When the container vessel arrived in port, it was instructed to anchor and wait until its berth was available. While the vessel was waiting for the berth, the Chief Officer decided to carry out a routine ballast tank inspection.

The company has a requirement for carrying out detailed risk assessments but no specific requirement when this should be done. In this case, the officers did not think it was necessary. According to the company’s SMS it is the responsibility of the Chief Officer to verify that the hatch is properly secured when the job is completed.

Read more about what happens next in the latest monthly safety scenario case.

Download the MSS case for September here»

For more Loss Prevention information, please contact: 
Joakim Enström, Loss Prevention Officer
E-mail: joakim.enstrom@swedishclub.com

Each month the Club’s Loss Prevention team issues a new safety scenario to assist members in their efforts to comply with international safety regulations and to follow best practices. 

When discussing the case, please consider that the actions taken at the time made sense for all involved. Do not only judge, but also ask why you think these actions were taken, and could this happen on your vessel?