BMA

Analysis of detainable deficiencies recorded against Bahamas flagged ships has identified the following unacceptable, easily identifiable and wholly avoidable deficiencies:

- Deficiencies/failures have not been reported to the BMA or Classification Society (Recognised Organisation) for agreed acceptance pending temporary arrangements in place;

- Any arrangement that bypasses essential safety or environmental monitoring equipment (e.g. “magic pipes” bypassing Oily Water Separator (OWS)/15ppm monitor);

- Equipment has been poorly maintained and/or maintenance has been inappropriately documented or not documented within the shipboard planned maintenance system (PMS);

- Crew are unfamiliar with essential equipment or systems they are responsible for (e.g. OWS, ECDIS, GMDSS equipment, etc.);

- Equipment which requires Flag State/Classification Society approval has been fitted, modified, or removed, or structural changes have been made without proper consultation with the Flag State/Classification Society/Recognised Organisation;

- Critical equipment has not been subject to regular testing as required (e.g. emergency equipment such as fan dampers and emergency fire pump);

- Logbooks, record books, hours of rest records and other documents are incomplete or inaccurate. It should be noted that PSC authorities may in some cases instigate criminal proceedings for alleged falsification of records where records are incomplete or inaccurate (in particular for hours of rest records and Oil Record Books).

- Navigation conducted in an unsafe manner. Whether by the use of out of date publications or incomplete passage plans, or by avoidable violations of the COLREGs such as lights, shapes and sound signalling devices not in working condition.

https://www.bahamasmaritime.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/IN014-Port-State-Control-Recurring-Deficiencies.pdf