Category Archives: Fit for Duty

Fatigue in the international towage sector

Initial report “Our work levels continue to be high regardless of the awful impact of COVID and this is further increased by a lack of manning. Some vessels are non-operational due to a variety of reasons causing additional workload on the operational tugs and the crews that man them.” The reporter stated that the fatigue […]

Un-manned jet ski

Outline: A report highlighting a complete lack of respect for the water that could have turned into a tragedy. What the reporter told us: At approximately 16:15 a friend and I were anchoring a RIB just off the beach. I was approached by a man in a wetsuit who asked for assistance as he had […]

Correspondence received – Drug abuse follow up

Further to your article, “Drug abuse on fishing vessels” in MFB58 I was interested in the comment “However, CHIRP is not aware of any similar type of simple device on board vessels for detecting the presence of drugs. Such a procedure usually requires third party involvement, similar to the monitoring of sports personnel”. It is […]

Drug abuse on fishing vessels

Outline: CHIRP has received two reports from official sources highlighting the use of drugs on board commercial fishing vessels.   What the reporters told us: Increasing drug abuse has been identified on several commercial fishing vessels operating in a specific area. Allegedly cocaine is being used by a number of crew members and it was […]

Fatigue in the harbour towage sector

Outline: The following report was received in response to the request in Maritime FEEDBACK 56 for seafarers with experience of fatigue at work to contact CHIRP. What the reporter told us: After reading your latest CHIRP Maritime publication where you requested examples of fatigue occurring in the maritime industry, I will try to explain the […]

Hours of rest violations.

Outline: CHIRP has received several reports concerning the pressure that some seafarers are placed under with respect to hours of work, hours of rest, and fatigue. One such example is given below. What the Reporter told us: The vessel in question constantly violates the rest hours requirements, and this is ongoing despite having been warned […]

Collision Regulations – Several near misses.

Introduction: CHIRP has received several accounts of navigational near misses from both the leisure and commercial sectors. Some of these have a common theme and thus, to avoid repetition, CHIRP comments may be found at the end of the section rather than on an individual basis. Report No 1: A report describing a near miss […]

Correspondence Received – Night Watchman

What the Reporter told us: A year after a local authority abandoned cost-cutting plans to remove the night watchman at this harbour, an intoxicated man decided to go for a dip at about 1am but got into difficulty. The night watchman spotted him in the water and threw a lifebelt to him whilst raising the […]

Safe Working Practices – Working aloft and in cargo holds (1)

This report should be read in conjunction with articles Safe Working Practices – Working aloft and in cargo holds (2) and (3) Outline: CHIRP has received several reports concerning unsafe working practices whilst engaged in cargo hold preparations and also when working aloft using ships cranes. What the Reporter told us (1): A crewmember reported […]