Ecology Prevention Recommendations on Loss of Steering Incidents

1998-2005

The table below contains recommendations made by the Washington State Department of Ecology to ship operators, Classification Societies, and government agencies following investigations of loss of steering incidents. Some recommendations have been made in more than one case and no attempt was made to remove duplicate recommendations.  Readers will note that some recommendations were broad, while others were very specific to the circumstances of the incident.
Recommendation Reference Number Recommendation to Recommendation Text
2002-030 Vessel Operator Conduct a special audit of vessels in the company fleet to determine whether a systematic problem with vessel familiarization exists, and, if so, take actions to correct the problem and bring the company into compliance with the requirements of Standards for Training and Certification of Watchkeepers (STCW) Regulation I/14 (specifically paragraphs 1.4 and 1.5).
2002-029 Vessel Operator Ensure that regular training exercises are carried out to provide experience to bridge watch officers (and other appropriate personnel) in using the steering gear system under the various failure modes that may occur.
2002-028 Vessel Operator Ensure that bridge watch officers (and other appropriate personnel) aboard all the vessels in your fleet are trained to the vessel-specific emergency steering instructions as part of their routine ship-specific familiarization training.
2002-027 Vessel Operator Ensure that bridge watch officers (and other appropriate personnel) aboard all the vessels in your fleet have ready access to instructions for emergency steering specific to the vessel. Instructions for emergency steering from the bridge should be in a durable form, be in the ship’s working language, and be maintained in close proximity to the bridge steering unit. Instructions for emergency steering from the steering gear space should be in a durable form and maintained at appropriate locations in the steering gear space.
2001-018 Vessel Operator Ensure that navigation watch standers and masters receive formal Bridge Team Management training as required by Standards for Training and Certification of Watchkeepers (STCW) 95, and Bridge Resource Management training as recommended by STCW 95, Section B, part 3-1.
2001-017 Vessel Operator Ensure that company policies require regular preventive maintenance of the steering gear and associated control systems, keeping in mind that loose electrical connections are an often-cited cause of steering casualties.
2000-059 Vessel Operator Ensure that maintenance conducted on critical shipboard safety components is checked by a second person who is familiar with the system.
2000-058 Vessel Operator Ensure that adequate operational tests are conducted following any maintenance that is conducted on critical shipboard safety components.
2000-051 Vessel Operator Ensure that possible collateral damage to ships’ engineering systems is assessed and accounted for when mechanical failures occur in related systems.
2000-050 Vessel Operator Ensure that ‘mystery’ engineering occurrences are thoroughly investigated and resolved before a ship returns to service.
2000-049 Vessel Operator Ensure that shipyard specifications include redundant inspections of all installations/repairs and full testing before an installation/repair is approved/accepted.
1999-019 Vessel Operator Ensure adequate design review of system modifications occurs prior to installation of new equipment or components.
1999-018 Vessel Operator Consider fitting a high temperature alarm on the steering gear to detect excessive heat buildup in the hydraulic oil.
1999-017 Vessel Operator Ensure maintenance manuals for the steering gear system contain information on the retrofitted valves, and provide warnings regarding the signs and consequences of improper valve alignment.
1999-016 Vessel Operator Clearly label the steering gear valves and post a diagram showing the proper valve alignment during various operating modes.
1999-015 Vessel Operator Ensure the steering gear system is thoroughly checked during regular engineering rounds.
1999-014 Vessel Operator Ensure maintenance on the steering gear is carried out promptly.
1998-018 Vessel Operator As soon as possible, implement Bridge Team Management training programs, consistent with the new STCW Convention (International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping For Seafarers) requirements, to insure good internal and external communication.
1998-017 Vessel Operator Ensure that personnel are familiar with, and drilled in using emergency steering procedures.
1998-016 Vessel Operator Ensure that steering gear is properly maintained under a comprehensive planned maintenance program that minimizes the likelihood of human error and conforms with the International Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and for Pollution Prevention (ISM Code), especially Section 10. All electrical connections should be regularly checked for integrity as part of such a steering gear maintenance program.