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Dangers of lone watchkeeping and fatigue highlighted after loss of prawn trawler

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Dangers of lone watchkeeping and fatigue highlighted after loss of prawn trawler. Crystal Stream. Credit: Gordon Macrae (MarineTraffic.com).
Dangers of lone watchkeeping and fatigue highlighted after loss of prawn trawler . Crystal Stream. Credit: Gordon Macrae (MarineTraffic.com).

The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has released its final report into the grounding and loss of fishing vessel Crystal Stream last year. A safety warning was also issued after it was found that the watch alarm in the wheelhouse was not connected to the autopilot and was not operating at the time of the accident.

What happened

At just after midnight on 6 June 2025, the UK registered prawn trawler Crystal Stream (LH 147) struck an underwater obstruction near Barmore Island, Loch Fyne, Scotland. Shortly afterwards, the skipper intentionally beached the vessel on the rocky shore, where the crew abandoned to a liferaft. Continue reading “Dangers of lone watchkeeping and fatigue highlighted after loss of prawn trawler”

NMA warns of serious crushing injuries in packaging machinery

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The Norwegian Maritime Authority (NMA) has received reports of serious crushing accidents involving fish packaging machines in factories on board vessels. Credit: Sjøfartsdirektoratet
The Norwegian Maritime Authority (NMA) has received reports of serious crushing accidents involving fish packaging machines in factories on board vessels. Credit: Sjøfartsdirektoratet

The Norwegian Maritime Authority (NMA) has received reports of serious crushing accidents involving fish packaging machines in factories on board vessels.

An incident in which a person was caught in an automated palletising prompted the NMA to share an article highlighting the dangers involved. In the particular incident a vital safety barrier had been removed. Continue reading “NMA warns of serious crushing injuries in packaging machinery”

Degraded part cause of Interislander Kaitaki blackout incident

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Degraded part cause of Interislander Kaitaki blackout incident. Credit: KiwiRail Limited
Degraded part cause of Interislander Kaitaki blackout incident. Credit: KiwiRail Limited

A degraded rubber expansion joint failed putting 864 people on board passenger vessel Kaitaki at risk, according to New Zealand’s Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC).

TAIC has released its final report three years after the Interislander ferry suffered a blackout and loss of propulsion while carrying out a scheduled service between from Picton to Wellington.

The incident on 28 January 2023 left the ship drifting in strong onshore conditions towards Sinclair Head on Wellington’s south coast. The master issued a Mayday. The ship avoided grounding after anchors held and power was restored. Continue reading “Degraded part cause of Interislander Kaitaki blackout incident”

How to document PFOS free fire extinguishing foam on board

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How to document PFOS free fire extinguishing foam on board
How to document PFOS free fire extinguishing foam on board

DNV has provided a short summary of how to document compliance at the first safety equipment survey after 1 January 2026, given that all fire extinguishing foams on board must be PFOS free, and this must be verified by the attending surveyor.

From January 1st, 2026, the use or storage of fire-extinguishing media – including firefighting foams – containing perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) is prohibited. This applies to both fixed and portable systems and equipment.The requirement to document PFOS free fire extinguishing foams applies to all types of foam on board, i.e. both fixed systems and portable equipment. Continue reading “How to document PFOS free fire extinguishing foam on board”

Kommander Susan fire caused by substitute engine components, says MAIB

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Image credit: fabianv (ShipSpotting.com) Kommander Susan fire caused by substitute engine components, says MAIB
Image credit: fabianv (ShipSpotting.com) Kommander Susan fire caused by substitute engine components, says MAIB

Sea trials in the Firth of Forth, Scotland that ended in catastrophic engine failure and a fire on board a vessel last year was caused by substitute components said a report by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB).

What happened

At 1305 on 25 January 2025, the site investigation vessel Kommandor Susan suffered a catastrophic failure of a diesel generator engine while conducting sea trials in the Firth of Forth, Scotland. The failure resulted in an engine room fire and a complete power blackout. Continue reading “Kommander Susan fire caused by substitute engine components, says MAIB”

Record number of inspections carried out by Tokyo MOU in 2025

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Record number of inspections carried out by Tokyo MOU in 2025
Record number of inspections carried out by Tokyo MOU in 2025

In 2025, the Tokyo MOU carried out 35,546 inspections – the highest number of inspections conducted in its history.

The Tokyo MOU PSC Annual Report 2025 added that “following last year, the detention rate continued the decreasing trend in 2025, however, it has not yet returned to the same level as the pre-pandemic period.”

In 2025, 35,546 inspections, involving 19,980 individual ships, were carried out on ships registered under 111 flags.

Out of those inspections, there were 23,230 inspections where ships were found with deficiencies. Continue reading “Record number of inspections carried out by Tokyo MOU in 2025”

IACS finds common failure modes in emergency generator systems

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IACS finds common failure modes in emergency generator systems
IACS finds common failure modes in emergency generator systems

After the loss of power leading up to the MV Dali Francis Scott Key Bridge strike, marine casualty investigators noted an extended delay in the automatic start-up of the ship’s emergency generator. While the small generator was not sufficient in itself to run most major systems, it could provide low-speed hydraulic power to turn the rudder slowly – and could have provided that vital capability much sooner if it had started within standard time parameters, illustrating the importance of automated emergency power start-up. Continue reading “IACS finds common failure modes in emergency generator systems”

Sailors’ Society highlights ‘first digital seafarer generation’ in latest Cadet Report

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Sailors’ Society highlights ‘first digital seafarer generation’ in latest Cadet Report
Sailors’ Society highlights ‘first digital seafarer generation’ in latest Cadet Report

Sailors’ Society has published its latest Cadet Report – ‘the first digital seafarer generation.’

Sponsored by Inmarsat Maritime (a Viasat company), the report captures the voices of cadets, ratings and trainees from 30 countries.

Drawing on insights gathered from more than 9,000 Gen Z seafarers who attended the maritime charity’s global 2025 Wellness at Sea Conferences, this unique data offers the maritime industry an unparalleled look into the experiences, pressures and aspirations of its future workforce. Continue reading “Sailors’ Society highlights ‘first digital seafarer generation’ in latest Cadet Report”

Crane wire failure caused $3.8M in damage to offshore vessels, says NTSB

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Crane wire failure caused $3.8M in damage to offshore vessels, says NTSB
Crane wire failure caused $3.8M in damage to offshore vessels, says NTSB

Internal corrosion of a crane wire caused US$3.8 million in damage to offshore construction vessel Island Venture and offshore supply vessel C Enforcer at Port Fourchon, according to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

What happened

On April 3, 2025, about 2145 local time, the offshore construction vessel Island Venture’s crane was being used to lift a wire reel from the back deck of the offshore supply vessel C Enforcer in Bayou Lafourche, Port Fourchon, Louisiana, when the crane’s hoisting wire parted, causing the reel to drop onto the C Enforcer’s main deck. Continue reading “Crane wire failure caused $3.8M in damage to offshore vessels, says NTSB”

Fisherman dies saving fellow deckhand in man overboard emergency

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Fisherman dies saving fellow deckhand in man overboard emergency. Weston Bay. Credit: MAIB
Fisherman dies saving fellow deckhand in man overboard emergency. Weston Bay. Credit: MAIB

Two deckhands went overboard from potting vessel Weston Bay (GY123) off Spurn Head resulting one fatality, an investigation by the UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) found.

The MAIB also released a safety flyer with the investigation report following the incident.

What happened

At about 0820 on 22 May 2024, two deckhands went overboard during deployment of the fishing gear from the UK registered potting vessel Weston Bay Continue reading “Fisherman dies saving fellow deckhand in man overboard emergency”

Safety helmets: When standards fail stevedores and crews

Posted on by News Hound
Stock image from Pexels
Stock image from Pexels

On 2 May 2019, a twistlock fitted to one of the bottom corner fittings of a container fell out of the fitting while the container was being restowed aboard the container vessel MOL Bravo, in the port of Manzanillo, Mexico. The twistlock landed on the second officer who was on deck, struck his safety helmet and caused fatal injuries.

The investigation report by the Marine Department of Hong Kong noted the following:

– The second officer failed to follow the company safety procedures Continue reading “Safety helmets: When standards fail stevedores and crews”

DNV interview on cruise ship battery technology

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DNV interview on cruise ship battery technology
DNV interview on cruise ship battery technology

As cruise operators explore pathways to reduce emissions and improve energy efficiency, batteries are emerging as a pragmatic part of the solution.

DNV has shared a fact-based interview featuring Hilde Bølstad, DNV’s Principal Consultant of Alternative Fuels & GHG Compliance on how batteries fit into cruise vessel design and operation.

Hilde Bølstad is an MSc‑ and BSc‑qualified maritime advisor with 23 years’ experience in ship operations, classification, and surveyor work. Since 2020, she has worked in decarbonization at DNV, supporting shipowners on new regulations and reporting of emissions. Continue reading “DNV interview on cruise ship battery technology”

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