Working Conditions Aboard the Los-Amigos

On March 16, 2026, the vessel 'Los Amigos' was detained in Galati due to an alarming total of 33 deficiencies identified during a rigorous inspection, with 18 of these categorized as serious enough to warrant detention. Among the critical issues were several expired certificates, including the medical certificate and qualifications for officers and ratings on board. Specifically, the inspection revealed the following major concerns: 1) Expired medical certificate; 2) Missing watchkeeping ratings; 3) Missing certifications for able seafarers/deck/engine and electro-technical roles; 4) Lifeboats found unready for immediate use; 5) Inoperative sanitary facilities and cold room; 6) Heating and ventilation systems that were non-functional; 7) Lack of familiarity with GMDSS equipment; 8) Poor maintenance of water/weather-tight doors; 9) Inadequate nautical publications; 10) Deficiencies in fire safety installations; 11) Inoperative alarms including for the boiler; 12) Malfunctions with steering gear; 13) Missing documentation for ozone-depleting substances; and 14) Issues with the ISM certificate. Fortunately, the ship was cleared and released from detention on March 27, and it subsequently set sail for Samsun. This recent detention marks the second time the 'Los Amigos' has faced scrutiny in less than a year, following an eight-day detention on June 20, 2025, in Gemlik, where 24 deficiencies were noted. The ongoing challenges with compliance highlight the vessel's urgent need for improvements to ensure safety and operational efficacy.

On June 24, 2025, the vessel 'Los Amigos' faced detention in Gemlik following a rigorous Port State Control (PSC) inspection, uncovering multiple deficiencies. Among the 14 flagged issues, several were deemed serious enough to warrant the detention of the ship. Key concerns included: 1. Missing entries in the Document of Compliance. 2. Incomplete Oil Record Book. 3. Absence of a voyage or passage plan, essential for safety. 4. Non-compliant Voyage Data Recorder. 5. Expired navigational charts. 6. Insufficient cleanliness in the engine room. 7. Inoperative alarms related to Unmanned Machinery Spaces (UMS). 8. Missing firefighting equipment and appliances. 9. Faulty fixed fire extinguishing installations. 10. Unsafe fire doors and openings within fire-resisting divisions. 11. Insufficient frequency of abandon ship drills. 12. Poorly maintained embarkation arrangements for survival crafts. 13. Malfunctioning Ballast Water Management System, crucial for pollution prevention. 14. Cracked ventilators, air pipes, and casings, risking weathertight integrity. Fortunately, after addressing these serious concerns, the 'Los Amigos' was released from detention on June 27, 2025. Subsequently, the vessel set sail from Gemlik bound for Pula, with an estimated time of arrival on July 2, 2025.