The ship may be damaged due to various reasons such as: |
Collision |
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Grounding |
The ship is damaged in such an extent that it is unsafe to continue the voyage. |
In the case the voyage to be diverted to the nearest safe port which is called port of refuge. |
It is a “justifiable deviation”. |
The ship is repaired as necessary at the port and the voyage may be resumed after the ship becomes seaworthy. |
Followings to be considered to decide upon port of refuge:
Can the port be reached safely? (Enough fuel, extent of damage). |
Are the port authorities friendly/hostile? |
Can the vessel enter port and remain in safely? |
Repair facilities in the port. |
Cost of repairs reasonable? |
Can cargo be discharged/stored? |
Crew repatriation facilities. |
Can owner’s representatives enter/leave freely? |
Spares/stores readily available? |
Can ship’s spares/stores imported easily? |
Survey facilities available. |
Port free of war, strikes, civil commotion? |
Are required charts onboard? |
For deciding upon port of refuge, guide to port entry/ owner’s suggestions, underwriter’s suggestions to be consulted.
Inform owner, charterer, agent at original destination and give them the reasons to enter POR. |
Consult with underwriter. |
State requirements at POR. |
Inform agent at POR. |
Inform port authorities. |
Contact with P & I club at POR. |
Date, time, position, nature of incident |
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ROB of D/O, FO, FW onboard. |
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Present situation onboard |
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Weather: present and future |
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Master’s intention to deviate |
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Name of port of refuge |
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ETA at port of refuge |
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Assistance required. |
Name, port of registry |
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Official No, IMO No |
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Ships particulars (GT, NT, LOA, LBP, Draft) |
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Reasons for entering |
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ETA |
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Amount of cargo and distribution |
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Details of assistance required |
Obtain pilot |
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Enter the ship in customary manner |
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Obtain pratique |
Issue note of protest, reserving the right to extend it |
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Inform owner, charterer of the ship’s safe arrival |
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Inform Director of Marine if the accident has resulted in loss of life. |
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Inform underwriter in accordance with tender clause. |
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Inform P&I agent and underwriter’s surveyor. |
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If cargo to be discharged, GA adjustor and qualified independent cargo surveyor to be present before breaking bulk (opening/closing of hatches). |
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Arrange damage survey by class. If no class surveyors available, make arrangements with other classification society surveyor, IACS or experienced person (if formers not available) to have the damage surveyed. |
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After receiving surveyor’s report/ recommendation, call for tenders with advice from underwriter representative. In tender, include statement “the lowest or any tender will not necessarily be accepted”. |
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Arrange repairs under supervision of surveyor/ underwriter’s surveyor. |
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After repair, arrange survey. If surveyor is from class, he will issue an interim certificate. If he is not employed by class, he will issue a certificate of seaworthiness. |
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A proper record to be kept commencing from the time of deviation to port of refuge. Copies to send to owner for P&I claims. |
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Note protest, giving full details of damage and repairs, copies to be dispatched to owner. |
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The ship can be cleared for resume voyage. |