Managed vessel. Health inspection revealed Legionella bacteria
in shower heads in spare cabins. Investigated and now compulsory
running of taps and showers in all cabins at intervals not
exceeding 2 weeks plus 3 monthly superchlorination at 3 monthly
intervals.
Whilst under pilotage in narrow channel at 5kts, Captain ordered
anchor to be walked out and secured. Anchor cable ran away but
bitter end held. Vessel veered across channel but avoided
grounding. Cable and anchor recovered. Inquiry on board found
that brake had been incorrectly assembled after drydock and only
checked by the Bosun.
A North European port reportedly polluted dock water. Port authority
repeatedly asked Captains not to report oil in water as ‘it
creates paperwork’. Company instructed Captain to ignore this
instruction and continue to report.
Two cases of ‘whistle blowing’. A conflict between the Chief
Engineer and Third Engineer culminated in the dismissal of the
Third Engineer after he was found to be asleep on duty. In a US
port, the agent collected the Third Engineer to take him to the
local airport. Three hours later however, the Third Engineer
returned with the USCG who advised the Captain that the vessel
was to be investigated for alleged dumping at sea. All computers,
hard drives etc were taken ashore for analysis, the oily water
separator dismantled and all garbage bins inspected for paper
evidence. The statement from the sacked Engineer stated that….’
I have suspicions but have not actually seen anything…..’. Not
proven.
North Africa – own vessel in collision with fishing vessel. Clear
visibility and good radar picture. Captain and bridge team claim
fishing vessel deliberately collided with own vessel to make
insurance claim, but voyage data recorder showed that a small
alteration of course of less than 5 degrees had been made several
minutes earlier in contravention of the collision regulations as
regards as safe distance, despite there being adequate sea room.
