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Page 1: Captain David Shennan, North & Trew Marine Consultancy: Practical methods for marine accident reduction in ports

Practical methods for reducing

marine accidents in ports

Page 2: Captain David Shennan, North & Trew Marine Consultancy: Practical methods for marine accident reduction in ports

Introduction

Congress theme – can we manage tomorrows port without marine experience?

Congress has discussed the roles and responsibilities of the harbour master

Prime responsibility is to ensure a safe port

It follows then that we have a commitment to reduce the marine accident rate in our ports

Page 3: Captain David Shennan, North & Trew Marine Consultancy: Practical methods for marine accident reduction in ports

Purpose of workshop

To consider what are acceptable accident rates in ports

To discuss methods currently used by workshop attendees that have a positive impact on reducing marine accidents in their ports

To collate responses in order to provide an example of best practice

Page 4: Captain David Shennan, North & Trew Marine Consultancy: Practical methods for marine accident reduction in ports

Background

Formal risk assessments for both port operations and VTS operations have been carried out by most ports. In themselves they do not fix safety issues, but they do indicate where the problems can be expected

Operations manuals provide the procedures we have put in place to operate our ports effectively

ISM and BRM attempt to ensure satisfactory procedures are maintained onboard transiting vessels

Port Resource Management is required to ensure a coordinated response to navigational safety

Page 5: Captain David Shennan, North & Trew Marine Consultancy: Practical methods for marine accident reduction in ports

Discussion point 1

There are many different legislative regimes. Not all harbour masters have the legal power, or authority, to investigate marine accidents and prosecute offenders. Not all port authorities are responsible for the marine emergency response. - How many have a legal requirement for all accidents and incidents to be reported to the Harbour Master?

- How many of you have a legal power to investigate accidents?

- For those that do not have legal powers – what can be done to meet the HM’s safety commitments?

Page 6: Captain David Shennan, North & Trew Marine Consultancy: Practical methods for marine accident reduction in ports

Conclusions

- Some countries (ie Aus, NZ), don’t have legal powers of investigation. Harbour Masters shouldn’t use this as an excuse not to do their best to reduce accidents. Either by asking for the information voluntarily or, if necessary bluffing, it is possible to receive the information needed to investigate accidents and improve systems. - The word ‘power’ when referring to what the HM should do, would be better replaced with the word ‘obligation’. Therefore the level of legal power does not alter the HM’s obligation.

- Good investigation/auditing adds value to the port. Need to have this in some robust form. Need a system to investigate quickly and accurately – system should be simple and well suited to the port’s situation.

- Is an experienced HM important? Yes, their experience is invaluable to ensure good practice.

Page 7: Captain David Shennan, North & Trew Marine Consultancy: Practical methods for marine accident reduction in ports

Discussion point 2

Considering the complete accident & incident reporting process: - How many of you have systems that cover the complete chain? - What elements make up an effective system?

Page 8: Captain David Shennan, North & Trew Marine Consultancy: Practical methods for marine accident reduction in ports

Conclusions

- Accident & incident reporting: - Need to gather facts - System should be simple - Common sense must be used – ie ‘what is this system doing to reduce accidents?’ - Risk of HM’s carrying out investigations themselves – they could subconsciously apply blame elsewhere rather than indicating failings in their own systems - Deciding on action to be taken: - Some HM’s do on their own - Some prefer a committee approach

- Auditing: - Should be independent - look at outside options

Page 9: Captain David Shennan, North & Trew Marine Consultancy: Practical methods for marine accident reduction in ports

Discussion point 3

Considering the systems you have in place: - How do you measure your accident rate? - Who has reduced their marine accident rate in the last 2 years? - How did you achieve it? What changes have you made?

Page 10: Captain David Shennan, North & Trew Marine Consultancy: Practical methods for marine accident reduction in ports

Conclusions

- Define what an incident is

- Look for improvements in your accident rate

- Have to convince users that compliance is better than being taken to court regularly

- Automation removes human element

- Get key port resource people together to agree on best actions before accidents occur and prosecution is needed

- Follow up on auditing process to make sure changes are made and recommendations followed through

- Adopting zero tolerance to non-compliance

- Issuing incident reports acts as an education tool

- Close co-operation with HM, pilots, tugs etc – helping each other achieve a goal of no accidents

Page 11: Captain David Shennan, North & Trew Marine Consultancy: Practical methods for marine accident reduction in ports

Discussion point 4

Considering the focus of this congress: - How important is it for port managers to have practical expertise and experience when managing marine accident reduction systems? - Does this need to be a harbour master or even a master mariner?

Page 12: Captain David Shennan, North & Trew Marine Consultancy: Practical methods for marine accident reduction in ports

Conclusions

- Port companies are becoming more business orientated as they get bigger. Not only do they have less expertise but are becoming less likely to recognise when they need it. This can expose them to risk – and the liabilities can be enormous.

- HM’s limited liability can be transferred to the port. They have to be aware of ‘not what they knew but what they reasonably ought to have known.’

- HM’s have to embrace commercial realities. If HM only ever talks about safety they could stop being listened to.

- Port boards don’t need practical expertise if they listen to and support their HM. Need to understand there is a system and that the HM has it under control and it’s working. Eg they need to know the ability of their HM so they can rightfully put their trust in them or know if they can’t.

Page 13: Captain David Shennan, North & Trew Marine Consultancy: Practical methods for marine accident reduction in ports

Summary

Workshop discussion points:

1. The Harbour Master’s powers of investigation and direction

2. Reporting, recording, investigation and analysis of marine accidents

3. Practical methods of marine accident reduction in ports. The relevance of Port Resource Management (PRM)

4. The importance of practical experience of port managers in improving port marine safety

Page 14: Captain David Shennan, North & Trew Marine Consultancy: Practical methods for marine accident reduction in ports

Outcomes

Thank you for your input Next steps: - to collate responses from workshop

- to prepare a summary for uploading to website

- to offer an example of best practice for reducing marine accident rates in ports

- Invite debate on this subject on the IHMA website forum