VMSL Update issue 3-05, for the July to September 2005 quarter.
This Update is intended to keep our friends informed about what's new at VMSL and in Vanuatu.
FLEET / SAFETY LETTER Fleet / Safety Letter 05081 “APPLICATION OF ISPS CODE TO INTERIM SCHEME VESSELS” was recently published. It reviews a recent IMO interpretation which could affect your interim scheme vessels which have regulatory tonnages under 500 grt and ITC tonnages of 500 gt and above.
MARINE ACCIDENT INVESTIGATORS INTERNATIONAL FORUM (MAIIF) 14 Vanuatu will host MAIIF 14 in Port Vila, August 29 - September 2, 2005. There are already 25 administrations scheduled to attend with more to come. Work on the Code for Marine Casualties and Incidents will continue. Log onto www.maiif.net for copies of the Casualty Investigation Manual and the draft Fire Casualty Investigation Manual.
QUALSHIP 21; PARIS MOU; AND TOKYO MOU PSC STATISTICS Vanuatu remains on the USCG list of qualifying countries for QUALSHIP 21 with no US detentions in the last 3 years. It slipped slightly from its position on the Paris MOU white list to the grey list when the M/V Nautical Tide was detained twice in a very short period of time. Vanuatu’s PSC detention statistics remain better than the global average in the Tokyo MOU PSC statistics.
CONCENTRATED INSPECTION CAMPAIGNS The Paris MOU and the Tokyo MOU have announced concentrated inspection campaigns from September to November 2005. The Paris MOU will check GMDSS arrangements, including functionality of equipment, operator familiarity with the equipment, etc. The Tokyo MOU will check operational requirements specified in SOLAS and MARPOL during the same period, including tests, drills, record keeping, and maintenance requirements specified under SOLAS Chapter II-2, III, IV and V, and MARPOL Annex 1 and 5.
COASTAL CONTACT INFORMATION -- SOPEPs Shipowners should keep coastal contact information up to date in their Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plans. IMO publishes a new list each December under a new publication number and provides updated versions quarterly. Log onto www.imo.org. Go to “national contacts” then “contact points” then “MEPC.#/CIRC.# (Annex 2 for SOPEP) or click here.
SEAFARER DOCUMENTATION To help reduce application turnaround time:
Always include a cover letter with company details -- e-mail address, fax number -- with all applications.
If documentation is missing, the applications will be held for only 30 days, after which they will be destroyed.
Applications for officers must be signed in Sections VII & VIII by the seafarer and by a senior company representative. If they are not signed, they will be rejected.
Medical report forms, MED1 or equivalent, and drug & alcohol test results, must accompany each application. No test results, no documents!
Vanuatu Certificates for fishing vessels A Fleet / Safety Letter is in preparation which will remind fishing vessel owners that if their vessels have Certificates of Seaworthiness, IOPP certificates, etc., they must present those vessels for inspection or survey prior to the anniversary or expiry dates on the Certificates. Vessels that are not presented by the due date will be subject to penalties prescribed by Section 16 or Section 33 of the Vanuatu Maritime Regulations.
New Email Address:
GAS BOTTLE EXPLOSION – THE NAUTICAL INSTITUTE’S, SEAWAYS, MARS REPORT 200533 The most recent issue of SEAWAYS shows a gas bottle which exploded when it was being refilled from the breathing apparatus air compressor. For some reason not explained, the bottle was being refilled while it was in a lifeboat. One photo shows the bottle blown apart; another, the bottom of the lifeboat completely destroyed. The master who was standing nearby was seriously wounded. The photos and captions leave many questions unanswered…and perhaps that is the purpose of this MARS report. Always question what you are doing and why. What are the consequences? Do you trust the integrity of material being used? Is the object in question subject to regular tests? If so, when was it last tested? Remember hydro-testing pressure cylinders should be done as per manufacturers’ recommendations and flag state requirements. Let’s be careful out there!
Taiwanese Fishing Boat detained Vanuatu detained another Taiwanese fishing vessel caught fishing illegally in Vanuatu waters. In the last year several such vessels have been arrested for fishing without a license in Vanuatu and other South Pacific countries. As the world’s fish stocks become depleted, protecting fishing rights is a major exercise with huge economic stakes.
New Legislation Vanuatu is drafting a national Trust Law (Vanuatu still uses the UK Trustee Act of 1925) and other legislation including a new Company and Trust Services Bill, amended Trust Company Act and Insurance Act. Group Chairman Tom Bayer is a member of the Trustee and Trust Service Providers’ Bills Project working party.
Words of Wisdom Didn’t Benjamin Franklin say “They that give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety”? The rate of involuntary and voluntary surrender of personal liberties since 9/11 to obtain security is unprecedented in history. Liberty is fast disappearing, but has there been more security in exchange, even in the short term? In the longer term the loss of liberty will sap the energy which has given us the progress many take for granted. One need only look at the former Soviet Union. Is the West planting the seeds of its own demise?
P&O to hire more Ni-Vanuatu P&O Cruise Lines is hiring more ni-Vanuatu to fill hospitality positions on their passenger ships which cover South Pacific destinations. This provides opportunities for ni-Vanuatu to gain international hospitality experience.
Vanuatu Chamber of Commerce and Industry Group Chairman Tom Bayer was re-elected to the board of directors of the Chamber of Commerce and again elected to the 5 member executive. He is the longest serving member of the board. He has served off and on for 25 years.
Vanuatu Financial Centre Association Charles Kleiman, group Executive Director, was elected Secretary of the Financial Centre Association which represents the industry internationally and in dealings with the government.
One China Policy Vanuatu’s “One China Policy,” recently reconfirmed, has resulted in a substantial increase in aid from China for infrastructure upgrading and new investment. It has also resulted in discussions of joint ventures in the near future.
Japan EXPO At the Japan EXPO Vanuatu is currently promoting tourism, its natural beauty, and its custom way of life. Custom dancers have been a highlight. Vanuatu’s tropical products – carvings, coffee, cacao, beef, vanilla, etc. -- are on display and in demand. August 1, 2005, is VANUATU Day. It will be attended by a delegation of high officials.
Vanuatu Beef for Europe Vanuatu beef is famous throughout the Pacific. Vanuatu’s rich volcanic soil and adequate rain means that high quality pastures grow quickly allowing cattle to “stand still while the grass grows around them.” In the past much of the beef went to Japan but Vanuatu is now negotiating at diplomatic levels to export Vanuatu beef to Europe.
Bio-fuel mandated for Vanuatu government Vanuatu government motor vehicles must switch to coconut oil fuel to save importing diesel and boost the domestic consumption of coconut oil, instead of exporting it to Asia and Europe. Trial usage of the fuel, typically 80% coconut oil / 20% diesel, has demonstrated that no changes need be made to the diesel engines. Engine wear is reduced due to the higher ”lubricity” of the coconut oil.
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