What are audits for? Some eCMID findings

  • Safety Flash
  • Published on 31 August 2021
  • Generated on 26 December 2024
  • IMCA SF 24/21
  • 2 minute read

 eCMID is IMCA’s well-respected safety management system health-check for offshore vessels – an electronic version of the Common Marine Inspection Document

The results here are from 769 eCMID inspections, conducted in the 12 months to April 2021.

They make interesting reading, for there are some areas of grave concern.

eCMID finding Similar IMCA events or incidents  
Confined space entry: 65 vessels were found to not have provision for entry into enclosed/confined spaces.  Safe management of confined space entry remains, literally, a deadly issue for the shipping industry;

Confined space entry fatality
Crew member fainted after working in water ballast tank
Confined spaces: silent and invisible killers

Chemicals and flammable/combustible materials – 69 vessels did not have any procedures for control , stowage and handling of chemicals and flammable/combustible materials;

HSE: Allergic reaction at work
Inadvertently drinking hazardous substances
Unlabelled containers: Chemicals stored in drinking water bottles 

Firefighting: 59 vessels did not have up to date manuals and plans for firefighting equipment, and 45 vessels had defects recorded on their fire fighting equipment;

Catering crew unfamiliar with firefighting systems and emergency stops
NTSB: Fire on laid up Dive Support Vessel
Tumble dryer fire: lint ignition

Watertight doors and closures: 47 vessels had issues with watertight closures;

Incidents relating to hatches and doors
Seawater entering cabin caused electrical fault
Lost time injury (LTI): Finger injury – watertight sliding door

Bridge, navigation and communications equipment: 60 vessels failed to maintain the gyro & mag compass error log, and 47 vessels reported that their SOLAS communications and navigation equipment was not available for use; USCG: Automatic identification system (AIS) inaccuracies led to fatalities
MAIB: Grounding of general cargo vessel Kaami
Collision whilst drifting
Engine room house-keeping: 64 vessels had poor engine room house keeping, and 61 vessels reported poor working practices within the engine room;

Mooring incident: mooring line slipped off and snapped back
Dropped object during lifting operations
Lifting basket with unsecured cargo which fell out

Mooring, towing and lifting equipment: 96 vessels did not have an adequate lifting equipment management system, and 51 vessels reported defects on mooring/towing equipment

Mooring incident: mooring line slipped off and snapped back
Dropped object during lifting operations
Lifting basket with unsecured cargo which fell out

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NTSB: diesel generator engine failure

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LTI: fall from height during anchor chain handling operation

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Sudden disconnection of pressurised hose

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IMCA Safety Flashes summarise key safety matters and incidents, allowing lessons to be more easily learnt for the benefit of the entire offshore industry.

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IMCA makes every effort to ensure both the accuracy and reliability of the information shared, but is not be liable for any guidance and/or recommendation and/or statement herein contained.

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