UK Club: 70pc of inspected ships top rated - 6pc improvement

SEVEN in 10 ships visited by the UK P&I Club's inspectors in 2008 were given a high rating with no comment or formal suggestions for improvement, representing an increase of 6 per cent over the previous year.

The remaining 30 per cent attracted comments from the marine underwriters organisation relating mainly to service, maintenance and safety standards, which the inspectors focus on during their four-hour checks, a statement from the Club said.

Ship visits enable managers to keep an eye on the quality of entered fleets. The inspectors - four ex-masters and a former chief engineer - visited 479 vessels in 2008, accounting for around 15 per cent of the total entered fleet. They concentrate on areas, which could produce accidents and injuries, and other liability claims.

As a result of the inspections 23 ships, or 5 per cent of those inspected, were deemed below standard in one or more areas and five were considered sufficiently unsatisfactory to require a full condition survey. Two were general cargo vessels, two were oil tankers and one was a bulk carrier. Three were over 20 years old.

For some time, the age profile of the UK Club's entries has been younger than the average for the world's ocean-going merchant fleet. Currently, 56 per cent of vessels are under nine years old and 18 per cent are over 20 years old. The world fleet averages are 52 per cent and 21 per cent respectively.

Last year, inspections took place in the Netherlands, Belgium, Taiwan, the US, United Arab Emirates, China, India, United Kingdom, Singapore, Italy, Canada, Venezuela and Argentina. The pattern of ships visited was fairly representative of the Club's profile. However, bulk carriers and general cargo ships had a higher proportion of visits.

By the end of 2008, total inspections since the scheme started in 1990 stood at 9,664. Experience has enabled us to target the vessels and circumstances where inspectors' observations and advice will be most valuable. In the great majority of cases, inspection provides an early warning system to spot shortcomings that might otherwise become more serious. Accordingly, masters and operators appreciate what the UK Club is doing, said the group's loss prevention director Karl Lumbers.

Source: Schednet