Tanker Operators Beware! Checklist for Unscrupulous Inspectors in Ports

Standard P&I Club has issued the following alert to members regarding problems relating to so-called ‘ecological inspectors’ in Ukraine.

In line with other alerts

This alert follows several others where ecological inspectors had boarded vessels and claimed the water in the segregated ballast tanks was oily. This was a ruse to tempt crew to bribe these ‘officials’.

Cabinet Issues Decree

In fact, the Ukrainian Cabinet of Ministers issued decrees No. 490, 491 (dd. 07.07.2015), allowing ecological monitoring only in cases when the vessel emitted visible floating portions, or there are visible traces of oil or other contaminants in the area, resulting in an actual deterioration of water quality.

Unscrupulous Ecological Inspections

Nonetheless, there has been a resurgence in so-called ‘ecological inspections’.

Studies have revealed deficiencies in ballast water management systems (BWMSs) and practices, but the issue in the Ukraine is a different matter.

According to Standard P&I Club’s correspondent in the Ukraine, very often, the ‘ecological inspectors’ use specific ruses to gain access to the ship’s ballast tanks.

These include taking photos and video recordings of the area around the ship. They then inform the master about oil/dirty spots on the water surface and claim that they need samples of the ship’s ballast tanks to prove that the pollution was not caused by the vessel.

Recommendations

The Standard P&I Club makes the following recommendations:

• Make sure that the ballast water taken in other parts of the world is changed to the Black Sea waters during the ship’s passage to one of the Ukrainian ports.
• Do not obstruct the ecological inspectors attendance on board.
• However, never allow the ecological inspectors to take samples of segregated ballast.
• Permit the inspectors to study documentation on deballasting operations (if they ask for this).
• Do make sure that they are not left alone during the inspection and get a ship’s representative to accompany them at all times.
• Do not give bribes in the hope of escaping the fine.

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Source: Standard Club

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