Inspector ATZ

18/09/2025

Good bye Cagayan de oro
good morning Cebu

18/09/2025

16/09/2025

Shout out to Chief engineer Delton Tingson and 3rd Engineer the Zamboanga boys

14/09/2025

Biofouling is the undesirable accumulation of microorganisms, plants, and animals on a ship's submerged surfaces, which increases drag, leading to higher fuel consumption and increased greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. It also contributes to the spread of invasive aquatic species, disrupting local ecosystems and threatening biodiversity. Effective management includes specialized anti-fouling coatings and regular cleaning to prevent the negative impacts of biofouling on ship performance and the marine environment.

What is Biofouling?

Process:

Biofouling begins with bacteria and other microorganisms forming a biofilm, which then serves as a foundation for larger organisms like algae, seaweed, barnacles, and mussels to attach to the ship's hull and other underwater structures.

Locations:

It occurs on various submerged parts of a ship, including the hull, propeller, sea chests, and internal seawater systems.

Environmental Impacts

Invasive Species:

Ships carrying biofouling act as vectors for invasive species, transferring non-native organisms to new environments where they can outcompete local species and cause ecological disruption.

Corrosion:

The presence of biofouling can accelerate the corrosion of ship hulls, leading to structural integrity issues and increased maintenance costs.

Operational & Economic Impacts

Reduced Efficiency:

Biofouling increases the hydrodynamic resistance of the ship, making it slower and requiring more power to maintain speed.

Increased Fuel Consumption:

To compensate for the added drag, ships burn more fuel, leading to significant increases in fuel costs and operational expenses.

Higher GHG Emissions:

Increased fuel consumption directly translates to higher emissions of greenhouse gases, counteracting efforts to reduce the shipping industry's environmental footprint.

Management & Prevention

Anti-fouling Systems:

Modern ships use anti-fouling paints and coatings that release biocides or have low-friction surfaces to deter organisms from attaching.

Regulatory Controls:

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has implemented regulations, such as the International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-fouling Systems (AFS), to ban harmful anti-fouling compounds like TBT and cybutryne.

Cleaning & Maintenance:

Regular in-water cleaning and inspection are crucial to remove fouling before it becomes too established and to ensure the effectiveness of anti-fouling systems.

10/09/2025

The purpose of a ship's Fire Control Plan is to provide a visual guide and information on the location of fire safety equipment, fire detection and alarm systems, ventilation controls, fire-resistant divisions, and emergency escape routes, aiding both the onboard crew and external fire services to respond effectively to a fire emergency. Mandated by international regulations like the SOLAS convention, these plans are crucial for crew safety and a rapid, coordinated response during a fire incident.

Key Information Displayed:

Fire-Fighting Equipment:

Shows the location of fire stations, fire alarms, fire-extinguishing appliances (such as sprinklers and CO₂ systems), and fire hoses.

Fire Detection and Alarm Systems:

Details the location and types of fire detection and alarm systems on the ship.

Ventilation Systems:

Includes information on ventilation systems, such as the location of dampers and controls for shutting down or redirecting air during a fire.

Fire-Resistant Divisions:

Identifies "A" and "B" class divisions that form fire barriers to prevent the spread of fire.

Emergency Exits and Routes:

Marks emergency escape routes and embarkation stations.

Purpose and Importance:

Aids Crew Response:

Enables the crew to quickly locate critical equipment and understand the ship's layout, facilitating a swift and coordinated response to a fire.

Assists Shore-Based Services:

Provides essential information to external fire services, helping them to understand the ship's layout and manage the incident effectively.

Ensures Compliance:

Adherence to the Fire Control Plan ensures the ship meets the requirements of the SOLAS convention and global fire safety standards, which is vital for inspections and audits.

Promotes Safety:

By detailing escape routes and fire-fighting measures, the plan is a cornerstone of onboard safety and emergency .

Port State Control (PSC) inspects the Fire Control Plan on a ship to ensure the vessel and its crew comply with international safety regulations, such as those from the International Maritime Organization (IMO), to prevent accidents and pollution. The plan, which details fire detection, escape routes, and equipment locations, is a critical tool for crew safety, and PSC officers verify the plan's accuracy and the crew's familiarity with it to ensure compliance with the SOLAS Convention.

Reasons for Inspection

Compliance with Regulations:

PSC verifies that the ship adheres to requirements of international conventions like SOLAS, which mandates Fire Control Plans and ensures they are up to date.

Ship Safety:

The plan serves as a critical resource for the crew during a fire, indicating escape routes and the location of firefighting equipment, thereby enhancing crew safety during emergencies.

Operational Readiness:

Inspectors will check if the crew is familiar with the plan and capable of executing their assigned duties, which often includes a fire drill and operational tests of firefighting equipment.

Preventing Substandard Shipping:

PSC acts as a second line of defense, identifying and addressing deficiencies to prevent substandard vessels from operating unsafely.

What PSC Inspectors Look For

Accuracy:

The Fire Control Plan must accurately reflect the ship's layout, the location of fire safety systems, escape routes, and emergency equipment.

Accessibility:

The plan should be readily available on board for both the crew and inspectors.

Crew Familiarity:

Officers will question crew members on their duties during a fire and their knowledge of the plan's contents, especially if there are "clear grounds" to suspect non-compliance,
Maintenance of Equipment:

The plan's effectiveness relies on the proper maintenance of firefighting equipment listed, such as extinguishers and hoses.

08/09/2025

Shout out to Mayor RED VILLAVECENCIO and second officer CHRISTIAN ERISPE at MV Efessos Wave

07/09/2025

The purpose of an Emergency Escape Breathing Device (EEBD) on a ship is to provide personnel with a supply of clean, breathable air to allow them to escape from a hazardous atmosphere, such as one filled with smoke, toxic gases, or low oxygen levels. These self-contained devices are lightweight, easy to don quickly, and are designed for short-term use to get people safely out of dangerous areas.

Key Functions and Characteristics

Escape from Hazardous Atmospheres:

The primary purpose of an EEBD is to enable an escape from compartments with contaminated air or oxygen deficiency.

Self-Contained Air Supply:

EEBDs provide a self-contained supply of compressed air or oxygen, ensuring protection for the wearer.

Short-Term Use:

These devices are for emergency evacuation and are not intended for prolonged work or firefighting activities.

Easy and Quick to Don:

EEBDs are designed for simple and rapid donning, often featuring a hood or mask with a transparent window made of fire-resistant material.

Protection from Toxins and Smoke:

The positive pressure inside the hood prevents toxic gases and smoke from entering.

Portable and Compact:

They are lightweight and compact, making them easy to carry and use in tight spaces onboard.

Mandatory Equipment:

Regulations like the SOLAS convention require ships to carry a specific number of EEBDs, ensuring they are readily available for emergencies.

In essence, an EEBD serves as a vital life-saving device for immediate self-protection, giving crew members the precious minutes needed to reach a safe environment during an emergency.

Port State Control (PSC) inspects Emergency Escape Breathing Devices (EEBDs) to ensure ships comply with international regulations, like SOLAS Chapter II-2, Regulation 13, and to verify crew safety in hazardous atmospheres during emergencies. These devices are crucial for escaping toxic or oxygen-deficient environments, and PSC ensures they are correctly located, properly maintained, and readily available to protect lives, as failure to do so can lead to ship detentions.

Why EEBDs are inspected by PSC

Compliance with International Regulations:

EEBDs are mandatory on most ships by amendments to SOLAS Chapter II-2, Regulation 13. PSC's role is to ensure ships adhere to these international maritime safety standards.

Crew Safety:

EEBDs provide a limited supply of breathable air to protect a ship's crew while evacuating from hazardous areas like smoke-filled engine rooms or other toxic, oxygen-deficient environments.

Location and Accessibility:

PSC verifies that EEBDs are located in easily visible, accessible, and quick-to-reach spots throughout the ship, especially in machinery spaces.

Correct Use and Maintenance:

Inspectors check that EEBDs are properly "primed" and ready for use, not in an unprepared status. Proper maintenance ensures the device will operate correctly when needed.

Life-Saving Equipment:

As a critical piece of life-saving equipment, EEBDs are subject to PSC scrutiny to ensure they meet safety and quality standards.

07/09/2025

Inspection Time

04/09/2025

The purpose of the bridge on a ship is to serve as the command center for all navigational and operational functions, where the captain and officers monitor the ship's course and surroundings, control its movement, and manage communication with the crew and other vessels. It provides a clear view and houses specialized equipment like radar, GPS, control consoles, and communication systems to ensure safe and effective ship management.

Key Functions of the Bridge

Navigation:

The bridge is equipped with advanced electronic equipment, including radar, GPS, and chart plotters, to track the ship's position and plan its route.

Control:

Officers use control consoles and joysticks to steer the vessel and manage its speed and heading.

Communication:

It facilitates communication with the ship's crew and other vessels through VHF radios and other intercom systems.

Observation:

The bridge is designed with large windows to give the officers a clear, unobstructed view of the surrounding waters, crucial for spotting other ships, potential hazards, and land.

Monitoring:

The bridge also serves to monitor other key ship functions, including the engineering department and cargo operations.

Layout and Design
The bridge is strategically located to provide the best possible visibility of the ship's surroundings and the open sea.

Its design is divided into distinct areas: a forward section for clear observation and the remaining area for controls and communication equipment.

Historical Context

The term "bridge" originated from a raised platform on early steamships that connected the two paddle houses, literally creating a "bridge" that allowed officers to see over the machinery and control the vessel.

24/08/2025

MARPOL Annex VI is an international treaty for the prevention of air pollution from ships, setting limits on air pollutants like sulphur oxides (SOx) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), and prohibiting ozone-depleting substances (ODS) and the incineration of certain materials. It also establishes SOx and NOx Emission Control Areas (ECAs) with stricter emission controls and includes energy efficiency measures to reduce the carbon intensity of global shipping. Annex VI aims to protect human health and the environment from the negative impacts of shipping emissions.

Key Provisions:

Limits on SOx and NOx emissions:

Annex VI regulates the amount of sulphur and nitrogen oxides that can be emitted from ships' exhaust gases, a major source of local and global air pollution and its associated health problems.

Ozone-Depleting Substances (ODS):

The annex prohibits the deliberate emission of ODS, such as CFCs and halons, and bans new installations containing them on ships.

Shipboard Incineration:

It includes regulations that restrict the incineration of certain products onboard ships, such as contaminated packaging materials.

Fuel Quality:

Annex VI specifies requirements for the quality of fuel oil used by ships, ensuring it is free from inorganic acids and harmful additives.

Energy Efficiency:

The annex includes regulations to improve the operational energy efficiency of ships, contributing to the overall reduction of carbon intensity in the maritime sector.

Emission Control Areas (ECAs):

Annex VI allows for the designation of specific sea areas as ECAs, such as SOx ECAs, where more stringent controls on sulphur and nitrogen oxide emissions are enforced.

Purpose:

The primary goal of MARPOL Annex VI is to prevent and minimize air pollution from ships, thereby protecting human health and the environment from the harmful effects of acid rain, respiratory issues, ozone depletion, and global warming.

20/08/2025

Port State Control (PSC) inspects the hospital room on a ship to ensure it meets the required standards of hygiene, sanitation, and equipment necessary for the health and well-being of the crew, as stipulated by international maritime regulations. This inspection falls under the broader scope of PSC, which aims to prevent substandard shipping and protect maritime safety and the marine environment.