Date and time (GMT) of incident (A six digit group giving day of month (first two digits), hours and minutes (last for digits)
(c)
Ship's Position, either latitude or longitude (a 4 digit group giving latitude in degrees and minutes suffixed with N (North) or S (South) and a 5 digit group giving longitude in degrees and minutes suffixed with E (East) or W (West)
or
(d)
by true bearing (first 3 digits) and distance (stated) from a clearly identified landmark
(e)
True course (as a 3 digit group)
(f)
Speed at time of incident (in knots and tenths of knots as a 3 digit group)
(l)
Route information - details of intended track
(m)
Full details of radio stations and frequencies being guarded
(n)
Time of next report (a six digit group as in b)
(p)
Type(s) and quantity(s) of cargo on board
(q)
Brief details of defects, damage, deficiencies or other limitations. This must include the condition of the ship and the ability to transfer cargo, ballast or fuel
(r)
Brief details of pollution. This should include the type of cargo, an estimate of the quantity discharged, whether the discharge is continuing, the cause of the discharge and, if possible, an estimate of the movement and area of the slick
(s)
Weather and sea condition, including wind force and direction and relevant tidal or current details
(t)
Name, address, telex and telephone number of the ship's owner and representative (charterer, manager or operator of the ship or their agents)
(u)
Details of length, breadth, tonnage and type of ship
(x)
Miscellaneous - to include other relevant details such as action being taken to limit further discharge, assistance or salvage resources requested, details of any personnel injuries sustained, whether medical assistance is required. should no outside assistance be required, this should be clearly stated
NOTE
The alphabetical reference letters in the above listing are from A.648(16).
The letters do not follow the complete alphabetical sequence as certain letters are used to designate information required for other standard reporting formats, e.g. those used to transmit route information
Example of Initial Report
(Telex message)
Message prefixed G ... 101112909142
AA
BLUE SEA CALL SIGN G.... BRITISH FLAG
BB
290845
CC
2528N 05740E
EE
118
FF
128
LL
BOUND SINGAPORE FROM RAS TANURA
MM
BAHRAIN RADIO 500 KHz. UMF 16, INMARSAT No. 888888
NN
AS REQUIRED
PP
CRUDE OIL ARAB LIGHT 157264 TONNES
QQ
COLLISION WITH CARGO SHIP WHITE SKY. TANKS 1 AND 2 STARBOARD BREACHED. NO FIRE AND ALL ESSENTIAL SHIPBOARD SYSTEMS OPERATIONAL
RR
QUANTITY OF CRUDE OIL LOST FROM BREACHED TANKS PRESENTLY UNKNOWN BUT MAY BE IN ORDER OF 5000 TONNES. OUTFLOW NOW MUCH REDUCED AND SITUATION STABLE
SS
WEATHER FINE. WIND NNW 15KTS; SEA SLIGHT TO MODERATE
LENGTH 296M BREADTH 46M TONNAGE 164.391 SDWT TYPE OIL
XX
ARRANGING VIA OWNERS IN LONDON AND AGENTS SWIFTSURE, FUJARAH FOR TRANSFER OF ALL CARGO TO BLUE VENTURE. ETA STS RENDEZ-VOUS 301000. LIAISING WITH LOCAL AUTHORITIES WITH REGARD TO PREFERRED TRANSFER LOCATION. FENDERS WORKBOAR WILL BE EQUIPPED WITH BOOM AND DISPERSANT TO RESPOND TO ANY FURTHER SPILLAGES DURING TRANSFER OPERATIONS NO PERSONNEL INJURIES SUSTAINED SHIPSAFE P AND I CLUB ADVISED. LOCAL CORRESPONDENT IS BROWN ON TEL DUBRI 5444
Follow-up Report
Once the ship has transmitted the initial report, all parties contacted must be regularly informed as the incident develops.
These reports should include the following, if available:
Loading Port
Specific gravity
Viscosity at one or more temperatures, with the units and temperatures specified
Pour point
Wax and asphaltene content
Distillation characteristics
Cargo / bunker disposition
Cargo tanks inerted or not
Empty tanks
Ballast disposition and nature of the ballast (clean/dirty)
Pierre Deseck