Page 7 - 2021 - Q2 - Minerva in Focus

tive fuels – ammonia and hydrogen – as in the Vessel Inspection Questionnaire systems, causing injuries to crew mem-
the most promising zero-carbon bunker (VIQ) completed by Inspectors during an bers. The revision addresses the problem
fuels for shipping at present, as they are inspection. suggesting that periodical tests should
more scalable and cost-competitive than be conducted in such a way that in a 20-
other biofuel or synthetic carbon-based Source: Oil Companies International year period, all the cylinders should be
options. Marine Forum hydrostatically tested. Similarly, flexible
The second report, “The Role of LNG in the hoses should be replaced within a period
Transition Toward Low- and Zero-Carbon not exceeding 10 years and even more fre-
Shipping,” finds that liquefied natural gas quently, if required, at the manufacturer’s
(LNG) is likely to play a limited role in the recommendation.
decarbonization of the shipping sector,
noting its specific niche applications on Life saving
pre-existing routes or specific vessel SOLAS chapter 3 regulation 33.2 has been
types. amended to clarify that this regulation,
relating to the need for lifeboats to be
Source: The World Bank able to be launched with the ship making
headway at speeds up to 5 knots in calm
OCIMF: A human-centred water, applies only to davit launched life-
boats and not to free-fall lifeboats.
approach to improve This amendment will come into force from

safety and environmental 1 Jan 2024, unless flag states consider its
voluntary application prior to this date.
protection in the Search and Rescue
maritime industry The International Aeronautical and Mari-
time Search and Rescue (IAMSAR) Manual
has been updated, taking into the account
the recent developments in the moderni-
#safety sation of the Global Maritime Distress and
Safety System (GMDSS) and the inclusion
One way in which OCIMF aims to improve of a new remote maritime mobile satellite
safety and environmental protection system (RMSS) – Iridium. The IAMSAR Vol-
in the maritime industry is by consid- ume 3, which is meant for maritime mobile
ering the human factor when providing IMO’s Safety Committee stations, also includes new action cards
human-centred approach looks at the approves measures to added to section 12. All these amend-
guidance and recommendations. This
ments will be included in the new edition
tors that affect human interaction with improve safety onboard of the IAMSAR manual to be published in
physical, psychological, and social fac-
June 2022. Ships are requested to carry an
equipment, processes, and other people ships updated copy of the IAMSAR manual.
in order to identify and minimise potential
risks. Crucially, it recognises that human Human Element
error, actions, and decisions are often the #safety Regulation I/1.1 of the International Con-
result of the way the workplace is set up, vention on Standards of Training, Certifi-
i.e., how work, equipment, and safeguards The Maritime Safety Committee 103 meet- cation, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers
are designed and how leaders influence ing (MSC 103) of the International Maritime (STCW) 1978, as amended, now has a new
the work culture. Organization (IMO) was held from 5 to 14 definition for the term “high voltage.”
To ensure that the human factor is always May 2021. Several important decisions High voltage now means - an alternating
accounted for in the management and were made that will affect shipowners di- current (AC) or direct current (DC) voltage
operation of vessels, OCIMF is including rectly. These include upcoming changes to in excess of 1,000 volts.
human factor considerations as a core fire safety systems on board to help pre-
element of the updated Ship Inspection vent fires, as well as changes to the search Source: International Maritime
Report Programme (SIRE 2.0), which is due and rescue manuals onboard ships. Organisation
for delivery in 2022.
SIRE 2.0 vessel inspections will inform Fire safety systems
Vessel Operators, Charterers, and Crew if The MSC 103 approved a revision to the
ships’ protective systems are effective and guidelines for the maintenance and in-
to what extent the critical human activi- spections of fixed carbon dioxide fire-ex-
ties those protective systems rely on are tinguishing systems (MSC.1/Circ.1318).
sufficient. Processes, policies, and proce- Recent accident investigations have re-
dures built into the inspection regime will vealed that there have been incidents
assess human factor issues by reporting resulting in the unintended release of Car-
performance relating to human factors bon dioxide (CO2) from fire-extinguishing
5