Australia bans freight ship over safety issues 

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority banned the general cargo ship BBC Pearl during a port state control inspection in Cairns, inspectors discovered that the safety management system, an emergency generator and fire dampers were all defective. 

The Briese Heavylift GmbH & Co. vessel BBC Pearl was banned by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) for 180 days (about 6 months) as part of the agency’s efforts to crack down on unsafe and unsuitable vessels. 

BBC Pearl was kept in Cairns for four days until the serious lacks were redressed previously, it continued to Port Hedland where the restricting notification was given. 

During a port State control inspection in Cairns, inspectors discovered a defective emergency generator, multiple safety management system failures and defective fire dampers. 

Michael Drake, executive director of operations for AMSA, stated that the BBC Pearl’s safety violations were alarming and posed a real threat to the safety of the seafarers on board. 

“The defective emergency generator would render the vessel helpless in the event of a main power supply failure, and this is the second time the BBC Pearl has been detained for a defective emergency generator. These are clear violations of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea.” said Drake. 

Drake stated that operators should be warned if they believe they can operate substandard ships in Australia. 

AMSA has repeatedly warned this operator that future safety violations would result in severe enforcement action due to their poor performance record. 

“Australia has a reputation for upholding high safety standards for vessels entering our waters. We have imposed a longer ban of 180-days on the BBC Pearl to send a clear message to any poor performing operator that Australia finds these conditions to be unacceptable.” he said. 

Briese Heavylift ships had been confined in Australia since May 2021 — a detainment rate that is over of three times higher than the normal for ships visiting Australian waters.