News Hound

Enclosed spaces on ships – such as cargo tanks, holds, and chain lockers – are among the most dangerous environments onboard.

While much attention is paid to the initial victims of asphyxiation or toxic exposure, a significant and tragic share of fatalities are would-be rescuers: crew members who rush in to save a colleague, only to become victims themselves.

Concerningly, the majority of multi-fatality incidents in enclosed spaces involve at least one rescuer who perished after entering without proper precautions. Continue reading “Enclosed Spaces: When saving a life turns fatal”

Many of you may recall an open letter published by the IIMS to the worldwide yacht and boat manufacturing industry, which was released in October 2019. This was written about professional standards and the response to known defects in vessels, engines and equipment. Although we wanted to bring the issues to peoples’ attention, we certainly weren’t expecting to bring about any meaningful changes and, unsurprisingly, it appears that nothing has altered. What has changed, however, are the rules in this area since Brexit.

Before we look at some of the failings which have recently crossed my desk I think that it is best that we look at the changes to the Rules and Regulations first for this purpose, and for clarity, and to avoid any misunderstandings in the following text sections I have downloaded directly as published on behalf of GOV.UK by The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS). The points of interest in all of this I have highlighted in bold text. Continue reading “Rules without enforcement are no rules at all”