KEY DEALS

First ISSC Certificate for Boxship

23 years ago

Maritime and Underwater Security Consultants (MUSC) have had the first Ship Security Plan onboard a container vessel to be verified by the UKs Maritime and Coastguard Agency . The ISPS compliant security plan was written by London based MUSC to be used on board Zodiac s commercial cargo carrier CMACGM Normandie . The plans which have been in place on the vessel for the mandatory two months were given a successful MCA audit in Southampton last month. The ship will now be awarded the International Ship Security Certificate . This is the first ISSC certificate to be awarded to a container vessel. MUSC have been working throughout the world on hundreds of similar vessels to meet the deadline before implementation of the ISPS code in July 2004.

The original metal backed bearing staves supplied by Johnson Duramax were installed in a dove-tailed housing. When rope caught in the propeller shaft bearing and damaged the aft seal, it was necessary to carry out emergency repairs with polyurethane bearing material which happened to be in stock at the repair yard. These polyurethane staves were used for partial replacement of damaged aft metal backed bearing staves. From the outset, these staves caused excessive shaft and bearing wear problems, with a closed system which required frequent cleaning due to clogged filters.

MJ Information No: 18913