Coast Guard protects Columbia River ports with safety exams of foreign vessels

united states coast guard 

News Release  

U.S. Coast Guard 13th District PA Detachment Astoria
Contact: Coast Guard PA Detachment Astoria
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Coast Guard protects Columbia River ports with safety exams of foreign vessels

Lt. Katherine Brodie, Marine Inspector at Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Portland, inspects an emergency fishing tackle box kept in the lifeboat aboard the vessel Port Belmonte, during a Port State Control exam at the Port of Portland, Ore., April 30, 2017. Petty Officer 1st Class Eric Kelley, a marine science technician at Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Portland, stands next to a low-pressure C02 system tank aboard the vessel Morning Catherine during a Port State Control exam at the Port of Portland, Portland, Ore., May 1, 2017. Petty Officer 1st Class Eric Kelley, a marine science technician at Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Portland, and the crew of the vessel Morning Catherine observe the rudder indicator on the bridge during a steering test as part of a Port State Control exam at the Port of Portland, Ore., May 1, 2017.

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PORTLAND, Ore. – The Coast Guard has detained seven foreign vessels since November 2018, due to discrepancies found during Port State Control exams in accordance with the International Maritime Organization Safety of Life at Sea multi-lateral treaty.

 

The most recent detention occurred after examiners from Marine Safety Unit Portland discovered 100 inoperable carbon dioxide (CO2) cylinders, which are used to extinguish fires in the vessel’s machinery space or cargo holds.

 

Safety pins that should prevent accidental discharge during transportation and installation, remained in the cylinder nozzles, which would have prevented the deployment of CO2.

 

Foreign vessels are detained in the U.S. when serious lifesaving, firefighting, machinery, pollution prevention, or security failures are discovered during an examination.  A detention controls the movement of a foreign commercial vessel until after the serious deficiencies are rectified.

 

“The Coast Guard maintains the safety of the port by preventing damage to property or the marine environment,” said Capt. Tom Griffitts, commanding officer, Marine Safety Unit Portland. “Inspectors from our unit do a great job of identifying major non-conformities aboard vessels and through this identification we ensure vessels are safe, secure, and environmentally sound to transit the complex Columbia River System.”

 

-USCG-