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22 Aug 2018 / Panama Canal, Panama

Revision of requirements for hot work on board vessels

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has revised its requirements for allowing hot work to be performed on board vessels while in waters under its jurisdiction.

Among the modifications is the prerequisite that the Marine Chemist issuing the certificate be part of an organization compliant with DGNTI-COPANIT ISO 17020, which is the technical standard that outlines the criteria to be adhered to by organizations that perform inspections in the Republic of Panama.

Another modification is the inclusion of a section with definitions of key terms used throughout the document. The role and responsibilities of the Marine Chemist and the Competent Person are outlined herein.

The prohibitions are now consolidated under one section of the document. Therefore, the following prohibitions are now part of the list:

  • performing work beyond the approved scope,
  • moving the vessel to perform work at a site other than the inspection site, and
  • commencing hot work without a Marine Chemist Certificate or the ACP site approval.

This list has been expanded to include the prohibition for hot work to be performed on board flammable cryogenic liquid carriers, unless it is required under specific circumstances (i.e. for Canal operations or due to an incident while under Panama Canal pilotage).

A provision has been introduced to allow for Exemption Certificates for hot work to be performed on a given structure or part of a vessel when certain conditions are met.

Exemption Certificates may be valid for up to 30 days, during which time a Marine Chemist Certificate for the routine jobs listed in the areas designated as safe for hot work, will not be required….

….Inquiries on these requirements must be forwarded to the following address: [email protected]

(For information about operations in the Panama Canal contact GAC-Wilford & McKay at [email protected])

Source: Panama Canal Authority Advisory to Shipping No.A-28-2018

If quoting any content from Hot Port News, please cite GAC Hot Port News as the source.

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