The number of mooring accidents is still increasing. This is the reason that this issue will stay on CESMA’s agenda. It involves deaths and mutilation of seafarers. Reasons discussed are the location of the operating panels of the winches as they offer bad or no view for those handling ropes or wires. Also the limited number and experience of persons in the mooring teams, including language and communication problems. The ever increasing size and height of vessels play a role in the tension of wires and ropes making mooring operations ever more dangerous for those directly involved.

Further on the human element, the Assembly noted again the shortage of berths on board EU flagged ships for future EU seafarers to attain sufficient practical knowledge on board to be able to obtain their STCW certificates as Officer of the Watch. CESMA urgently requests the European Commission, EMSA and ECSA to pay attention. Without growth of the number of young EU seafarers, the European Union is feared to lose its maritime knowledge and experience.

In Italy, problems to adapt to the STCW Manila amendments for almost all officers, leads to a critical situation wherein officers have to go back to school because some courses taught at school do not match with the Manila amendments, as found out by EMSA officers during inspections. CESMA, our Italian member associations and trade unions are urging the Italian administration to act or in any way reimburse the seafarers concerned for their expenses of about 3.000 euros.

Like last Assembly, the tendency in a number of EU nations to replace practical education on board for young officers by simulator training at school, was discussed. There was no uniform opinion among those present. In some nations the nautical schools are urged by ship owners, supported by administrations, to lower practical time on board because there are not enough suitable possibilities on board their ships or for other, most financial, reasons. Therefore the Assembly, confronted by many opinions, decides to ask for uniform rules in the EU for replacement of practical education and training on board by simulator training. This means however that every student who finishes his 4 studies, cannot obtain his certificate for Officer of the Watch before he has acquired the 12 months sea time on board, which is required by the IMO STCW. He or she should acquire these missing months in another way, even outside the jurisdiction of the nautical school.

The issue of too much paperwork on board is discussed. CESMA is doing its utmost to convince responsible bodies to act but some, like customs and large port administrations are not too enthusiastic, as they want to remain at their own systems. CESMA participated in the EU sponsored ANNA project, looking at this issue, but so far the initiative has brought little change.

Capt. Ardillon (AFCAN) intervened with the construction of Very Large Ore Carriers (VLOC). Direct motive was the disaster with the fully loaded VLOC ”Stellar Daisy” which sank in the South Atlantic Ocean, with the loss of 20 lives. CESMA will bring this to attention of the IMO by a resolution asking for better regulations for construction of VLOC’s.

In conclusion, Dr. Mertens (VDKS) asked whether there is any initiative to cope with the situation which can be created with the introduction of unmanned ships. Technology is progressing rapidly and the big question of responsibility has to be answered soon. As IMO is responsible for maritime regulations, it is hoped and expected that the organisation will speed up procedures to issue proper regulation in this respect.

 Our hosts in Riga: Captains. Jazeps Spridzans and Peteris Rabsa (deputy)