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How a Navy doctor revolutionized high-speed boat safety

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How a Navy doctor revolutionized high-speed boat safety Photo Credit: Ullman Dynamics
How a Navy doctor revolutionized high-speed boat safety Photo Credit: Ullman Dynamics

For years, operators of high-speed boats have silently endured the physical toll of their profession. Repeated slamming impacts from rough seas caused serious injuries, many of them life-altering. However, one Navy doctor saw these challenges not as an unavoidable consequence but as a problem that could be solved. His solution? A seat that would change the course of high-speed boat safety. This article is about how a Navy doctor revolutionized high-speed boat safety. Continue reading “How a Navy doctor revolutionized high-speed boat safety”

EV harbor tugboat development project launched in Japan

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EV harbor tugboat development project launched in Japan
EV harbor tugboat development project launched in Japan. Source: Marindows Inc.

Tokyo Kisen Co., Ltd. and Marindows Inc. have officially launched Japan’s first pure battery-powered EV harbor tugboat development project.

The EV harbor tugboat will operate in the ports of Yokohama and Kawasaki and aims to contribute to “zero GHG emissions from the ports” in accordance with the Carbon Neutral Port (CNP) policy.

In January 2023, Tokyo Kisen put into service TAIGA — Japan’s first series-hybrid electric-powered tugboat equipped with a large-capacity Continue reading “EV harbor tugboat development project launched in Japan”

Managing the growing risk of Lithium-ion battery fires

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Managing the growing risk of Lithium-ion battery fires
Managing the growing risk of Lithium-ion battery fires

The global energy transition has led to an acceleration of new and innovative technologies designed to support decarbonization efforts across the global supply chain. The maritime industry  plays a fundamental part in this effort, not simply by addressing its own impact on global CO2 emissions, but also by facilitating the availability and transportation of new and innovative technologies that are designed to mitigate carbon emissions. But not all of this is safe as their is a growing risk of Lithium-ion battery fires.

For instance, the shipping industry is playing a critical role in accelerating the green automotive market, particularly the global transportation of electric vehicles (EVs) and large battery hybrids. According to Statista, the EV market is projected to grow by nearly 10% each year and account for over 17 million vehicles by 2028. However, this development also brings with it significant safety implications that don’t just impact the vessel, but also the health and wellbeing of crew members onboard – specifically in relation to the significant increase in fire risks presented by the lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries used in EVs. Continue reading “Managing the growing risk of Lithium-ion battery fires”

Container ship fires on the rise again?

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Container ship fires on the rise again?
Container ship fires on the rise again?

After a seemingly ‘benign’ period, we have seen several serious container ship fires lately, including a large one leading to tragic loss of life. Congested ports in Asia and increasing traffic of large container ships around Africa are also a cause for concern. Which begs the question: are container ship fires on the rise again?

Cargo-related fires on board container ships have long been a hot topic in the industry – and rightly so: In 2023, we saw on average one container cargo fire every 9 days, according to statistics from Cargo Incident Notification System (CINS). This is an increase compared with 2020, when the number was approximately one container fire every two weeks. Continue reading “Container ship fires on the rise again?”

Asphyxiation in cargo hold due to oxygen depletion

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Asphyxiation in cargo hold due to oxygen depletion
Asphyxiation in cargo hold due to oxygen depletion

Britannia P&I Club has published a case study focusing on an incident onboard a bulk carrier nearing the completion of loading corn cargo, which caused the asphyxiation in the cargo hold of two fumigation contractors, one of whom died.

On 3 December 2021, a 33,000 GT bulk carrier arrived in Chennai, India, to load 53,000 tonnes of yellow corn. Fumigation contractors boarded to install ducting for fumigating the cargo. Loading began that day but was intermittently halted due to rain. By 15 December 2021, cargo hold four was loaded and its hatches and accessways were sealed. Loading continued in other holds as weather allowed. Continue reading “Asphyxiation in cargo hold due to oxygen depletion”

Proper Towage of mixed cargoes on bulk carriers

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Proper Towage of mixed cargoes on bulk carriers
Proper Towage of mixed cargoes on bulk carriers

The American P&I Club has raised concerns that have arisen regarding the loading of finished and unfinished steel products alongside break-bulk, containerized, and project cargoes in the same cargo hold of bulk carriers. Which has caused American P&I Club to create instructions on proper towage of mixed cargoes on bulk carriers.

Examples of break-bulk, containerized, and project cargoes include large, heavy, oversized items, machinery parts, crates, and heavy-duty wheeled items such as trucks, cranes, or pay loaders. Unlike vessels dedicated to carrying break-bulk, containerized, or project cargoes, bulk carriers are not fitted with suitable lashing and securing arrangements. Continue reading “Proper Towage of mixed cargoes on bulk carriers”

Bad ladders are a major issue for marine pilot safety

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Bad ladders are a major issue for marine pilot safety
Bad ladders are a major issue for marine pilot safety

At least eight people died in boarding accidents last year, and bad ladders are part of the problem. Bad ladders are a major issue for marine pilot safety.

Recently I was involved in a case with a non-compliant and dangerous pilot transfer arrangement on a bulk carrier heading to Vlissingen anchorage for partial discharging.

On the 17th August around 2324 local time the first pilot boarded the vessel at Wandelaar pilot station via the SWATH pilot vessel. The ladder that had been rigged was not used because the servicing pilot had been put on board via the retractable gangway of this boat, and therefore was able to step directly onto the deck of the vessel.

The agent asked me for an English explanation on why this ladder would not be safe. I considered it interesting enough for educational purposes to extend my reply a bit and share it online. Continue reading “Bad ladders are a major issue for marine pilot safety”

Guidance on the carriage of grain and seed cargoes

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Guidance on the carriage of grain and seed cargoes
Guidance on the carriage of grain and seed cargoes

Fuel consumed on board a ship requires heating to pump it from its storage to its settling or service tanks. However, some cargoes are extremely heat sensitive and therefore heating of tanks adjacent to cargo holds should be done with caution. The International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes Code (IMSBC) identifies the following as heated ship structures and offers guidance on the carriage of grain and seed cargoes:

  • steam pipes;
  • heating coils;
  • top or side walls  of heated fuel and  cargo tanks, and; bulkheads of  machinery spaces

Continue reading “Guidance on the carriage of grain and seed cargoes”

ISM Code: The maritime scam of the century?

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Introduction: Why have we created the ISM Code?

ISM Code: The maritime scam of the century?
ISM Code: The maritime scam of the century?

Created by a strong desire to “do something” after the disaster of the Townsend Thoresen ferry “HERALD of FREE ENTERPRISE” (HOFE), the ISM code was originally issued as a self-management system of a voluntary nature for maritime safety within shipping Companies and aboard ships. Continue reading “ISM Code: The maritime scam of the century?”

RMI maritime authority investigation into enclosed spaces deaths

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RMI Maritime Authority investigation into enclosed spaces deaths
RMI Maritime Authority investigation into enclosed spaces deaths

The Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) Maritime Administration has released an investigation report into two enclosed spaces deaths on board drill ship Valaris DS-17.

What happened

On 21 April 2023, the Republic of the Marshall Islands-registered drill ship Valaris DS-17, managed by ENSCO International Inc., was alongside in a shipyard at Las Palmas, Canary Islands, Kingdom of Spain. The ship was scheduled to depart Las Palmas on 1 May 2023. Work that needed to be completed prior to the ship’s departure included cleaning the BWT. Continue reading “RMI maritime authority investigation into enclosed spaces deaths”

Swiss Cheese? Improving Survey Practice and Process

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Swiss Cheese? Improving Survey Practice and Process
Swiss Cheese? Improving Survey Practice and Process

Most marine craft represent Systems of Systems (SoS) and are an ensemble of complex systems, which have the potential for an extraordinary amount of structural and technical complexity and improving survey practice and process.

Because of this, a SoS can be vulnerable to sudden catastrophic collapse because of small and insignificant partial functionality losses in one of the constituent systems. Continue reading “Swiss Cheese? Improving Survey Practice and Process”

Carrying electric vehicles and lithium-ion batteries at sea and the fire risks

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Carrying electric vehicles and lithium-ion batteries at sea and the fire risks
Carrying electric vehicles and lithium-ion batteries at sea and the fire risks

In its Shipping and Safety Review 2023, Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty reported that the second top cause of loss of vessels in 2022 was fire or explosion. There were 209 ship fires reported during 2022, the highest in a decade and 17% more than in 2021. Of those fires, 13 occurred on car carriers. Fire was also reportedly the most expensive cause of marine insurance claims furthering the point that electric vehicles and lithium-ion batteries at sea at potent fire risks. Continue reading “Carrying electric vehicles and lithium-ion batteries at sea and the fire risks”

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