L E T TERS
CONTINUED���
���customary��� fishers would be unable to sell what is an illegal
catch to our public population, in all our shops for ever.
I hope my message is very clear.
Alain Jorion, Gisborne
JAGUAR MAULING
Dear Sir
In the recent article ���Mauled by the Jaguar��� many allegations
were made about Lloyd���s Register and our commercial relationship
with the MV Jaguar, which are not correct or accurate.
In the story, your correspondent stated that companies owned
by Lloyd���s Register had certified ���[the MV Jaguar] as perfectly
seaworthy���, ���fit for purpose��� or attested that ���everything was up
to date���, after missing ���serious faults that had gone undetected���.
These allegations are incorrect.
When purchased, the MV Jaguar was 25 years old. This is an
age when most merchant ships of this type are nearing the end
of their operating lives.
Prior to its sale, the Jaguar underwent intermediate
classification survey for her previous owners. This survey
required a complete inspection of all areas of the vessel
presented, and was conducted in accordance with LR���s
Classification Rules. Black Robin Shipping also attended this
survey and conducted their own inspection of the ship as part of
the due diligence process for purchase.
Subsequent to the sale being completed, the owner did conduct
repairs, however much of these related to damage incurred as a
result of mal-operation by the crew, later dismissed by Black
Robin Shipping, as confirmed by your correspondent.
The vessel was then offered for trade in Colombia, Panama
and New Zealand. As you well appreciate, the Master and owner
VIP.
VIP S88
IP
IP.
6 Professional Skipper January/February 2013
of any vessel are duty and legally bound to ensure that the ship,
its crew and any cargo are safe before offering it for commercial
service. By offering the Jaguar for charter they independently
verified its safe condition.
Nevertheless, as noted above, this ship was nearing the end
of her economic life, and as her condition deteriorated with
trading, we identified work required for continued compliance
with Class and Maritime New Zealand rules The owner made the
commercial decision to scrap the ship.
Black Robin Shipping lodged a formal complaint with
Maritime NZ regarding our surveys on the Jaguar. These were
investigated both by ourselves and Maritime NZ, who found no
fault attributable to Lloyd���s Register.
While Black Robin Shipping believes it should be compensated
for their commercial involvement with the Jaguar we are not
responsible for the costs required to keep a ship in class. These
are the commercial obligations required for vessel operation
and should have been considered by the owner before purchase,
particularly with a vessel of this age and type.
We do have sympathy for the troubles experienced by the owner
and have attempted to help him during the Jaguar���s operation
under the New Zealand flag. But we wholly reject any and all
claims that Lloyd���s Register or any of its subsidiaries played any
part in the difficulties experienced by Black Robin Shipping.
Lloyd���s Register has a mandate to protect life, property and
the environment. For the past 252 years, we have taken pride
in building and maintaining our reputation as an elite-class
Society, and I can assure you that we take that and our public
responsibility, very, very seriously, and apply high standards in
the survey of ships in our Class.
Bruce Maroc, New Zealand Country Manager Lloyd���s Register Asia
