RMI maritime authority investigation into enclosed spaces deaths

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”

What caught my eye: August 2025

Canal boat explodes and bursts into flames in Northamptonshire, UK

You don’t need me to remind you of the safety concerns and issues surrounding lithium-ion battery technology. My views are well known! But this is the first instance I am aware of a narrowboat on the UK canal network exploding as a result of this battery technology. Reports suggest that debris was thrown 40ft across the canal and witnesses said the explosion was very loud and shook their boats. Fortunately, there were no injuries. This is yet another wake up call, but sadly, I suspect we will never know what caused the batteries to blow given the total destruction of the boat. Continue reading “What caught my eye: August 2025”

ABS PSC Report Q2 2025: 492 total vessels detained

The latest ABS PSC quarterly statistics reveal 492 vessels were detained
The latest ABS PSC report Q2 2025 statistics reveal 492 vessels were detained

The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has published its Quarterly Report on Port State Control (PSC), providing information to owners on deficiencies identified on ABS vessels during inspections carried out by the various PSC regimes globally during the Second Quarter (Q2) of 2025.

Top categories for grounds of detention
Between April 1, 2025, and June 30, 2025, a total of 492 vessels were detained across the Paris MoU, Tokyo MoUand the USCG. Of these, only 25 vessels, representing 5.08%, were ABS vessels. Continue reading “ABS PSC Report Q2 2025: 492 total vessels detained”

UK’s First ROUV certified ahead of trials

 ACUA Ocean. Pioneer becomes the first certified ROUV in the UK
ACUA Ocean. Pioneer becomes the first certified ROUV in the UK

The hydrogen-powered Pioneer, a remotely operated and unmanned vessel (ROUV), has received the UK’s first certification under Workboat Code 3 ahead of its upcoming trials. Lloyd’s Register (LR), which issued the certification under authorisation from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, reports it represents a significant development in the evolution of regulatory pathways for uncrewed and autonomous vessels operating in UK waters.

“This certification represents a major step forward – not just for ACUA Ocean or LR, Continue reading “UK’s First ROUV certified ahead of trials”

Enhance inspection protocols for air shutoff valves

Lessons learnt from air shutoff valves incident shared by BSEE
Lessons learnt from air shutoff valves incident shared by BSEE

The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) draws lessons learned from the investigation of a fire on an offshore platform in the Gulf of Mexico involving a rental generator and air shutoff valves.

The incident stemmed from a malfunction in the engine’s air shutoff valves system. Initial investigation findings indicated that the oil fill cap was absent, and both exhaust gases and oil venting from the open fill neck were potential ignition sources. Continue reading “Enhance inspection protocols for air shutoff valves”

Electrification continues to bear risks for the shipping industry

Capt Rahul Khanna, pictured, indicated insurers have seen large losses from lithium-ion batteries
Capt Rahul Khanna, pictured, indicated insurers have seen large losses from lithium-ion batteries

Electrification of the global economy continues to  bear risks for the shipping industry and supply chains, according to Allianz Commercial’s latest Safety and Shipping Review.

Electrification of the global economy is driving huge demand for lithium-ion batteries, from electric cars and e-bikes to industrial scale battery storage systems. The global battery market is forecast to reach US$322bn by 2030, more than double its value in 2024, driven by growing demand for electric vehicles and battery storage systems required to support the transition to renewable energy. Continue reading “Electrification continues to bear risks for the shipping industry”

Electronic inclinometers for new bulk carriers and container ships

New regulations from January 2026 mandate electronic inclinometers on new bulk carriers and container ships
New regulations from January 2026 mandate electronic inclinometers on new bulk carriers and container ships

To enhance seafarer safety and prevent the loss and damage of bulk cargo due to strong movements at sea, the IMO is introducing amendments to SOLAS Chapter V. Through Resolution MSC.532(107), it has adopted a new requirement (SOLAS Reg. V/19.2.12) that mandates the carriage of electronic inclinometers for new container ships and bulk carriers of 3,000gt and above. This will enable the Voyage Data Recorder (VDR) to determine, display and record the ship’s roll motion and provide critical information about operational stability. Continue reading “Electronic inclinometers for new bulk carriers and container ships”

Meeting the requirements of the IMSBC Code

 Britannia P&I Club advises on the IMSBC code
Britannia P&I Club advises on the IMSBC code

Britannia P&I Club has issued information about what actions to take when loading different bulk cargoes to meet the requirements of the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code. The shipper is responsible for providing the master (or their representative) with sufficient information in advance to allow safe preparation for loading, stowage, and carriage of the nominated cargo under the requirements of the IMSBC code. Continue reading “Meeting the requirements of the IMSBC Code”

Valve failures is the lead cause of ammonia-related maritime accidents

EMSA has reviewed critical causes and patterns in ammonia-related maritime accidents
EMSA has reviewed critical causes and patterns in ammonia-related maritime accidents

The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) in its newest series of reports regarding the safety of ammonia use in ships has reviewed critical causes and patterns in ammonia-related maritime accidents. Among the alternative fuel options, anhydrous ammonia has drawn a lot of interest from the marine industry for its potential to become a long-term solution for decarbonisation. The comprehensive review of accidents however, highlighted on EMSA’s report “Safety of Ammonia for Use in Ships”, has underscored critical causes of these incidents that allow identifying recurring patterns and highlighting critical areas for preventive or corrective measures for application in the maritime sector. Continue reading “Valve failures is the lead cause of ammonia-related maritime accidents”

AMSA National Compliance Plan 2025-2026 published

The AMSA National Compliance Plan 2025-2026 is published and is available to read   
The AMSA National Compliance Plan 2025-2026 is published and is available to read

The AMSA National Compliance Plan 2025-2026 has been published by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority. It outlines a number of key compliance activities that support welfare, safety and pollution prevention across domestic and foreign-flagged vessels.

According to the AMSA National Compliance Plan 2025-2026, the authority outlines priority activities for the upcoming year, providing industry with a clear understanding of the regulatory focus and rationale. Continue reading “AMSA National Compliance Plan 2025-2026 published”

Rotten wood caused historic Grace Bailey demasting

Rotten wood caused historic Grace Bailey demasting says US Coast Guard report
Rotten wood caused historic Grace Bailey demasting says US Coast Guard report

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.

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 Continue reading “Rotten wood caused historic Grace Bailey demasting”

ABS IMO III 11 summary brief

ABS has provided an overview on the key issues at the ABS IMO III 11 summary brief.
ABS has provided an overview on the key issues at the ABS IMO III 11 summary brief.

The IMO Sub-Committee on the Implementation of IMO Instruments III held its 11th session in July 2025. Here is the ABS IMO III 11 in a summary brief.
The Sub-Committee has a key role in casualty analysis and issuing lessons learned from marine incidents. It receives and analyses port state control data and keeps under review the procedures for port state control. Guidelines for survey and certification including the survey guidelines under the Harmonized System of Survey and Certification (HSSC) also come under the remit of this Sub-Committee. Continue reading “ABS IMO III 11 summary brief”

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