Wind turbine element cargoes can current a navigation bridge visibility drawback warns USCG.
Imports of wind turbine elements could also be excellent news for ports, however some vessels arriving within the U.S. carrying them might discover themselves in breach of U.S. bridge visibility laws.
The Coast Guard Inspections and Compliance Directorate has launched Marine Safety Information Bulletin 04-23, to advise mariners that an growing variety of break-bulk and retrofitted bulk carriers are arriving within the U.S. carrying wind turbine components stowed in a fashion that considerably limits visibility from the navigation bridge.
Many of those vessels have been issued dispensation letters by their flag administration or acknowledged group that briefly exempted compliance with the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) 1974 Chapter V, Regulation 22, which specifies necessities relating to navigation bridge visibility requirements.
In some circumstances, says the MSIB, flag administrations have issued dispensations of SOLAS V/22, regardless of the vessel’s meant voyage requiring substantial transit inside restricted navigational channels and confined inland waterways with congested maritime visitors.
Dispensation letters don’t exempt vessels from complying with corresponding U.S. necessities on navigation bridge visibility present in Title 33 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) § 164.15, warns the Coast Guard. Operators of vessels that don’t adjust to U.S. laws for navigation bridge visibility should notify the native U.S. Coast Guard Sector earlier than the vessel enters U.S. waters and request to deviate from the rule. On written software, the Captain of the Port (COTP) might authorize a deviation from the principles if the deviation doesn’t impair the vessel’s secure navigation beneath anticipated situations and won’t violate the principles for stopping collisions at sea. The COTP might authorize, deny, or require further mitigation measures. The COTP might alternatively subject a COTP Order or take different acceptable actions in accordance with their authorities.
The U.S. Coast Guard doesn’t sometimes grant deviations for conditions deliberately counter to the laws or solely for comfort or monetary incentive, says the MSIB.
Vessel homeowners, operators, flag administrations, and acknowledged organizations ought to guarantee ample voyage planning, together with deciding on acceptable cargo stowage preparations and verifying that the vessel will adjust to all necessary guidelines and laws.
