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Minister of Transport calls for proposals to improve boating safety across Canada

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Minister of Transport calls for proposals to improve boating safety across Canada
Minister of Transport calls for proposals to improve boating safety across Canada

More than 12 million Canadian adults participate in recreational boating every year, but preventable accidents continue to result in injuries and fatalities on the water. To help improve safety, Transport Canada is supporting education and awareness initiatives that promote safe boating practices and behaviours on the water.

As part of the Safe Boating Awareness Week, the Honourable Steven MacKinnon, Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, announced a call for proposals under the Boating Safety Contribution Program. The application period is open until 21st September 2026. Continue reading “Minister of Transport calls for proposals to improve boating safety across Canada”

New Bill introduced to eliminate diesel-powered ferries across New York State

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New Bill introduced to eliminate diesel-powered ferries across New York State
New Bill introduced to eliminate diesel-powered ferries across New York State

On 19 May, US lawmakers introduced the Clean Ferries Bill (A11303/S10381), a proposal aimed to eliminate diesel-powered ferries emissions across New York State. The bill requires publicly funded ferry operators to purchase only zero-emission vessels starting in 2028, with all public vessels in state waters required to be zero-emission by 2032. It also directs the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority to study charging infrastructure along major waterways, including the Hudson River.

Supporters say the measure targets a major source of pollution Continue reading “New Bill introduced to eliminate diesel-powered ferries across New York State”

UK support for the Cape Town Agreement is huge step forward for international fishing safety

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IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez receives MCA Director for Technical Maritime Services Fraser Heasley and MCA Fishing Vessel Safety Lead David Fenner, to confirm the UK’s accession to the Cape Town Agreement
IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez receives MCA Director for Technical Maritime Services Fraser Heasley and MCA Fishing Vessel Safety Lead David Fenner, to confirm the UK’s accession to the Cape Town Agreement

Fishing is one of the world’s most dangerous industries, and the International Maritime Organization’s Cape Town Agreement (2012) aims to improve the safety of fishers on an international scale via the Cape Town Agreement.

The agreement sets out mandatory minimum safety standards for fishing vessels, more than 24m in length, and their crew, as well as the combating of illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing. Coming into force next year, the Cape Town Agreement is expected to boost safety standards for tens of thousands of vessels worldwide, covering areas like survey and inspection, protection of crew, emergency procedures, and construction. Continue reading “UK support for the Cape Town Agreement is huge step forward for international fishing safety”

Sisters run virtual TCS London Marathon in support of Sailors’ Society

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Finishing in under six hours, IIMS member Catherine Linley ran the virtual TCS London Marathon MyWay in support of Sailors’ Society – IIMS’ chosen charity.

Two women in running gear smiling and holding a TCS London Marathon MyWay banner on a sunny, grassy area with blue skies.
Catherine Linley and her sister, Hilary, ran the virtual TCS London Marathon MyWay 2026.

Catherine first contacted the maritime charity to take part in the event on their behalf after hearing about it via IIMS. She went on to complete the event with her sister, Hilary, by running along the Linear Trail and the beaches of Adelaide in “glorious weather”.

Despite managing injuries in the lead up to the day, the sisters supported each other to the finish line where they were swept up by family members.

Catherine said she was proud of their effort but was acutely aware of the privilege wrapped around it. Continue reading “Sisters run virtual TCS London Marathon in support of Sailors’ Society”

Black Sea MoU publishes Port State Control Annual Report 2025

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Black Sea MoU logo
The Black Sea MoU has released its Port State Control Annual Report 2025.

The Black Sea MoU said that in 2025 the average detention percentage rose to 6.78% — the highest level recorded since 2007.

In its Port State Control Annual Report 2025, the Black Sea MoU said its member authorities carried out a total of 5,117 inspections, representing an 11.6% increase compared to 2024. This remains approximately 3% below the ten-year average of 5,274 inspections under the New Inspection Regime, which began in 2016.

Continue reading “Black Sea MoU publishes Port State Control Annual Report 2025”

Latest guidance for shipping lithium-ion cells and batteries in containers

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Guidance for shipping lithium-ion cells and batteries in containers has been published
Guidance for shipping lithium-ion cells and batteries in containers has been published

In response to the growing risks associated with the maritime transport and shipping lithium-ion cells and batteries, the following guidance for shipping lithium-ion cells and batteries in containers has been published. Lithium-ion cells are the core components of batteries and come in various forms, as they are widely used in portable electronics and electric vehicles because they can efficiently store and release energy through the movement of lithium ions between positive and negative electrodes. However, due to their chemical properties, lithium-ion cells and batteries are classified as dangerous goods and must be handled with care. Released against a backdrop of rising concern, the guidance comes as battery-related incidents at sea become both more frequent and more severe. Continue reading “Latest guidance for shipping lithium-ion cells and batteries in containers”

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”

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