Towing and Salvage Flashcards
How does SOLAS require ships to prepare for emergency towing?
All ships should have a ship specific towing procedure in place
Tankers over 20,000 dwt should have emergency towing arrangements at both ends of the ship. One of which must be ready for rapid deployment.
What is included in an emergency towing procedure?
- Drawings of fore and aft deck emergency towing arrangements
- Inventory of onboard equipment available for emergency towing
- Means and methods of communication
- Sample procedures to facilitate and prepare for emergency towing
What is the International Convention on Salvage 1989
It provides international regulation on when and how salvage agreements can be made, the benefits that can be awarded to the salvor and the liabilities for both the salvor and the salvaged vessel.
What is salvage?
Any act or activity undertaken to assist a vessel or any other property in danger in navigable waters or in any other waters whatsoever
What is “property” within the salvage convention?
Any property not permanently and intentionally attached to the shoreline including freight at risk
What is the masters responsibility towards other vessels in the salvage convention?
Every master is bound, as far as he can do so without serious danger to his vessel and the persons onboard, to render assistance to any person in danger of being lost at sea.
What are the fundamental provisions of the salvage convention?
- No win, no fee. If the salvage operations do not produce a useful result, no payment is due.
- If the salvage produces a useful result, the salvor has right to a reward.
- The reward shall not exceed the salved value of the vessel and property.
- The convention does not apply if all vessels are inland vessels and the salvage operation is within tidal waters
- Legal proceedings must begin within 2 years of the salvage operation commencement
- Salvage vessels will never be at a loss for assisting because of article 14. Special compensation to ensure incentive to protect the environment.
What is special compensation?
If the salvor carried out salvage operations which threatened the marine environment and their reward is less than the special compensation due, he shall be entitled to special compensation from the salved owner equal to his expenses for the operation.
If the salvor prevents or minimises damage to the environment, the special compensation can increased up to 30%
What is the most recent and most common salvage agreement?
LOF 2020
What is SCOPIC?
Special Compensation P & I Club
How is SCOPIC used in salvage contracts?
The SCOPIC clause must be invoked on LOF and in writing by the salvor. Article 14 of the salvage convention then no longer applies.
What are the risks and benefits to SCOPIC?
SCOPIC provides fixed financial sums for each service rendered so there is guaranteed reward. SCOPIC also pays 25% extra if services protect or minimise environmental damage
If the salvage reward is higher than the SCOPIC due, the difference between the reward and the SCOPIC is reduced by 25%
SCOPIC offers less risk to a salvor but also potentially less reward.
What potential actions are then when vessel is drifting and in danger?
- Assess buoyancy and rate of drift
- A hanging anchor can act as a sea anchor and reduce drift
- Use of engines to change heading/drift
- Changing trim/list may change the speed/direction of drift
- Prepare for emergency towing
What can be used for emergency towing?
- The mooring lines can form a bridle
- The anchor cable can be used for towing by disconnecting the anchor and/or lowering the anchor for the towing vessel to connect a tow line to.
- If no ships power, the messenger line could be brought on the ship being towed and send back to the tow vessel again in order to send the tow line using the tow vessels winch only.
