PONDICHERRY MARITIME ACADEMY

A Particularly Sensitive Sea Area (PSSA) is an area that needs special protection through action by IMO because of its significance for recognized ecological or socio-economic or scientific reasons and which may be vulnerable to damage by international maritime activities. The criteria for the identification of particularly sensitive sea areas and the criteria for the designation of special areas are not mutually exclusive. In many cases a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area may be identified within a Special Area and vice versa. Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas  Guidelines on designating a "particularly sensitive sea area" (PSSA) are contained in resolution A.982(24) Revised guidelines for the identification and designation of Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas (PSSAs). These guidelines include criteria to allow areas to be designated a PSSA if they fulfil a number of criteria, including: ecological criteria, such as unique or rare ecosystem, diversity of the ecosystem or vulnerab...

A recent grounding incident of a ship turned out to be fatal as the master declared “Abandon-Ship”. Though the decision to abandon the ship was, some say, dubious; it was nevertheless a-moment-of-panic and given the conditions the only chance to survive. Subsequently, as the crew managed to get away from the wretched ship, the fate had its own plans; the lifeboat which was carrying the survivors capsized under steep breakers and heavy surfs, while they tried ‘beaching’ it. Except a few crew members who went missing in the bad weather conditions, others found themselves extremely lucky to be alive. Beaching a life boat in good weather seems doable, although a bit tricky, but when it is to be done in a bad and inclement weather, it is a nightmare. A boat can easily be toppled over its broad side when approaching dangerous breakers and surfs near the shore, if not handled skillfully and of course, with a lot of patience. That’s what exactly happened to the folks in the life boat who w...