Express 1

[holedrille]

I am sure that someone knows the story behind why livestock carrier Express 1 ex Mahmoud express, was happily sailing west down the channel, when it suddenly changed course for Fowey today. Now anchored a kilometer off Fowey, I cannot think it is a likely vessel to nip in for a cargo of china clay. In fact pictures suggest that it is a heap of junk. What is going on!
Holedriller

[manzanares]

I am sure that someone knows the story behind why livestock carrier Express 1 ex Mahmoud express, was happily sailing west down the channel, when it suddenly changed course for Fowey today. Now anchored a kilometer off Fowey, I cannot think it is a likely vessel to nip in for a cargo of china clay. In fact pictures suggest that it is a heap of junk. What is going on!
Holedriller

The photo of it taken late last year shows it as a well maintained ship, and not a "pile of junk" Do you work as the headline writer for the Daily Mail ?

[davidships]

21/1 sailed Cuxhaven
31/1 in Dover Strait for Ireland - seemed to be having engine trouble as briefly "not under command"  - only making c6kn, and briefly stationary.
1/2 in mid-Channel, still making only c5kn and dropping to 1kn from time to time
3/2 turned north at slow speed and anchored east of the Manacles. Tug VORTEX stood by.
http://preview.tinyurl.com/powqulu
4/2 towed into Fowey by VORTEX
She was subsequently inspected by MCA and detained due to "a number of safety issues, including concern over the crew

[holedrille]

Pictured as rusty and severely dented.
Pictured emitting black exhaust smoke.
Suffered engine troubles in Dover Straits.
Limped down channel at very slow speed.
Broke down near Manacles.
Towed into Fowey.
Detained by MCA in Fowey.
Returned to Fowey after trials.
Chosen by MCA for no less than 5 inspections in last 12 months.
Does not sound like a well maintained ship to me.

Why go into Fowey when the dockyard at Falmouth is surely better equipped to fix her?

Holedriller

[davidships]

Initially ship crew were attempting to resolve the problems, and later the owner contracted engineers to attend the ship at Fowey.  Judging by the reports of crew conditions, the owner does not like spending dollars.  I hope she doesn't end up getting abandoned at Fowey.

She has had only one MCA inspection in recent years (the previous was back in 2009).  The ones in 2013 were at Philadelphia (three, more-or-less clean reports), Midia in Romania and Cuxhaven. She had much worse inspections prior to that and nthat will be one reason why she was inspected so much last year, along with Panama flag and history of changes of Class.

[marlin]

An old car carrier the Autoline with the state of the ship it must be hell for the cattle that are transported aboard next stop suggest Aliaga.

[Timsen]

MCA inspectors confirmed the deficiencies included concern over the crew's emergency training, the ship's fire detection system and sub-standard crew accommodation. The list of defects included no heating, no hot water, no ability to serve hot food and unhygienic water supplies. The Mission to Seafarers in Fowey has provided tinned food, shower gels, warm clothes and shoes, along with free WiFi provision at the building. The owners of the ship have brought contractors in to bring the vessel up to MCA standards.

[roho88]

The ship was a very good ship mainly trading USA to Russia, in october had an engine trouble near Germany and it has been repaired in Cuxhaven and vessel departed Cuxhaven then through the English chanal the ship faced very rough seas and has another problem which stopped the ship, but being near the UK the coast guards requested tugs and owner ordered to pay the tug and then take the vessel to closest port so the crew complete there repair, in 4 days spares arrived and vessel was ready. MCA detained the ship for other matter not related to the main engine and all has been closed more than two weeks ago but still the MCA does not allow the ship to sail !!!

to my understanding the vessel was planned to go to shipyard in Falmouth or Ireland however the MCA does not allow it. STORY TO CONTINUE after the ship depart.

[Timsen]

Cited from
http://www.dft.gov.uk/mca/mcga07-home/newsandpublications/press-releases.htm?id=C23F59F46BB214AF&m=3&y=2014
Date and Place of Detention: - 4th February 2014, Fowey
Vessel Name: - EXPRESS I
GT: - 7087
IMO No: - 8200565
Flag: - Panama (WL)
Company: - Emiroglu Deniz Nakliyati
Classification Society Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (NKK)
Recognised Organisation: Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (NKK)
Recognised Organisation for ISM: Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (NKK)
Summary: - thirty one deficiencies including seven grounds for detention


Defective Item Nature of Defect Ground for Detention
7115 - Fire-dampers Inoperative Yes
3112 - Scuppers, inlets and discharges Not as required No
3108 - Ventilators, air pipes, casings Corroded Yes
3107 - Doors Not properly maintained No
9104 - Heating Underheated No
7105 - Fire doors/openings in fire-resisting divisions Inoperative Yes
9232 - Cleanliness of engine room Insufficient No
9211 - Steam pipes and pressure pipes Not as required Yes
13104 - Bilge pumping arrangements Not as required No
1202 - Certificate for rating for watchkeeping Missing No
10116 - Nautical publications Expired No
10101 - Pilot ladders and hoist/pilot transfer arrangements Unsafe No
13101 - Propulsion main engine Not as required No
15150 - ISM Not as required Yes
9103 - Ventilation (Accommodation) Not as required No
9104 - Heating Not as required No
9106 - Sanitary Facilities Not hygienic No
9110 - Electrical devices Unsafe No
9114 - Sleeping room Dirty No
9127 - Cleanliness Dirty No
9137 - Record of inspection (Food and catering) Missing No
9130 - Water, pipes, tanks Not as required No
1308 - Records of seafarers' daily hours of work or rest False No
7106 - Fire detection and alarm system Not as required No
9298 - Other (accident prevention) Other No
5115 - Radio log (diary) Not as required No
11118 - Lifejackets incl.provision and disposition Light missing No
9198 - Other (crew and accommodation) Other No
7106 - Fire detection and alarm system Inoperative Yes
9201 - Ventilation (Working spaces) Not as required No
4109 - Fire drills Lack of Knowledge Yes

This vessel was still detained at 28 February 2014

[holedrille]

Express 1 no longer moored to the quay, but apparently at anchor in the estuary. From the insignificant movement shown on AIS presumably on a fixed buoy, or between two buoys. How are the repairs going?
Now joined by another 'refugee', Sea Breeze. After nearly sinking and having the crew evacuated, she has been in St Austall bay for some days, some reports say having a 'magnetic ' patch applied! Speaking as a locomotive boiler smith, unless the surface was very flat and well prepared, the sealing efficiency would be pretty poor. But once again, why into Fowey for repairs, when the resources of Falmouth are just as near?
Holedriller

[davidships]

SEA BREEZE was towed in by Fowey Harbour Commissioners' tug CORMILAN to (I think) No.5 Berth.  Suspect that this is to discharge cargo prior to docking.  Probably cheaper rent for a pile of limestone than Falmouth.

Haven't been checking all the time, but I don't think that EXPRESS 1 has been on the berths at all, but was put straight onto the mooring buoys N of the swinging ground (the ones the visiting cruise ships use later in season), opposite the harbour master's office.

[davidships]

EXPRESS 1 sailed Fowey 21/3 for Falmouth Bay
Sailed Falmouth Bay following day for Emden where she arrived 24/3

[Timsen]

Story is going on - the ship docked at Emder Dockyard on Mar 25.