Working Conditions Aboard the Asi-m

On December 12, 2012, a vessel was detained in Tyne by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) due to significant lapses in adherence to the International Safety Management (ISM) Code, as evidenced by twelve marked deficiencies. Key findings indicated a worrying lack of control during critical safety drills, including fire drills, where crucial elements such as an operable oil mist detector and functional breathing apparatus were absent. Alarmingly, two sets of breathing apparatus were found to be inoperable, and multiple bottles were empty. Moreover, safety protocols for hot work permits were neglected, as no fire extinguisher was available, and leaks from a fire main were discovered aboard the vessel. Additional safety concerns emerged from a deficient abandon ship drill, where one life jacket was condemned pending classification confirmation to ensure compliance with SOLAS requirements. Several pipes had extensive corrosion and were subjected to makeshift rubber repairs, while the cylinder lube-oil storage tank’s air pipe was also found to be corroded. In the engine room, the lube-oil gauge glass valve was kept open, and the Emergency Escape Breathing Device (EEBD) in the workshop showed low pressure, alongside non-functional escape route lights. Navigation safety was compromised with the aft mast navigation light rendered inoperative, and numerous mooring ropes displayed broken strands. Furthermore, the number one hold tank top sustained damage during cargo loading, raising additional concerns. Violations of rest hours for both the Master and Chief Engineer were noted, alongside a security-related defect on board. After addressing the identified issues, the vessel was released on December 18, 2012.