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.
A flurry of accidents in the galley. In the first case, a fish bone lodged in a cook’s hand, which became infected. Medevac ashore. Then a galley hand was chopping carrots and sliced off his own thumb. Finally, in the same short period, a cook was trying to free a stuck drawer and pushed his hand onto the blade of a carving knife. This Company are now commencing a galley safety drive.
A six-day old vessel discharging first cargo in Korea was detained by port state control for having no ISPS continuous synopsis record. The Management Company had overlooked this.
Beer and wine allowed on board subject to Company D&A policy but no alcohol. Two officers went ashore in Surabaya in Indonesia and bought two bottles of ‘Mansion House Whisky’ and drank heavily. The next day, one was found dead and the second with extreme abdominal pain who died later that day. Company investigation into bottle residues and post mortem examinations revealed high levels of tertiary butyl and methanol.
Congested anchorage manoeuvring – drifted down on anchored vessel causing hull damage. Bridge teamwork poor. Bridge not adequately manned. Over-reliance placed on radar. Previously own vessel had carried out three ship-to-ship transfers and Chief mate had worked 19 hours without a rest. Second and Third mates also had worked excessive hours. Captain had rested but had a disturbed night with cellphone calls from his manager in (N European city) and local agents. (Investigation showed that both Second and Third Officers were underperforming and not trusted by the Captain and Chief Mate. Despite this, their on board appraisal records described them as ‘very good’.)
20 yr old engine room wiper found dead – syringe next to bed. Medical records showed that he was drug-free at his medical. Company now providing drug testing kits and insisting on all sea staff having at least one random drug test during their normal tours of duty.
