Gen Memo 09/11: SOS / GlobalMET in India / A-E Annual Seminar / L&T Model Course / BoD 17/11 / Piracy / ICWS Newsletter

Dear Members,

PLEASE ENSURE THIS GEN MEMO IS WIDELY DISTRIBUTED WITHIN YOUR INSTITUTION

Exciting things are taking place in the improvement of propulsion machinery, with amazing systems that are designed to monitor fuel consumption and performance far more accurately than ever. A new generation of ships will use fuel far more efficiently and by using systems such as waste heat recovery and exhaust gas recirculation, produce far fewer harmful emissions. But a lot of the engine power that once would have driven the propeller, now goes to power systems that will make the operation of the ship more sustainable. These systems are very complex and if crews are to get the most out of them, they will require special training. It is all part of the price that must be paid for efficiency.

From an article written by the Watchkeeper and placed on www.bimco.org on 23 February 2011.

1 SOS - Industry Campaign

Several GlobalMET Members have drawn attention to the new campaign to Save Our Seafarers from piracy. Over 800 seafarers are currently being held hostage. The following letter from Intertanko has been distributed through the International Federation of Ship Masters' Associations (IFSMA), a GlobalMET Member of long-standing.

Dear Friends and Colleagues, As you will no doubt be aware, the threat posed by piracy in the Indian Ocean to our Merchant seafarers is increasing on a weekly basis. Currently, almost 800 seafarers are being held hostage on over 30 ships. It is difficult to imagine the trauma that they and their families are facing as we know that many of these seafarers are being systematically abused and tortured by the Somali pirates and some have been killed. I would be grateful therefore if you can spare 2 minutes to participate in a recently launched campaign, "Save our Seafarers". Organized by ourselves and a number of other shipping associations. Please go to the SOS website: http://www.saveourseafarers.com <http://www.saveourseafarers.com> and send the SOS letter to your government, just two clicks and its free - then ask your friends and family and colleagues to do the same. Thank you very much for your support, together we can all make a difference.

Please note that your campaign messages are to be sent to your respective governments. Please circulate to as many as possible in your organisation. It is by acting together that we can make a difference - and this includes all involved in the training sector!

2 GlobalMET in India Seminar

GlobalMET was again privileged to be involved in seminars in Mumbai. On Monday 28 February, a half-day seminar held in the Shipping Corporation of India auditorium addressed "Piracy: Orchestrating the Response", the IMO theme for 2011. Organised by the India Chapter, it was significant that an afternoon seminar organised at relatively short notice was well attended by senior people. Mr Hajara, Chairman and CEO of SCI welcomed participants, Dr Agnihotri, Director General of Shipping, delivered an opening address, Capt Saggi, Nautical Adviser to the Directorate General of Shipping, chaired the session. Presentations on the many aspects of the current piracy problem were delivered by LCDR Paul Turner of the United States Coast Guard, Daniel Sheehan, Maritime Adviser to the Government of the Marshall Islands, Capt Sanjay Mohan, Security Coordinator, Anglo-Eastern Group and Cdr Suresh, Command Operations Officer, Western Naval Command, Indian Navy.

Many very justifiable and serious concerns were expressed during presentations and in lively debates. For those involved in piracy, "this is good business"; for those affected by piracy, particularly the seafarers, "this is no tea party - wake up!"; this problem "is like a balloon - squeeze one part and it expands in another"; for seafarers there needs to be more of "keep a proper lookout and get back to basics." While many proposals for addressing the situation were suggested, the overall response was that this very serious problem will continue to grow as at present there is not the international political will to stop it. Seafarers will continue to suffer. A succinct comment about the shipping industry and its seafarers was 'we're so successful, we're not even noticed, even when there is a resurgence of the age-old problem of piracy".

The ExecSec was privileged to deliver the opening presentation and took the opportunity to brief participants on the outcomes of STW 42 and GlobalMET's involvement in the meeting, as well as to describe the new GlobalMET Deck Cadet Structured Shipboard Training Programme Record and Activity books. Incidentally, work has commenced on the equivalent publications for Engine Cadets.

3 GlobalMET at the Anglo-Eastern Annual Seminar 2011

Five hundred senior industry people, including four hundred serving seafarers, considered the "Role of Complacency in Accidents". Presentations were given by delegates from Anglo-Eastern, Vale, Saga Shipholding, USCG, IMO, Hong Kong Marine Department, Lloyd's List, DNV, Marshall Islands, Indian Navy, BP Shipping. The ExecSec was privileged to participate on behalf of GlobalMET.

While concerns about complacency, especially when associated with the use of electronic aids, were extensively discussed and many suggestions made as to how to address a growing issue, piracy, many human factors affecting onboard performance and training needs were also considered.

Of particular interest was a presentation by Ms Renata Ervilha, General Manager (Shipping), of the large Brazil-based iron ore miner Companhia Vale do Rio Doce (Vale), about the company and its order for 400,000 dwt ore carriers to be built in China. These vessels are to be engaged on long haul voyages. In the discussion among delegates, concern was expressed about living and working on such ships and the

possibilities of complacency and boredom becoming major issues. To lessen their isolation, will those on board have ready access to modern communications?

While all presentations were high quality and very interesting, attached because of their relevance to training, are the papers by Capt Ashok Mahapatra of IMO and Mr Michael Grey, the veteran maritime journalist and former editor of Lloyd's List.

4 L&T Model Course

Further to Gen Memo 07/11, the development of this model course is now going ahead. The GlobalMET Members in the working group are Anglo-Eastern Maritime Training Centre, Australian Maritime College, New Zealand Maritime School, Swedish Club Academy, Maritime Institute Willem Barentsz and WrightWay Training. They will be assisted on a personal basis by Richard Teo, a Director of GlobalMET Ltd and Chris Haughton, a long-term supporter of the network. Given the number involved, a Delphi decision making technique will be used. Members will be kept informed about progress.

5 BoD 17/11

Members are again reminded of the forthcoming Board of Directors Meeting 17/11, to be held at the Singapore Maritime Academy on the morning of Friday 15 April. Kindly advise the ExecSec of items to include on the agenda.

6 Depiction of impact of piracy on ships and seafarers

For a very good depiction of ships pirated and the number of seafarers held hostage, please go to

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/02/27/weekinreview/27pirates-graphic.html?ref=weekinreview

7 ICSW newsletter

Please find the ICSW Newsletter for February attached. The ICSW is to hold a Seminar on Seafarers' Welfare in Copenhagen on 14 April 2011. Further details can be obtained at www.seafarerswelfare.org or by emailing icsw@icsw.org.uk.

Best regards

Rod Short

Executive Secretary GlobalMET Limited

ICSW Monthly News February 2011 1

ICSW Monthly News

Issue 06 February 2011

www.seafarereswelfare.org

Inside this issue:

Editorial 2

Seafarers’ Awards 3

Fundraising Workshop 3

New Centre, Mumbai 4

BW Shipmanagement 5

Seafarers’ CentresNews 6

Industry News 7-9

ICSW Monthly News is published bythe International Committee onSeafarers’ Welfare. Registered CharityNo1102946

The views expressed in these newsarticles do not necessarily reflectthose of the ICSW and its members.Telephone: +44 1923 222653Fax: +44 1923 222663Email: icsw@icsw.org.ukSkype: icsw_roger.harris

Cup Futsal Tournament for Seafarers and theInternational Bowling Tournament. These activitiesare complimentary with free two-way transportationprovided for the seafarers. To keep the activitiesvaried and interesting, MPA solicits feedback fromthe seafarers on their favourite activities during theirstay in Singapore.

With the advancement in technology, ships areturned around faster and the crewhas limited shore leave. Theestablishment of the InternationalDrop-in Centres at various portterminals provides visitingseafarers with some respite whenthey call into Singapore. Thecentres are well-equipped withinternet and phone facilities, aswell as a comfortable lounge area,so that seafarers do not need toleave the port area to enjoy thesefacilities.

Continued on page 2

The Seafarers’ Home from HomeThe establishment of the Seafarers’ Welfare Board(SWB) in Singapore in 1956 underscored thecommitment that Singapore has for the welfare ofseafarers. To facilitate greater efficiency in theadministration and coordination of seafarers’matters, the SWB and other statutory bodiesoverseeing seafarers’ matters were grouped togetherunder the National Maritime Board (NMB) in 1973.The NMB was subsequently integrated with othermaritime organisations to formthe Maritime and Port Authorityof Singapore (MPA) in 1996.

MPA operates the SingaporeMariners’ Club (SMC), a one-stop facility for foreign seafarerswho are on shore leave inSingapore. The SMC offerscompetitive priced apartmentswith well-furnished sitting room,bedroom and a kitchenette.Each year, these apartmentswhich are well-equipped withamenities such as internetaccess and billiard room, house6,000 visiting seafarers and theirfamilies. MPA constantly seeksways to enhance seafarers’experience at the SMC. In 2008,the service apartments were all renovatedto provide better quality living for theseafarers. MPA also actively gathersfeedback from seafarers to address theirneeds and boost the amenities in SMC.

Seafarers can look forward to a host ofsports and recreationalactivities when they arein Singapore. MPAregularly organisesactivities such assightseeing tours,shopping trips aroundSingapore as well as theInternational Sportweekfor Seafarers, Singapore

Above: Seafarers

enjoying a game of

football......

Left: Bonding

session with other

seafarers.

Maritime House

Earlier this month I was invited to theInternational Maritime Organisation’s(IMO) HQ in London to hear the UNSecretary General, Ban Ki-moon,launch the IMO’s action plan topromote the 2011 IMO World MaritimeDay theme: “Piracy : orchestrating theresponse”. Mr Ban said that theescalating problem of piracy off thecoast of Somalia is “completelyunacceptable”. He also said that thewelfare and safety of seafarers wereof primary concern. Other speakersincluded the Secretary General of theIMO, who highlighted the new IMO sixpoint action plan that includes“providing care for those attacked orhijacked by pirates and for theirfamilies”.

The meeting was held as news that aseafarer aboard the MV BelugaNomination had been executed bypirates off Somalia. Seafarers are nowbeing held for longer and there arereports that some are also being

tortured. It is time forthe internationalcommunity to takeaction to ensure that thewelfare and wellbeing ofseafarers who are beingheld becomes a priority.

The IMO’s action plan on piracy canbe found here : http://bit.ly/imopiracy

Roger HarrisExecutive Director

ICSW Monthly News February 2011 2

Editorial

ICSW AGM in

Copenhagen

13 and 14 April 2010

If you haven’t alreadydone so, please send inyour Registration Formsfor the AGM andSeminar in Copenhagento icsw@icsw.org.uk orfax to: +44 1923 222663by 1 March, if you wishus to book hotelaccommodation for you.

After this date you willneed to make your ownhotel arrangements!

Another country

ratifies the MLC

On 21 February 2011Switzerland became the12th country to ratify theMaritime LabourConvention. Theconvention is expectedto be fully ratified laterthis year.

Since 2003, MPA has been organisingthe Hamper Presentation Ceremonyduring the World Maritime Day. Thisevent, which is co-sponsored by theSingapore Maritime Officers’ Union(SMOU) and the SingaporeOrganisation of Seamen(SOS),reiterates themessage to theseafarers thattheir servicesare valued by themaritimecommunity. About600 hampers filledwith local foodstuffand souvenirs aredistributed everyyear to theseafarers.

Time at sea can bring stress andanxiety to the seafarers. In Singapore,four seafarers’ missions- Mission toSeafarers, the Norwegian Seamen’sMission, the Danish Seamen’s Churchand the Lutheran Seafarers’ Mission -

provide a wide range of welfareservices and strong network of supportto the seamen. MPA provides anannual grant of $100,000 to support

the work of the fourseafarer missions,ranging from shipvisitations tocounselling servicesand pastoral careat the missioncentres.

MPA is honouredthat the Port ofSingapore wasaccorded the‘Port of theYear’ award by

the International Committeeof Seafarers’ Welfare (ICSW). MPA willcontinue to keep up the efforts toprovide welfare services and facilitiesfor seafarers, so that they will feel thatSingapore is their home away fromhome.

Maritime and Port Authority of

Singapore

The Seafarer’s Home from HomeContinued from Page 1

International Drop-In Center at Keppel Entrance

Terminal

ICSW Monthly News February 2011 3

Seafarers’ Welfare Awards 2010In the meeting of the Managing Trustees of KandlaSeafarers Welfare Association held on 2 February,2011, Mr P D Vaghela, Chairman of the Kandla PortTrust, received the Plaque and Certificate fromICSW, for being nominated and shortlisted as thePORT OF THE YEAR 2010.

During this meeting, the trustees unanimouslyagreed and requested that Mr P D Vaghela, I.A.S tobe President of theKandla SeafarersWelfare Association. MrVaghela accepted therequest and thankedthe trustees.

The Kandla SeafarersWelfare Associationarranges daily ShipVisiting and are trying togive as many facilitiesas possible to theSeafarers on-boardship including freeInternet and e-mailservices, free

transportation, magazines,newspapers, ‘Message toSeafarers’, print outs of dailyinternational newsapers, international telephonefacility, and spiritual encouragement etc.

Mr P D Vaghela said: “Other than the servicesalready being offered by KSWA, we will look in tonew areas to enhance services for seafarers visiting

the Port of Kandla.”

The meeting wasattended by Capt.H.K.Sibal, Mr.M.L.Bellani, Mr. YogeshMehta, Dr. RaviManocha, Dr. S. SenthilNathan and Mr JohnPeter.

A Presentation on theactivities of KSWA wasgiven by JosephChacko, Administratorcum Treasurer of

Kandla SeafarersWelfare Association.

Mr P D Vaghela, IAS receiving the Award on behalf of Kandla Port

Trust

Seafarer Welfare Organisations in Brazil attendICSW Fundraising WorkshopTwenty representatives from twelve seafarer welfareorganisations in Brazil came together in Sao Pauloin early February for the launch workshop of theICSW Fundraising Capacity Building project . Theaim of the project is train and mentor seafarerwelfare organisations in fundraising for a three yearperiod. The training and mentoring is delivered in country using local trainers. The project is beingcarried out by the ICSW with the Resource Alliance,an international NGOthat specialises infundraising training in thedeveloping anddeveloped worlds. Theproject is being initiallyfunded for one year bygrants from The TKFoundation and the ITFSeafarers’ Trust.

The participants in theworkshop came fromStella Maris, Mission to

Seaman, CAM (Sailors Society), and the GermanSeamans Mission. The participants were allenthusiastic and positive about the workshop. Theworkshop was lead by Rodrigo Alvarez of theResource Alliance in Brazil. Roger Harris, ExecutiveDirector of the ICSW, who attended the workshopsaid “The workshop has come at a timely momentwhen seafarer welfare organisations in Brazil andelsewhere are finding it difficult to fund their vital

services for seafarers.The project will enableseafarer organisation togain fundraising skillsand knowledge that arerelevant to their localsituation.” From theworkshop fiveorganisations will beselected to participate inthe year long project. Itis then envisaged thatthe programme be rolledout to other countries.

The ILO Maritime Labour Convention 2006 ( MLC2006) and the proposed IMO STCW Manilaamendment paves the way for how Seafarer issuesrelating to Training, Safety andEnvironment will be dealt within the future in relation to theGlobal Shipping Industry.Seafarers Welfare and Healthoccupies considerable positionin the ILO MLC 2006 which,when in force will not onlysafeguard the Health of allseafarers on board and onshore, but will also addressseafarers welfare issues which integrate with healthand which assists seafarers to carry out their jobs ina stress free and safe working environment thusenhancing safety of the ship and theircolleagues.

South Asia and in particular India has taken aleading step in furthering the Aims andObjectives of both, the ICSW and IMHA in theregion through concentrated efforts byInternational and National Non-GovernmentOrganisations and Stakeholders of the ShippingIndustry. This has helped countries in the regionto address Seafarers Welfare and Healthprovisions as per the ILO MLC 2006. Thesebenchmarking efforts havebeen recognised globallyand at the ICSW awards2010 nominations.Amongst the twonominations in SouthAsia, one was KandlaSeafarers Association inthe category of Ports andthe second was Dr.Suresh Idnani in thecategory WelfarePersonality of the year2010.

Dr Idnani was nominatedfor "being at the heart ofthe movement to put thewelfare of seafarers atthe top of the agenda". ."He took up thissomewhat thankless taskin South Asia at a time when few people were awareof the importance of the issue. As a result of hiscontinuous follow up, efficient delivery systems forseafarers' welfare were established all over theregion. More than ten port welfare committees nowfunction in India. The Colombo port of Sri Lanka

ICSW Monthly News February 2011 4

Seafarers Health & Welfare Centre, Mumbai opens

leads the way in welfare matters and countries suchas Bangladesh and Pakistan are now on the welfaremap," says the nomination. The nomination adds: "Anamazing sense of commitment, great dedication andthe ability to keep at the job without giving in to thenormal human need for rest and personal life. Inaddition, Dr. Idnani also has the happy knack of notletting ego issues come in the way of delivering onpre-determined goals. For him the cause comes firstand petty considerations are not allowed to dilute hiszeal and commitment to this cause." .. It adds: "Aperson who almost single-handedly brought purposeand meaning to welfare activities for seafarers in anarea where it was not on top of the agenda should bea natural for an award of this nature."

In furtherance of these efforts, Dr. Corinne Idnaniopened a "Seafarers Health & Welfare Centre" in

Mumbai on the 14February 2011.The Stakeholdersof the IndianShipping Industrywere invited andthe Centre wasinaugurated by Dr.S.B. Agnihotri IAS,Director General ofShipping,Government ofIndia and Shri. S.Hajara, Chairmanand ManagingDirector, ShippingCorporation ofIndia.

A dedicated room forSeafarers Welfareactivity is provided, withinternet, library,telephones, TV and DVDrunning with Sea TV andother Informative videosfor seafarers. A pantry toserve tea, coffee, snacksand cold drinks andprofessionals andwelfare workers toprovide counselling

services to addressStress, HIV, Trauma etc. Transport to and from theports and to other destinations will be provided.Assistance will be provided for onshoreaccommodation and for meeting the members ofMumbai Port Welfare Committee, for the coordinationof ship visiting.

Integration of Seafarers Welfare & Health – Supporting the ILOMLC and IMO STCW Manila amendment at implementation level.

...India has taken

a leading step in

furthering the

Aims and

Objectives of

both, the ICSW

and IMHA...”

Dr. S.B. Agnihotri IAS

opens the new Centre

Dr Suresh Idnani with seafarers at the Centre

BW Fleet Management is part of BWGroup, one of the world’s leadingmaritime groups involved in oil & gasproduction and transportation. TheBW Group currently employs over4,700 staff, and its fleet of over 120

vessels includes crude oil super tankers, refined oiltankers, LNG and LPG carriers.

As part of the company’s focus on seafarer welfare,BW Fleet Management was looking to raise healthawareness amongst its marine personnel in May2009. The Seafarers’ Health InformationProgramme (SHIP) was considered a good way ofachieving the relevant best practices identified in theTanker Management and Self Assessment PartThree Element Three Recruitment and Managementof Vessel Personnel’ (TMSA).

Len Harbottle, Senior Manager, Marine Personnel,shares his positive experience rolling out SHIPacross the fleet:

“When evaluating our options, we were greatlyinfluenced by our need to meet the requirements ofTMSA which sets out clear best practices forimplementing health awareness campaigns as a keyperformance indicator..

We discussed ouroptions internally anddecided to proceedwith SHIP to improvethe level of fitness onboard. SHIP provides awide range of topicaland relevant subjectmaterials such as infood safety, hygiene inthe galley, fitness onboard, safe travel,healthy food, malaria,weight control, mentaland dental care.

Through ICSW, weobtained the 'Fit OnBoard' standardpackages containingthe guidelines,booklets, posters, fitness bags, Dyna bands andstep counters, and we supplemented this with a BWanti-stress ball. We selected four vessels from ourfleet for a pilot scheme. These vessels wererepresentative of our current manning policies andof the rich cultural diversity of our seafarers.

Although the SHIP materials were very good, wewanted to do more. One suggestion was to injectfun, and provide incentives and encouragement toparticipate in the shipboard programme.

Coincidentally, there was a ' Seafarers’Challenge' being planned by a seafarerlifestyle firm The Physical Initiativearound the same time in August 2009.The 'Seafarers’ Challenge' was afitness campaign which encouraged anactive life on board through safe and healthycompetition between ship mates, amongst vesselswithin our own fleet and also with vessels fromother companies. What made it even more practicalwas that it did not require any fancy gymnasiumequipment because simple press ups, sit ups andstair climbing could also be recorded to scorepoints. This was the ideal partner and catalyst forour 'Fit On board' health awareness campaign.

We launched our pilot scheme in September 2009.As a sign of corporate unity, we also encouragedour shore staff to participate. As the word spreadwithin the fleet about the campaign we received alot of positive feedback. Then by popular demandwe opened the 'Fit On board' campaign to the wholefleet in November, two months ahead of schedule.

We reported the individual seafarer and vesselscores to the fleet on a monthly basis. At the heightof the campaign we had approximately 75% of our

fleet participating andoverall 50% of ourfleet participated on aregular basis.

The competitionended in July 2010and mt Berge Frost(one of the pilotvessels) won theoverall event,amassing 17,410points and AllanFallore, a Filipino AbleSeaman, was the bestindividual with 46,270points. We also had aseparate award for therest of the fleet asthey joined the event acouple of months later

than the pilot vessels.The best ship award went to the crew of mt BWShinano with 16,230 points and the best individualwas Captain John Bardsley with 37,045 points.

Some of our vessels are still providing their monthlyscores on a regular basis, demonstrating thesuccess of the campaign. Following the positiveresponse to 'Fit On board', we are now planning a'Healthy Food' campaign to be launched in the nearfuture.”

ICSW Monthly News February 2011 5

BW’s Successful ‘Fit On Board’Campaign

Capt Bardsley receiving his award from Len Harbottle

Mariners’ House, Montreal, Canadareported in their December 2010 newsletter thatthere were197 ship visits by the chaplains and staff ofthe Mariners’ House; 118 ships were serviced andprovided 1148 seafarers with transport during theyear. All in all, 12,336 seafarers were helped by thecentre in 2010.

They gave coats to the crews of M/V HorizonAthena and M/V Maersk Palero; clothes andpuzzles to the crew of M/V Maddelena d’Amato;jackets to crews of M/V Lilly Bolten and M/V StenaPerros and jigsaws, clothes, food and magazines toother seafarers.

The International Seamen’s House atAntwerp is to closeIt has been announced that the InternationalSeamen’s Hotel, Antwerp, members of the ICSW andthe venue for ICSW’s AGM in 2009, will close on 1October 2012 and move to the site of the formerDockx Hotel at the corner of Groenendaallaan andNoorderlaan. The building will require substantialrenovation before it can be occupied.

The International Seamen’s Hotel in Falconplein isto be demolished and redeveloped as a shopping

estate with apartments and offices.

ICSW Monthly News February 2011 6

News from Seafarers’ Centres

Alison BoyceMission to Seafarers It is with shock and sadness that the ICSW has learnt of

the sudden and tragic death, whilst on holiday, of Alison

Boyce, the Executive Assistant to Martin Sandford,

Executive Director, and the Revd Canon Huw Mosford,

Director of Chaplaincy at the Mission to Seafarers’ head

office in London.

Our thoughts are with Alison’s family and her friends and

colleagues at the Mission to Seafarers’ at this sad time.

The Mission to Seafarers’ is a member of ICMA

Seafarers’ Centres Directory

Due to the popularity and unexpected demand forthis directory, we now no longer have any in stock.

We hope to be able to bring you a new updatedversion soon. If you are not in the directory orneed to amend your listing, please let us know atseafarersdirectory@icsw.org.uk

PIRACYEU: pirates torturing captives (02Feb 2011)

PIRATES increasingly resort to publictorture of hostages if warshipsapproach too near, EU NAVFOR’scommander warned today. Pirateshave recently tied seafarers upsidedown and keelhauled them, lockedhostages in freezers, beaten victimsand otherwise publicly torturedmariners to keep the military at bay,Royal Marines Major General BusterHowes told the Associated Press.“There have been regularmanifestations of systematic torture,"said Howes, who added: "A fewyears ago, they were veryconstrained and much morerespectful [but now] they've shown awillingness to use violence muchmore quickly and much moreviolence." He told the AP that hiswarning was based on hostagedebriefings, naval intelligence andcontacts with shipping companies. Asransoms rise, more ruthless and well-organised gangs are taking overpiracy, while violence has escalatedto counteract more warship patrols,increased use of citadels and better-prepared crews. On 21 occasions inrecent months, pirates boardedcommercial ships, found the crewlocked in a citadel and had toabandon ship because “they knowthe cavalry is coming", said Howes,who added that one shipowner told aconfused pirate over a telephone thathis crew had gone on vacation whilethey hid below. Pirates areresponding by firing rocket-propelledgrenades at citadel doors at closerange, using plastic explosives andeven setting ships afire with crewshuddled below, Howes declared.With hostage negotiations draggingon for longer, pirates also use tortureto pressure owners to settle quickly.A coalition made up of BIMCO, theICS, INTERCARGO, INTERTANKOand the ITF condemned the violenceand again urged "governments toempower their naval forces to takefast and robust action against pirates,and the vessels under their control,before passing ships are boardedand hijacked". Somali pirates aretoday holding 31 ships and morethan 700 mariners hostage, he said.Fairplay reported in November thatpirates had begun to use such

hostages as human shields.

Call waiting: pirates (04 Feb 2011)

PIRATES are now phoning ITFofficials to threaten abuse ofhostages in hope that the labourgroup will pressure shipowners toagree to ransoms. David Cockroft,general secretary of the InternationalTransport Workers' Federation, toldreporters in London yesterday:“Crews are increasingly beingsubjected to physical andpsychological torture. Pirates arebecoming increasingly sophisticated.“They’re playing psychologicalgames against the hostages, trying toundermine negotiations by the owner.They’ve even started to phone theITF,” said Cockroft, who estimatedthat piracy now costs shipping about$12Bn per year. “The human impacton seafarers cannot beunderestimated,” he added. “Manyare at breaking point today due to thestress that just passing through thearea generates, and the area is nowhuge. It includes part of the Red Sea,the Gulf of Aden, the Arabian Sea,the Somali basin and most the IndianOcean.” He also noted that “avoidingcapture is not stress free, either”,while warning: “Naval forces in theregion are doing a remarkable jobunder difficult circumstances, butthey need more support and morefreedom to act. We need morecountries going to put pirates on trial,and no longer can we see 9 out of 10captured pirates released.” Instead,he declared, flag states includingPanama, Liberia. Cyprus and Antigua& Barbuda, “which gain majorfinancial benefits operating a‘convenient’ shipping register, shouldtake their responsibility to seafarerson their ships more seriously”.Meanwhile, UN Secretary-GeneralBan Ki-moon told delegates at thelaunch of a new push against piracyat the London headquarters of theIMO: "Piracy seems to be outpacingthe efforts of the internationalcommunity to stem it."

Pirates take Italian tanker (08 Feb2011)

PIRATES seized an Italian tanker inthe Indian Ocean today, EU NAVFORhas told Fairplay. The 104,255dwtSavina Caylyn, owned and operatedby Fratelli D’Amato, was attackedabout 670 n-miles east of SocotraIsland, said a spokesman for the anti-

piracy force.“It was attacked withRPGs from skiffs,” he said. “The shipreported that there were pirates onboard, and then there was no furthercontact”. The vessel has 17 Indianand five Italian crew members, EUNAVFOR said in a statement. Itadded that there was no informationon the condition of the crew, but aspokesman for the Italian Navy toldReuters that no one was injured inthe initial attack. A naval frigate wason its way to the scene, the newsagency said.

Rescue death toll rises (07 Feb2011)

GERMAN project and breakbulkcarrier Beluga Shipping has raised tothree the number of crew deathsfrom the recent attempted rescue ofhijacked multipurpose vessel BelugaNomination. The company says acrewman originally believed to havejumped overboard is now likely tohave been shot dead by Somalipirates. A second crewman was alsokilled by the pirates and the ship’schief engineer apparently drownedafter jumping into the sea during theincident. The remaining crew,including the captain, remainhostages on the Beluga Nomination,anchored off the Somali coast. Thefacts surrounding the rescue aredisputed; Beluga chief executiveNiels Stolberg, in a newspaperinterview, blamed the violentescalation on intervention by aSeychelles coast guard vessel and aDanish frigate. Germany’sFrankfurter Allgemeine Zeitungquoted him saying it was “primarilythe [Seychelles] patrol boat thatsuddenly starting firing at our vessel.”However, NATO Operation OceanShield said on 28 January that theDanish frigate HDMS Esbern Snarestayed at a distance to ease tensionaboard the Beluga Nomination, asrequested by its master. It also saidthe Beluga crew attempted tooverwhelm the pirates. TheSeychelles coast guard has yet torespond to Fairplay’s request tocomment on the alleged exchange offire. German detectives havereportedly opened an investigation.

Pirates seize fully laden VLCC (09Feb 2011)

PIRATES hijacked fully laden VLCCIrene SL off Oman today, accordingto EU NAVFOR.The 319,247dwt

ICSW Monthly News February 2011 7

Fairplay Daily NewsReproduced with kind permission of Lloyds Register - Fairplay Ltd

tanker was en route to Suez fromFujairah when it was attacked about350 n-miles southeast of Muscat, theanti-piracy force said. “There ispresently no communication with thevessel and no information regardingthe condition of the crew,” itadded.The ship’s manager andoperator, Athens-based Enesel, saidin a statement the tanker “wasattacked by armed men inskiffs”.“Twenty-five crew membersare on board, comprising sevenGreek nationals, 17 Filipinos and oneGeorgian,” the company reported,adding that the tanker was on its wayto the US Gulf with a cargo of KuwaitExport crude oil.The 319,360dwtSamho Dream was released bySomali pirates in November, sevenmonths after that VLCC was hijackedwith 24 crew members of board.Fairplay was told at the time that aransom of $9.5M was paid for thetanker’s release.

Kidnapped officers freed (11 Feb2011)

TWO OFFICERS kidnapped from aGreek cargo ship off Nigeria lastmonth were released today, Fairplaywas told. The Ukrainian captain andGreek first engineer of the 6,994dwtPerseas were abducted on 26January in an attack at the port ofOnne that also left two Egyptianseafarers injured. A spokesman forGreece’s merchant marine ministrytold Fairplay today that the officerswere released this morning and arebeing examined by doctors at a navalbase in Nigeria. “The men are ingood health, and the Greek nationalis expected to be repatriated onSunday,” the spokesman said.

CASUALTIES1 dead, 3 critical in Bristol harbourfall (08 Feb 2011)

A MARINER was killed and threeothers were reported in criticalcondition today after they fell from avehicle carrier at the UK port ofBristol. One victim had a cardiacarrest and was pronounced deadlater at Bristol Royal Infirmary, theBBC reported. The other three – alsoFilipino seafarers – suffered extremehypothermia from their fall yesterdayafternoon at Royal Portbury Docks,one of the UK's largest such facilities,the Press Association reported.

The fall took place during anemergency drill on the British-

registered, 19,628dwt, WalleniusWilhelmsen car carrier Tombarra, theBBC said. Avon Fire and RescueService rescuers pulled the victimsout of the harbour water, then GreatWestern Ambulance Service vehiclestransported them to the infirmary,where the BBC was told they were"responding well to treatment".Paramedic Danny Hopkins told PA:"They are believed to be members ofthe ship's crew and are estimated tobe aged late teen to early 30s.”Hopkins added: “The next 24-48hours are critical." The MaritimeAccident Investigation Branch, theMaritime and Coastguard Agencyand Avon and Somerset Police areall investigating, the BBC said.

Four killed in sinking (09 Feb 2011)

SEARCHERS were looking today forseven seafarers missing since theircargo ship sank off South Korea,killing four shipmates. Koreancoastguards said the unnamedCambodian vessel sank after asuspected collision with anotherunidentified vessel off thesoutheastern port of Ulsan, the UKPress Association reported. Acoastguard official told the agencythat a Russian seafarer was rescuedafter the casualty, but was unable toidentify the nationalities of thosekilled or missing. Coastguard vesselsand helicopters are continuing tosearch for the missing seafarers, headded.

Two rescued after collision 14 Feb2011

TWO MEN have been rescued afterthey were knocked overboard in acollision between a box ship andtrawler off the UK. Maersk’s 2,478teuBoxford collided with the fishingvessel Admiral Blake late on 11February off Start Point in Devon,according to the Maritime &Coastguard Agency. The MCA wasalerted that two fishermen had fallenoverboard; one was quickly rescued,but the other remained missing. Acoastguard helicopter and lifeboatjoined other nearby vessels insearching for the man, who waseventually recovered by a rescueboat from Boxford, the MCA said. Hewas later picked up by the helicopterand taken to a hospital for treatmentfor severe hypothermia. A navalhelicopter delivered a salvage pumpto Admiral Blake, which had reported

that it was taking on water. Thevessel was then towed to port bylifeboat.

Seafarer holds on for dear life (14Feb 2011)

A SEAFARER has been rescuedafter he was found hanging on to theanchor chain of an LPG tanker off theUK, according to the Maritime &Coastguard Agency. The 4,771dwtHarlequin was in Tees Bay on 11February when it sent out a messageasking nearby vessels to keep alookout for a man overboard. Thepilot vessel Coatham's crew toldcoastguards that it would provideassistance. “When the Coathamarrived on scene, the man overboardwas spotted clinging to the anchorchain of the Harlequin,” the MCA saidin a statement. The pilot vessel tookthe man on board and brought him toshore, where he was examined byparamedics before returning toHarlequin. Humber coastguard watchmanager Bev Allen praised the crewof the pilot vessel “for their swiftresponse and quick thinking, whichultimately saved this man’s life”.

GENERALSinking captain questioned (02Feb 2011)

MUMBAI police today questioned thecaptain of a box ship involved in acollision in which an Indian frigatesank. Police said the captain wasquestioned in allegations that rashand negligent navigation had led tothe 30 January casualty, which isalso being investigated by theDirectorate General of Shipping andthe navy. The owner of the 1,684teuNordlake – German-owned ReedereiNord Klaus E Oldendorff, based inCyprus since 1987 – is flying itsrepresentatives to India to representthe company in the inquiries. The boxship has a crew of 24. No injurieswere reported. Port officials said avideo shot from the navy ship couldprove crucial to the inquiries. Thesimplified voyage data recorder (S-VDR) has been recovered.Meanwhile, the navy has began workto recover the warship Vidhyagiri.Navy officials said the priority will beto pump fuel oil out of the frigatestanks, then remove water from theship’s compartments. About 400passengers and crew who wereaboard the warship had to rescued,the BBC reported today, adding that

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Fairplay Daily NewsReproduced with kind permission of Lloyds Register - Fairplay Ltd

The navy intends to salvage thefrigate. The ship was also carryingaviation fuel for its helicopter. Thecollision resulted in a 1.5m (5ft) gashin the warship’s hull and an engineroom fire. The collision took place inthe main navigation channel used byall ships to enter both Mumbai PortTrust and Jawaharlal Nehru PortTrust. The frigate had been enteringthe harbour near the Sunkrocklighthouse after a day-at-sea eventfor the crew’s families. Tanker robbed off Malaysia (10

Feb 2011)

ARMED robbers have used “adiversionary tactic” to steal from thecrew of a Japanesechemical/products tanker offMalaysia, ReCAAP ISC reportedtoday. The Singapore-based anti-piracy centre said the 32,442dwtJose Bright was anchored about 2.6n-miles southeast of Pulau Munggingyesterday morning when crewmembers spotted a speed boatnearby. By the time the ship’semergency alarm was activated,“seven robbers armed with longknives and guns had boarded thevessel”, ReCAAP ISC said in astatement. Five of the robbers stolegoods including a watch and adiamond ring, then “left the vesselwhen instructed by two other robberswho rushed out from the engineroom”. “The robbers adopted adiversionary tactic after they boardedthe tanker,” according to ReCAAPISC. “They split up into two groupswith one group engaging the twocrew on the deck by robbing them oftheir personal items while the othergroup gained access to the engineroom.” There was no damage to thevessel and no one was injured in therobbery Captain quizzed in sinking (10 Feb

2011)

THE South Korean captain of an8,600teu box ship was reportedlybeing questioned today by theKorean Coast Guard in a fatal sinkingoff Ulsan. And Hyundai HI expressedregret today over the sinking,confirming that the HHI-built box shiphad been involved in the collisionwith the 1,500dwt bulker Alexander

during sea trials off the southeasternport of Ulsan, the Yonhap newsagency said. "The cause of theaccident is being investigated byauthorities, but we first of all expresssincere regret at human losses,"Hyundai HI, the world's largestshipbuilder, said in a statementreported by the AFP news agency.The collision took place earlyyesterday morning. The 12 crewmembers are all Russians; one wasrescued quickly after the sinking, butfour bodies have been recovered andseven seafarers are missing.Alexandria had been heading forTomayashinko in Japan. It left leavingNakhodka in Russia on 28 January. Bulker split off Sochi (14 Feb 2011)

STORM waves split a bulker in twowhile it was anchored off Russia'sBlack Sea port of Sochi, with twofrom its crew of 12 reported missingtoday. Strong gales yesterdaycapsized and sank the Tanzanian-flagged, Turkish-owned, 2,188dwtBesiktash, Russian maritime sourcessaid today. The vessel had been enroute from Turkey to Russia, said themaritime sources; one of thosemissing was identified by Georgianauthorities as Roland Beridze, aGeorgian national. The stern of thevessel has washed ashore at Sochi,while the bow section has sunk about300m offshore. The 10 marinersrescued from the stern section arecitizens of Turkey, Azerbaijan andGeorgia. The Russian EmergenciesMinistry has not disclosed whetherfuel is leaking from the vessel. ARussian transport ministryrepresentative told the RIA Novostinews agency that a salvageoperation is under way. Seafarer 'not aware' of explosion

risks (17 Feb 2011)

A SEAFARER who died in anexplosion aboard a Germanmultipurpose ship in Australianwaters was not aware of the dangersof the task he was undertaking, aninquiry has found. The NSCSchiffahrts-owned, AustralAsia Line-operated Cape Darnley was en routefrom Noumea to Brisbane in July lastyear when an engine room oilerattempted to cut the top off a sealed

200-litre drum with an angle grinder.He was badly injured when the drum,which had held waste residue fromthe main engine exhaust gas boiler,exploded, and died within hours. AnAustralian Transport Safety Bureauinvestigation found that an"appropriate risk analysis was notundertaken and a hot work permitwas not completed for the task". Itconcluded that the oiler "was notaware of the ship's work permitrequirements or the risks associated"with using the cutter on a closeddrum. The bureau said NSC hassince addressed safety issues arisingfrom the incident by tightening andimproving safety drills and trainingplans with a special focus on hotwork and risk and hazardassessment. Inquiry begins on suicide (18 Feb

2011)

CMA CGM told Fairplay that an in-house health and safety panel willbegin an inquiry today into thesuicide of a box ship’s master.Captain Philippe Deruy, 47, wasmaster of the 13,830teu CMA CGMLaperouse when it collided with the2,500dwt general cargo ship Thebe,operated by SunshipSchiffahrtskontor, off the Dutch islandof Terschelling on 23 December. TheCMA CGM vessel, which beganservice in September, was onlyslightly damaged, but Thebe washoled and took on water before itscrew stabilised the ship and took itunder escort to Den Helder in thenorthern Netherlands. French unionsources told Fairplay that disciplinaryaction had been taken against thebox ship’s second officer, who hadbeen on watch, and against Deruy,who was invited to take a shore postwithin the group. CMA CGM’s seniorVP for personnel, Thierry Billion,declined to discuss the case, beyondtelling Fairplay that the group isconcentrating at present onsupporting the family of Deruy andmembers of its staff affected by hisdeath. “We have nothing to hide, it ispart of our company plan to beopen,” said Billion, who added thatthe company would be working withthe seafarer health and safety panel.

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