#MarineNotice - The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (DTTAS) has been advised that Shell E&P Ireland Limited will be deploying a Waverider buoy in early-to-mid April in order to help predict sea conditions for the Corrib P6 well intervention work by the Ocean Guardian (Call Sign V7FF7).

The buoy size is 90cm in diameter, and will be deployed at the location (approximate, with 100m watch circle) 54° 20’N, 011° 05’W (WGS84), weather permitting. The water depth at this location is 360 metres. The Waverider buoy will remain on site for approximately three months.

The wave rider buoy is yellow in colour, and will flash yellow 5 times every 20 seconds. A photograph of what the buoy looks like in the water is included in Marine Notice 23 of 2014, a PDF of which is available to read or download HERE.

All vessels are requested to give the wave buoy a wide berth.

#MarineNotice - The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (DTTAS) advises that semi-submersible drilling rig Ocean Guardian (Call Sign V7FF7) will commence well intervention work for Shell E&P Ireland Limited on the Corrib Gas Field off the coast of Co Mayo around mid April 2014.

The rig is expected to be on location for a period of approximately 55 days, weather permitting. The vessel will be listening on VHF Channel 16 throughout the project.

Details of the planned position of the vessel for the wells are outlined in Marine Notice No 22 of 2014, a PDF of which is available to read or download HERE.

#radiosurveyor –The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport  is establishing a panel of radio surveyors for 2014 and the closing date for applications is in three weeks time.

Surveyors will carry out statutory radio surveys on Irish sea-going vessels including fishing vessels.

The Marine Survey Office (MSO) will select Surveyors and organisations for entry onto the panel. The panel will be established for a period of time of 3 years, subject to satisfactory performance. The MSO will monitor the performance of the Surveyors and organisations on the panel and this will include audits of the panel surveyor's activities, monitoring of survey reports submitted to the MSO and follow up by the MSO in relation to complaints or the receipt of incident reports concerning surveyed vessels.

The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport is interested in appointing suitably qualified surveyors and organisations to a panel from which vessel owners may select a surveyor or company to survey their vessel for compliance with the relevant statutory provisions. The person commissioning the survey will cover the Surveyor's fees and to Surveying Irish sea-going vessels, within scope and unclassed, for compliance with the relevant Irish statutory radio requirements – as listed in the appendix

A copy of the request for applications document is included in the PDF to downad below.

Interested parties can access the tender information by visiting the eTenders Public

Procurement website at: http://etenders.gov.ie.

The closing date for applications is 15:00 on Friday 28th March

Irish Maritime Administration,

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport,

Leeson Lane, Dublin 2, Ireland.

#MarineNotice - The latest Marine Notice from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (DTTAS) advises on revisions to the performance standards for emergency beacons on small fishing vessels.

The revision includes the carriage requirements of manual/automatic activation float-free Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs) for all fishing vessels of under 15 metres and Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) for all crewmembers.

It follows the recent Marine Notice No 14 of 2014, which advised of a revised Code of Practice concerning the design, construction, equipment and operation of small fishing vessels less than 15 metres in length overall.

Full details of the revised standards are included in Marine Notice No 18 of 2014, a PDF of which is available to read or download HERE.

#MarineNotice - Marine Notice No 3 of 2014 provides guidance on the implementation of the Manila Amendments to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watch-keeping for Seafarers 1978, as amended (STCW), with respect to Electro-technical Officers (ETO) and Electro-technical Ratings (ETR).

The Manila Amendments to the STCW Convention and Code were adopted on 25 June 2010, marking a major revision of the STCW Convention and Code. The 2010 amendments entered into force on 1 January 2012 and introduced two new levels of certification for electro-technical personnel.

• ETO introduced as a new grade of officer at the operation level STCW Reg III/6
• ETR introduced as a new grade of rating at the support level STCW Reg III/7

As of 1 July 2013, new entrants commencing training must do so in accordance with the new Manila provisions. All training programs must be in accordance with the new Manila requirements. From 1 January 2017 all certificates must meet STCW Manila requirements.

New entrant ETOs that commenced training after 1 July 2013 that meet all the applicable requirements and pass a Marine Survey Office oral examination will be issued with a certificate of competency valid for five years from the date of issue. Further details will be included in the Examination Directions published by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport.

ETOs currently serving at sea may be considered to have met the requirements of STCW if they have served in a relevant capacity on board ship for a period of not less than 12 months within the five year period preceding 1 January 2012 and meet the standards of competence specified in the STCW Code.

The Marine Survey Office will compare the standards of competence of each applicant for ETO certificate of competency under this section with those specified in section A-III/6 of the STCW Code and determine the need, if any, for updating training to be carried out. Assessments will be done on an individual or case-by-case basis. Candidates should allow sufficient time for the assessment to be carried out. All applicants must:

• Complete an application form (EXN 3) and submit the relevant documents;
• Meet the medical fitness and eyesight requirements of the Merchant Shipping (Medical Examination) Regulations, and produce a valid certificate;
• Have at least 12 months documented sea service in the five year period preceding 1 January 2012 as ETO on board ship (details of the type of ships, size, electrical systems on board including electrical generation systems, hotel systems, communications systems, GMDSS and bridge navigation systems should be provided);
• Complete an approved Electro Technical Officer Training Record Book; and
• Have completed approved training or refresher training in:
  • Proficiency in personal survival techniques (Table A-VI/1-1);
  • Proficiency in fire prevention and firefighting (Table A-VI/1-2);
  • Proficiency in elementary first aid (Table A-VI/1-3);
  • Proficiency in personal safety and social responsibilities (Table A-VI/1-4);
  • Proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats other than fast rescue boats (Table VI/2-1);
  • Proficiency in Advanced Fire Fighting (Table A-VI/3);
  • Proficiency in Medical First Aid (Table VI/4-1);
  • Proficiency in Security awareness training (Table A-VI/6-1);
  • Human Element Leadership and Management (HELM).

When comparing standards of competence the following will be required:

• An appropriate third level qualification in marine electronics, electrical or communications;
• GMDSS Radio Maintenance Course or equivalent;
• GMDSS GOC (General Operators Certificate);
• High Voltage (Management Level) course or equivalent;
• Pass a Marine Survey Office oral examination.

Electro-technical officers applying for certificates of competency will be required to have High Voltage (HV) training whether or not they intend to work on ships with HV equipment. A HV system (over 1000V) is where voltage is generated and distributed at high voltage or transformed to and distributed at high voltage. It does not include systems where high voltage is utilised locally, eg ignition systems, radio transmission, radar or other navigational equipment.

HV courses previously undertaken prior to 1 July 2013 do not need to be approved but applicants must provide documentary evidence confirming the course covered at least the following topics:

• The hazards associated with High Voltage systems;
• Arrangement of High Voltage systems and their protective devices;
• Safety procedures related to High Voltage systems;
• Immediate actions to be taken under fault conditions;
• The functional, operational and safety requirements for a marine high-voltage system;
• Assignment of suitably qualified personnel to carry out maintenance and repair of high-voltage switchgear of various types;
• Taking remedial action necessary during faults in a high-voltage system;
• Producing a switching strategy for isolating components of a high-voltage system;
• Selecting suitable apparatus for isolation and testing of high-voltage equipment;
• Carrying out a switching and isolation procedure on a marine high-voltage system, complete with safety documentation; and
• Performing tests of insulation resistance and polarisation index on high-voltage equipment.

Meanwhile, electro-technical rating certificates will not be issued unless there is significant demand for them from the industry.

#MarineNotice - The latest Marine Notice from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport advises that the survey vessel MV Fugro Searcher will commence well site survey work for Shell E&P Ireland Limited on the Corrib Gas Field, off the coast of Co Mayo, around mid February 2014.

The vessel is expected to be on location for a period of approximately five days, weather permitting. The area to be surveyed is set out in the table and map included in Marine Notice No 17 of 2014, a PDF of which is available to read or download HERE.

The survey vessel has the Call Sign 3EUY6 and will be listening on VHF Channel 16 throughout the project.

All mariners are also reminded of the Safety Zone that is in place around the Corrib Gas Field development, referred to in Marine Notice No 21 of 2006, as well as their responsibilities under the International Collision Regulations (Marine Notice No 17 of 2007 gives general advice in relation to the activities of vessels engaged in survey work for hydrographic, seismic, fishing research and underwater operations).

All vessels, particularly those engaged in fishing, are requested to give the MV Fugro Searcher a wide berth of at least 500 metres and to keep a sharp lookout in the relevant areas.

#fishing – Marine Notice No. 16 of 2014

Notice to all Fishing Vessel Owners, Skippers, Fishermen and Seafarers

Enhanced Safety Training for Skippers and Crews of Fishing Vessels Less than 15m Length overall

This Marine Notice is published in accordance with Section 8.6 of the Code of Practice for the Design, Construction, Equipment and Operation of Small Fishing Vessels of less than 15m Length overall (Rev.2), regarding the updating of safety skills and knowledge.

The following training course providers are approved to provide the required training under the Code of Practice:

Course Provider Details:

BIM Marine Services Division,

P.O. Box No 12,

Crofton Road,

Dun Laoghaire,

Co. Dublin.

Email: [email protected]

Tel: +353 (0) 1 214 4100

B.I.M. National Fisheries College,

Greencastle,

Co. Donegal.

Email: [email protected]

Tel: +353 (07493) 81099/ 81068

B.I.M. Regional Fisheries Centre,

Castletownbere,

Co. Cork.

Email: [email protected]

Tel: + 353 (0) 27 70450 /71106

Irish Maritime Administration,

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport,

Leeson Lane, Dublin 2, Ireland.

For any technical assistance in relation to this Marine Notice, please contact:

The Marine Survey Office, Leeson Lane, Dublin 2, tel: +353-(0)1-678 3400.

For general enquiries, please contact the Maritime Safety Policy Division, tel: +353-(0)1-678 3418.

Written enquiries concerning Marine Notices should be addressed to:

Maritime Safety Policy Division, Dept. of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Leeson Lane, Dublin 2, Ireland.

email: [email protected] or visit us at: www.dttas.ie

27/01/2014

 

#MarineNotice - Marine Notice 14 of 2014 advises that a revised Code of Practice concerning the Design, Construction, Equipment and Operation of Small Fishing Vessels of less than 15 metres length overall (Revision 2 dated 20/01/14 with operative date of 03/03/14) has been published.

The revision incorporates provisions relating to the carriage of automatic, float-free EPIRBs for fishing vessels of under 12 metres and for the wearing of Personal Locator Beacons by all on board a fishing vessel (Chapter 9.5). Training is also required on the use of this equipment (Chapter 8).

These requirements will be included in the scope of the initial survey, survey renewals and at intermediate declaration stage. There are other textual changes reflecting feedback from the industry, surveyors and findings of the Marine Casualty Investigation Board. These include:

• The title of the code has been updated to reflect the inclusion of operational matters;
• Stability criteria remain essentially the same but ‘roll tests’ now need to be carried out both in ‘departure’ and ‘arrive port’ conditions (Chapter 3.2);
• Existing requirements in relation to drills/musters (Chapter 8.9) and the regulation of work/rest time (Chapter 8.10) have been included in the Code;
• Text has been included to remind fishers of their existing obligations to comply with passage planning requirements (Chapter 10.14);
• The Declaration form (Annex 8) has been updated and clarified so as owners and panel surveyors are clear of their obligations under the Code;
• and References to bodies and Marine Notices, etc have been updated.

A copy of the revised Code of Practice is available on the Department’s website HERE. The most recent listing of the approved panel of surveyors and their contact details is also available via the previous link.

#MarineNotice - Marine Notice No 12 of 2014 details that the Marine Survey Office (MSO) of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport has appointed the following companies to the panel as Recognised Security Organisations (Ports) for the creation of Port Security Assessments and Port Security Plans for the period covering 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2018:

Crime Management
Group Regus House, Harcourt Road, Dublin 2
Tel: 01 417 4242 Email: [email protected]

Crime Management Services
Regus House, Harcourt Road, Dublin 2
Tel: 01 686 5131 Email: [email protected]

The appointment will cover work as an RSO in relation to both Regulation (EC) No 725/2004 and Directive 2005/65/EC on Port Security.

 

Marine Notice No. 67 of 2013

 

 

Notice To All Ship Owners, Managers, Agents, Masters, Seafarers, Approved Doctors, Medical Referees And Training Establishments

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Merchant Shipping (Medical Examinations) Regulations 2005 (S.I. No. 701 of 2005) make it a legal requirement for any seafarer, as defined in the Regulations, to hold a valid certificate attesting to their medical fitness for the work for which they are employed. Details of the Seafarers Medical Assessment Scheme are contained in Marine Notice No. 30 of 2005 .

 

The Manila Amendments to the International Convention and Code on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) were adopted on 25 June 2010 and entered into force on 1 January 2012.

 

The Manila Amendments necessitated a redesign of the Seafarer Medical Certificate Form 3 (ENG11) to incorporate additional information on a seafarer’s medical fitness. The revised medical certificate was introduced on 1 January 2013.

 

Following a review of the medical certificate the Department has decided to make a number of amendments. The amended certificates will be issued by Approved Doctors from 1 January 2014 .

 

The current version of the Seafarers Medical Certificate Form 3 will continue to be issued by Approved Doctors up to 31 December 2013.

 

All certificates currently in the possession of seafarers will remain valid until their expiry date.

 

 

Irish Maritime Administration,

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport,

Leeson Lane, Dublin 2, Ireland.

 

17/12/2013