Crew familiarization for Enclosed Space Entry CIC

A Port State Control (PSC) Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) is being carried out from September up until November 2015 in Paris MoU, Tokyo MoU, Black Sea MoU, Indian Ocean MoU and Mediterranean MoU. It is expected that the Tokyo and Paris MoUs will carry out approximately 10,000 inspections during the CIC.

This CIC aims on checking procedures and measures implemented onboard merchant ships to safeguard seafarers when entering and working in enclosed spaces and to check compliance with the applicable requirements of the SOLAS Convention.

During inspections the Port State Control Officers (PSCOs) will use a list of selected questions to in order to verify that crew members with enclosed space duties are familiar with relevant equipment and have received training to carry out their duties and identify and understand the hazards associated with entry into enclosed spaces.

The inspection checklist that will be used by PSCOs during these inspections will be based on the relevant checklist issued by the Paris/Tokyo MoU (see link at the end of this article).

It is expected that the Tokyo and Paris MoUs will carry out approximately 10,000 inspections during the CIC. It should be mentioned that during the period of the CIC, vessel that are not be due for a PSC inspection may also be inspected.

For the duration of this CIC the Indian Ocean MoU maintains an online list that documents the CIC inspections carried out within the Indian Ocean MoU,

In brief in order for a vessel to be well prepared for the PSC CIC on Enclosed Space Entry the following should be checked to be in good order onboard:

SMS procedures (meaning shipboard manuals, company written instructions, forms, risk assessments etc) clearly define and make reference on Enclosed Space Entry procedures. Crew should have read such procedures and should be aware on where to find them.
Crew should know how to use atmosphere testing devices, for example how to take a measurement or make calibration.
Records of onboard and ashore calibration (e.g. service reports) of atmosphere testing devices should be readily available.
Other equipment used in enclosed space entry (e.g. BA, relevant mask, EEBDs etc) should be in good condition and crew must know how to use them.
Crew must be fully familiar with aspects of enclosed space entry. For example what to do in case of emergency (e.g. enclosed space entry rescue), how the permit system for enclosed space entry works etc, being aware of relevant risk assessment hazards and control measures.
Enclosed space entry rescue drills records should be readily available and needless to say that all crew should be able to display good performance if a drill by PSCO is requested.

Useful references and material related to the CIC on enclosed space entry can be found below: