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The advice is keep batteries of any kind away from metal objects

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Destroyed lifejackets from an overheated batteryIn the January Safety Flashes document published by IMCA, a case has been summarised following the explosion of a lithium battery that burnt and damaged the ship’s lifejackets.

During a routine inspection on a vessel in cold lay-up, the lifejackets stored underneath a sitting bench in the wheelhouse were found burned and melted. No one was harmed in the incident.

A Lithium battery (3.6v) had exploded in one of the self-igniting lights. As the bench was in a properly closed position, without any gaps, Continue reading “The advice is keep batteries of any kind away from metal objects”

New guidance published to help reduce pilot transfer fatalities

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The ICS along with the MPA published the guide “Shipping Industry Guidance on Pilot Transfer Arrangements” on pilot transfer fatalities
The ICS along with the MPA published the guide “Shipping Industry Guidance on Pilot Transfer Arrangements” on pilot transfer fatalities

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) along with the International Maritime Pilots’ Association (IMPA) published the guide “Shipping Industry Guidance on Pilot Transfer Arrangements”, updating maritime pilot transfer safety procedures amid industry concerns about poorly rigged ladders causing severe injuries or fatalities.

Seafarers should always check the condition of the ladder before it is rigged and ensure it is secured to the ship. While this is done, seafarers should always take care of their own safety, wearing all appropriate PPE. If seafarers are uncertain about any of the Continue reading “New guidance published to help reduce pilot transfer fatalities”

MCA consultation of new guidance for persons with reduced mobility on small passenger vessels

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MCA Logo - A consultation has opened for meeting the needs of persons with reduced mobility
A consultation has opened for meeting the needs of persons with reduced mobility

On 5 January 2022 the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) published a consultation on an amendment to update MGN 306(M) Designing and Operating Smaller Passenger Vessels: Meeting the needs of persons with reduced mobility. The reason for looking to publish an amended version of the MGN is to update it in certain areas due to changes in legislation, documentation, practice and to obtain the views of interested parties. Continue reading “MCA consultation of new guidance for persons with reduced mobility on small passenger vessels”

Recent MCA documentation amendments released in December 2021

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MCA LogoThe UK maritime regulator, the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA), has issued and distributed the following new documentation over the past few weeks.

02 December 2021
SI 2021 No. 1316 – The Merchant Shipping (Radiocommunications) (Amendment) Regulations 2021
View details Continue reading “Recent MCA documentation amendments released in December 2021”

AMSA provides flexibility to continue to temporarily operate with liferafts undergoing servicing

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Liferaft in action - Photo credit: AMSA
Photo credit: AMSA

AMSA has amended Exemption 06 to provide the domestic commercial vessel (DCV) industry with greater flexibility to temporarily operate if a liferaft is being serviced, repaired or replaced.

Under the new arrangements:

– Vessels can continue to temporarily operate if liferaft numbers are below complement, provided there are sufficient liferafts to accommodate all on board for a voyage;
– The number of persons and liferafts must be recorded in the vessel’s logbook prior to departure, and evidence that the liferaft is being serviced, repaired, or replaced must also be kept on board the vessel;
– If the liferaft is expected to be out of service for more than 14 days the vessel’s safety management system needs to be updated to address Continue reading “AMSA provides flexibility to continue to temporarily operate with liferafts undergoing servicing”

Sunseeker set to adopt Module F scheme

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Sunseeker International is to adopt the Module F scheme of certification
Sunseeker International is to adopt the Module F scheme of certification

Sunseeker International is to adopt the Module F scheme of certification for its range, believed to be the first UK boatbuilder to adopt the endorsement. All of Sunseeker’s models will be certified by RINA by the end of 2022.

The certification is approved under the Recreational Craft Directive (2013/53/EU) and will apply to the boatbuilder’s entire range by the end of 2022.

For vessels between 12m and 24m, the certification will require two modules of assessment to be applied for. Sunseeker has appointed notified body RINA to carry out the work.

“Going beyond the minimum requirements of the Recreational Craft Directive, to involve a higher level of scrutiny from a third party, demonstrates Sunseeker’s commitment to achieving the highest level of compliance and production quality; ultimately it’s about delivering excellence, to remain best- in-class,” said Ewen Foster, Sunseeker chief technical officer. Continue reading “Sunseeker set to adopt Module F scheme”

Hapag-Lloyd adopts Hazcheck Detect for misdeclared dangerous goods

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Hapag-Lloyd container ship
Hapag-Lloyd container ship

NCB Group, the New York based cargo inspection company and the leading provider of transportation software has announced that Hapag-Lloyd, one of the leading liner shipping companies, has signed an agreement to adopt the Hazcheck Detect cargo screening tool to detect misdeclared and undeclared dangerous goods in containerised shipments. The solution has been developed and will be delivered by NCB’s software division, Exis Technologies, global leaders in IT solutions for the management of dangerous goods in sea transport.

Hazcheck Detect scans all cargo booking details for keywords and includes an industry library to enable suspicious bookings to be Continue reading “Hapag-Lloyd adopts Hazcheck Detect for misdeclared dangerous goods”

Carriage of bagged rice: An overview for the maritime sector

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Bagged rice in a conatinerThe carriage of bagged rice cargo is a potentially hazardous undertaking, with claims potentially running to millions of dollars when problems arise, says the Britannia P&I Club. The major issue with cargoes of bagged rice is the formation of mould or caking which can often be attributed to condensation due to inadequate ventilation, water ingress, moisture migration and improper dunnaging.

Other issues include:

– Shortages due to pilferage;
– Damage to bags which are torn;
– Slack or lost overboard during stevedore operations; Continue reading “Carriage of bagged rice: An overview for the maritime sector”

Fuel oil tank vent pipes should be inspected regularly

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Corroded vent pipe - Image credit: The American Club
Image credit: The American Club

In its most recent Good Catch series, the American Club provides lessons learned from corroded or damaged fuel oil vent pipes in cargo holds.

A bulk cargo vessel experienced a serious problem when some of the clay cargo entered fuel oil tanks through holes in the fuel oil tank vent pipes located in the cargo holds. The problem was first noticed by the engineers when the fuel oil filters became heavily clogged with what appeared to be cargo. After the engineers shifted to a different fuel oil tank, the problem stopped. After offloading the clay and cleaning the cargo holds, the vent pipes were closely inspected in each cargo hold. Continue reading “Fuel oil tank vent pipes should be inspected regularly”

Lack of risk assessment contributes to sinking of FV Aztec

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FV Aztec
FV Aztec

The Marine Casualty Investigation Board of Ireland (MCIB) has published its report on the sinking of FV Aztec, which took place off Duncannon on 11 January 2021.

The FV Aztec sailed from Duncannon Pier, Co. Wexford to fish sprat in Waterford Estuary alongside its paired trawler the “FV Western Dawn”. There was no risk assessment or method statement for this type of fishing arrangement included in the vessel’s safety statement.

The FV Aztec shot its net first and hauled fish at 09.30 hrs. These fish were stowed in pounds in the fish hold divided by boards. It was Continue reading “Lack of risk assessment contributes to sinking of FV Aztec”

USCG plans to issue interim rules to improve small passenger vessel safety post dive boat tragedy

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Burning boat - Image credit: Ventura County Fire Department
Image credit: Ventura County Fire Department

The U.S. Coast Guard has announced its intention to issue a set of interim rules to improve small passenger vessel safety, the first step to implementing the statutorily mandated requirement. The interim rule is in response to the fire and loss of life on the dive boat Conception off the coast of California on 2 September 2019.

This interim rule adds additional fire safety requirements for small passenger vessels, including fire detection and suppression systems, avenues of escape, egress drills, crew firefighting training, watchmen monitoring devices, and the handling of flammable items such as rechargeable batteries. Continue reading “USCG plans to issue interim rules to improve small passenger vessel safety post dive boat tragedy”

New VAT legislation is good news for UK boat owners

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Sailing boats in a harbourThe UK government has confirmed that from 1 January 2022, recreational boat owners will not be required to pay a second amount of UK VAT if their vessels have been outside the UK for more than three years.

Boat owners returning their vessels to the UK can claim relief from import VAT under returned goods relief (RGR) if they meet all the conditions for the relief. One of these conditions is that the goods or effects must normally be re-imported into the UK within three years of the original date of export. Continue reading “New VAT legislation is good news for UK boat owners”

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