4 minute read
Loss prevention
A series of unfortunate events
Carl Durow, Loss Prevention Manager, London P&I Club uses the example of a recent large bunker spill showing how all in the market must be prepared to learn even the simplest lessons to constantly improve and prevent and manage risk ever more effectively.
Loss prevention is at the heart of most P&I Clubs and these activities are vital in aiding members and assureds to operate safely and to implement best practice. Each Club has its own loss prevention activities which constantly evolve, to ensure that the message and knowledge is communicated in a format that is immediately understandable for staff at all levels.
An example from the London P&I Club is a bunker operations/spill animation video that was recently produced to reach working mariners across the globe. Uniquely, this video is based on a real incident involving a vessel that was entered with The London Club and shows how a series of inter-related incidents resulted in a large bunker spill and a multi-million-dollar claim. These unprecedented and unfortunate chain of events offered an opportunity to share some key learning points to reduce the chances of such an event occurring again.
THE CHAIN OF EVENTS The vessel – a bulk carrier – was anchored inside port limits awaiting a bunker delivery. The chief engineer generally takes charge but, in this instance, the chief engineer had elected to go ashore and delegated the task to the fourth engineer.
The fourth engineer was considerably less experienced than the chief, but instead of re-checking the bunkering procedures and completing the relevant checklists, he opted to run the bunker operation from memory. When the bunker barge arrived alongside and hoses were being connected, the fourth engineer was asked by the watchman if the scupper plugs were needed. The fourth engineer answered no as none of the tanks were being topped off.
An example from the London P&I Club is a bunker operations/spill animation video that was recently produced to reach working mariners across the globe. CLICK HERE TO VIEW
The fuel being delivered was intended for the No.1 Centre bunker tank. The watchman was told to open the correct valve on the manifold but unfortunately the markings on the valves were worn down and faded and so he simply guessed which was the correct valve. He was wrong. Accidentally, he routed the fuel to the No. 2 Centre bunker instead and the bunker barge was asked to start pumping. Adding more misery to this sorry tale, the fourth engineer allowed himself to become distracted and called home on his mobile phone. In order to get a better reception he wandered away from the ship’s side and left his hand-held VHF behind. As bunker tank No. 2 Centre began to fill with fuel – and it was already almost full – it started to overflow through the vent. Fuel flooded the upper deck and poured over the side – through the unplugged scuppers - into the sea.
The spill was eventually spotted by the barge crew who were unable to contact the fourth engineer by VHF and so took the decision to stop pumping. Unfortunately, this all took place after 26,000 litres had already been spilled overboard.
THE OUTCOME Unsurprisingly the ensuing clean-up operation was expensive. The entire operation took around two weeks but fortunately almost all the oil was recovered. Clean-up costs reached $6.5m and a fine of $750,000 was also issued by the local port authority. Sadly, the ship’s crew made another ill-advised decision and tried to falsify the SMS documents relating to the bunkering operation. They completed the pre-bunkering checklist retrospectively.
LESSONS LEARNT The London P&I Club is highlighting this specific case as it demonstrates how a chain of errors, some large and some not so large, can result in a significant and expensive incident. The case also offers a series of important learning points to help prevent similar spills reoccurring and to mitigate risk. Lessons learnt include:
> Ensure that staff given responsibility for bunkering operations have sufficient experience and knowledge; > Follow prescribed SMS bunkering procedures; > Hold a toolbox meeting with all staff to discuss the plan and the operation itself; > Agree an emergency signal and procedure with the bunker barge in advance; > Clearly mark all valves with the spaces they serve; > Don’t allow distractions such as cell-phones while on duty; and, Don’t falsify documents after an incident.
Many of these points seem quite simple, but it is often the simple lessons that get overlooked. Thankfully the crew did not face criminal charges for document fraud. The vessel’s owners were also fortunate that the clean-up operation was so successful. But this incident damaged both their pocket and their reputation.
Carl Durow, London P&I Club
