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NTSB releases mass of evidence on deadly Conception dive boat fire ahead of October hearing

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The Conception dive boat hearing is set for 20 October 2020 after which the full report will be published
The Conception dive boat hearing is set for 20 October 2020 after which the full report will be published

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released a mass of documentary evidence and factual reporting on the deadly fire aboard the Conception dive boat on 2 September 2019, one of the worst tragedies of its kind in living memory. The docket’s technical reports confirm that there was no assigned roving watch on the night of the fire, and they raise new questions about the level of safety training that the crew received before setting sail. The new material does not include any conclusions or recommendations, which will have to wait for the NTSB’s final report; that document will be released after a hearing scheduled for 20 October.

In multiple witness interviews, former crewmembers told NTSB investigators that they did not recall a designated watch or roving patrol Continue reading “NTSB releases mass of evidence on deadly Conception dive boat fire ahead of October hearing”

Global marine insurance show modest recovery but uncertain future

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IUMI has presented its analysis of the latest marine insurance market trends
IUMI has presented its analysis of the latest marine insurance market trends

The International Union of Marine Insurance (IUMI) has presented its analysis of the latest marine insurance market trends during its annual conference which this year is being held online. Marine underwriting premiums for 2019 were estimated to be USD 28.7 billion which represents a 0.9% reduction from 2018.

The USD 28.7 billion global income was split between these geographic regions: Europe 46.3%, Asia/Pacific 31.8%, Latin America 10.3%, North America 5.3%, Other 6.3%.

2019 saw Europe’s global share reduce slightly from 46.4% (2018) to 46.3% and Asia’s share increase modestly from 30.7% (2018) to 31.8%.

For global marine premium by line of business, cargo continued to represent the largest share with Continue reading “Global marine insurance show modest recovery but uncertain future”

Cargo collective publishes a Quick Guide to container packing and the CTU Code

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CTU Code - A Quick Guide PowerPoint Presentation
CTU Code – A Quick Guide PowerPoint Presentation

Five international freight transport and cargo handling organisations have published a Quick Guide to the United Nations sponsored Code of Practice for Packing of Cargo Transport Units (the CTU Code), together with a checklist of actions and responsibilities for those involved. It is part of a range of activities to further the adoption and implementation of crucial safety practices by the Container Owners Association, the Global Shippers Forum, the International Cargo Handling Co-ordination Association, the TT Club and the World Shipping Council.

With several container fires aboard ships recently, some of them fatal, the organisations believe that adherence to the CTU Code by all parties would significantly reduce incidents. Continue reading “Cargo collective publishes a Quick Guide to container packing and the CTU Code”

Netherlands set to ban degassing of ships in transit

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Netherlands set to ban degassing of ships in transit
Netherlands set to ban degassing of ships in transit

As there is more focus on the environmental impact and all forms of emissions in the shipping sector, the practice known as degassing is coming under scrutiny. In particular, the Netherlands looks set to ban degassing of ships in transit.

The concerns focus on the potential for the release of harmful gasses with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during the process known in the industry as degassing. Environmentalists contend that the process creates health risks for crew, workers in the port, and surrounding communities. They believe it is hazardous to the environment and creates safety risks in the port.

After unloading a liquid cargo, and before they can take on new shipments, ships need to vent their Continue reading “Netherlands set to ban degassing of ships in transit”

Members of European Boating Industry met online for their second yearly General Assembly

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Members of European Boating Industry met online for their second yearly General Assembly
Members of European Boating Industry met online for their second yearly General Assembly

The members of European Boating Industry met for the second yearly General Assembly to discuss the latest industry developments after a turbulent first half of the year for the industry and chart the association’s future positioning. Representing Slovenia, SMIA joins as new full member and IMCI joins as sustaining member, growing European Boating Industry’s network across Europe.

Taking place virtually on 9 September, members of European Boating Industry discussed the future positioning of the association, providing support and a strong platform for its advocacy activities at EU level. Five new position papers were presented on international trade, VAT, Environment, Continue reading “Members of European Boating Industry met online for their second yearly General Assembly”

Steel structure underwater surveys needed for offshore platforms

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Fixed steel structure underwater surveys needed for North Sea offshore platforms
Fixed steel structure underwater surveys needed for North Sea offshore platforms

Dutch-German offshore grid operator TenneT is seeking underwater survey services for its North Sea offshore platforms. TenneT manages the operations of the German and Dutch high voltage cable connections from land to the offshore wind farms, the so-called grid connection systems. The contract covers the underwater inspections of TenneT’s fixed steel structures in the Dutch and the German North Sea. Continue reading “Steel structure underwater surveys needed for offshore platforms”

Are sustainable flax and basalt fibers the future of marine composites and set to replace glassfibre in boat production?

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The all-electric Voltaire 33 Sky utilizes flax fiber in a bioepoxy resin that can be fully recycled when the power cat is no longer in use.
The all-electric Voltaire 33 Sky utilizes flax and basalt fibers in a bioepoxy resin that can be fully recycled when the power cat is no longer in use.

At last year’s METSTRADE show, the InnovationLab hosted speakers proudly presenting projects which had deliberately moved away from glass fiber and/or polyester resin composites; the kind that have dominated the boat construction market for decades, and still don’t have an environmentally acceptable waste stream solution in order to deal with the ever-increasing volumes coming from end-of-use boats. Instead opting for flax and basalt fibers.

For instance, Amer Yachts announced their intentions to build from a basalt (volcanic fiber) based composite, while Greenboats presented their 27ft day sailer constructed from a flax/bio resin derived matrix. James Starkey from Norco Composites speaking on one of the Sustainability panels, emphasised the importance of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to determine what the real long term environmental impact of any given construction material will be. This means taking its entire life span into account, from raw material harvesting, through to eventual end-of-life impact. Continue reading “Are sustainable flax and basalt fibers the future of marine composites and set to replace glassfibre in boat production?”

Delegation from Panama Maritime Authority investigates the Wakashio accident

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The Panama Maritime Authority continues its investigation into the Wakashio accident. Photo courtesy of Mobilisation Nationale Wakashio
The Panama Maritime Authority continues its investigation into the Wakashio accident. Photo courtesy of Mobilisation Nationale Wakashio

The Panama Maritime Authority has given a report on the progress of the safety investigation into the Wakashio accident at the Mauritius Islands when the vessel Wakashio ran aground and subsequently broke up.

A delegation of experts in maritime accidents has arrived in Mauritius and is currently gathering information through face-to-face interviews with members of the ship’s crew.

The Panama Maritime Authority delegation has been able to gather evidence and confirm that on July 25 2020, while the vessel Wakashio was sailing en route to Brazil, its crew celebrated the birthday of one of the crew members; furthermore, the ship deviated from its approved navigation plan at the Continue reading “Delegation from Panama Maritime Authority investigates the Wakashio accident”

Best practice guidelines to reduce the risk of cargo liquefaction before and during loading published

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Cargo liquefaction is a Master's worst nightmare, but new guidance from London P&I Club might help
Cargo liquefaction is a Master’s worst nightmare, but new guidance from London P&I Club might help

The London P&I Club has published a booklet to provide guidance about the risk of cargo liquefaction. It offers practical advice on the loading and the carriage of bulk cargoes which may liquefy and the risks associated with liquefaction, plus the precautions to be taken to minimize these risks.

Cargo liquefaction is described as the phenomenon that is triggered by an increase in water pressure that makes solid bulk cargoes (granular materials that are loaded directly into a ship’s hold) turn from a solid-state into a liquid state, causing a ship to tilt and potentially capsize. It can occur when cargo is loaded into the hold – this often involves a fall from significant heights, or when it is Continue reading “Best practice guidelines to reduce the risk of cargo liquefaction before and during loading published”

DMAIB report: Loss of rescue boat stresses importance of wire rope maintenance

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A cargo ship at sea accompanied by a graphic that says 17 meters in relation to the wire rope
A cargo ship at sea accompanied by a graphic that says 17 meters in relation to the wire rope

The Danish Maritime Accident Investigation Board has published its investigation report on the accidental fall of a rescue boat from the oil products tanker TORM MAREN while off the coast of Guinea on 1st April 2020. The investigation established that the wire rope maintenance and condition was not recognised as being detrimental to the functioning of the rescue boat system.

On 1 April 2020 TORM MAREN was located approximately 115 nm off the coast of Guinea. While adrift, it was decided to conduct a rescue boat drill and thus the boat was lowered with three persons on board. After having sailed for approximately 1.5 hours the boat was brought alongside and attached to the rescue boat hook and hoisted to deck level.

As the crew was about to bring the rescue boat into the cradle, the boat fell into the sea, from a height Continue reading “DMAIB report: Loss of rescue boat stresses importance of wire rope maintenance”

Crucial safety flaw is key finding of investigation into Bourbon Rhode sinking and fatalities

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The Bourbon Rhode investigation report has revealed a potentially serious safety flaw
The Bourbon Rhode investigation report has revealed a potentially serious safety flaw

An accident investigation report by the Luxembourg authorities into the sinking of the vessel Bourbon Rhode with the tragic loss of four people on 26 September 2019 in the Atlantic Ocean has revealed a serious safety flaw of significance. The Luxembourg authorities have released an urgent safety bulletin as a consequence.

The Bourbon Rhode, an anchor handling tug, sank on September 26 in the Atlantic Ocean during a transit voyage from Las Palmas to Guyana.

The Bourbon Rhode was equipped with a system called shark jaws, which is installed in the aft Z-Drive compartment to secure chains or Continue reading “Crucial safety flaw is key finding of investigation into Bourbon Rhode sinking and fatalities”

ABS issues ballast water management for yachts guide

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A yacht on the sea - A ballast water management for yachts guide is freely available to read
A ballast water management for yachts guide is freely available to read

ABS has published a ballast water management for yachts guide now that they are now required to comply with the IMO International Convention for the Control and management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments (BWM Convention) which requires an approved ballast water management system.

As all vessels, yachts are included within the definitions of the BWM Convention according to Article 1.12, whereby a “Ship” means a vessel of any type whatsoever operating in the aquatic environment.

Specifically, the ballast water management for yachts guide highlights that new vessels (keel laying date after September 8, 2017) are r Continue reading “ABS issues ballast water management for yachts guide”

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