Loss Prevention

1. Condition Surveys on Vessels

In 2003 policy year, the Managers carried out pre-entry condition surveys for 32 over aged vessels, follow-up surveys for 8 vessels and random surveys for 2 vessels. The survey reports reveal that:
a. 　the overall condition of the entered vessels are improving, which may be on account of the enhanced surveys by the classification societies and port state control program. The strict pre-entry survey policy adopted by the Association was also a factor for this improvement. Nevertheless, some members did not pay enough attention to the defect noted by taking prompt action to rectify the defects, which may prejudice the Member's cover.
b.　Some members were not fully familiar with the newly purchased second-hand vessels and sufficient for the condition surveys were accordingly not satisfactory. The unavailability of some documents such as UTM and equipment manual books placed the surveyors in a difficult position to fully assess the condition of the vessels.

2. Business Seminar

The Managers held a seminar in October, 2003 in Wenzhou. The representatives from the Members, the professors and lawyers in maritime law and marine surveyors attended the seminar, whose topics covered H&M claim, Legal Issues on the Chinese Water Transportation, the Compensation regime in relation to oil pollution, cases on marine survey , London Market H&M Clause etc. The regular seminar held by the Managers enabled the members to keep up with the latest development in maritime law. It also enhanced the Member's awareness in loss prevention.

3. Advisory Service

In the 2003 policy year, the Managers compiled 12 issues of Advisory Service consisting of 32 articles, most of which focused on Loss Prevention and Maritime Law. Modification on Article 8 of the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea. 1972 updated the latest development in marine shipping legislation. Some Legal Issues on the Chinese Water Transportation analyzed the basic legal regime in Chinese coastal transportation. With regard to loss prevention, the Guidelines on the Prevention of Pollution by Oil from the Ship emphasizes the preventive measures in relation to the operation of loading and unloading the oil cargoes, stemming bunker and lubricatants. The Analysis on the capsize of Log Carriers examined several accidents involving the sinking of the entered ships with this Club, discussed the causes and offered advice to members who engaged in this trade. The New Action Taken by Paris MOU and other articles on port state control summarized the position of the some countries and their actions in order for members to be aware of theses regulations.

4. Oil Pollution Certificates

In 2003 policy year, the Managers arranged for 54 vessels of 24 Members to obtain the COFR. The Managers also issued the Blue Card to 48 tankers of 13 Members to obtain CLC Certificates.