Prawn trawler Odyssey sank after crew left wash pumps running

Prawn trawler Odyssey sank after crew left wash pumps running. Image courtesy of Fishing News
Prawn trawler Odyssey sank after crew left wash pumps running. Image courtesy of Fishing News

Six crewmembers were forced to abandon ship after prawn trawler Odyssey capsized and sank in the North Sea on 29 October 2024. Its crew were rescued from a liferaft uninjured.

According to the UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB), the accident occurred after high-capacity deck wash pumps were left running unattended, while the crew recovered the fishing gear, discharging water onto the vessel’s weathertight shelter deck. It is likely that a blocked tonnage valve prevented the water from escaping, resulting in rapid flooding and a catastrophic loss of stability. Continue reading “Prawn trawler Odyssey sank after crew left wash pumps running”

MV Estonia investigation closed as incident due to bow failure

MV Estonia investigation closed as incident due to bow failure
MV Estonia investigation closed as incident due to bow failure

Authorities have concluded the investigation into the 1994 sinking of the MV Estonia citing the failure of the ferry’s bow section as the cause of the incident.

On September 28, 1994, the Estonian-flagged ferry Estonia sank during the regular route from Tallinn to Stockholm.

There were 989 people on board – only 137 survived. 852 people died in the accident and the bodies of 95 drowned people were found. Most of the victims were Swedish (501) and Estonian (285) citizens. Continue reading “MV Estonia investigation closed as incident due to bow failure”

Report released on fatal mooring incident aboard motor tanker

Report released on fatal mooring incident aboard motor tanker
Report released on fatal mooring incident aboard motor tanker

The HM Government of Gibraltar has published an accident report into the death of a pumpman on board a motor tanker at the Port of Gibraltar due to a fatal mooring incident.

On the afternoon of the 20 May 2025, the pumpman of the Gibraltar Registered tanker Nisyros was fatally injured whilst operating the port forward mooring winch during heaving in excess rope becoming entrapped in the mooring rope around the winch and sadly died of multiple injuries. Continue reading “Report released on fatal mooring incident aboard motor tanker”

Rotten wood and poor inspection caused historic Maine schooner demasting

This Schooner photograph for illustration only
This Schooner photograph is for illustration only

The is a distressing case about a fatal accident that should never have happened. And as the investigation has revealed, a series of poor, inadequate and ineffective inspections and surveys that failed to discover serious rotten wood, would appear to be largely to blame and caused historic Maine schooner demasting.

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) has released a critical report on the demasting of a historic schooner, blaming the catastrophic incident on rotten wood that had gone unnoticed for years due to poor inspections. About three years after the mainmast of the 144-year- old schooner Grace Bailey broke during a routine voyage, causing the death of one passenger and leaving five others injured, a detailed investigation has established that the structural integrity of the mainmast had long been compromised by rot. Continue reading “Rotten wood and poor inspection caused historic Maine schooner demasting”

MCA publishes update on new Fixed Aerosol Fire Extinguishing Systems guidance

MCA publishes update on new Fixed Aerosol Fire Extinguishing Systems guidance
MCA publishes update on new Fixed Aerosol Fire Extinguishing Systems guidance

The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency has released an amendment to MGN 657 (M+F) Amendment 1 requirements for fixed aerosol fire extinguishing systems for use in small vessel machinery spaces.

The update clarifies that the design density should be calculated based on the net volume of the protected space, as well as clarifying the test criteria including the pass/fail criteria and arrangements for the test mock-up. Continue reading “MCA publishes update on new Fixed Aerosol Fire Extinguishing Systems guidance”

DNV and WMMF collaborate on net-zero guide for shipping companies

DNV and the World Maritime Merchants Forum (WMMF) have worked together to create the Net-Zero Guide: Practical approaches for shipping companies.

The maritime industry is entering a decisive decade of transformation, driven by evolving regulations, commercial pressures, and a general global shift towards reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Continue reading “DNV and WMMF collaborate on net-zero guide for shipping companies”

Operator modifications blamed by shipbuilder for Dali blackout

Operator modifications blamed by shipbuilder for Dali blackout . Phoot credit: USACE
Operator modifications blamed by shipbuilder for Dali blackout . Photo credit: USACE

The fallout following the M/V Dali accident which caused the collapse of the Francis Scott Key bridge in Baltimore in March 2024 continues to make the news headlines and is likely to do so for many months to come. Now the vessel’s builder, HD Hyundai, has weighed in to respond. It says changes made after delivery bypassed critical redundancies, triggering the second Dali blackout that left the ship without propulsion or steering in the critical moments before the bridge strike. Continue reading “Operator modifications blamed by shipbuilder for Dali blackout”

How a tragic pilot ladder accident led to regulation changes

How a tragic pilot ladder accident led to regulation changes
How a tragic pilot ladder accident led to regulation changes

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. Continue reading “How a tragic pilot ladder accident led to regulation changes”

RMI investigation into enclosed space death in tanker

RMI investigation into enclosed space death in tanker
RMI investigation into enclosed space death in tanker

The Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administrator has released an investigation report into the death of a crewmember from tanker TRF Kashima after the sailor and two other crewmembers had entered an enclosed space and fell unconscious.

What happened

On 14 July 2024, the Republic of the Marshall Islands-registered oil/chemical tanker TRF Kashima, managed by Anglo Eastern Shipmanagement (Singapore) PTE. LTD., was underway in the South China Sea en route to the Republic of Singapore, where the ship was due to arrive on the morning of 16 July 2024. Work being done on board included cleaning of the ship’s cargo tanks. Continue reading “RMI investigation into enclosed space death in tanker”

Italian marine industry forecast reveals positive outlook for 2026

Italian marine industry forecast reveals positive outlook for 2026
Italian marine industry forecast reveals positive outlook for 2026

At the annual members’ assembly in December, Confindustria Nautica shared its latest sector forecast based on the research department’s data-based outlook for the industry. This analysis, drawn from a survey of member companies in early December, points to a cautiously optimistic forecast for Italian marine industry especially the recreational boating and superyacht sectors.

The superyacht segment ended 2025 in a strong position. Half of surveyed companies saw their turnover grow compared to last year, and another 25 per cent reported steady results. Order books show growth rates are returning to normal, with half of yards keeping order levels steady and a quarter seeing more orders than last year. Continue reading “Italian marine industry forecast reveals positive outlook for 2026”

When can an insurer deny a claim

When can an insurer deny a claim
When can an insurer deny a claim

An insurer deny a claim is a refusal by an insurer to indemnify an insured under the terms of an insurance contract.

Firstly, what forms an insurance contract? It is formed from three types of documents:

  • The Insurance Schedule
  • The Insurance Policy Wording
  • Any Endorsement

So, all of these must be read together to understand the terms of an insurance contract. Therefore, there are many terms in a contract of insurance that may be applied by an insurer for the purpose of refusing to indemnify an insured. Against popular belief of many insureds, this does not mean that insurers claim departments spend their time scrawling through insurance contracts to find a reason not to indemnify a client! Just to be clear for readers of this article, by indemnify we mean not to defend an insured and/or not to pay out on a claim. Continue reading “When can an insurer deny a claim”

13 fire protection equipment items to check manually

13 fire protection equipment items to check annually
13 fire protection equipment items to check annually

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”

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