From:

Vijay Soman (S.F. Bong)

Date:
09/10/2014 10:03 AM
Subject:
All Managed Vessels: Compliance with Alcohol Policy
Attachments:All Managed Vessels: Alcohol policy advisory; Guidlines for Alcohol
consumption.pdf
To : All Vessels
Cc : SID HK, Fleet A,B,D,E and Tech Singapore, WSM Mumbai, FP Hong
Kong
Cc : WMTC Mumbai, Manila, Qingdao and Ukraine
Dear Master and Chief Engineer,
We had sent an advisory on 04th June 2014 titled 'All Managed Vessels:
Alcohol policy advisory'. However, it appears that this has not been taken
seriously. We have received occasional reports of Alcohol violation on board
and are concerned at the increase in violations of Company's Drug & Alcohol
Policy.
We wish to reiterate Wallem's Zero Tolerance policy with regards to Drug &
Alcohol violations.
The procedures mentioned in the advisory (attached) sent earlier have to
complied with. In case of continued violation, we will have not option but to
stop all Alcohol on board our vessels. This is a difficult decision but one that
may need to be taken if the seafarers do not consume beer within the limits
of the policy and if the senior management on board do not exercise the
required control on the distribution and consumption of beer. We do not
want the misbehavior of a few persons to cause inconvenience and loss of
reputation to the whole ship/fleet, thus it is the duty of each person onboard
to assist other shipmates in ensuring compliance. To assist in conveying the
requirements of the policy to the seafarers on board, please find attached a
specially prepared PDF on the Alcohol policy.
Master's to promulgate this message with immediate effect and show the
attached PDF file to all when explaining the policy and the limits of beer that
can be consumed. The training is to be logged down, the process of
education to be mentioned in Safety meeting minutes and ensure
compliance going forward
Vijay Soman | Director Safety - Insurance - QMS
DPA

WALLEM SHIP MANAGEMENT

12/F Warwick House East, Taikoo Place, 979 King's Road, Quarry Bay, Hong Kong
t: +852 2876 8363 | m: +852 9308 8915 | f: +852 2876 1218
e: vms@wallem.com
Dept email: sidhk@wallem.com | skype: wallem.vms

GUIDELINESFOR
ALCOHOL
CONSUMPTIONON
BOARDVESSELS

Delivering Maritime Solutions

Guidelines for Alcohol Consumption

HardLiquorisnotallowedonboard
OnlyBeerisallowedonWallemManagedships

Guidelines for Alcohol Consumption

DrinkingofBeershouldnotexceedBloodAlcoholContent
(BAC)ofmorethan0.04%inanyindividualonboardatany
time.
Officersandwatchkeepingratingsnotto
consumeanyalcoholicbeverages4hours
immediatelyprecedingtheirwatchstanding
duty
MasterhasinstrumenttomeasureBAC
Masterhasauthoritytocallanycrewfor
atestatanytime

Guidelines for Alcohol Consumption

Beware!!
AnyviolationoftheCompany'salcoholpolicymayleadto
dismissal
BewareBeware Beware !!
Continuedviolationinthefleetcanleadtoshipsbeingwithout
anyalcohol Beerwouldalsonotbeallowed
Practicecontrolleddrinking

Guidelines for Alcohol Consumption

Purchaseofalcoholofanynatureashoreforconsumptionon
boardisprohibited.
AllPurchasestobethroughbondedstore
BondistobeissuedbyChiefCook/PCOunderguidanceon
Master
NoMorethan2cans(mediumorlowstrength)beer
calculatedondailybasisdaycanbeissuedinaweektoan
individualseafarer.Ifissueiseverytwoweeks,theissueshould
belimitedtoonecase.
Itisprohibitedforcrewtotakebeerandgivetoanothercrew
member

Guidelines for Alcohol Consumption

Vessel must order only low strength (<1% alcohol) or
ordinary strength (<4%alcohol) beer.
Consumptionofalcoholbyseafarerswhenonshoreleavemust
bedonejudiciouslywiththeknowledgethattheymustbe
withinthelimitsstipulatedbytheCompanyimmediatelyupon
theirreturnonboard.

Guidelines for Alcohol Consumption

FullStrengthbeerisNOTallowedonWallemships
Onlylowstrengthorordinarystrengthbeerareallowed.The
containerbelowareabout300to320ml

Extra
Strength
>4%

Normal
Strength
>1%<4%

Low
Strength
>.05%<1%

Extra
Strength
>4%

Normal
Strength
>1%<4%

Low
Strength
>.05%<1%

Guidelines for Alcohol Consumption

FullStrengthbeerisNOTallowedonWallemships
OnlylowstrengthorOrdinarystrengthbeerareallowed.The
containerbeloware300to320ml
WARNING
ItisimportanttochecktheAlcoholcontentpriororderingthe
beer.Manystandardbeersmayhavealcoholcontentgreaterthan
4%.Exampleasbelow:
Heineken
:5.4%Alcohol
HeinekenLight
:3.5%Alcohol
ThiseffectivelymeansthatonlyHeinekenlightcanbeordered
onboardforconsumptionbyseafarers.

Guidelines for Alcohol Consumption

Binge Drinking Having beers in quick succession would
increase the BAC and take it over the limit
Allow time gap between successive beers to maintain the
BAC below required levels

Guidelines for Alcohol Consumption

BAC of 0.04% means 40 milligrams of alcohol in 100
millilitres of blood.
Standard beer can or bottle would be 10 Oz / 300 ml / 30
Cl
BAC amount after drinking beer depends on
1. Moderate or low strength beer
2. Weight of the person
3. Whether person is Male or Female
4. Time elapsed since starting to drink

Guidelines for Alcohol Consumption

Thebelowguidelinesarebasedonaverage
weightseafarer.

CalculationofBACwithNormalstrengthbeer(>1.0<4.0):
CanorBottleof3.5%alcoholbeerina300mlcontainerwould
beequalto1unit.Hence,drinkingshouldbelimitedtoonlyone
beercaninanhourtostaywithinlimit.

Guidelines for Alcohol Consumption

Thebelowguidelinesarebasedon
averageweightseafarer.

CalculationofBACwithLowstrengthbeer:
CanorBottleoflessthan1%alcoholina300mlcontainer
wouldbeequalto0.5unit.Hence,thisshouldbealsobelimited
toonlytwobeercanorbottleinanhourtostaywithinlimit

Guidelines for Alcohol Consumption

Always drink responsibly.
Alcohol is just one part of a fulfilled life.
Learn to pace your drinks and drink wisely;
focus most on enjoying your time with fellow
seafarers.
That way you can keep yourself, and anyone
around you, safe and sound.
In addition, you would be in compliance with the
company requirements

From:
Puran Singh
Date:
04/06/2014 4:00 PM
Subject:
All Managed Vessels: Alcohol policy advisory
Attachments:BAC Chart.doc
To: The Master, All Managed Vessels
Cc: Supers HK
Cc: Wallem Singapore
CC: Wallem Europe
Cc: QMS/PSC Superintendents
Cc: WMTCs
Cc: Christina Chiu (Include in SMS DVD)
Dear Captain,
Good Day,
A seafarer on a managed ship recently suffered from a fall while climbing stairs inside
the accommodation, which resulted in head injury (LTI).
Upon checking, the seafarer's BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) was found to be 0.31%,
which is substantially higher than the maximum permissible value of 0.04%.
Later, it was verified that the vessel carried no alcoholic beverages other than beer.
We wish to bring to the attention of all seafarers that the company has an alcohol
policy, which is documented in its SMS manuals and which states that the consumption
of beer on board is permitted under controlled conditions, provided that:
a) It shall not result in a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of more than 0.04% in any
individual on board at any time.
b) Officers and watch keeping ratings not to consume any alcoholic beverages 4 hours
immediately preceding their watch standing duty.
Any violation of the Company's alcohol policy may lead to dismissal.
The following guidelines are intended to educate seafarers about compliance with the
company's alcohol policy:
1. To clarify item a) above, it is to be understood that a BAC of 0.04% means 40
milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood. For a person of average height and
weight, this limit roughly equates to one can of beer of medium strength consumed
within the first hour. Considering average rate of metabolism, the seafarer must wait

for one hour before additional consumption of beer if he has to remain within the
stipulated limit.
2. A 300 mL can of beer of extra strength (>4%, <6% alcohol) contains approximately
2.5 units of alcohol. Since alcohol metabolises out of the average human at the rate of
approximately 1 unit per hour, consumption of one can of extra strength beer can result
in a violation of the stipulated limit.
3. It is therefore important that the vessel must order only low strength (<1% alcohol)
or ordinary strength (<4%alcohol) beer. Even if the vessel has on board high strength
beer, its issue must be suspended with immediate effect.
4. Carriage of hard liquor or wines of any kind on board is strictly prohibited on all ships
managed by WSM.
Kindly ensure the Company's alcohol policy is understood by all ship staff and effectively
implemented. The posters provided on Company policy for Drug and Alcohol to be
displayed conspicuously in public areas (smoke rooms/mess rooms).
5. Purchase of alcohol of any nature ashore for consumption on board is prohibited.
6. Consumption of alcohol by seafarers when on shore leave must be done judiciously
with the knowledge that they must be within the limits stipulated by the Company
immediately upon their return on board.
It is very important that every seafarer understands the limits so that he can comply
with them.
A copy of the 'Alcohol unit conversions' chart is attached.
Thanking you for your kind attention,
Warmest Regards,
Puran Singh,
Marine Superintendent,
Safety & Insurance Department,
Wallem Shipmanagement Limited,
Hong Kong,
Tel: +852 2876 8393
Mob: +852 6025 2096
email: pns@wallem.com