Erika loss raises questions

While the debate still rages over the loss of the 1975-built Maltese-flagged tanker Erika, its classification Society Registro Italiano Navale (RINA) has confirmed that conditions of class were imposed following a survey in Augusta on November 24. Despite imposing the restriction, it restored the vessel?s full 37,283 dwt from the 29,990 dwt requested by the owner earlier in the month to meet limited access restrictions.

The conditions of class required additional thickness measurements to be carried out within two months to allow the ship?s condition to be more carefully assessed. But before the two months had elapsed the vessel sank, raising questions about whether it should have been allowed to continue trading before the measurements were taken.

During its special survey drydocking, from June 23 to August 15, 1998, over 100t of steel was replaced in the ballast tanks, main deck plates, longitudinal stiffeners, web frames, longitudinal and transverse bulkheads.

RINA inspected the vessel on six occasions last year and has made its information available to the flag state and the insurers. Both RINA and BV say the IACS rules were adhered to when the ship transferred class in June 1998 prior to its special survey.