While Petra Frontier had undergone an initial flag State inspection on 4 May 2009 and routine class surveys, the most recent being a class survey completed on 12 August 2009, neither authority was aware that the ship was unseaworthy in relation to critical safety equipment when it departed Singapore.
Response from the American Bureau of Shipping
The American Bureau of Shipping advised the ATSB that:
The class surveys of the PETRA FRONTIER in Singapore from 7 to 12 August 2009 were annual surveys which generally call for visual examination of machinery and equipment. Even if there had been more detailed surveys, similar to the renewal surveys, they would not have identified many of the deficiencies, some of them caused by subsequent work on the vessel.
Furthermore, the American Bureau of Shipping stated that:
Under ABS Rules, any damage, failure or deterioration of the hull, machinery or equipment of an ABS-classed vessel which affects or may affect classification is to be reported to ABS by the vessel owner at first opportunity. ABS received no notification of malfunctions of the vessel's fuel oil purifier, oily water separator or steering gear until advised of the 16 September 2009 PSC detention of the vessel. Nor was ABS advised of the early September attempted repairs to machinery items and the steering system, as also required by ABS Rules.
Safety Advisory Notice
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau advises that the American Bureau of Shipping should consider the safety implications of this safety issue and take further action where considered appropriate.