Tokyo MOU to carry-out inspection campaign on Cargo Securing Arrangements

The  Member  Authorities  of  the  Tokyo  MOU  with  other  co- operating  M OUs   will  carry -out  a  concentrated  inspection  campaign  on  Cargo  Securing  Arrangements  on   the 1 st  September 2016 through the 30 th  November 2016, Tokyo  MOU said in its press release. 

The purpose or goal of this  year’s  CIC  is  to  gain  knowledge  on  the  compliance  of  ships  with  applicable  Cargo   Securing requirements and the overall safety of ships and seafarers engaged in cargo  securing  operations.   

The  objectives  of  the  Tokyo  MOU  member  states  in  the   performance the CIC are to:

measure compliance with the requirements of the applicable international  conventions;

ensure that the Master, Officers, and Crew are familiar with procedures for  cargo securing arrangements;

raise awareness  of the hazards associated with cargo securing and with safe  practices for cargo securing.

During the period of the CIC, member authorities of the Tokyo MOU will inspect cargo  securing  arrangements  during  the  normal  port  state  control  inspections.   

Port  State  Control   actions   associated   with   this   campaign   may   range   from   the   issuing   of    deficiencies  to  more  severe  control  measures  such  as  detaining  a  ship  to  prevent  it   from going to sea in an unsafe condition.   

However, the purpose of this campaign is  not  to  detain  ships,  but  rather  to  improve  safety  and  compliance  related  to  cargo   securing  arrangements.     

Ships  will  only  be  subject  to  one  CIC  inspection  during  the   campaign.   

The Master of the ship will receive a copy of the CIC questionnaire from  the port state  control officer as evidence that the CIC was performed.     

Masters  and  ship’s  crew  are  encouraged  to  review  cargo  securing  procedures  and   arrangements as outlined in their ship’s Cargo Securing Manual and ensure they are  securing  cargo  in  accordance  with  the  manual  and  following  all  applicable  safety   procedures.     

Vessel  owners  and  operators  are  encouraged  to  review  the  ship’s   cargo  securing  manual  to  ensure  it  is  up- to-date  with  ship  operations  and  that  it  has   been  approved  and  updated  as  necessary  by  their  Administration  or  the  Recognized   Organization authorized to act on behalf of the Administration.  The  results  of  this  CIC  will  be  analyzed  and  findings  presented  to  the  International   Maritime Organization in an effort to measure and/or improve the eff ectiveness of IMO  instruments.