Page 20 - CHIRP annual digest 2016.pdf

CHIRP Maritime

Lessons to be learnt with utmost caution. Apply the COLREGS, know them
The reporter makes an important point; it recurs in stinctively, and take early and substantial action in
repeatedly in the reports received by CHIRP. accordance with them when the circumstances of the
case require.
The COLREGS are based on the tried and tested practice
of decades. They exist to make the correct actions clear, The above article was published in MFB44
and were originally developed long before bridge-to- Article. 17
bridge voice communications became available. Obstruction of Emergency Doors and
Hatches
They are thus unambiguous. It is the responsibility of
all bridge watch keepers to know how to apply them What did the reporters tell us?
instinctively, on the basis of observation primarily by Two cases have been reported to CHIRP recently. In the
sight and radar. They work effectively when ships in an first instance the supply door of a mechanical fan for a
interaction obey them; they also specifically address galley was found obstructed by wooden boards. The
circumstances where one ship does not. second report concerned an elevator’s emergency exit to
the open deck being obstructed from the outside due to
Of course VHF radio is used for the purpose of traffic the incorrect positioning of a locking pin.
management, for example in traffic separation schemes
(TSSs). There can also be circumstances where – for Lessons to be learnt
some exceptional reason – VHF radio exchanges can REPORT 1: The obstruction could have prevented the
assist deconfliction. If they are so used, neither ship closing of ventilation doors/flaps in the event of a fire.
should rely on the other to take the action ‘arranged’ Additionally, there was reduced air intake when the fan
until this is independently verified; indeed it should be was in use. This is a case of housekeeping and general
assumed that the action has not been taken until it is safety awareness. Was this complacency or careless -
seen to be happening. ness? All ventilation fans/flaps should be identified and
marked; colour coding is a good method of doing this.
The greatest risk attaches to ‘arrangements’ that are
contrary to the COLREGS; these are hazardous. REPORT 2: The purpose of the emergency exit of the
elevator is to provide means of escape for people in the
Further risks of language confusion, mis-identification
elevator in case of emergency. The exit door should
between the communicating vessels, distraction of never be obstructed in any way.
other ships in the area and distraction from the officer
of the watch (OOW)’s primary tasks all add risk to the CHIRP Suggests
use of VHF in collision avoidance. It is true that AIS has The CHIRP Maritime Advisory Board emphasised that
made identification of vessels easier, but at busy escape from an elevator should only be considered in an
moments – especially in heavy shipping situations – emergency. It also highlighted the occurrence of fatalities
mistakes can still be made. It can also be particularly in connection with elevators, and the importance of taut
tempting to use VHF when, as the stand-on vessel, we procedures for use and maintenance, for example the
encounter give-way ships not taking the right action. locking out of all decks when an elevator is out of service.
However the COLREGS make quite clear what to do in An incident report from the Nautical Institute Marine
this situation: ‘take action to avoid’. Accident Reporting Programme (MARS) 2015-55 refers:
http://www.nautinst.org/en/forums/mars/mars-2015.
Finally the ‘VHF in collision avoidance’ habit can
cfm/201555.
also erode the plain and absolute authority of the
COLREGs in the minds of Officers of the Watch, and The above article was published in MFB44
thus their instinctive and confident application of them.
This represents a serious longer-term threat to safety Article. 18
at sea. Heard It All Before …
The following short reports highlight occurrences, which
CHIRP Suggests
recur and will be familiar to many readers.
Doubt = danger.VHF communication in collision avoid -
ance can increase doubt, misunderstanding, delay and If this is so, then the question has to be “WHY?” are we
distrac tion. Use it only in exceptional situations, and then not learning from previous errors?

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