Page 62 - ΝΑΥΤΙΚΑ ΧΡΟΝΙΚΑ - ΟΚΤΩΒΡΙΟΣ 2024

ON THE SEAFRONT

Executive Committee, industry partners, and
stakeholders.
Developed alongside industry and the OCIMF
membership, the new and updated Ship Inspec-
tion Report Programme, SIRE 2.0, will future-
proof the tanker inspection process in line with
evolving risks, technology, and expertise.
The digitalised inspection programme will trans-
form how inspections are conducted and will
support industry efforts to continuously enhance
safety.

INCREASED NUMBER OF ALARMS
ONBOARD SHIPS AND ITS IMPACT
ON SEAFARERS' DECISION-MAKING
The number of alarms onboard ships must be
rationalised to ensure they support officers’ and
watchkeepers’ operational decision-making
capabilities and are not a distraction or irritation,
finds new research conducted by LR.
Bridge alarm data analysis shows a 197% increase
per hour in alarms whilst a vessel is in the open
sea, compared to nearly two decades ago. The
investigation also revealed that there are 70% and
6% more alarms in coastal waters and confined
waters respectively compared to 20 years ago.
The research was carried out as part of LR’s
“Alarm Management in the Maritime Industry”
report drawing on real-world data gathered from
As of the end of 2023, scrubbers were fitted on 65 watchkeeping officers from 15 ships operated
36% of the fleet, up from 32% twelve months by 10 independent companies. Data collected as
earlier. However, it has taken just eight months to part of the investigation was compared with the
achieve a further 5% increase – and on an expo- crew’s own perceptions of the impact of alarms
nentially larger fleet. on their work.
This news coincides with a recent improvement On the ships’ bridge, peak rates were found to be
in the fuel price spread for scrubber operators. 74 alarms per hour in a situation requiring high
The price delta between heavy and light fuel has levels of concentration from the navigating offi-
traded slightly lower this year, averaging $91 per cers. For engine room alarms, certain ship seg-
tonne to date versus $101 in 2023. ments were experiencing an average of 2,500
However, spreads reached a four-month high at machinery alarms per day, with peak daily rates
the end of August, with the difference between seen at 22,500.
Rotterdam IFO 380 and VLSFO standing at The digitalisation of maritime operations has
nearly $110 at the close of the month. led to increasing numbers of technologies and
These are favourable levels for scrubber owners, sensors being fitted to ships, often with alarm
who are enjoying even greater advantages with functions. The excessive number of alarms now
the extra tonne -miles generated by the current onboard often leads to alarm fatigue and can
diversions around the Cape of Good Hope. adversely affect officers’ operational aware-
ness and performance onboard, according to
SIRE 2.0: A MILESTONE FOR THE the research. There are currently no regulatory
TANKER INDUSTRY instruments mandating the justification of the
The OCIMF announced the successful launch safety credit claimed by alarms.
of the Ship Inspection Report Programme 2.0 The study also demonstrates the advantages of
(SIRE 2.0) on 2 September 2024. The launch is alarm systems, and how they can support crews
the culmination of several years of dedicated both during normal operations and in demanding
effort, meticulous planning, and collaboration situations. It also asserts that alarm frequency
between OCIMF’s membership, Vessel Inspec- should be better monitored and controlled to ensure
tion Programme (VIP) project team, Secretariat, that maximum utility is gained from the software.

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