U.S. Cruise Ship Detention Rate Drops
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The U.S. Coast Guard Cruise Ship National Center of Expertise (CSNCOE) has issued its list of the top five deficiency areas it found on cruise vessels in 2016, with detention rates dropping to one percent from the previous year's 1.6 percent.
The Coast Guard reported 103 vessel detentions of all vessel types to IMO last year, and conducted 294 cruise ship examinations.
The top five cruise ship deficiency areas found were:
1.Fire screen doors not operating properly
Fire screen doors were found to have damage to the sequencing bars, damage to the doors themselves or not closing properly (either too fast or too slow or were not latching completely) 74 SOLAS (14), II-2/9.4.1.1.5
2.Impeding means of escape
Corridors, doors and hatches in areas designated as escape routes were found to be either partially or completely blocked. Doors in some instances were locked, without the ability to defeat the lock, preventing passage in the direction of escape. 74 SOLAS (14), II-2/13.3.2
3. Low location lighting
Low location lighting or photo-luminescent tape was found to be missing or inoperable. 74 SOLAS (14) II-2/13.3.2.5
4. Fire suppression systems
Various deficiencies were found in fire suppression systems. Sprinkler heads/ water mist nozzles were found to be damaged or completely missing. Other issues included failed couplings. 74 SOLAS (14) II-2/ 14.1.1
5. Piping insulation
There were several deficiencies issued for leaking piping systems, which led to fuel soaked insulation lagging. 74 SOLAS (14) II-1/26.1
In calendar year 2015, the Coast Guard reported 205 vessel detentions to the IMO. In that time, the Coast Guard conducted 259 cruise ship examinations and 1.6 percent received a detention. The top five cruise ship deficiencies for 2015 were:
• Fire screen doors not operating properly
• Impeding means of escape
• Water tight doors were found with missing portions of gaskets, hydraulic oil leaking, inoperable audible alarm, or the means of indication that show at all remote operating positions were found to be in a fault condition.
• Fire suppression systems were found to be deficient.
• Improper utilization of categorized spaces.
The latest report is available here.