PORT OF REFUGE AND HOW A SHIP CAN CALL IT?

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A port of refuge is a port or place that a vessel diverts to when her master considers it unsafe to continue the voyage due to a peril that threatens the common safety.
    In November 2003 the IMO assembly adopted two resolutions addressing the issue of port of refuge for ship in distress.
1) Resolution A949(23) :- These guidelines on places of refuge for ship in need of assistance are intended for use, when a ship is in need of assistance but the safety of life is not involved. Where the safety of life is involved, the provision of SAR convention should be continued to be followed.
The guidelines recognize that when a ship has suffered an incident, the best way of preventing damage or pollution from its progressive deterioration is to transfer its cargo and bunkers, and to repair the casualty. Such operation is best carried out at place of refuge. However to bring such ship at place of refuge may endanger the coastal state economically as well as environmentally. Therefore granting access to port of refuge could involve a political decision which can only be taken on case by case basis.
2) Resolution A950 (23) :- MARITIME ASSISTANCE SERVICES (MAS):- recommends that all coastal states should establish a MAS. The principal purpose would be to receive the various reports, consultations and notification required in a number of IMO instrument, monitoring a ship’s situation. If such a report indicates that a ship may be in need of assistance, the MAS serves as a point of contact and center for exchange of information between the ship and coastal state.
Valid reasons for deviating a ship to a port of refuge usually includes:-
1) Weather, collision or grounding damage affecting seaworthiness of vessel.
2) Serious fire
3) Dangerous shift of cargo
4) Serious machinery breakdown
5) Any other accident causing some serious threat to the vessel and cargo
6) Shortage of bunkers ( if it can be proved that the vessel left port with adequate bunker for the voyage and ran short as a consequence of weathering)
HOW A SHIP CAN CALL A PORT OF REFUGE?
1) As soon as the decision is taken to discontinue the voyage and make for a place for refuge, inform the owner and the charterer (if any) stating the reasons for deviation. Give relevant details to attending superintendent. He will inform the necessary insurance manager and class.
2) Record the ship’s position. Sound tanks for quantity for bunker on board. From the point until departure from the port of refuge, keep accurate records of events and expenditure.
3) Request the owner to arrange the appointment of an agent at the port of refuge to handle the vessel’s visit.
4) Call the agent as soon as his identity is known. Pass ETA and information necessary for making preparation for vessel’s arrival, including tonnage, length, flag, P&I club, classification society etc. Request the agent to notify :-
a) Port state administration if vessel is damaged or seaworthiness is affected.
b) Harbor master or port authority.
c) Pilot station, linesman, boatman, customs, port health etc.
d) Local correspondent of the owner’s P&I club.

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