All deficiencies which resulted in the three-month ban of PNG Kiunga Chief vessel from entering Australia have been addressed, says operator, Consort Express Lines Limited.
Responding to questions from Loop PNG on actions taken following the ban announced by the Australia Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), Consort General Manager, Stuart Craker, said all deficiencies have been addressed as and when they arise.
However, he did say that the company is working on improving its safety management system, which AMSA identified as needed improvement.
“There are no known deficiencies on board. As with any large vessels, technical issues arise regularly and are dealt with by the crew and the shore team.
“Since her return from Australia, she has been inspected and passed by her classification society,” said Craker.
“Consort is working to improve its administration of its Safety Management System, which was the item identified by AMSA as requiring improvement. External consultants have been engaged to assist the company with making the required changes.”
On June 5th, AMSA announced that the Kiunga Chief was detained after more than 70 deficiencies were found on board. This was the third time in 18 months it had been detained.
A spokesperson informed Loop PNG of the following respective deficiencies recorded during those detentions:
- 15 February 2016 in Brisbane with nine deficiencies;
- 5 July 2017 in Gladstone with 34 deficiencies;
- 29 May 2017 in Brisbane with 15 deficiencies.
AMSA have called this a serious and systematic failure, putting the health and lives of crew as well as Australia's marine environment, at risk.
The three-month ban will expire on 7 September 2017. However, if the vessel is detained again, the ban may be extended.
“If the Kiunga Chief returns to Australia and is detained again within two years of the expiry of the previous three-month ban, a further ban of 12 months may be considered by AMSA,” says the spokesperson.
The Kiunga Chief is currently sailing between Port Moresby and Kiunga.