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Press Notice No: 054-10
Friday, February 26, 2010
Posted 14:35 GMT
SHIPPING OPERATORS WARNED OF MCA ACTION ON UNSAFE MANNING LEVELS
The MCA are warning shipping companies that action will be taken if they are found to be flouting hours of rest requirements.
Both UK and non-UK ships will be subject to inspection, with ships operating busy schedules with small crews being targeted. On board schedules and work records will be checked, and compared to the operating pattern of the ship to verify their accuracy. Where time does not permit for detailed checking on board, copies will be requested of relevant documents, so that they can be checked after the event. As well as hours of rest, surveyors will be checking for compliance with the requirement for a dedicated lookout at night.
The MCA will also be looking for evidence of the companys audit of these records ashore. Under the ISM Code, each Company is required to have procedures in place to audit their compliance with regulations and company procedures. Ensuring that seafarers are able to comply with hours of rest requirements should be part of that, with non-conformities being addressed. Surveyors will be reporting specifically on these aspects of the companys safety management system, for both DOC and SMC audits.
Paul Coley, MCA Assistant Director of Seafarers and Ships said:
Its been known for many years that tiredness caused by long working hours and low manning is dangerous to both ships and its crews.
Shipping companies have been warned about the consequences of fatigue many times. This time its not just a warning. The MCA are determined to stamp out excess hours in UK waters and so significant breaches of the regulations will be reported to our enforcement unit and may result in prosecution.
-Ends-
Notes to Editors
• The MCA are committed to reducing fatigue in seafarers. They are doing this in three ways: placing greater emphasis on enforcement of existing Hours of Work Regulations; securing recognition internationally of the problem of fatigue at sea and of its link with seafarer manning levels and seeking to achieve a cultural shift over the longer terms such that excessive working hours are no longer acceptable either to employers or to seafarers.
Posted By: Rosie Tapping
For further details contact:
The Maritime & Coastguard Agency Press Office
023 8032 9401