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O-ring failure caused $5.5M engine room fire on bulk carrier, says NTSB

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Left photo is of lower module of the oil fittings block showing overlap between the lower and upper module fuel ports. Right photo is the upper module of oil fittings block and fuel flow meter showing the pinched O-ring as indicated.
Source: Lemissoler Shipmanagement

A failed O-ring seal on a bulk carrier’s composite boiler unit led caused a fire costing more than $5 million dollars in damage, said an investigation report by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

On January 4, 2025, at about 2323, bulk cargo vessel Lem Verbena was docked at the Alabama State Docks on the Mobile River in Mobile, Alabama, with 19 crewmembers on board when a fire started in the engine room. Continue reading “O-ring failure caused $5.5M engine room fire on bulk carrier, says NTSB”

Brookes Bell on engineering analysis when the answer isn’t clear

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Brookes Bell on engineering analysis when the answer isn’t clear
Brookes Bell on engineering analysis when the answer isn’t clear

Engineering claims rarely begin with a complete picture, says Brookes Bell. More often, they start with partial evidence, damaged components, and an initial explanation of what may have gone wrong. In practice, those early assumptions are not always reliable.

For Andrew Kingshott, recognising and managing this uncertainty is a fundamental part of the investigation process. Continue reading “Brookes Bell on engineering analysis when the answer isn’t clear”

CHIRP Annual Digest 2025-2026 published

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The CHIRP Annual Digest 2025-2026 is based on over 300 reports received
The CHIRP Annual Digest 2025-2026 is based on over 300 reports received

CHIRP Annual Digest 2025-2026 reveals that the organisation received 330 reports concerning safety, welfare, and compliance issues across all sectors, including commercial shipping, superyachts, fishing, pilotage, offshore installations, ports, search and rescue units, recreational vessels, and the “shadow fleet”.

Whilst praising those who had contributed, Adam Parnell, CHIRP’s Director Maritime said, “Speaking up is not always easy, but your reports have prevented harm, corrected unsafe practices and improved working conditions for many others.” Continue reading “CHIRP Annual Digest 2025-2026 published”

Best practices to avoid complications of mass flow meters

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Best practices to avoid complications of mass flow meters
Best practices to avoid complications of mass flow meters

NorthStandard P&I Club has provided essential information about the potential vulnerabilities and limitations of mass flow meters (MFMs) in bunkering operations, providing key tips for operators to avoid any complications.

As explained by Alvin Forster, Senior Loss Prevention Executive – Americas & UK, NorthStandard, although mass flow meters are designed to improve accuracy and reduce disputes, they are not immune to manipulation. Documented cases in Singapore showed the use of strong magnets placed on sensors to distort readings, resulting in inflated recorded deliveries and significant financial fraud. Continue reading “Best practices to avoid complications of mass flow meters”

Ensure the SMS adequately addresses electrical hazards

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Ensure the SMS adequately addresses electrical hazards
Ensure the SMS adequately addresses electrical hazards

The Liberia Maritime Authority has issued a circular to reinforce mandatory safety requirements and operational controls related to electrical hazards onboard vessels, with particular emphasis on the use, handling, relocation, and isolation of portable electrical equipment.

A number of very serious marine casualties involving fatal electrocution demonstrate that routine shipboard activities can present significant electrical risks when energized equipment is handled without adequate isolation, inspection, Continue reading “Ensure the SMS adequately addresses electrical hazards”

2010 HNS Convention moves closer to entry into force

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Four states set to ratify the HNS Convention
Four states set to ratify the HNS Convention

Four States deposited their instruments of ratification of the International Convention on Liability and Compensation for Damage in Connection with the Carriage of Hazardous and Noxious Substances by Sea, 2010 (2010 HNS Convention), bringing the treaty’s entry into force a step closer.

As announced, Belgium, Germany, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and Sweden have deposited their instruments of ratification to the 2010 HNS Convention, marking an important step toward its entry into force. The Convention seeks to Continue reading “2010 HNS Convention moves closer to entry into force”

Key risks in the carriage of baled Refuse Derived Fuel

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Key risks in the carriage of baled Refuse Derived Fuel
Key risks in the carriage of baled Refuse Derived Fuel

Recent cases have highlighted growing safety and operational concerns linked to the carriage of baled Refuse Derived Fuel, as increasing trade volumes continue to expose its variable—and at times hazardous—behaviour at sea, the Swedish Club has warned.

Refuse Derived Fuel is produced from mixed municipal and commercial waste after sorting and removal of non‑combustible materials. The remaining fraction can contain a significant biodegradable component and often varies considerably in composition. Continue reading “Key risks in the carriage of baled Refuse Derived Fuel”

MCA update on MGN 708(M) Guidance on the merchant shipping ISM regulations

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The UK MCA has released an amendment to MGN 708(M), which sets out guidance and instructions regarding International Safety Management and the application of the Merchant Shipping International Safety Management Regulations 2026.

This notice replaces the 2014 ISM regulations and assimilated regulations 336/2006 in implementing the ISM code in UK law.

It also addresses certain gaps which arose in the previous legislation as a result of the UK leaving the EU, Continue reading “MCA update on MGN 708(M) Guidance on the merchant shipping ISM regulations”

Fishing trawler Freedom II sank following engine room flooding

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Fishing trawler Freedom II sank following engine room flooding. Image caption: Image courtesy of MarineTraffic
Fishing trawler Freedom II sank following engine room flooding. Image caption: Image courtesy of MarineTraffic

Four crewmembers had to be rescued after uncontrolled flooding on prawn trawler Freedom II caused the vessel to founder and later sink off the Scottish coast.

The MAIB received 230 reports of flooding of fishing vessels between 2013 and 2022, of which 78 (34%) resulted in the loss of the vessel. The data indicates flooding remains a significant safety issue. Continue reading “Fishing trawler Freedom II sank following engine room flooding”

Key considerations for the carriage of cement

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Key considerations for the carriage of cement. Photo credit: Britannia P&I Club
Key considerations for the carriage of cement. Photo credit: Britannia P&I Club

The volume of seaborne cement trade continues to grow, with the most recent annual figure estimated to be over 145 million tonnes, however, the carriage of cement on conventional bulk carriers presents significant operational challenges, Britannia P&I Club explains.

According to Britannia P&I Club, bulk cement is typically carried on dedicated cement carriers or standard bulk carriers. On dedicated carriers, cement is loaded from shore silos through a pneumatic system and discharged via a closed self-unloading system, where compressed air fluidizes the cargo and a vacuum pipeline transfers it to shore—effectively minimizing dust and preventing hardening. In comparison, loading cement on conventional bulk carriers, whether in bulk or in bags, remains a much more challenging operation. Continue reading “Key considerations for the carriage of cement”

Update on MGN 675 (M+F) guidance for control and management of ships’ ballast water and sediments regulations

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Update on MGN 675 (M+F) guidance for control and management of ships’ ballast water and sediments regulations
Update on MGN 675 (M+F) guidance for control and management of ships’ ballast water and sediments regulations

The UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency has published an update to MGN 675 (M+F) Amendment 2 The merchant shipping (control and management of ships’ ballast water and sediments) regulations 2022.

This notice provides important information on the UK’s implementation of the international convention for the control and management of ships’ ballast water and sediments 2004, which aims to address the spread of invasive non-native species by ballast water and sediments. Continue reading “Update on MGN 675 (M+F) guidance for control and management of ships’ ballast water and sediments regulations”

Study raises alarm on marine fiberglass pollution

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Study raises alarm on marine fiberglass pollution
Study raises alarm on marine fiberglass pollution

Simon Fraser University researchers have uncovered concerning fibreglass contamination in a key estuary on Vancouver Island, raising concerns about how an as-yet overlooked contaminant could affect aquatic birds, marine life and coastal communities that rely on shellfish and seafood.

A new SFU study found fibreglass particles buried in the sediment and biofilm layers of the Cowichan Estuary, a 400-hectare intertidal ecosystem used by the Cowichan Tribes First Nations for generations. The areas is an internationally designated important bird area and used for harvesting clams, geoducks, crabs, waterfowl, cod roe, urchins and salmon. Continue reading “Study raises alarm on marine fiberglass pollution”

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