Top 10 Cargo Vessel Deficiencies—Part I

Excerpted from “Top Ten Deficiencies Found on Vessels.” Full text available on http://homeport.uscg.mil/. Navigate to missions/investigations/safety reports.

The U.S. Coast Guard Office of Investigations and Analysis recently examined vessel deficiencies in various vessel classes to identify the 10 most common deficiencies in each class.

We share these so that owners can take corrective action, rectify problems prior to scheduling the next Coast Guard examination, and ensure continual compliance with safety and environmental requirements.

Oily Water Separator 33 CFR 151.10
Common deficiencies:

• Documentation of routine preventive maintenance is not available to the inspector.
• Documentation that attests to OWS calibration is not on board.

Owners/operators: Ensure that an appropriate crewmember is available to demonstrate proper operation for the inspector.

Hull and Deck Plating 46 CFR 126.140, USCG NVIC 7-68

Hull Plating. Inspectors typically find breaches in the hull plating or a temporary repair that had not been previously documented, as well as wastage of structural members.

Deck Plating. Common deficiencies include cracked (hatch) corner brackets, cracks in the vessel’s winch foundations, and deck plating wastage.

Watertight Doors 46 CFR 170.270
Common findings include hinges and dogs that need lubrication or adjustment, warped doors, and deteriorated gaskets.

Operators should be prepared to demonstrate manual closing, in addition to closing doors under power. All hardware for the hydraulics must be approved by an appropriate classification society.

Fire Main 46 CFR 95.10
The most common deficiencies are leaks and wasted piping.

Owners should have enough personnel on hand to demonstrate proper operation of all fire pumps so the appropriate pressures (at remote outlets) can be verified.

Survival Craft 46 CFR 199.150 & 199.190
Miscellaneous davit-related items include worn rollers/wasted track, badly rusted gripes, bent/twisted hooks on the falls and the gripes, and wastage of the davit arms where the gripes make contact.

For more information:
For more information, contact your local Coast Guard Sector/Inspections Division. For a listing of sector offices, click on “Sector Map” on http://homeport.uscg.mil/.

The cargo vessel list continues in part 2.