Ship Failure and Emergency Procedures
Machinery failure
The regulations below are in effect in the event of a vessel suffering a machinery failure affecting seaworthiness within the Harbour area:
- An independent survey must be commissioned into the ability of the ship’s machinery to perform after repair. Any surveyor appointed must be approved by a recognised classification society; be fully able to certify the integrity of the machinery or repair and must not, at the time of the survey, be a member of the vessel’s crew. The vessel will not be permitted to sail until the Harbour Master is satisfied by the surveyor that the vessel is fully operational in every respect or that there are satisfactory arrangements in place to ensure that the vessel may depart from Shetland waters safely. All survey and other costs involved in this matter will be for the ship’s account. The MCA, which will also be informed of defects which may affect seaworthiness, may exercise its authority to detain a vessel. In such circumstances the MCA will have the final say in whether a vessel should be released.
- Once clear to leave the port the vessel will be required to employ four tugs for sailing and they will remain in attendance until the vessel has cleared the Harbour area.
- No large scale crew changes will be permitted in Shetland waters.
Emergency procedures
In the event of an emergency vessels should immediately contact Sullom Voe VTS on VHF Channel 14 or by telephone to 01806 242344. Emergency messages will then be passed to the Terminal Emergency Control Room.
On the Terminal the Emergency contact number is internal line 222.
All emergency services at the oil terminal are coordinated by the ‘Emergency Control Room’ situated at the terminal fire station.
On a vessel’s arrival at the terminal, the responsible ship’s officer and the Loading Master will discuss action to be taken in an emergency situation. The Master of the vessel should study and comply with the ‘Jetty Safety Regulations’, a copy of which will be supplied.
Safety inspections will be undertaken by terminal and Harbour Authority personnel throughout the vessel’s stay alongside.
Medical facilities
Medical attention for ships’ crews is available on request through agents. Some specialist services including inoculation and vaccination are available.