AR Latest News - JAN 2025

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AARON RIGHT has successfully completed yet another fantastic job! As we carry out this work, here are the main points to cover to ensure a diligent job and success:

When a marine warranty surveyor conducts a jack-up platform tow suitability survey, several critical technical points are evaluated to ensure the safe and effective towing of the platform. Here are the major technical points to check:

Condition of the Jack-Up Platform:

• Structural integrity of the legs and hull.
• Maintenance status, including recent inspections and repairs.
• Stability of the platform during the tow.

Tow Arrangement:

• Configuration of the tow setup, including the type of towing method (e.g., connected or disconnected).
• Strength and condition of towing equipment, such as lines, hawsers, and connections.
• Proper securing and lashing procedures for the platform.

Towing Vessels:

• Suitability and capability of the tugboats being used, including horsepower and bollard pull.
• Crew qualifications and experience in towing operations.
• Compliance with regulatory and operational requirements.

Weather and Sea Conditions:

• Forecasted weather conditions (wind, waves, currents) during the tow.
• Suitability of the tow route considering environmental conditions.

Ballasting and Trim:

• Proper ballasting of the jack-up platform for stability during transit.
• Trim settings that ensure safe towing conditions.

Navigation and Communication:

• Adequacy of navigation equipment on board the tug during the tow.
• Communication procedures between the towing vessels and the platform.

Emergency Procedures:

• Assessment of emergency response plans in case of towline failure or adverse conditions.
• Availability of safety equipment and contingency measures.

Regulatory Compliance:

• Verification that the operation adheres to local and international regulations regarding towing.
• Approval and certification from relevant authorities.

Tow Plan:

• Review of the planned towing route and duration.
• Identification of potential hazards encountered along the route.

Surveyor's Recommendations:

• Assessment of all findings and suggestions for modifications, if necessary, to ensure safe towing.

By thoroughly evaluating these points, a marine warranty surveyor can help ensure that the tow of a jack-up platform is conducted safely and effectively.

• Aaron Right's Pte. Ltd. associates have successfully addressed another Bunker Magic Pipe issue in the Singapore area Nov 2024! 
• If you’re facing bunker problems or want to protect your fleet, contact Aaron Right Pte. Ltd. Let us manage your fleet bunkers to potentially save you millions in losses over a year. We are the leading experts in Southeast Asia for bunker-related work. 

Understanding Bunker Trade Tricks:  

• Bunker costs are one of the largest operating expenses during a time charter (TC) voyage, making it essential for charterers to know the exact bunker quantity onboard. To combat bunker misappropriation, Aaron Right Pte. Ltd., Singapore’s premier "Bunker Detectives," offers comprehensive Bunker Detective Surveys and Verifications for vessels in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and SE Asian waters.

What are Bunker Detective Surveys? 

• These surveys, conducted by experienced marine surveyors, aim to detect concealed bunker fuel. Our impartial and independent inspection services provide detailed reports that confirm fuel delivery and identify shortages.

How is Bunker Fuel Concealed? 

•  Short bunker deliveries
• Hidden compartments
• Use of "magic pipes" 
• Altered-sounding pipe lengths 
• Tampered gauges 

What is a "Magic Pipe"? 

• A “magic pipe” is used to conceal bunker fuel and can be difficult to detect. Created by marine engineers, it fits within the sounding pipe, making the tank appear empty during measurements. Note that using a magic pipe to bypass the Oily Water Separator (OWS) for illegal dumping is a criminal offense.

Cost Implications for Charterers: 

• Example - concealing just 10 metric tonnes of marine diesel oil (MDO) at $798/mt results in $7,980 in losses, while 50 mt of intermediate fuel oil (IFO) at $600/mt totals $30,000, adding up to $37,980. 
• Typically, we find over 50 mt, with some cases exceeding 120 mt, leading to losses over $72,000. 
• Aaron Right Pte. Ltd. assists ship charterers and bunker brokers with bunker quantity disputes and claims related to contaminated or off-specification bunkers. Our key services include Bunker Stem Surveys, Charter On/Off Hire Surveys, and bunker fuel concealment detection.

To prevent fuel losses Aaron Right’s "Bunker Detectives" are experienced surveyors offering impartial, independent quantity measurement inspection services for marine fuels, issuing detailed bunker survey reports to confirm fuel delivery and report any bunker fuel shortages.

Our associated team of qualified and certified bunker surveyors are licensed by the Marine Port Authority of Singapore and accredited by the Singapore Accreditation Council of Spring Singapore for bunker survey activities. 

We take pride in our compliance with the standards set out in the Singapore Standard SS 600 : 2014 – Code of Practice for Bunkering in our bunker survey activities, and ISO/IEC 17020 certified surveyors.