News Hound, Author at The International Institute of Marine Surveying (IIMS)

Urgent appeal goes out to save SS Sir Walter Scott

Posted on July 12, 2021July 12, 2021 by News Hound

An appeal to save the SS Sir Walter Scott has been launched

An urgent call has gone out from the Loch Katrine Steamship Trust for enthusiasts, businesses and public bodies to rally round to help raise £500,000 before the end of 2021 to ensure the 1899-built, freshwater steamer SS Sir Walter Scott, can sail again in 2022.

The trust, which took over the historic ship from Scottish Water in 2005, fitted two, new, Cochran, Wee Chieftain boilers in 2008, and converted the vessel from coal firing to biofuel, as one of the first heritage steam-powered vessels to do so.

Boiler hairline cracks were discovered during inspection in 2020, and the ship was berthed pending the launch of an appeal which was delayed by the Covid-19 crisis.

Continue reading “Urgent appeal goes out to save SS Sir Walter Scott”

From shipping catastrophe to Reality TV via defective lifejackets!

Posted on July 9, 2021July 9, 2021 by News Hound

Mike Schwarz casts his eye back over last month’s eventful and eclectic marine news.

Another maritime accident of catastrophic proportions as MV X-Press Pearl sinks
Those who have followed my writing over the years will know my feelings about such events very well. Yes, we all know shipping is a dangerous business, of course. But yet again, here, on the face of it is another example of an accident that could have been prevented according to initial reports. Obviously, it would be inappropriate to pre-empt the outcome of the investigation.

Like many others, I watched in disbelief as this tragedy unfolded before my eyes over a period of two weeks, following the devastating fire Continue reading “From shipping catastrophe to Reality TV via defective lifejackets!”

STEERSAFE project report provides analysis of SOLAS regulations on steering and manoeuvrability

Posted on July 7, 2021July 7, 2021 by News Hound

The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) has published a report, presenting the findings from the STEERSAFE project, conducted on its behalf by DNV.

The STEERSAFE project aims to provide a holistic analysis of the SOLAS regulations and associated circulars related to steering and manoeuvrability, provide a consistent update of these and to propose practical and meaningful performance parameters in normal service and in failure mode.

More specifically, the first phase of the project aims to:
– Provide an overview of the current situation, in terms of a description of relevant steering and propulsion systems and the gaps and Continue reading “STEERSAFE project report provides analysis of SOLAS regulations on steering and manoeuvrability”

What to know about hatch cover maintenance

Posted on July 7, 2021July 7, 2021 by News Hound

In association with McAusland Turner, The Shipowners Club has published advice on effective hatch cover maintenance for dry cargo ships including preventative action against ingress of water. According to the Club, one of the key requirements in cargo vessel operations is ensuring that the cargo is delivered to the discharge port in the same condition in which it was loaded. Despite improvements in the methods for ensuring that hatch covers are weathertight, claims for wetted cargo that has resulted from water ingress through hatch covers are still being experienced.

In order to ensure that hatch covers are closed sufficiently it is vital that the correct procedures are followed every time the hatches are closed and opened. This can be achieved by ensuring that crew are duly familiar with the manufacturer’s operating instructions, the company’s on board operation procedures, risk assessments and any other relevant policies related to these operations. Occasionally, Continue reading “What to know about hatch cover maintenance”

Sharp increase in the number of complaints to the UK Waterways Ombudsman

Posted on July 7, 2021July 7, 2021 by News Hound

The UK Waterways Ombudsman has reported a sharp increase in complaints

The UK Waterways Ombudsman and the Waterways Ombudsman Committee have seen a substantial rise in the number of complaints over the last 12 months. The UK Waterways Ombudsman scheme deals with complaints about the Canal & River Trust and the Avon Navigation Trust once its own complaints processes have been exhausted.

During the year 2020/21, the UK Waterways Ombudsman received 77 enquiries, up from 41 the previous year. Ten new investigations were opened and the number of complaints resolved was eight. As before there was a very diverse range of complaints, and again the majority were about boating issues with a lack of communication being a common cause of conflict. Continue reading “Sharp increase in the number of complaints to the UK Waterways Ombudsman”

Fatality of crew member after head trapped in hatch cover panel report published

Posted on July 6, 2021July 13, 2021 by News Hound

The Japan Transport Safety Board (JTSB) has published its report into the death of a boatswain while the cargo vessel FIRST AI was mooring off Kyoto in September 2019 when his head was trapped in a hatch cover panel while performing hatch cover closing duty.

A master, Officer A, a chief engineer, a boatswain, and six other crew members boarded the Vessel. While the ship was mooring at Maizuru Port in Kyoto, at around 10:45 on September 9, 2019, Officer A and the boatswain began closing the hatch covers in preparation for departure after finishing the unloading tasks.

While visually checking the condition of the hatch cover on the port upper deck during the closing of the hatch cover, Officer A noticed that the rubber packing 2 for sealing the hatch cover near the Arm that had been temporarily repaired during the previous navigation had flaked. Hence, he instructed the boatswain, who was operating the closure at the hatch cover handling stand on the starboard side of the Continue reading “Fatality of crew member after head trapped in hatch cover panel report published”

UK Maritime Safety Week 2021 is underway

Posted on July 6, 2021July 6, 2021 by News Hound

This year’s Maritime Safety Week 2021 from 5 to 9 July is an opportunity for all key organisations – including HM Coastguard, charities and port authorities – to share best safety practices and knowledge, and challenge each other to enhance their already rigorous standards.

With lockdown restrictions easing and more people than ever holidaying in the UK this year, keeping the public safe on our coast, lakes and waterways is paramount.

To mark the beginning of the fourth annual Maritime Safety Week, Maritime Minister Robert Courts visited the Port of London Authority (PLA) to see first-hand its maritime pilot training space and meet some of the pilots trained to board commercial vessels to ensure safe passage. The PLA manages 95 miles of the Thames and is the UK’s busiest waterway. Continue reading “UK Maritime Safety Week 2021 is underway”

Should regulations be introduced for masts and rigging in the leisure sector?

Posted on July 5, 2021July 5, 2021 by News Hound

That’s the opinion of marine consultant David Barrow who carries out surveys for MS Amlin and was director of Sparcraft for 20 years. “I’ve seen many bent and broken masts over the years. There’s no real regulation of masts and rigging in the leisure sector,” he said. “There’s no specific rule to change a boat’s rigging after ten years.”

And he pointed out that while superyachts are regulated under MCA regs and boats that have done a circumnavigation usually have a survey carried out, when it comes to other boats, owners often don’t see the need. If a boat had suffered a knock, this could affect the rigging without the owner knowing. If a boat was inspected very few years, there would be more chances to look at the mast. “It’s not the insurers’ job to regulate the rigging business; the insurer’s job is to behave according to the results of their surveys,” David says.

Continue reading “Should regulations be introduced for masts and rigging in the leisure sector?”

Inspection guidance for small passenger vessels issued by USCG

Posted on July 5, 2021July 5, 2021 by News Hound

The US Coast Guard (USCG) has issued inspection guidance for Officers in Charge, Marine Inspection (OCMI), Chiefs of Inspection Division (CID), and Marine Inspectors for the small passenger vessels (SPV) risk-based inspection program.

USCG continues to conduct statutory inspections on the SPV fleet in accordance with 46 U.S. Code § 3301; however, data analytics provide a new tool and modernized approach to the marine inspection program to prioritize marine inspection resources. Using various computational methods, machine learning-enabled software, and a database of deficiency and casualty information, the Coast Guard developed a model to categorize SPVs based on potential risk for an undesirable outcome.

The CVC-WI-028 “Small Passenger Vessel Risk Based Inspection Program” issued by the USCG Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance (CVC) on 14 June says:

Continue reading “Inspection guidance for small passenger vessels issued by USCG”

Industry consortium publishes Handbook for Hydrogen fuelled Vessels

Posted on July 5, 2021July 5, 2021 by News Hound

A consortium of 26 leading companies and associations, led by DNV, has launched the “Handbook for Hydrogen-fuelled Vessels” to address the uncertainties surrounding hydrogen as ship fuel. The MarHySafe joint development project (JDP) aims to create a knowledge base for safe hydrogen operations in shipping.

Green hydrogen could play a crucial role in the maritime industry’s journey towards decarbonization. Many in shipping recognize hydrogen’s potential as a fuel, but the barriers to realizing this potential are substantial. Led by DNV, a consortium of 26 partners and observers have come together in the MarHySafe JDP to examine these challenges. The Handbook for Hydrogen-fuelled Vessels offers a roadmap towards safe hydrogen operations using proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC). It details how to navigate the complex Continue reading “Industry consortium publishes Handbook for Hydrogen fuelled Vessels”

U.S. Coast Guard releases 2020 Boating Safety Statistics Report revealing a surge in fatalities during the pandemic

Posted on July 2, 2021July 2, 2021 by News Hound

The U.S. Coast Guard released its 2020 Recreational Boating Statistics Report Wednesday, revealing that there were 767 boating fatalities nationwide in 2020, a 25.1 percent increase from 2019.

From 2019 to 2020, the total number of accidents increased 26.3 percent (4,168 to 5,265), and the number of non-fatal injured victims increased 24.7 percent (2,559 to 3,191). There is evidence that boating activity increased significantly during the pandemic, from reports of increased boat sales, insurance policies taken out, insurance claims, and calls for towing assistance. With the increased exposure (i.e., more boating hours), there was greater risk of deaths, injuries, and accidents. The Coast Guard is analyzing variables associated with boating activity to normalize this accident data. Continue reading “U.S. Coast Guard releases 2020 Boating Safety Statistics Report revealing a surge in fatalities during the pandemic”

Charges of culpable homicide to be brought against owner of tug lost in Tauktae Cyclone

Posted on July 2, 2021July 5, 2021 by News Hound

Divers at the scene of the sunken tug. Photo credit: Indian Ministry of Defence

Indian authorities have confirmed that charges of culpable homicide are being brought against the owner of the ocean-going tugboat that sank during a powerful storm off the coast of India last month. The barge P305 and the tugboat Varaprada were two of the vessels that found themselves caught on May 17 as Cyclone Tauktae passed offshore near Mumbai.

Both vessels were working for the state-run oil company operating in the offshore oilfields near Mumbai. The barge sank with 261 people aboard with 186 survivors. It captured international attention during the search and rescue operation staged by the Indian Navy. The storm had intensified with the winds reaching 110-mph. Media reports said that the crews had initially believed the storm would be far weaker and that they would be able to handle winds expected to be in the range of 25-mph. Continue reading “Charges of culpable homicide to be brought against owner of tug lost in Tauktae Cyclone”