The Transportation Security Board of Canada (TSB) has raised severe issues about Canada’s marine emergency preparedness following its investigation into the 2021 lack of containers and fireplace aboard the containership ZIM Kingston.
The incident, which occurred off Vancouver Island, British Columbia, revealed crucial gaps within the nation’s means to reply to marine emergencies.
On October 21, 2021, the ZIM Kingston, owned by Danaos Delivery (NYSE: DAC) and on constitution to ZIM (NYSE: ZIM), misplaced 109 containers overboard on account of extreme parametric rolling whereas drifting in heavy climate outdoors the Juan de Fuca Strait because it awaited anchorage. The vessel had 21 crew members on board on the time. Roughly 36 hours later, a fireplace broke out in a broken container holding harmful items whereas the vessel was anchored off Victoria, BC. The fireplace unfold to close by containers and burned for 5 days earlier than being extinguished.
Mannequin testing through the investigation confirmed that parametric rolling was the reason for the container loss. The TSB investigation revealed that though steering materials to determine the chance of parametric rolling is mostly accessible to the trade, it was not on board the ZIM Kingston. The investigation additionally highlighted inconsistencies and inadequacies in bridge crew coaching and the adoption of procedures and instruments to handle parametric rolling. The TSB famous that whereas the Worldwide Maritime Group is taking steps to replace trade steering, the method will take time.
The TSB has expressed concern that the shortage of up-to-date complete steering would possibly result in ineffective or absent firm insurance policies, procedures, instruments, and coaching for managing parametric rolling.
The incident additionally highlighted Canada’s challenges in managing marine emergencies requiring extra help. Not like the U.S., the TSB highlighted that Canada lacks necessary pre-arranged emergency response plans and the Coast Guard doesn’t interact in marine fireplace response or have fireplace suppression capabilities. On this case, the emergency response was initiated on account of happenstance, together with pre-arrangements made by the vessel’s supervisor and the presence of two adequately geared up vessels close by— the anchor dealing with tugs Maersk Tender and Maersk Dealer which simply so occur to be within the space.
“The emergency response that adopted was initiated primarily on account of incidental, however lucky, circumstances. It is necessary to not mistake this luck for emergency preparedness, as the following time, we would not be as fortunate,” says TSB Chair Kathy Fox. “There must be extra pressing and efficient motion to deal with marine emergencies in Canadian waters.”
Following amendments to the Canada Delivery Act, 2001, the Governor in Council can now make rules relating to emergency preparations for vessels. Whereas Transport Canada is creating rules to require emergency response preparations, they don’t seem to be anticipated to be in place till 2028.
“We all know from previous expertise that creating rules may take considerably longer than anticipated, however there’s no want for that. It’s a matter of priorities, and certainly it may be accomplished a lot faster,” Fox added.
The TSB stays nervous in regards to the gaps in Canada’s preparedness for marine emergencies that surpass the response capability of a vessel’s crew, posing dangers to vessels, the atmosphere, and public well being and security.
As a part of the investigation, the TSB issued two security issues associated to the chance of parametric rolling resulting in container loss, and gaps in Canada’s preparedness for marine emergency response.
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