Page 15 - CHIRP annual digest 2016.pdf

Annual Digest 2016

The first report in this section concerns two separate cases where people were
ordered to disregard the MARPOL regulations. In one case they reported it, and in the
other they refused, which does them great credit whilst showing their superiors in a
very poor light. Sometimes it takes considerable courage to do the right thing, and
that courage is seldom rewarded, but it is heartening to discover that people are still
prepared to stand up for what is right.

We also include a report which demonstrates how deficiencies can be detected if
people keep their wits about them, and others listing brief cases submitted to us.
These may all be brief, but they are important and instructive nonetheless.

There are two reports of fires that should never have broken out, and it is worth
noting that in one case the fire was fed by accelerants trapped between layers of
paint – a reminder that a coat of paint should be allowed to dry properly before
overpainting. There is also a report of a traditional galley fire almost breaking out,
and only being prevented because someone saw the situation developing and did
something about it. Vigilance should never be relaxed!
We have depressing reports of misuse of VHF radio and obstructions to emergency
doors and hatches.

One common thread in this section seems to be that vigilance must be exercised
constantly. If you keep your eyes open at all times, you may well see things which
others have not noticed, and you may be able to prevent serious accidents. Perhaps
companies should be required to reward people like the ones we meet in this section,
whose powers of observation have prevented so many potential disasters.

We close the section with a thought-provoking report by one of our CHIRP
ambassadors, Captain Arie Nygh, on the subject of dangerous heaving lines and how
one New Zealand port is dealing with the problem.

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