MARITIME AND
COASTGUARD AGENCY News Release (375-08) issued by COI News
Distribution Service. 19 November 2008
On Friday 14th
November the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) detained a
vessel in Liverpool. The Panamian flag 41,016 GT bulk carrier
Pistis had berthed in Liverpool to discharge a cargo of grain and
was boarded by surveyors from the MCA's Liverpool Marine
Office, who arrived to conduct an overriding priority Inspection
following information received from the UK Border Agency.
The inspection of the Pistis revealed that the vessel had several
deficiencies indicating a lack of proper maintenance of the ship
and equipment, crew quarters were also inspected and also found to
be in a very unsatisfactory condition, and it was therefore detained.
The Pistis will remain under detention until the deficiencies are rectified.
Pat Dolby, Head of the MCA's Inspection Branch
said:
Ship owners have a duty to ensure that vessels are
properly maintained and that living accommodation comes up to the
required standard. Both the unacceptable maintenance regime and
the inadequate standard of its crew accommodation are cause for
concern.
We will not hesitate to detain vessels such as this
one which pose a serious threat to the safety of its crew.
Press releases and further information about the Agency is
available on the Web at http://www.mcga.gov.uk