Category: Through the lens
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Vertex, The Master-key?
Vertex the key to all secretsInformation about the coordinates of vertex is the master key to all the secrets of a great circle. Any calculation in respect of a great circle can be accomplished, if the position of vertex is known. Be it the intermediate position; intermediate course; or the position where a parallel of…
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London Dumping Convention & 96 Protocol
The “Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter 1972”, or the “London Convention” is one of the first global conventions to protect the marine environment from human activities and has been in force since 1975. Its objective is to promote the effective control of all sources of marine…
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How do you go about anchoring?
Anchoring a ship may not be that difficult a task considering the various other responsibilities of Master in respect of shiphandling and tasks other than shiphandling. Anchoring however, is still tricky in an area, considering various factors such as: probable weather (wind direction & gusting); nature of sea bed; direction of ebbying and flooding streams;…
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Dry Docking -Technical and Financial Management
A shipowner when trying to fix or shortlist a drydock, invites quotes from various likely drydocks. Amongst the other things, the policy, reputation and work culture of the yard should be given prime importance. To appoint a reliable agent is key to optimize the process and avoid conflicting interests between yard and ship owner. Once shortlisted,…
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Places of Refuge
A few situations involving port of refuge: ErikaErika was broken in two in a severe storm in the Bay of Biscay. Erika was a 37,283t dwt, 1975 built tanker and carried some 31,000t of oil as cargo, of which, about 20,000t of oil was spilled off. On afternoon of the 11th December, 1999 the crew…
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Guidelines on Developing the Inventory of Hazardous Materials
The guidelines on this subject provide recommendations for developing the Inventory of Hazardous Materials to assist compliance with regulation 5 (Inventory of Hazardous Materials) of the Hong Kong International Convention. The objective of the Inventory is to provide ship-specific information on the actual hazardous materials present on board, in order to protect health and safety…
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The Hong Kong Convention on Recycling
The Hong Kong Convention was adopted at a Diplomatic Conference held in Hong Kong, China, in May 2009. IMO Member States; non-governmental organizations; International Labour Organization; and the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal, contributed to the forming of Convention. Regulations in the new…
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National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) is a system under the US environmental protection rules (Clean Water Act) to minimize pollution. Typically dischargers seeking coverage under a General Permit are required to submit a Notice of Intent (NOI) to be covered by the permit. A General Permit is subject to public comment and is…
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Oil Pollution Act 90
HistoryIn 1851 the Limitation of Liability Act was enacted. This statue stated that vessel owners were liable for incident-related costs up to the post-incident value of their vessel. So according to this rule the owners of the Torrey Canyon were liable for only $50, which was the value of the only remaining lifeboat. The cost…
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A Few Tips on Bridge Watchkeeping
In a very interesting study done in respect of a group of passenger ships, it was found that most of the accidents had occurred due to human negligence. The other point emphasized was that the starting point of human error was; bridge of ship in 76% of the cases; engine room in 17% of the…