Between 15 January and 14 October 2025, Chinese port authorities will inspect visiting vessels to ensure that personnel involved in enclosed
Between 15 January and 14 October 2025, Chinese port authorities will inspect visiting vessels to ensure that personnel involved in enclosed space entry activity understand the risks involved and are properly trained and equipped to control them.
The China Maritime Safety Administration (MSA) has launched a special safety inspection campaign aimed at preventing enclosed space accidents onboard vessels. The campaign targets all visiting vessels and runs from 15 January until 14 October 2025.
During the campaign period, Chinese port state officers will conduct special enclosed space entry inspections when onboard, and the correspondents report that inspectors will pay particular attention to topics such as:
Crew training and hazard awareness, including identification of all onboard locations/spaces in which a hazardous atmosphere could develop.
Permit to work system, including barriers and markings to prevent unauthorized entry.
Availability of relevant and well-maintained atmosphere testing and rescue equipment, as well as crews’ familiarity with the equipment.
Conducted enclosed space entry drills in accordance with SOLAS Reg.III/19.3.3.
Be prepared
Enclosed space entry accidents occur on all types of vessels and involve people of all ranks. There appear to be certain recurring patterns in how these accidents continue to occur in the same way and in the same onboard locations. However, the underlying causes are not always evident, as a number of operational, commercial, technical, and training-related factors may impact these types of accidents.
We therefore encourage vessel operators to use China MSA’s special safety campaign as a timely reminder of the necessity of ensuring that persons involved in enclosed space entry activity are aware of the risks and are properly trained and equipped to manage them. Operators and masters should review their enclosed space entry procedures to verify compliance with SOLAS, the ISM Code, relevant IMO and Flag State recommendations, and industry best practices. It is also important to verify that the procedures are fully understood and followed by those working onboard.
Enclosed spaces include, but are not limited to, cargo spaces, double bottoms, fuel tanks, ballast tanks, cargo pump-rooms, cargo compressor rooms, cofferdams, chain lockers, void spaces, duct keels, inter-barrier spaces, boilers, engine crankcases, engine scavenge air receivers, sewage tanks, and the adjacent connected spaces which are normally unventilated and not used for cargo storage but which may share the same atmospheric characteristics with the enclosed spaces.
During the period of the campaign Port State Control Officers will be checking items such as:
1. Are crew members responsible for enclosed space entry aware of the associated risks?
2. Are the measures in place to permit to work for visitors and crew members for enclosed space entry?
3. Is there a list of enclosed space identified?
4. Are the enclosed spaces marked and for authorized personnel only?
5. Are the atmosphere testing devices regularly checked and calibrated?
6. Are the emergency rescue equipment for enclosed space entry in good condition?
7. Are the personnel familiar with the safe entry and risk assessment procedures for enclosed space?
8. Are the personnel familiar with the operation of safety protective equipment and devices?
9. Is the enclosed space entry and rescue drill in accordance with SOLAS Chapter III, Regulation 19.3.3?
10. Is the SMS related to enclosed space operations effectively implemented on board?
Full article read Original Source MARITIME CYPRUS
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