USCG: the 5 most common deficiencies found on

gas carriers
Although there aren't many issues found on gas carriers, the top five deficiencies are:

#1 Gas detection
Gas carriers are required gas detection. It's required to sample many locations around
the vessel. The interval period should not to exceed the 30 minutes. It is required to
alarm at 30% LEL. It's tested and calibrated with span gas. It's expected to alarm on the
bridge and where cargo's controlled. The coastal security will test the system along with
a crewmember that is in charge of gas detection. Also, the CS will have the crew
member calibrate the system and ensure that it alarms at 30% LEL. Often, the USCG
finds problem concerning the calibration and this test.

#2 Emergency shut downs

Gas ships are in need of emergency shut downs that need to be activated from two
remote locations. They have fusible elements that are installed over the tank domes and
loading stations. Once emergency shut down is activated it’s expected to turn off within
30 seconds. Most of the times, marine inspectors find that the valve does not close
within the 30 second requirement.

#3 Maximum Allowable relief valve settings

MARVS or maximum allowable relief valve settings are required to be set in accordance
to IGC code and 46 CFR 154. When MARVS are installed, they should be installed
under the supervision of the captain and must be inured in the vessel's log. After they’re
installed, they have tamper seals that are in place and must remain intact. Many times,
marine inspectors find that these tamper seals or settings are incorrect.

#4 Deck water spray

Gas carriers need a deck water spray system that covers the cargo deck, tank domes,
manifolds, and superstructure. Often marine inspectors find that these nozzles on the
water spray are clogged.

#5 Electrical issues
The lighting fixtures on a gas ship should definitely be flameproof or pressurized in the
gas dangerous zone. All wiring should be in good condition. However, sometimes
marine inspectors find problems with the wiring and the cable glands in electoral
installations.
Port State Control common deficiency areas on liquefied gas carriers cited
Posted on April 2, 2019 by News Hound

This article addresses five common deficiencies that

Sector Houston-Galveston Port State Control Officers
(PSCOs) have fund on liquefied gas carriers. In 2018,
Sector Houston-Galveston conducted 141 Certificate
of Compliance (COC) exams on liquefied gas carriers,
seven of which resulted in IMO detentions. This
equates to a 5% detention ratio, which is more than
double the national average for IMO detentions in 2018
(1.5 %). Some combination or other of the below listed deficiencies were cited in all of the
Sector’s aforementioned gas carrier detentions. The purpose of this article is to share
information and prompt owners, operators, surveyors and other involved parties to take
proactive steps to identify and correct sub-standard safety and environmental stewardship
conditions before Coast Guard port state control intervention, including COC removal, cargo
cessation and/or detentions, becomes necessary.

Deck Water Spray System

PSCOs continue to find inadequate and/or even zero spray coverage by way of cargo tank
domes, transfer manifolds and other critical areas requiring protection under section 11.3 of
the IGC Code. The main cause has been spray nozzle and associated piping blockages
caused by extensive debris such as sand blast grit, rust/scale and even small menhaden
fish. Routine maintenance and testing of the system should lead to easy identification and
correction of blockages. The periodic removal of orifice plates and/or in-line filters installed
on the main or branch lines to check for and remove debris has proven to be an effective
best practice in ensuring a free-flowing system.

Fixed Gas Detection

PSCOs commonly encounter systems that are not functioning properly and/or crewmembers
that are unfamiliar or unprepared to operate their installed systems. PSCOs have observed
everything from lack of and/or use of improper span gas, widespread component
malfunction, and systems displaying nonsensical outputs. The proper operation of fixed gas
detection units is critical for crew protection and the safe handling of cargoes on gas carriers.
Periodic maintenance, thorough testing and frequent crew training all help to avoid
unnecessary technical and operational complications that may result in delays.

Electrical Equipment in Hazardous Areas

PSCOs routinely see explosion-proof lights with cracked housings, significant standing water
inside, compromised explosion-proof enclosures, and other explosion-proof or intrinsically
safe equipment not properly installed or maintained. Frequent inspections and keeping spare
parts readily available help crews maintain compliance of hazardous space equipment.

Cargo Tank Safety Relief Valves

PSCOs have observed the use of “in harbor” safety relief valve settings used during sea
passages. Cargo tanks are at risk of overstress if they are subjected to dynamic sea
conditions under higher tank pressures associated with “in harbor” safety relief valve
settings. PSCOs also find safety relief valves with missing or broken sealing wires or that do
not correspond with the record of setting and sealing as required by IGC 8.2.6. Lastly,
PSCOs have encountered vessels using the wrong safety relief valve setting based on the
cargo’s density. Such misuses of cargo tank safety relief valves necessarily triggers scrutiny
into whether or not the vessel’s Safety Management System (SMS) has been effectively
implemented and often results in additional ISM-related deficiencies.

Significant Errors on Certificates of Fitness (COF)

Among the first items PSCOs review during an exam is the COF and they continue to
frequently encounter obvious and significant errors on this key certificate. Issues found have
included certificates altogether missing cargoes, listing of incorrect ambient design
temperatures, incorrect relief valve settings and so on. It is incumbent on the issuing
authority, the vessel’s owner/operator and crews to verify the accuracy of these certificates
or risk cargo delays.
These five items are not exhaustive and in no way cover the entire scope of deficiencies
found during PSC examinations on liquefied gas carriers. Rather, they represent an
executive summary of five common issues discovered by Sector Houston-Galveston PSCOs
on liquefied gas carriers in 2018 that have specifically resulted in intervention measures.
Vessel owners and operators are reminded that if any system on board the vessel is not in
good working condition, the crew should take the necessary actions to remedy the situation
in accordance with their company’s SMS, and receive full support from the operating
company. It is highly recommended that a record of any actions taken be maintained as
evidence that the SMS is being used to proactively manage the situation.