13. Develop a shipboard emergency alert system that would provide an anonymous reporting mechanism for crew members to communicate directly with the Designated Person Ashore or the Coast Guard.
14. Clarification Flag State expectations for SMS implementation as derived through ISM.
15. All cargo vessels have damage control information.
16. Create a regulatory requirement for damage control training.
17. Update damage control training.
18. Evaluation of mariner training Institutions and Coast Guard merchant mariner credentialing process.
19. Create a regulatory requirement for electronic records and periodic electronic transmission of records and data to shore from oceangoing commercial ships.
20. Further prevention training course for prospective Coast Guard sector commanders and deputies.
21. Develop more frequent oversight of approved classification societies or recognized organization.
22. Regulatory revision of US supplements that exist for class societies.
23. Create an annual report on domestic vessel compliance to improve class society accountability.
24. Assess the effectiveness of class surveyor training programmes and create appropriate corrective actions when needed.
25. Add a steam plant inspection course for Coast Guard and any RO surveyors and inspectors.
26. Create additional “journeyman inspector” training course for audits of marine inspections and class surveyors conducting inspections on behalf of Coast Guard.
27. A review of policies and procedures for making and documenting major conversion determinations, including use of the Precedence Principle.
28. Review of current intact and damage stability standards to improve vessel survivability in extreme wind and sea conditions.
29. Create a regulatory initiative to require that all existing cargo vessels meet the most current intact and damage stability standards. (Not agreed by commandant).
30. Create a third-party oversight national center of expertise to conduct comprehensive and targeted oversight activities on all third-party organizations and class societies that perform work on behalf of the Coast Guard.
31. Technical review of critical propulsion system components to determine operability at different vessel lists.

 

1. 13 Develop a shipboard emergency alert system that would provide an anonymous reporting mechanism for crew members to communicate directly with the Designated Person Ashore or the Coast Guard.

Sounds quite sinister. Is this to cover the "very stable genius" factor, like the "Caine Mutiny" ?

 

I actually like this idea. We have seen skippers of boats make very poor decisions time and again. Is it best to wait for some horrendous accident or disaster or nip stupid behavior at its root? It seems at least once a year or so we have a skipper daring to sail off into a hurricane or some other unsafe situation. I still can't believe the skipper of that Italian cruise ship who ran it into the rocks. We've had a rash of poor navigation accidents in the US Navy as well. All totally avoidable. There really should be a reliable way for crew members need a way to report unsafe issues while under way. Currently they are trapped with no reliable means of communication. It's also a good way to monitor skipper & crew performance at sea. I know the aviation industry has much tighter regulations. It's high time for the marine industry to step up.

 

And on the suggestion of totally enclosed lifeboats I applaud that completely. As a sailor I also really, really also like the life boat idea below. Imagine actually being able to control your direction and get closer to safety!? Brilliant!

Dynamic Lifeboat or Passive Life Raft? Portland Pudgy http://www.portlandpudgy.com/portland-pudgy-lifeboat-v-inflatable-life-raft/

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This El Faro story popped up on the news feeds today.

“The Clock Is Ticking”: Inside the Worst U.S. Maritime Disaster in Decades https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2018/04/inside-el-faro-the-worst-us-maritime-disaster-in-decades

 

I just figured out why the independent phone contact, not from the bridge, is needed.

Pirates take over take a ship, from the Bridge first.

To report a Bridge takeover, you need a separate phone facility somewhere else in the ship.

 

Thanks for the interesting link to Pudgy.
Should work in the situations where those on board the Pudgy- know how to sail.
I'm thinking a high profile visibility would increase chance of quick rescue and help avoid the hazard of being run over by large ships.
Maybe either a kite or hydrogen balloon with strobe and reflector could be used on Pudgy to maintain better visibility for long periods of time compared to just a flare gun....
FWIW.

PC

 

Indeed. That Pudgy lifeboat concept is fantastic if you ask me. Requires someone with basic sailing knowledge of course (Sailing for Dummies would be fine!). Why wait it out in a limited range lifeboat when you can sail yourselves much closer to safety. Brilliant concept. Add a small solar panel to re-charge the chart plotter, VHF, sat phone...like magic - you're all set to actually make it to a safe harbor. The boat makes a great dinghy too. I may end up buying one of these.