Bahamas-Flagged Bulk Carrier Detained in Tacoma Over Safety Issues

A Bahamas-flagged bulk provider stays within the Port of Tacoma after U.S. Coast Guard Port State Control inspectors discovered a number of security deficiencies.

A Port State Control examination crew from Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound boarded the 751-foot MV Rena final Thursday and found a number of areas that didn’t meet laws set forth within the International Maritime Organization’s Safety of Life at Sea Convention (SOLAS). The most extreme deficiency concerned the improper pressurization of the crew’s self-contained respiration apparatuses (SCBAs), which might forestall the crew from safely responding to a hearth aboard the vessel.

“Coast Guard examiners determined that key safety procedures were inadequate and the crew did not have the necessary equipment to safely respond to an onboard emergency.” stated Cmdr. Matt Edwards, Chief of Prevention at Sector Puget Sound. “We will continue to work with the vessel’s crew and the appropriate authorities to ensure that the issues found are corrected before the vessel resumes operations.”

During a Port State Control examination, the Coast Guard conducts an in depth inspection of methods, together with hearth safety, life saving, equipment, navigation, and air pollution management methods in addition to assess the crew’s means to answer onboard emergencies.

AIS information on Tuesday confirmed the ship nonetheless at anchor on the Port of Tacoma. The ship is to stay in detention till all detainable deficiencies are rectified.