Lack of reports hindered industry accidents probe.

(From Lloyds List)

Byline: Sandra Speares

INVESTIGATIONS into a recent spate of accidents on chemical tankers was hindered by limited availability of casualty reports, the Inter-Industry Group set up to consider the issue said yesterday.

The IIG said that, despite the Maritime Safety Committee's request to relevant flag states for further information from casualty investigations, 'little new information was provided'. Although this had hindered the group's work, information provided was sufficient for the group to reach a number of conclusions.

Data provided to the group by the owners and operators of vessels was of 'variable quantity and quality' but some value had been obtained from all data received.

Failure by personnel to follow operational guidelines was the main cause of the recent accidents, according to the study which has been submitted to the MSC for its May meeting.

These failures existed at both shipboard and management level and 'while manning levels appear not to be a material factor, questions were raised in some cases regarding crew competence and training'.