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Expert Opinion
Successful litigation often hinges on the evidence of sound, reasoned argument from a witness who goes unchallenged on the strength of that person’s level of knowledge, experience and expertise; a witness of unshakeable credibility. Such may be said of several members within the ShipVet team who are experienced Expert Witnesses, capable of bringing to any tanker-related dispute, a factual and objective view of the relevant marine issues presented.
Terminal Audits
Quality assessment programs demand periodic auditing of facilities and procedures to identify any weaknesses which could expose the operator to risk. It is well understood that the ship/shore interface is an area of significant risk. Risk management requires a knowledge of the performance of jetty personnel and the hardware/systems they have at their disposal. Weaknesses, if there are any, need to be identified so that remedial action such as improved procedures, upgraded hardware or personnel training can be put in place before things start to go wrong. This is known as “front end pre-emptive auditing”.
It is preferable that such audits are carried out by independent third part auditors who can go in with an open mind unencumbered by day to day operational minutiae. ShipVet Services is well placed to carry out an audit of this nature and have no shortage of experience in doing so. ShipVet auditors bring a wealth of practical experience and knowledge in both shipboard and terminal practises which go together to complement the industry questionnaires (eg The Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF’s) Marine Terminal Survey Guidelines) on which such audits are based.
Jetty Operator Training
In the United Kingdom, the operators of berths handling “dangerous substances” have a legal duty to comply with the requirements of “The Dangerous Substances in Harbour Regulations 1987” (Statutory Instrument 1987, No.37). Under Part IV, Regulation 17, the employer is required to ensure that employees receive proper instruction and training appropriate to their duties, also referred to in the “Approved Code of Practise - Dangerous Substances in Harbour Areas” in the context of the Health and Safety at Work Act.
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Any such training in the case of jetty operators must involve the “ship/shore interface”.
The ship/shore interface plays an extremely important role in the safety of cargo transfer operations involving oil and chemical tankers and gas carriers. It is essential that ship and terminal operators are familiar with the basic characteristics of each other’s facilities, are aware of the precise division of responsibilities and are able to communicate effectively during the time that they are together involved in the joint operation of cargo transfer. It is only in this way that safe, efficient and reliable operations can be assured.
ShipVet Services has developed a training course aimed at satisfying this requirement. The course can be adapted to meet individual clients’ needs but essentially it will give jetty operators a better understanding of shipboard matters especially in connection with the proper completion of the Ship/Shore Safety Checklist, which in itself is a fundamental requirement of the Regulations. ShipVet Services has successfully presented this course for a number of large companies on their own premises.
Superintendency
It sometimes happens that there is some doubt left in the charterer’s mind as to the acceptability of a ship but the ship in question is the only one available, or a receiver is in the awkward position of having to receive a cargo from a ship which would not otherwise be acceptable to that receiver. In such cases it would be expedient of the charterer/receiver, from an insurance standpoint, to appoint a superintendent to attend the ship to oversee the cargo transfer operation and represent their interests generally.
ShipVet Services is able to provide such a service. A ShipVet superintendent will not only have hands-on experience in tanker operations, he will have a thorough understanding of regulatory matters and will be eminently capable of smoothing out matters at the ship/shore interface.
By employing a superintendent from ShipVet Services in those circumstances, the charterer/receiver can rest assured that all reasonable steps have been taken to mitigate against loss.
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