Page 200 - ΝΑΥΤΙΚΑ ΧΡΟΝΙΚΑ - ΟΚΤΩΒΡΙΟΣ 2024

ΗΟRIZON FROM THE BRIDGE

The new SOLAS regulation provides associated
draft Guidelines for Lifting Appliances (MSC.1/
Circ.1663). In line with this, the Member Author-
ities of the Memorandum of Understanding on
Port State Control in the Riyadh MoU Region
(Riyadh MoU) launched a Concentrated Inspec-
tion Campaign (CIC) focusing on ships’ lifting
appliances.
This CIC will run for three months, from 1 Sep-
tember 2024 to 30 November 2024.
Lifting appliances refer to any load-handling
equipment on a vessel used for cargo loading,
transfer, or discharge; raising and lowering hold
hatch covers; launch and recovery of lifeboats
or rescue boats; or functioning as engine-room
cranes, store cranes, hose handling cranes, or
personnel handling cranes.
The primary objective of the CIC is to ensure
that ship crew members are adequately trained
and familiar with various types of crane equip-
ment, capable of identifying potential hazards
promptly, and knowledgeable about the appro-
priate actions to take in emergency situations.
Furthermore, it aims to verify that all crew mem-
or other factors outside the ship’s control. bers possess the necessary qualifications for
• Implement a system that further incentiv- their respective roles and have access to current
ises overall GHG emission reductions, rather safety manuals that outline best practices for
than potentially encouraging behaviour that each task. The campaign also seeks to ensure
improves ratings but increases total emis- that periodic maintenance of the ship's lifting
sions. equipment and devices is performed by the
• Consider a multi-phased approach to crew.
refining the CII, starting with solutions Throughout the campaign, the Member Author-
based on current data and progressing to ities of the Riyadh MoU will, within its available
more refined measures as additional data resources, inspect as many ships as possible
becomes available. in conjunction with routine Port State Control
The current CII framework, while well-inten- inspections.
tioned, may inadvertently lead down a path that Each ship will undergo only one inspection under
contradicts the ultimate goal of reducing overall this CIC during the campaign period. The cam-
emissions, as ships may end up increasing their paign will focus on compliance across all vessel
total emissions in an effort to improve their CII types and will include an examination of specific
rating. This is clearly not the outcome the indus- items related to the campaign, alongside the
try is aiming for, so it is crucial to ensure that the regular Port State Control inspection.
system truly incentivises energy efficiency and Port State Control Officers (PSCOs) will utilise
emissions reduction across the industry. a list of 10 questions to assess the adequacy
and compliance of ships' lifting appliances and
CIC ON SHIPS’ LIFTING equipment with relevant requirements, ensure
APPLIANCES BY RIYADH’S MOU that the master and crew members are familiar
Deck lifting equipment, such as gantry cranes, with the operations concerning these appli-
general cargo cranes, provision cranes, and der- ances, and verify that the equipment is properly
ricks, is essential for carrying heavy loads on maintained and functional.
board ships. As these deck machinery systems Any deficiencies identified will be documented
are subject to continuous loading, their parts by the PSCOs. The campaign's results will be
wear down at a faster rate, requiring mainte- analysed, and the findings will be presented to
nance at regular intervals. The inability to prop- the Committee for submission to the IMO.
erly maintain these systems can lead to system The relevant checklist, which will assist the mas-
failure, unfortunate accidents, and loss of life ter, officers, and crew in their preparation for this
and property. CIC inspection, is presented below.

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