News Hound

In a milestone for maritime pilots’ safety, on June 26 2025, the International Maritime Organization(IMO) significantly improved Pilot Transfer Arrangement (PTA) requirements by adopting amendments to International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) regulation V/23, as well as new mandatory PTA Performance Standards. The Performance Standards are incorporated into SOLAS, giving them the full force of international law. The path to this achievement began on a tragic day more than five years ago. On December 30, 2019, Captain Dennis Sherwood, a New York State- licensed pilot, was killed in a tragic pilot ladder accident. He fell while embarking a container ship using a combination arrangement with a trapdoor. This arrangement did not comply with either V/23 or IMO Assembly Resolution A.1045(27) (“Recommendation on Pilot Transfer Arrangements”), the relevant international standards. While advocating for pilot safety has always been a key role for the American Pilots’ Association (APA), Captain Sherwood’s death was an impetus for APA to immediately redouble its domestic and international efforts in this area. APA’s domestic strategy included communications with shipping companies, reaching out to state pilot oversight authorities, and working with the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG). Continue reading “How a tragic pilot ladder accident led to regulation changes”

The Isle of Man Ship Registry has issued anew shipping notice earlier this year that sets out the minimum level of maintenance and inspection for 13 fire protection equipment items onboard, as required by SOLAS regulation II-2/14.

Overall, all fire protection systems and appliances must be in good order at all times and be readily available for immediate use while the ship is in service. If a fire protection system is undergoing maintenance, testing or repair, then suitable arrangements must be made to ensure safety is not diminished through the provision of alternate fixed or portable fire protection equipment or other measures. The onboard maintenance plan should include provisions for this purpose. Continue reading “13 fire protection equipment items to check manually”

A clear uptick in casualties in 2024, driven by machinery damage/failure and an ageing fleet, stands out in the latest analysis of Lloyd’s List Intelligence casualty data.

The number of maritime casualties rose by 15% in 2024. Coupled with a 7% rise in casualties in 2023, this represents a concerning development for the maritime industry, particularly with the global fleet growing at a considerably slower rate. This trend has now been established for several years. While the overall number of incidents declined by 5% be tween 2014 and 2018, the figure has increased every year since. Between 2018 and 2024, the number of incidents increased by 42%. Over the same period, the number of vessels in the global fleet increased by 10%. Continue reading “Ageing fleet driving increase in incidents”

West P&I Club has published a loss prevention bulletin addressing the issue of cargo contamination claims and highlights best practices on sampling procedures.

According to West, cargo contamination claims are a major risk for tanker operators, often resulting in expensive disputes. Properly taken, sealed, and stored samples are essential to prove cargo quality at the time of loading. As tanker cargoes are loaded through closed systems, pre-loading inspection is not possible. Samples are the shipowner’s main defence in off-spec claims as they provide critical evidence to identify when and where contamination occurred, reducing claim costs and response time. Continue reading “Best practices on sampling procedures”