Page 17 - CHIRP annual digest 2016.pdf

CHIRPAnnual Digest 2016

CHIRP Suggests PREVENTING LOSS OF SUCTION WHEN TRANSITING
Make inspections thorough, unpredictable, and a matter SHALLOW CHANNELS
of the seaman’s eye. In other words we should all be ■ Ensure high and low sea suction strainers are clean
noticing and rectifying shortcomings whenever we are before transiting a narrow shallow channel.
about our business in ships. Alertness amongst crews, ■ Have spare clean strainers and the necessary tools
from the most junior to the more senior, should be available.
rewarded and invariably acted upon. It is all about ■ Ensure familiarity with changeover procedures for
incident and accident prevention; if crews feel confident strainers when needed for cleaning.
to report shortcomings, without fear of negative re - ■ Consider switching from low to high suctions in the
actions, then safety culture is probably fit and well; the channel.
opposite is also true.
REPORT 3: Good housekeeping, planning, toolbox talks
The above article was published in MFB43 and supervision can prevent unguarded open plates and
manholes. MIND THE GAP!
Article. 12 REPORT 4: An unattended galley poses a severe fire
Short Sharp Lessons threat and risk to all on board. “Galley shut down”
CHIRP has received several reports with quick lessons that checklists, and provision of external main power
can be learnt from each. breakers outside galleys, are suggested as good means
of ensuring that drills are observed and risks of
What did the reporters tell us? inadvertent failure to ‘switch off’ are reduced to the
REPORT 1: Life saving equipment: Three lifeboat incidents minimum.
were reported. A hydrostatic locking device of a lifeboat
release mechanism was found to be broken; a lifeboat release CHIRP Suggests
gear spring was missing from the release hook; and a freefall Be ready for probable failures in particular circumstances.
prevention device was not properly rigged during a drill. 99% correct operation of life saving gear and arrange -
ments is not good enough; by definition, the requirement
REPORT 2: Clogged intake: During transit of a narrow
is 100%. Put another way, in circumstances in which you
shallow channel the engine room sea water intake became are unlikely to get a second chance; don’t make one
clogged with fish, with the potential for engine failure,
necessary.
grounding and closure of the channel.
The above article was published in MFB43
REPORT 3: Machinery spaces: Four incidents were
recorded in engine rooms of lower deck plates or manhole
covers left open without any warning signs or guards. In Article. 13
addition two reports of safety chains to vertical ladders Flash Fire – Welding and Painting
being unsecured were reported. All offered high potential
This article outlines the rapid outbreak of a fire onboard a
for slips, falls and serious injury.
vessel in a shipyard during welding operations. Several
REPORT 4: Galley fire risk: A galley oven was left ‘on’ while safety lessons emerge, including the risk of multiple paint
unattended at night; it was discovered during evening layers retaining flammable products that may act as an
rounds. accelerant.

The lessons to be learnt
REPORT 1: Lifesaving equipment (including lifeboat
release mechanisms) are not in regular use; and yet
when they are required, the need for their perfect
operation is instant and overriding. Thorough inspec -
tions and maintenance are of the highest priority.
REPORT 2: The sea suction incident quoted fish; other
potential obstructions can include mud and plastic.
Procedures should be in place to deal with blockages
from these sources.

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