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LOC Group calls for more transparency and certainty for maritime casualties

Speaking at this week’s IUMI 2017 conference in Tokyo, LOC Group called for greater international cooperation to better manage maritime casualties.

Addressing a global audience of marine insurers, Captain Jonathan Walker, a consultant from LOC’s Singapore office, raised concerns over the increasing trend to criminalise seafarers following a casualty; the lengthy period it was now taking to arrange salvage and complete the investigative process; and the growing requirement to remove wrecks irrespective of cost or environmental impact.

To help streamline the salvage and investigative process immediately following a major maritime casualty and to protect innocent seafarers, Capt Walker said:

We recognize, absolutely, the rights of sovereign states and the need to comply with all national laws but we would like to see a process, most likely driven by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), that requires sovereign states to clarify their jurisdictions within their governments prior to an incident. In the immediate aftermath of a major incident, it is vital to understand which authority we are dealing with. Similarly, those authorities need to retain experts who understand the maritime sector and the implications of a shipping casualty.”

He continued: “We would also like to see IMO develop a Marine Investigation Code to govern shipping accidents. It should be completely transparent and consistent across national borders. Importantly, governments should commit to it and not interpret its guidance to suit national agendas.

IMO, together with the International Labour Organisation and International Transport Workers’ Federation, should develop early release procedures for seafarers under investigation by member countries. There are many cases where seafarers have been detained for many months even though immediate investigations had shown them to be completely without fault. The industry should not allow mariners to be criminalised in this way”, he said.

Walker pointed out that only 35 IMO member states had signed the Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks, 2007, which clearly detailed how wrecks should be removed. Significantly, the Convention stated that actions should be “proportionate to the hazard” and that activities “should not go beyond what is reasonably necessary”. If this was agreed internationally, said Walker, then the requirement by some authorities to remove wrecks, whatever the cost and environmental impact, would be eliminated.

In general, enhanced and regular communication between all parties – governments, maritime authorities, shipping companies, regulators, insurers and others – is required to ensure future shipping casualties were better managed, the environment protected, and seafarers’ rights secured.