The U.S. Coast Guard has detained the Marshall Island-flagged tanker Overseas Jademar in Port Angeles, after Port State Control officers discovered several significant safety violations, including non-functioning distress signaling equipment and fire safety systems.
The electronic position indicating radio beacon, an essential piece of distress equipment that notifies authorities of the crew’s location in the event of an emergency, was found non-functional.
After examining multiple fire hose stations, it was discovered that many gaskets between the hoses and nozzles had deteriorated, limiting the crew’s ability to combat any possible fires.
The PSC officers also discovered fire doors that did not automatically close, which when functioning properly, would help contain flames and smoke in the event of a fire and allow the crew more time to combat the fire or abandon ship.
“This case illustrates the importance of the Port State Control program to hold foreign flagged vessel to international safety standards and ensure the safety of life at sea,” said Cmdr. Matt Edwards, Sector Puget Sound prevention department head. “We are continuing to monitor the Overseas Jademar and work with the crew and Marshall Islands representatives to correct these deficiencies.”
The Overseas Jademar is an oil tanker and was en route from Malaysia to Anacortes, Washington, to offload cargo at the time of the exam.
The tanker will remain detained in Sector Puget Sound’s Captain of the Port zone until the safety violations are corrected.