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    Abs Regulatory News: Permanent Means of Access (Pma) - Inspection & Maintenance

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    Ukg 2021
    1) Permanent means of access (PMA) structures on ships, which allow access to vessel compartments for inspections, are susceptible to damage and corrosion over time. 2) An investigation by ABS into PMA on several bulk carriers found serious wastage, corrosion, and deformation of cargo hold access platforms on ships ranging from 5-15 years old. 3) Ship safety management systems and ship structure access manuals are required to include procedures for inspecting and maintaining PMA, but many vessels were found to lack records of PMA inspections or maintenance. Proper inspection and maintenance of PMA is critical for crew safety.

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    Abs Regulatory News: Permanent Means of Access (Pma) - Inspection & Maintenance

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    Ukg 2021
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    1) Permanent means of access (PMA) structures on ships, which allow access to vessel compartments for inspections, are susceptible to damage and corrosion over time. 2) An investigation by ABS into PMA on several bulk carriers found serious wastage, corrosion, and deformation of cargo hold access platforms on ships ranging from 5-15 years old. 3) Ship safety management systems and ship structure access manuals are required to include procedures for inspecting and maintaining PMA, but many vessels were found to lack records of PMA inspections or maintenance. Proper inspection and maintenance of PMA is critical for crew safety.

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    1) Permanent means of access (PMA) structures on ships, which allow access to vessel compartments for inspections, are susceptible to damage and corrosion over time. 2) An investigation by ABS into PMA on several bulk carriers found serious wastage, corrosion, and deformation of cargo hold access platforms on ships ranging from 5-15 years old. 3) Ship safety management systems and ship structure access manuals are required to include procedures for inspecting and maintaining PMA, but many vessels were found to lack records of PMA inspections or maintenance. Proper inspection and maintenance of PMA is critical for crew safety.

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    43 views4 pages

    Abs Regulatory News: Permanent Means of Access (Pma) - Inspection & Maintenance

    Uploaded by

    Ukg 2021
    1) Permanent means of access (PMA) structures on ships, which allow access to vessel compartments for inspections, are susceptible to damage and corrosion over time. 2) An investigation by ABS into PMA on several bulk carriers found serious wastage, corrosion, and deformation of cargo hold access platforms on ships ranging from 5-15 years old. 3) Ship safety management systems and ship structure access manuals are required to include procedures for inspecting and maintaining PMA, but many vessels were found to lack records of PMA inspections or maintenance. Proper inspection and maintenance of PMA is critical for crew safety.

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    of 4

    ABS REGULATORY NEWS No.

    05/2022

    PERMANENT MEANS OF ACCESS (PMA) –


    INSPECTION & MAINTENANCE

    Regulations for Permanent Means of Access (PMA) have been in force for more KEY NOTES
    than 15 years. PMA regulations include requirements on the provision and
    placement of permanent structures to allow safe access to all compartments of • Safety and Cause for Concern
    the ship. Just like the ship structure itself, these access structures are susceptible
    to damage and corrosion. Inspection and maintenance of these PMA structures • Applicable Vessel Types:
    - Oil Tanker ≥ 500 GT
    should be considered when developing a vessel’s Safety Management System.
    - Bulk Carriers ≥ 20,000 GT

    BACKGROUND & GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:


    The maritime industry has long recognized that periodic surveys and inspections are the primary means for verifying that
    a vessel’s structure is maintained within acceptable standards throughout its operational life. For surveys and inspections
    to be carried out effectively, suitable means of access to the vessel’s structure are required. In 2002, the IMO adopted a
    new SOLAS Ch.II-1/Regulation 3-6 requiring that new Oil Tankers and Bulk Carriers be provided with a Ship Structure
    Access Manual, and that their designs take into account the need for regular inspections within hull spaces by provision of
    installed permanent means of access (PMA), which may be supplemented by alternative means of access (AMA).

    PMA Standards Source


    PMA Regulations MSC.134(76) (adopted on Dec 12, 2002)
    SOLAS Ch.II-1/Reg.3-6 - Amended by MSC.151(78) (adopted on May 20, 2004)
    - Amended by MSC.194(80) (adopted on May 20, 2005)
    Technical Provisions for Means of MSC.133(76) (adopted on 12 Dec 2002)
    Access for Inspection - Amended by MSC.158(78) (adopted on May 20, 2004)

    IACS Unified Interpretations SC 190 for Application of SOLAS Regulation II-1/3-6 (Res. MSC.134(76)) and
    Technical Provisions on Permanent Means of Access (Res. MSC.133(76))

    Oil Tankers of 500 GT and above, and Bulk Carriers of 20,000 GT and above, constructed on or after January 1, 2006,
    are required to be fitted with PMA complying with the above noted SOLAS regulation and supporting technical provisions.
    Regarding cargo oil tanks, the PMA regulated under SOLAS regulation II-1/3-6 is understood to be those provided for
    accessing integral cargo oil tanks, and independent cargo oil tanks may be excluded. This regulation is also applicable to

    1 | ABS Regulatory News, No. 05/2022 | August 15, 2022


    FPSOs or FSOs if they are subject to the scope of an enhanced program of inspections as contained in the ESP Code, as
    amended.

    SAFETY AND CAUSE FOR CONCERN


    In May 2022, ABS attended a 10-year-old Bulk Carrier in drydock for the progression of Special Survey Hull # 2. The
    attending Surveyor, with the vessel’s Chief Officer, entered the # 6 Top Side Wing Water Ballast Tank from the main deck
    access opening and descended onto the upper PMA platform. Shortly thereafter, an entire section of the platform
    collapsed underneath the Surveyor and Chief Officer (Figure 1). Fortunately, no serious injuries were sustained as both
    persons held on tightly to the handrails and were able to make their way safely back to the access ladder and leave the
    tank.

    Figure 1. Collapse of PMA platform during inspections on 10-year-old Bulk Carrier.

    INVESTIGATION OF CARGO HOLD PMA UPPER PLATFORMS


    After this “near miss” safety incident, ABS undertook an investigation into the PMA on a number of Bulk Carriers of
    varying ages (5, 10 and 15 years of age). The investigation identified enough findings to cause concern. The investigation
    focused solely on the PMA within Bulk Carrier cargo holds and SW Ballast Tanks. The following Figures 2 through 5
    depict the various conditions observed.

    Figure 2. Deck access and upper platform on a 5-year-old vessel.

    2 | ABS Regulatory News, No. 05/2022 | August 15, 2022


    Figure 4. Deck access and upper platform on a 10-year-old vessel.

    Figure 4. Deck access and upper platform on a 10-year-old vessel.

    Figure 3. Deck access and upper platform on a 15-year-old vessel.

    3 | ABS Regulatory News, No. 05/2022 | August 15, 2022


    In recognizing the serious wastage, corrosion and deformation in cargo hold upper PMA platforms as shown in the above
    figures, ABS investigated further into the regulatory requirements of PMA with respect to maintenance and inspection.
    SOLAS Chapter II-1/3-6 and IACS Rec. No.90 identify the following:
    SOLAS Chapter II-1, Part A-1, Regulation 3-6
    Access to and within spaces in, and forward of, the cargo area of oil tankers and bulk carriers

    2.3 … The means of access shall be subject to survey prior to, or in conjunction with, its use in carrying out surveys in accordance
    with regulation I/10.

    4 Ship structure access manual

    4.1 A ship's means of access to carry out overall and close-up inspections and thickness measurements shall be described in a
    Ship structure access manual approved by the Administration, an updated copy of which shall be kept on board. The Ship
    structure access manual shall include the following for each space:

    4.4 instructions for inspecting and maintaining the structural strength of all means of access and means of attachment, taking
    into account any corrosive atmosphere that may be within the space.

    4.8 records of periodical inspections and maintenance of the ship's means of access

    SHIP STRUCTURE ACCESS MANUAL


    From the vessels that were inspected, and where the PMAs, and particularly the cargo hold upper platforms, were found
    in seriously poor condition, the ‘Structure Access Manual’ (SAM) for these vessels was reviewed and the section of the
    SAM that contained the ‘Records of Inspection and Maintenance’ was devoid of any records, and further no records were
    attached to the manual.

    In reviewing the respective vessels Planned Maintenance System (PMS), there was evidence that cargo holds and tanks
    were subject to periodic inspection by the vessels crews, but there was no reference to the PMA upper platforms. A
    further review of the respective vessel’s Safety Management System (SMS) indicated that there were no documented
    procedures for PMA inspection and maintenance, or retention of records.

    APPROACH TO OWNERS
    Several owners were contacted and the issue of their vessels’ PMA was discussed, with emphasis on procedures
    contained in the onboard SMS. From the feedback received, it became apparent that the owners were not fully aware of
    the statutory regulations with respect to PMS and the requirements in the ‘Structure Access Manual’, as well as what is
    stated in SOLAS Reg II-1/3-6 and IACS Rec. No.90.

    It was further highlighted that during an ISM Audit, and specifically related to Section 10 (Maintenance), that the SMS can
    be improved by referencing the PMA, and Records of Inspection and Maintenance are required to be maintained onboard
    and made available for review as and when requested.

    SUMMARY
    At ABS, safety is a core value. Our objective is to promote the safety of the crew and all personnel who may be required
    to use the cargo hold, cargo tank, ballast tank PMA, for inspection and survey purposes, and that in all spaces the PMA is
    maintained in a satisfactory condition.

    In cargo holds, cargo tanks and ballast tanks, the PMA can be subject to rapid deterioration due to the corrosive
    environment of bulk cargoes carried, and the external forces from ship motions and sloshing of liquid contained in tanks.

    It is of critical importance that safety is not compromised or overlooked. The near miss, as previously detailed, highlights
    the dangers of a lack of maintenance and inspection of the PMA.

    4 | ABS Regulatory News, No. 05/2022 | August 15, 2022

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