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The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has informed owners, managers and shipmasters of Singapore-registered ships that it should be notified "immediately or at the latest, within 2 hours" of any marine casualty or security-related incidents via an 'initial alert'/'initial report'.

The incidents requiring an initial alert include those that result in:

- the death of, or serious injury to, a person;

- the loss of a person from a ship;

- the loss, presumed loss or abandonment of a ship;

- material damage to a ship;

- the stranding or disabling of a ship, or the involvement of a ship in a collision;

- material damage to marine infrastructure external to a ship, that could seriously endanger the safety of the ship, another ship or an individual; or

- severe damage to the environment, or the potential for severe damage to the environment, brought about by the damage of a ship or ships.

In terms of bunkering, this could include pollution from bunker fuel; damage to a vessel's fuel tanks resulting from a collision; an injury sustained during bunkering; or mechanical failure or fire due to a fuel-related issue.

Discussing reporting procedures for initial alerts, the MPA explained: "The general principle in any incident is that urgent steps on the ground, in accordance with ships' and companies' approved plans, must first be taken by the shipboard personnel and companies to prevent further deterioration of the situation with regard to safety of lives at sea and protection of the marine environment.

"Once this is ensured, the owner, manager and shipmaster of the affected Singaporeregistered ships should alert MPA of the incident immediately or at the latest, within 2 hours."

The MPA can be informed of this initial alert either via email (shipping[at]mpa.gov.sg, marine[at]mpa.gov.sg and mmo_mpa[at]mpa.gov.sg) or by phoning the Singapore-Registered Ships (SRS) hotline on +65 62255777 (6-CALL-SRS).

Format

The format for the initial report should be as follows:

1. Type of incident (collision, grounding, fire, hull breach, death/serious injuries to any person, work accident, etc)

2. Pollution to environment (if any) (pollutant-type & amount spilled)

3. Date and time (in local time and time zone)

4. Location of incident (Lat, Long, etc.)

5. Injuries (number and severity) and/or damage (location & severity) and/or pollution (pollutant-type & amount spilled)

6. Current status of incident (e.g. under control/mitigation ongoing)

After the initial alert

After the initial alert, owners, managers and shipmasters of Singapore ships are required to follow this up with a more detailed report to the MPA within 24 hours in accordance with the provisions of Section 1071 of the Merchant Shipping Act.

Failure to comply with this requirement without reasonable cause is an offence which carries a maximum fine of S$10,000 ($7,325).

The completed report should be sent to the MPA via email (shipping[at]mpa.gov.sg and mmo_mpa[at]mpa.gov.sg) or by fax to +65 6375 6231.