NAUTICAL LOG

At the beginning of this two Post series NAUTICAL LOG mentioned a proposed change to the IMO 'Guidelines'. This Proposal is based on passage planning data currently being developed, the NTSB Report on the MS "Cosco Busan" incident, and the unique professional knowledge of the various Port Authorities Pilotage Services around the world. Currently it is required by IMO that a vessel develop their Voyage Plan coverage from berth to berth. Now while this is possible it may well be that, as in the case of the MS "Cosco Busan ", the Master and Officers are not familiar with the Port in question. In their case it was the Port of San Fransisco, certainly not the easiest Port to enter with its strong currents and tides. Once the vessel arrives and picks up the Compulsory Pilot they have on board an expert in every detail of the Port. The vessel's Bridge Team has to integrate the Pilot, exchange information and monitor his/her every manoeuvre without having a fr...

This is a NAUTICAL LOG article only. To operate under an actual prepared Plan the navigator MUST refer to IMO RESOLUTION A.893 (21) Annex 25 of SOLAS V. General Investigations show that human error contributes to 80% of navigational incidents. Most incidents happen because of simple mistakes using the navigational equipment. Interpretation of the available data, rather than equipment deficiency, basic navigational skills or ability to use the equipment, is the principle cause. It is imperative to adhere to the IMO Guidelines addressed in the previous Post. Masters and Watchkeepers should take measures to ensure they appreciate and reduce risks, ensure that all the vessel's navigation is planned in adequate detail with contingency plans ensure that there is a systematic organized Bridge Team on Watch comprehensive briefing of all concerned with navigation, both Officers and Ratings close and continuous monitoring of the vessel's position use different methods to plot the vesse...

Note this is a NAUTICAL LOG article only. To prepare an actual Voyage or Passage Plan the navigator MUST refer to "GUIDELINES FOR VOYAGE PLANNING" IMO RESOLUTION A.893 (21) Annex 25 of SOLAS V. At the beginning of June 2009 Jeppesen Navigation ( see our LINK LIST below ) announced it had reached an agreement with the Chilean Naval Hydrographic Office to publish Jeppesen Marine Pilotage Charts covering Chilean waters. In our consulting capacity NAUTICAL LOG had cause to review voyage and passage planning generally. This in turn led to a complete review of IMO Resolution A.893 (21) Annex 25 of SOLAS V - Guidelines for Voyage Planning. Recently there was a disgraceful, scathing, biased NTSB Report on the MS. "Cosco Busan" incident in which that vessel, under Compulsory Pilotage, rammed a bridge support in San Francisco Harbor. The NTSB Report was saved only by the dissent attachment by Member Deborah A. P. Hersman. One of the issues discussed was the responsibilit...

Some interesting data that came across our desk at NAUTICAL LOG this morning. The UK Hydrographic Office www.ukho.gov.uk/ has published Chart Q6099 covering the Red Sea, Horn of Africa, and Persian Gulf. This chart can be used for planning the passage through that principle piracy area. It has the recommended passage routes marked and information on how and whom to contact to both inform of your transit and call for assistance. This should be a great help to the OOW as everything will be in one place for route planning, navigation, transit contact points and information for calling in the event of an attack. The United Kingdom Hydrographic Office website can be found in the Link List below and an electronic copy of Chart Q6099 can be downloaded from UKHO. Good Watch.

INFORMATIONAL ONLY NOT LEGAL ADVICE The Law of the Sea covers these principle points; Geographical Position The Territorial Seas of a State (TS) Internal Waters of a State The Contiguous Zone (CZ) The High Seas The Exclusive Economic Zone of a State (EEZ) The Continental Shelf Archipelagic States Nationality of Ships, Flag State, Registration Nationality of Owners, Operators, Master, Crew International Conventions The Relationship between International and National Law, Implementation of Conventions International Conventions and "Yachts" International Law are the principles and rules of conduct that nations regard as binding upon them. That they are expected to and usually do, observe in relationships with one another. The need for some principles and rules of conduct between independent States arises whenever such States enter into mutual relations. International Law is the law of the International Community. Modern International Law emerged as the result of the acceptance o...