CREW RESCUED BY INDIAN COAST GUARD

The Indian Coast Guard has rescued three officers of a company that GLP had anchored off the coast of Mumbai in the last two months after being abandoned by its owner. Local news sources report that the Maharishi Vamadeva MT captain sent a distress signal from the three official health deteriorated after having been on hunger strike for the day.

Crew Rescued by Indian Coast Guard

Crew Rescued by Indian Coast Guard

Apparently the vessel, owned by Varun Shipping Company has been based in Mumbai since 7 January with no support from the company, and 25 crew members on board have not been paid since September 2013.

Second officer Ashish Kumar, chief engineer Arun Kumar and gas engineer Avil D PDmello went on hunger strike to protest against the apathy of the owner. His condition became critical on Sunday.

SOLAS, AMENDMENTS ENTER INTO FORCE (MARPOL)

A series of amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) and Protocol LL 1988 took effect or entered into force from January 1, 2014.

The amendments cover up passenger ships (in relation to return to port after a flooding casualty), the test of free-fall lifeboats, the minimum safe manning levels, prohibition of mixing board, MARPOL Annex III revised.

International Maritime Organization

2012 amendments to SOLAS May

The amendments to the SOLAS Convention, which entered into force on January 1, 2014 include the following :

- Amendment to SOLAS regulation II-1/8-1 to introduce a mandatory requirement for new passenger ships, either to computers onboard stability or ground support in order to provide operational information Teacher to return to port after a flooding casualty;

- The amendment to the rule regarding III/20.11.2 test lifeboat freefall, to require that the operational testing of release systems of free-fall lifeboats will be held either by the release of free fall with only the operating crew on board or a simulated launch;

- Amendment to Chapter V to add a new regulation V/14 on manning, to require Administrations for each ship, to establish manning levels appropriate safety following a transparent procedure, taking into account the guidelines adopted by IMO (Assembly resolution A.1047 (27) on Principles of Minimum safe Manning) and formulate an appropriate document of safe manning or equivalent as evidence of the minimum safe manning considered necessary;

- Amendment to Chapter VI of VI/5-2 add a new regulation, prohibit the mixing of liquid bulk cargo during the voyage and to prohibit the production processes on board ships;

- Amendment to Chapter VII to replace the rule 4 in documents, which cover transportation information regarding the transport of dangerous goods and the container packing certificate/vehicle, and.

- Amendment of Rule XI -1/2 on enhanced surveys, to make mandatory the International Code on the enhanced program of inspections during surveys of bulk carriers and oil tankers, 2011 program.