RESOLUTION Nr.1 : Piracy and armed robbery.
The 16th Annual General Assembly in Zadar, Croatia, again discussed the problem of piracy and armed robbery against ships in various parts of the world, Somalian and adjacent Indian ocean waters in particular All means to prevent these criminal acts should be activated to protect the lives of seafarers. Yet CESMA still denounces the use of firearms on board and is critical about the employment of armed guards on board ships as it could escalate the violence. It will, however, adopt a practical position in line with European and international organizations on the condition that the responsibility and liability of shipmasters is effectively stipulated and that their position remains unaffected even in the case of armed guards on board.
RESOLUTION Nr.2 : Criminalization of seafarers.
The Assembly also noted that the problem of criminalization of seafarers continues to be a matter of great concern. Motives are not only environmental offences but, among others, the finding of drugs on board. Recent cases have again shown that co-operation between all parties concerned is the best solution to tackle the problem of criminalization.
RESOLUTION Nr.3 : Fatigue and safe manning.
The Assembly still noticed with concern that the problem of fatigue is not attracting enough attention, The requirement of three certified bridge watchkeepers, including the Master, on each seagoing vessel of 500 GT or more, is still supported by CESMA. The introduction, during the recent IMO/STCW meeting in Manila, of a flexibility clause in the stipulation of hours and work, enables the system of the six on six off watch schedule to be continued.The European project HORIZON, which investigates the consequences of fatigue via simulation, will be closely monitored by CESMA as an observer.
RESOLUTION Nr.4 : Safety of roro and large passenger ships.
The Assembly discussed the safety of roro- and large passenger ships and noted that many accidents still occur. It has approached the European Commission to express its concerns. Large passengerships with thousands of passengers and crew have appeared to be very vulnerable, notwithstanding the many tests that newbuilding passenger ships have to undergo before all certificates are issued by class.
RESOLUTION Nr.5 : Introduction of e-Maritime.
The Assembly discussed the participation of CESMA in the e-Maritime concept, initiated by the European Commission. The concept aims at introducing electronic means to govern the entire chain of maritime transport. E-Navigation will be integrated in the system. As the concept includes looking at the reduction of paperwork on board, future introduction could work out positively for the ship’s staff. The concept also looks at the transfer of duties from ship to shore, other parameters such as liability and responsibility of the shipmaster, should be stipulated before CESMA supports the concept fully. We suggest a positive but critical approach.
RESOLUTION Nr.6 : Safety of life saving equipment
The Assembly discussed again the safety of life saving equipment on board seagoing vessels including many incidents and accidents during drills such as a recent case on a CGM/CMA containership in China. It urges international bodies and flag States to introduce proper legislation to improve the safety and design of life saving equipment in order to improve efficiency and avoid other fatal accidents.
RESOLUTION Nr.7 : Safety and Search and Rescue in the northern Black Sea and the Sea of Azov
Latest info, once again, shows that the situation in the above waters have not improved with regard to maritime safety and Search and Rescue. The Bulgarian Shipmasters’ Association proposes a conference to be organised in Romania in the autumn 2011 with the co-operation of IMO, EMSA, the Bulgarian Administration and CESMA. This initiative is supported by the CESMA Assembly.
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