What are audits for? Some eCMID findings
eCMID is IMCA’s well-respected safety management system health-check for offshore vessels – an electronic version of the Common Marine Inspection Document. The results here are from 769 eCMID inspections, conducted in the 12 months to April 2021. They make interesting reading, for there are some areas of grave concern.
eCMID finding
Similar IMCA events or incidents
Confined space entry: 65 vessels were found to not have provision for entry into enclosed/confined spaces. Safe management of confined space entry remains, literally, a deadly issue for the shipping industry;
Chemicals and flammable/combustible materials – 69 vessels did not have any procedures for control , stowage and handling of chemicals and flammable/combustible materials;
Firefighting: 59 vessels did not have up to date manuals and plans for firefighting equipment, and 45 vessels had defects recorded on their fire fighting equipment;
Watertight doors and closures: 47 vessels had issues with watertight closures;
Bridge, navigation and communications equipment: 60 vessels failed to maintain the gyro & mag compass error log, and 47 vessels reported that their SOLAS communications and navigation equipment was not available for use;
Engine room house-keeping: 64 vessels had poor engine room house keeping, and 61 vessels reported poor working practices within the engine room;
Mooring, towing and lifting equipment: 96 vessels did not have an adequate lifting equipment management system, and 51 vessels reported defects on mooring/towing equipment
Safety Event
Published: 13 September 2021
Download: 
IMCA SF 25/21
IMCA Safety Flashes
Submit a Report
IMCA Safety Flashes summarise key safety matters and incidents, allowing lessons to be more easily learnt for the benefit of all. The effectiveness of the IMCA Safety Flash system depends on Members sharing information and so avoiding repeat incidents. Please consider adding safetyreports@imca-int.com to your internal distribution list for safety alerts or manually submitting information on incidents you consider may be relevant. All information is anonymised or sanitised, as appropriate.
IMCA’s store terms and conditions (https://www.imca-int.com/legal-notices/terms/) apply to all downloads from IMCA’s website, including this document.
IMCA makes every effort to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the data contained in the documents it publishes, but IMCA shall not be liable for any guidance and/or recommendation and/or statement herein contained. The information contained in this document does not fulfil or replace any individual’s or Member's legal, regulatory or other duties or obligations in respect of their operations. Individuals and Members remain solely responsible for the safe, lawful and proper conduct of their operations.