“UNSAFE” TANKER THROWN OUT OF US PORT

[proud_ionian]

THE US Coast Guard has expelled a17,430 dwt, Marshall Islands-flag products tanker from Port Canaveral after Coast Guard marine inspectors “found the vessel in violation of many serious safety standards”.

The Coast Guard says the 1988-built, DNV-classed ship, managed by Singapore-based Eastwind Shipmanagement, was preparing to unload its cargo at the South Cargo Piers - Tanker Berth 1 when its inspectors met the vessel to conduct a routine certificate of compliance boarding. The vessel did not have a valid certificate of compliance, and the conditions on the ship were so unsafe inspectors left the vessel shortly after beginning their inspection. According to the Equasis database the ship is entered with the Britannia P&I club.

Coast Guard inspectors found that high-level gas alarms in the vessel's cargo hold were disabled. As a result, large amounts of gasoline were leaking out of the ship's pressure release valve vent risers, which are designed to release gasoline vapours from the cargo tank.

Marine inspectors also found the ship's explosive meters disabled. Explosive meters are designed to detect explosive and flammable vapours throughout the ship. The Aral Wind's oil discharge monitoring system was also found disabled. The system monitors and records the amount of cargo discharged during an offload.

The Aral Wind was issued a Captain of the Port order, directing the vessel to leave Port Canaveral and will not be allowed to return to the US until it meets minimum safety and environmental standards.

A statement adds that Coast Guard inspectors aboard the Aral Wind encountered levels of benzene exceeding those determined safe and in accordance with policy left the vessel.

source: MGN