Maritime Loss Prevention: Third Party Workers onboard the vessel

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(www.MaritimeCyprus.com) Occasionally, a Shipowner / Manager may want to bring a group of third party personnel, often referred to as a riding squad or maintenance crew, onto their ship for specific tasks. These tasks can vary and might include cargo hold cleaning, cargo tank cleaning, or large-scale maintenance. 

Introducing a riding squad or technicians on board for work can increase the risk of accidents if safety protocols are not strictly followed. There are potential accidents related to unfamiliarity with the vessel’s layout and emergency procedures.

As such, it becomes the responsibility of the vessel’s crew to ensure that all riding squad or maintenance crew members are fully briefed on safety protocols before beginning any tasks. This includes familiarizing them with the vessel’s layout, emergency procedures, and specific hazards associated with their work areas, such as confined spaces or slippery surfaces. Clear communication, proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and close supervision are essential to integrating third-party personnel safely into the shipboard environment. By providing thorough safety orientations and ongoing support, the vessel’s crew can significantly reduce the risk of accidents and ensure that all work is conducted safely and efficiently.

PERSONNEL REQUIREMENTS

The maximum number of personnel allowed on board a ship is generally determined by the capacity of the lifeboats installed. This can be found in the ships ‘Record of Equipment for Cargo Ship Safety (Form E) or ‘Record of Equipment for the Passenger Ship Safety Certificate (Form P). However, the ‘MARPOL Annex IV – International Sewage Pollution Prevention Certificate’ and other statutory certificates may also stipulate restrictions on the number of persons allowed on board. Furthermore, always ensure the ship has sufficient cabins and beds to accommodate the additional people and complies with the respective flag state’s requirements.

The ship’s flag state administration must approve, in advance, any request to exceed the maximum allowed number of personnel on board.

To begin, contact your flag state or recognised organisation and submit a proposal for the temporary increase in personnel. You can use a specific application form or correspond directly, depending upon the administration. Typically, flag states will issue a dispensation letter, permitting a ship to proceed without fully complying with specific convention requirements. These dispensations will have a time limit and conditions that must be followed whilst the situation continues.

If you complete the work at a sheltered anchorage or in a port, it is unlikely that the flag state will require any additional measures. However, we recommend that a plan is prepared for emergency situations and evacuation of the additional personnel.

Typical conditions of a dispensation include providing additional life raft capacity and ensuring sufficient lifejackets for the increased numbers of personnel on board. Whilst this may satisfy the flag state requirements, we also recommend further actions to improve the safety during times of increased personnel.

PREPARING FOR ARRIVAL OF ADDITIONAL PERSONNEL

Shipowners should consider adding guidance to their Safety Management System. For example, a specific checklist covering the additional requirements for third party contractors.

We recommend that Owners conduct a risk assessment in advance of employing a group of third party workers. This should incorporate subjects such as work scope, accommodation, and emergency response. The risk assessment will identify the need for provisions, potable water, first aid equipment etc.

Engage early with the personnel supplier to establish your company’s safety standards, ensuring a smoother process. This should cover expected conduct on board, including PPE, control of work etc. Personnel should follow your company procedures for tasks such as confined space entry, hot work, and work at height. Ideally, the third party workers should bring their own equipment and tools on board and retain responsibility for them. If they need to use the ships equipment, adequate training and supervision from ship’s crew should take place.

After embarkation, you should conduct a familiarisation tour of the vessel. At a minimum, this should include areas the visitors will need access to during their time on board and their designated muster point in case of emergency. The provided familiarisation should be documented and signed on behalf of the ship, as well as countersigned by the respective third party contractor before work is commenced.

An abandon ship drill should be conducted prior to departure, and a crew member may need to lead the personnel unfamiliar with the layout of the ship to safety.

To ensure control of visitors, ask third party personnel to report each time they leave the accommodation /cabin area, so that crew are aware of their location and activities.

Before starting work, introduce the personnel to the company’s work procedures, especially the permits to work and the situations that require them. Encourage third party personnel to witness and perform any necessary pre-work tests or inspections before they start work.

Furthermore, it is recommended that third party contractors are provided with ‘Stop-Work’ authority should they feel that the applied work practice is not safe.

Source: Britania P and I club

 

 

 

 

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