Tanker ordeal

It was very interesting to read the letter (October 19) by C. Axisa, marketing and communications manager of the Malta Maritime Authority.

It seems he is not very much involved in shipping practices since in my earlier letter it was mentioned that the vessel was calling at Malta as a port of refuge; in such circumstances it is not possible to give any type of notices.

The duty manager who was following the matter at the Malta Maritime Authority was fully aware of the facts that the tanker needed urgent shore assistance and the declaration by marine facility was never requested until the very last moment.

When the vessel was certified gas-free and ready to enter Marsaxlokk port it was still within daylight hours and when permission was finally not granted, it was already sunrise.

We have of course to abide by what the law requires and that is what the MMA is there for but never during our request did they inform us that they needed 72 hours notice.

All they could have done was to notify us in time with all their requirements and unless these were complied with, the vessel would not be allowed to enter port and to this effect we would have easily instructed our principals, and asked them to proceed to another port.

At all times during our contacts with the MMA, since September 27 up to the morning of the 28th, we were never asked to provide any additional information, including their last-minute request for a chemist to attend on board to ensure that the vessel was gas-free.

That the facility providers were not aware that the vessel was a tanker is only an excuse because we have written confirmation that our request was for a tanker.

It would be more appropriate if the correspondent were to find more time to ensure that our complaints are dealt with seriously and take corrective action instead of emphasising the importance of us being legislated for.

If this will be the case, we do not envisage being affected since we have been operating in this field for over 50 years, being BIMCO members since 1975 and also members of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers.

The impression we often get, when similar cases are reported, is always counter productive because the MMA always want to be proved right.

Our complaints are meant to be of a corrective nature and to ensure that no repetition is experienced either by us or any other shipping agency.