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Operating a maritime business is inherently risky. This is so for inland commerce, open ocean navigation, and everything in between. Not only are maritime professionals subject to the whims of Mother Nature, but much of the work itself is dynamic, involving massive vessels, heavy machinery, and hazardous materials. Accordingly, anyone engaged in the maritime industry – from deckhands, machinery operators, and engineers to captains, shoreside support staff, and corporate officers – must be ready to respond to a crisis at a moment’s notice. Because an ounce of preparation is worth a pound of cure, leaders of maritime businesses should expect that crises will occur and train their workforce for the inevitable, a systematic approach is needed to maritime risks. Continue reading “A systematic approach to maritime risks”

Gard saw five fires originating in the main and auxiliary engines in the first month of 2025 alone. Tragically, some of these engine room fires resulted in fatalities and serious injuries to seafarers. While it is too early to draw any conclusions about how the rest of the year will go, it may be helpful to review experiences from recent years. Although the main cause of these fires may not be identical, there are certain similarities in the underlying patterns of the fires. Every year fires on board ships lead to loss of lives and severe damage to the vessels themselves. Most fires on board ships originate in the engine room Continue reading “Engine room fires are still a major concern”