ICOMIA has produced a Ceramic Coating Yacht Industry Guideline as a result of their work with leading manufacturers, paint manufacturers, independent inspectors, supervisors and surveyors. The aim is to provide objective industry guidance on ceramic use on large yachts.
The yacht market has identified the need for an industry guidance document detailing key areas of information and considerations when using ceramic coatings or treatments on large yachts.
ClassNK publishes guideline for LNG bunkering ships survey and equipment
Class NK, the leading Japanese classification society, has published its Guideline for Survey and Facilities/Equipment of LNG Bunkering Ships, which outlines the additional safety requirements of liquefied gas carriers that supply LNG fuel at sea.
There are currently no established international conventions for the facilities/equipment of ships that transfer LNG to other ships at sea, and additional safety equipment has been considered individually. Based on the examinations conducted so far, ClassNK has developed the guideline which compiles the requirements for additional equipment for the safe transfer of LNG, a cryogenic substance, between ships, and surveys.
Singapore cracks down after marine surveyor is infected with COVID-19
Singapore’s Ministry of Health is tightening its COVID-19 control measures for its maritime workforce after a marine surveyor working for a leading class society and a harbor pilot tested positive for the disease.
The surveyor, who works for a prominent class society and was employed inspecting vessels at the Sembcorp Marine Admiralty Yard, tested positive on December 30. Two of his family members also tested positive on New Years’ Eve. The harbor pilot, a 55-year-old Singaporean national, tested positive on December 31, along with two of his relatives. Continue reading “Singapore cracks down after marine surveyor is infected with COVID-19”
Guidance on recreational fire appliances for yachts issued by RMI flag state
The Republic of Marshall Islands has published its requirements for the design, installation and operation of Recreational Fire Appliances onboard RMI-flagged yachts.
The definition of Recreational Fire Appliances covers fireplaces which use wood, ethanol or LPG as a primary fuel source, or for ignition purposes. They include charcoal galley ovens, LPG or charcoal fire barbeques, spit roasts and fire pits.
Operational guidance
1. When Recreational Fire Appliances are installed or used onboard, a risk assessment must be conducted for each appliance type. This risk assessment must form part of the yacht’s Safety Management System (SMS).
Limiting liquefaction – Photo credit: London P&I Club
Although the IMO provides the official regulations and guidance notes on cargo liquefaction, P&I Clubs such as The London P&I Club offer complementary advice to ship’s masters to raise awareness of the issue and to suggest practical steps to reduce the danger.
IMO has identified 75 bulk cargoes that have the potential to liquefy under certain conditions – these are known as Group A cargoes. If the Moisture Content (MC) of a Group A cargo exceeds the Transportable Moisture Limit (TML) then vibration and the motion of the vessel might cause that cargo to behave as a liquid rather than a solid when it is being transported in the hold. When in liquified form, and in a heavy sea, the cargo can easily flow from one side of the hold to the other. This affects the vessel’s stability and can lead to a vessel capsizing. Therefore it is vital that the crew are fully aware of this issue and are able to spot warning signs as early as possible.
Detail of shell plating damage to Galwad-Y-Mor showing coating loss and indentation between internal frames
A preliminary assessment of the explosion resulting in damage and abandonment of the potting fishing vessel Galwad-Y-Mor (BRD116) 22 nautical miles north of Cromer, Norfolk on 15 December 2020 has been released by the MAIB.
On 15 December 2020, the vessel was operating in potting fishing grounds east of the Wash. At about 1120, the crew was in the process of hauling in a string of crab pots; the skipper was in the wheelhouse with other crew members below decks working the pots. The hauler was being used to heave in the back rope, and the crew had let Continue reading “MAIB initial assessment after the explosion onboard Galwad-Y-Mor”
Do you recall those days when we used to get together in a room to do some face-to-face training and networking? It seems an age ago already with Zoom and Teams taking over as the was to train. So, imagine my angst when the planned 7 day practical course at the Boat Building Academy in Lyme Regis, which had been under development for more than a year, was placed in jeopardy by the pandemic. It was unclear if we could run the event safely until just a couple of weeks prior. But I am delighted to say we managed to get the course away with a reduced number of 6 students.
I spent a day with the students – social distancing and other sensible pandemic measures were in place naturally. As I write, the course has just one more day to run, including the multiple choice testing for students to undergo. Over the week, students have had the chance to get their hands dirty learning skills in the workshops about vessel structure as well as undertaking some practical activities with GRP. Continue reading “Remembering the novelty of face-to-face training”
Report into fatal accident on board Sunbeam published by MAIB
MAIB has released a report on the fatal accident on board the trawler Sunbeam. On 14 August 2018, a second engineer on board was asphyxiated and died in one of the vessel’s refrigerated saltwater tanks. The report found that entering Sunbeam‘s tanks without safety precautions had become ‘normalised’ by the crew and had been done ‘without consequence’ over a period of many years.
Sunbeam was in Fraserburgh getting ready for a refit and the refrigerated saltwater tanks had been emptied of water in preparation for cleaning. Entry into the tanks, which were enclosed spaces, was routine business for the crew, both when operating the tanks at sea and during maintenance in harbour.
The second engineer was found collapsed inside a refrigerated saltwater tank. The available evidence, says MAIB, strongly indicates that he’d entered the tank to sweep away residual water. When he was found, three of his crew mates went into the Continue reading “Report into fatal accident on board Sunbeam published by MAIB”
River Canal Rescue calls for ‘sticky fuel’ samples
After a spate of incidents in which River Canal Rescue (RCR) has seen up to 100 cases of ‘sticky fuel’ this year, MD Stephanie Horton is asking for similar fuel samples to be sent to her. RCR says it is the UK’s largest national 24/7, 365 days-a-year breakdown/emergency assistance service provider for inland waterway boaters. As such, with around 4,000 call outs each year, it says it can usually gauge when an issue is arising. Now with regions affected from York to London and Bristol to Lancaster, Horton says it’s time to act and work out what the cause of the sticky fuel is. She’s calling for samples – and locations – so she can try to identify common factors like treatments being used.
The situation came to light when River Canal Rescue had two identical jobs. Fuel injectors were diagnosed as needing an overhaul, yet their replacements stopped working within a week. The injection pumps were found to have failed even though the diesel was clear and bright. Continue reading “River Canal Rescue calls for ‘sticky fuel’ samples”
The UK P&I Club has released a video on cyber security, featuring Russell Kempley, chief security officer at CyberOwl, ahead of new IMO regulations in January 2021.
The new IMO resolution requires shipping companies to incorporate cyber security into their safety management systems. Captain Anuj Velankar, senior loss prevention advisor talks with Russell Kempley, an expert in the field of cyber security, about the implications of the upcoming changes for shipowners and wider marine industry.
The video examines the driving forces behind the changes within marine cyber security and discusses the various areas in which the marine industry can improve to ensure compliance, the current gaps in cyber security and its outlook in the near future. Continue reading “UK P&I Club releases video on cyber security”
Cargo fumigation remains a challenging operation onboard. An investigation by the Bahamas Maritime Authority found that the crew had been exposed to the fumigant gas – which had been used to treat a cargo of corn – after positive pressure in the accommodation was lost when the ventilation system was stopped by a large wave flooding the galley and store through the ventilation trunking.
Due to the fumigant gas leak, one seafarer died and three others had to be evacuated from their ship after exposure to hydrogen phosphide gas, it has prompted calls for a radical overhaul of the rules governing fumigated cargoes.
Report on capsize and full inversion of RS Venture Connect
MAIB has published a report about the capsize and full inversion of self-righting keelboat RS Venture Connect. On 12 June 2019, Blackwell Sailing’s self-righting RS Venture Connect keelboat sail number 307 (RSVC 307) suffered a capsize and full inversion while sailing on Windermere, England. The boat was crewed by an experienced disabled sailor at the helm and a local sailing instructor who was acting as crewman.
Having been knocked down by gusty winds, RSVC 307 initially lay on its starboard side with its two crew still in their seats. The boat’s liftable keel then slid back into the hull, following which the boat inverted completely, trapping the disabled helmsman under the hull. The crewman was able to swim clear, but with the keel retracted he was unable to right RSVC 307 unaided.
