Page 34 - Insurance Times November 2019

VARIOUS

PROBLEMS OF

DISTRESS

VESSEL AT THE

PLACE OF

REFUGE

I nternational Maritime Organisation (IMO) adopted suffered a damage, it will be in order to prevent the

two resolutions in November, 2003 on the issue of
damage and environment pollution at the earliest. The
"Places of Refuge" for ships in distress. When any
cargo and bunkers should be removed for repairing of the
ship is in distress condition during her voyage , she
needs a place of refuge in time to save the whole ship in a place of refuge but bringing the vessel into a place
of refuge near the coastal state may hamper the Coastal
adventure. State both economically and environment point of view.
The local authorities and inhabitants may not allow to carry
The "Resolution A. 949 (23) Guidelines" on place of refuge out such repairing operation. Hence, it may be a political
for ships in need of assistance is related to the ship which decision to allow the vessel at the Place of refuge on case
needs assistance where the safety of life is not involved. to case basis unless the environment issue is amicably
Where safety of life is involved, the provisions of Maritime resolved between the ship and the Coastal State.
search and Rescue convention on 1979 ( The 1979
convention was adopted in Hamburg to develop an The second "Resolution A 950(23) Maritime Assistance
international SAR plan, so that, it will not be prime factor Services (MAS) recommends to develop maritime
to determine as to where the accident occurs. The rescue assistance service (MAS)" in all coastal states which will
of persons in distress at sea will be co-ordinated by a SAR collect various reports, consultations and notifications in a
organisation and, when necessary, with the cooperation number of IMO instruments; monitoring the situation of
between the neighbouring SAR organisation) will continue. the ship to ascertain whether the ship is in need of
assistance in her distress condition, exchange information
The "Resolution Guideline" provides that where a ship has between the Ship and the Coastal state and with the
Salvors engaged for maritime salvage if the Coastal State
About the author desire to monitor all the operation The monitoring of all
such operation is necessary to prevent the risk of oil
Sumon Ganguly pollution.
Consultant
Marine Insurance History of place of refuge
The concept of providing shelter (refuge) to the ship in

34 The Insurance Times, November 2019