There is an increasing risk of marine casualties, incidents, and risks that are related to on-board systems and safety management, says Laurent Leblanc, marine operations vice president, Bureau Veritas (BV).
According to LeBlanc, data and experience of the BV team show there are systemic failures on-board ships and an increase of system deficiencies related to the requirements of the International Safety Management (ISM) code. These failures and deficiencies can lead to ship detention by port state control, to pollution, or, to injuries and fatalities. “For example, how many times have we read an example of an enclosed space incident where one, two or more seafarers have lost their lives?” asks LeBlanc.
A new publication issued by Bureau Veritas and TMC Marine, a Bureau Veritas Group Company, and the London P&I Club, aims to minimise these systemic failures and improve the safety on-board vessels and ashore. Key elements highlighted include the management of change, as well as work planning meetings and the importance of a Permit to Work system. The circular nature of the Safety Management System (SMS) is also emphasised.
Simon Burthem, chief operating officer, TMC Marine, said that efficient management systems are vital in protecting personnel and the environment. “We hope that this guidance will help those on-board and in management positions ashore to ensure that the safety management systems in place are effective and efficient. The combined experience of Bureau Veritas, the London P&I Club and our expertise at TMC provides the insight to understand what is required to reduce the risk of systemic failures.”
Carl Durow, loss prevention manager, London P&I Club, stated: “The ISM code and its proper application is in many cases the yardstick against which the quality of an operation is measured. The Club’s Loss Prevention activities are in part focused on procedural compliance and it is hoped that this joint publication will assist our members to avoid incidents caused by systemic failures.”
The guidance can be viewed here.
