The UK Maritime Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has shared an update on Red Sea dive boat accidents.
The MAIB has been notified of three accidents within the last 20 months affecting UK citizens on Egyptian dive boats operating in the Red Sea. These include: Continue reading “MAIB voices “serious concern” over Red Sea dive boat accidents”
The EMSA has published its Annual Overview of Marine Casualties and Incidents 2024, which presents statistics on marine casualties and incidents that cover the period from 1 of January 2014 to 31 of December 2023.
In 2023, most of the indicators, such as the number of occurrences, ships lost, fatalities or injuries, are near or below the average values for the entire period from 2014 to 2023.
In 2023, 2,676 marine casualties and incidents were reported, which represent an increase of 49 marine casualties and incidents compared to 2022 and a decrease of 66 marine casualties and incidents compared to 2021. Continue reading “EMSA Annual Overview of Marine Casualties and Incidents 2024”
At 2115 on 11 February 2023, a fire broke out in the engine room of the roll-on/roll-off passenger ferry Stena Europe while on passage from Rosslare, Ireland, to Fishguard, Wales. The fire on board ro-ro ferry caused significant damage to the engine room but nobody was injured and there was no damage to the environment. The fire was extinguished by the crew.
Safety issues
• The fire ignited on a main engine when pressurised fuel from a loose fuel pipe connection sprayed onto a high temperature exhaust pipe. Continue reading “MAIB report into fire on board ro-ro ferry”
The American P&I Club urges operators to implement proactive measures such as maintenance and thermal imaging to mitigate fire hazards. Thermal imaging inspections are highlighted as an effective tool by the American Club in identifying early heat signatures caused by electrical faults, which could escalate into a fire if left unchecked. Fires of this nature often stem from one or a combination of three primary causes: electrical system failures, machinery malfunctions, and human error.
Although the likelihood of a fire may be low, specific conditions, such as defective thermal insulation on hot surfaces combined with localized fuel or oil leaks, can create a serious fire risk. Additionally, the complexity and number of electrical connections onboard vessels Continue reading “Proactive measures to mitigate fire hazards including thermal imaging”
The EEXI requirement came into effect on 1 January 2023, and all affected ships should now comply. To maintain compliance, any ship undergoing changes that affect its EEXI and/or EEDI may need to recalculate these.
Under MARPOL Annex VI (Regulation 5.4), the Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) and, if relevant, the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI), must be recalculated and surveyed on board in the event of a major conversion, as defined in Regulation 2.2.17. Continue reading “DNV on energy efficiency compliance EEXI requirements”
RightShip has announced a revised timeline for implementing its vessel inspection age trigger, reducing the inspection threshold from 14 to 10 years through a four-phased approach.
The initial announcement of the inspection age trigger in October 2024 garnered valuable feedback from stakeholders. Constructive dialogue with RightShip’s customers and respected industry associations – including INTERCARGO, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), and the Union of Greek Shipowners whose membership represents a substantial portion of the global dry bulk and general cargo fleet – has been instrumental in refining the approach to align with operational realities while reinforcing our shared commitment to safety. Continue reading “RightShip releases revised vessel inspection age trigger timeline”
On the morning of 29 July 2021, the skipper of the UK registered potting vessel Pioneer (NN200) accidently entered the water as the vessel was heading back to its beach standing in Hastings, England. Pioneer’s sole deckhand was unable to pull him back on board and the skipper was later recovered from the water with the help of a rescue helicopter’s winchman and airlifted to hospital, but he could not be revived.
The MAIB investigation found that Pioneer had a low bulwark at its aft deck, which did not prevent the skipper’s fall into the water. At the time of the accident neither the skipper nor deckhand were wearing a personal flotation device, although two were available on board. Continue reading “Man overboard from potting vessel Pioneer with loss of 1 life”
The UK Merchant Shipping Regulations 2025 for Vessels in Commercial Use for Sport or Pleasure (“the new Regulations”) will apply to vessels used commercially for Sport or Pleasure. The new Regulations will apply to seagoing United Kingdom vessels wherever they may be and to other seagoing vessels operating from United Kingdom ports whilst in United Kingdom waters.
The new Regulations will revoke and replace the Merchant Shipping (Vessels in Commercial Use for Sport or Pleasure) Regulations 1998 (S.I. 1998/2771) (“the 1998 Regulations”). The new Regulations will give effect to two Codes of Practice: Continue reading “Consultation open for the UK merchant shipping regulations 2025”
Britannia P&I Club has emphasized the importance of understanding the various bunker delivery methods and establishing reliable, transparent relationships with reputable suppliers.
According to Britannia, bunker quantity disputes pose a common challenge in the maritime industry, arising from disagreements between the supplier and the receiver regarding the amount of bunker fuel delivered. These disputes can lead to significant operational and financial consequences for shipowners and operators.
In light of this, Britannia advises that before initiating the bunkering operation, owners/ships should verify and reasonably ensure compliance with the following: Continue reading “Best practices to avoid bunker quantity disputes”
Our Boater Report 2024 gives an overview of how we generated income and our expenditure during 2023/24 to maintain navigation on our amazing heritage network of over 10,000 individual structures including locks, bridges, aqueducts and reservoirs, many up to 250 years old.
It was a year of near record spend on charitable activity, but one that saw the continued effect of climate change taking its toll on our ageing canal infrastructure. In 2023/24 we spent close to £49 million on around 80 large maintenance and repair projects, and our skilled teams of carpenters, stone masons and bricklayers completed further construction projects, at a cost of around £20 million. Continue reading “Canal & River Trust Boater Report 2024”
The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has sent out a reminder on appropriate firefighting suits. It is essential for shipowners to equip their crew with suitable firefighting gear to ensure the preservation of lives and vessels in the event of a fire. Appropriate equipment should enable crew members to effectively combat fires in open-air environments and enclosed spaces, all while ensuring their personal safety.
Many suits on board are designed in accordance with the EN 531 standard. However, this standard is designed for industrial workers exposed to heat Continue reading “ABS reminder on firefighting suits”
The International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) published a new Unified Interpretation UI SC307 on hydrocarbon gas detection and bilge high level alarms in cargo pump-rooms. The UI is set to be implemented by IACS societies on ships contracted to be built on or after 1 January 2026.
The interpretation says:
1. Characteristics of the cargoes and their vapors (flammability, density, etc.) should be taken into consideration to determine the type and arrangement of detectors. Continue reading “IACS interpretation on hydrocarbon gas detection”
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