Singapore
MARITIME AND PORT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE
SHIPPING CIRCULAR
NO. 14 OF 2004
Applicable to: Ship owners, agents, managers, shipmasters and classification societies.
PSC DETENTION AS A RESULT OF INCORRECT DISPLAY OF NAVIGATION LIGHTS AND USE OF OBSOLETE CHARTS
Ships are required to display navigation lights as prescribed in the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (COLREG 72), as amended. The regulations prescribe the colour, arc and range of visibility, and positioning of the respective lights. Ships are also required to carry adequate up-to-date charts, sailing directions, list of lights and other nautical publications in accordance with Chapter V of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended (SOLAS 74).
- There have been cases where ships were found to be positioning a masthead light at the stern in the place of the sternlight. The incorrect positioning of navigation lights could have taken place at the construction stage or during refitting of navigation lights. The masthead light and sternlight are both white lights. Although they look quite similar, they differ in the arc and range of visibility.
- In some ships, the lack of maintenance had led to severe deterioration of the screen plates for the navigation lights, causing the arc of visibility of the lights to be substantially altered.
- Some ships have also been using obsolete charts and nautical publications for navigation. This is a dangerous practice that could have serious implications.
- The above-mentioned deficiencies, which contravene COLREG 72 or SOLAS 74, if left undetected and uncorrected, may be a hazard to navigation and render a ship to be detained under port State control (PSC).
- In recent years, the Japanese Port State Control (PSC) Authority has been paying particular attention to navigation lights and charts during their PSC inspections. This has led to ships being detained for not displaying navigation lights properly, or not carrying up-to-date charts.
- Ship owners and managers are advised to take note of this information and to ensure that clearly-written procedures and instruction for regular inspection, testing and maintenance of navigation lights and for keeping navigation charts up to date, are provided in their safety management manual. They are to ensure that the crew on their ships always complies with these instructions.
- Any queries regarding this circular should be directed to Mr. Lim Hock Lye (Tel: 63756219) or Mr. Wong Kai Cheong (Tel: 63756236).
LEE SENG KONG
DIRECTOR OF MARINE
MARITIME AND PORT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE
Source: North of England P&I Club
May 2004
