News

West P&I has noticed an increase in fire incidents to containers containing charcoal and carbon

The West P&I Club has noted a number of recent container fire incidents related to containers which were declared as miscellaneous items but actually contained charcoal/carbon. This is a commodity liable to spontaneous combustion. These containers were below deck and when fires broke out there was considerable damage caused to the vessel and other cargo by the fire and the water used to extinguish the fire.

The vessels’ CO2 system assisted in putting the fires out. Fire experts have also advised that they are aware of numerous other fires in containers of charcoal tablets in recent months. Continue reading “West P&I has noticed an increase in fire incidents to containers containing charcoal and carbon”

The BSU annual report published

The German Bureau of Maritime Casualty Investigation annual report published
The German Bureau of Maritime Casualty Investigation annual report published

The German Bureau of Maritime Casualty Investigation (BSU) has published its 67 page annual report and it doing so it has noted that the total number of notifications is significantly higher than in 2020.

There were 659 incidents reported in 2021 in comparison with 602 the previous year – an increase of almost 20%. The number of reports outside the statutory responsibility of the BSU is almost identical in terms of actual figures (249 in 2020 versus 247 today), but has fallen in percentage terms from 42% to 38%.

In particular, marine casualties according to the IMO Code have increased from 109 to 132, representing an increase of more than 20%. The number of incidents has also increased by almost 15% from 244 to 280. Continue reading “The BSU annual report published”

Bow thruster problems led to Apollo incident reveals TSB report

Master unaware of bow thruster’s problems due to lack of mitigating measures reveals TSB report
Master unaware of bow thruster’s problems due to lack of mitigating measures reveals TSB report

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) has released its investigation report on a March 2019 berthing incident involving the roll-on/roll-off ferry Apollo in Matane, Quebec.

On 16 March 2019, the crew was preparing the Apollo for the return trip from Godbout to Matane. In response to a request by the master, the chief engineer went to the starboard bridge wing console to look into replacing the button that was used to activate control of the bow thruster at that console. The plan was to replace the existing button in the next few days with one that would illuminate to indicate the operational status of the bow thruster. Continue reading “Bow thruster problems led to Apollo incident reveals TSB report”

Reflections and highlights from UK Maritime Safety Week

Broken rope ladder
Broken rope ladder

This year’s Maritime Safety Week commenced on 4 July. Over the course of the week, a series of blogs reiterating safety messages to the industry were published by the MAIB. A few of the highlights are published below.

Andrew Moll OBE
Opening Maritime Safety Week, Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents, Andrew Moll OBE, said:
“Today marks the start of Maritime Safety Week 2022, an important moment when the marine industry comes together to focus on how we can collectively continue to improve safety across the sector. As the MAIB has done in previous years, this week we plan to highlight a number of key areas of ongoing concern and reiterate the safety messages that the industry must note. Continue reading “Reflections and highlights from UK Maritime Safety Week”

UK Waterways Ombudsman annual report 2021-2022 published

The Waterways Ombudsman annual report detailed 63 enquiries, 51 of which were directly about the Canal & River Trust, one about the Avon Navigation Trust (which was not upheld) and the others about bodies not in jurisdiction.

“When considering the number of people who access the waterways for business, leisure or their home, complaint numbers are very low. The Trust invests a great deal of time and effort in providing a good customer service and its new customer relations system appears to be enhancing the customer experience,” said Sarah Daniel, current Ombudsman. Continue reading “UK Waterways Ombudsman annual report 2021-2022 published”

Swedish Club guidelines for bills of lading published

The Swedish Club has released a set of guidelines covering the most common issues with bills of lading. The Swedish Club guidelines have been written in response to requests from operators asking for further support in dealing with some of the practical and theoretical aspects of bills of lading.

Despite their seeming simplicity, a bill of lading is still a contract, and the reality is that whilst there is a lot of information available, it is not always easy to find. Part of the issue is that much of the available advice is found in legal textbooks, which may reach a restricted audience The Swedish Club said. Continue reading “Swedish Club guidelines for bills of lading published”

ClassNK releases comprehensively revised structural rules

Leading Classification Society ClassNK released a comprehensively revised version of Part C of its Rules and Guidance for the Survey and Construction of Steel Ships setting the requirements for hull structures on 1 July 2022.

ClassNK is constantly revising its Rules and Guidance in order to reflect the latest results from relevant research and development projects, feedback from damage investigations, requests from industry, as well as changes made to the relevant regulations such as international conventions. Continue reading “ClassNK releases comprehensively revised structural rules”

UK boating numbers on canals and rivers increase

numbers on canals and rivers increase
numbers on canals and rivers increase

The UK Canals and Rivers Trust national boat count shows an increase in boaters using the canals across England and Wales over the last three years. The last full annual boat count took place in 2019, with the pandemic affecting the counts scheduled for 2020 and 2021. The count reveals that the number of boaters rose by 3.3 per cent across England and Wales and there was also a licence compliance rate of 94.1 per cent.

Over the course of the last three years the survey shows a slight drop in the percentage of licensed boats, down from 96.5 per cent in 2019 to 94.1 per cent this year, together with an increase in boats taking a licence without a home mooring Continue reading “UK boating numbers on canals and rivers increase”

Improperly maintained fluids in well control equipment systems

Improperly maintained fluids in well control equipment systems
Improperly maintained fluids in well control equipment systems

The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) has informed the industry about several recent offshore incidences where fluids used in well control equipment systems have been improperly maintained.

According to BSEE, two identified fluid contamination issues include the following:
– Nickel leaching into demineralized water in well control equipment, fluid systems.
– Calcium soap build-up in some control fluid systems, potentially caused by mixing the liquid concentrate with a chemical Continue reading “Improperly maintained fluids in well control equipment systems”

Reported injuries due to stored energy in slings

Reported injuries due to stored energy in slings
Reported injuries due to stored energy in slings

The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) has issued advice and lessons learnt following injuries sustained by offshore crew working with stored energy in slings. By issuing this information, BSEE hopes to prevent similar incidents in the future.

There have been multiple instances across the Gulf of Mexico in which offshore personnel have sustained injuries to the face while working with slings. These incidents resulted from stored energy in the slings. Recent incidents include the following:
– December 2021: A contract roustabout slid a sling off a joint of drill pipe, which left a double loop in the sling. While unhooking the shackle Continue reading “Reported injuries due to stored energy in slings”

What’s new with SOLAS 2024?

DNV GL Logo
DNV GL Logo

A set of amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and the associated Codes enter into force on 1 January 2024. This statutory news from DNV highlights the changes that have been adopted for the 2024 update of SOLAS and its associated Codes.

The SOLAS Convention is regarded as the most important of all international treaties concerning the safety of merchant ships. Amendments to the technical provisions generally follow a four-year cycle of entry into force. This news highlights Continue reading “What’s new with SOLAS 2024?”

First flying electric ferry set to transform public transport

concept of an electric flying ferry
concept of an electric flying ferry

The world’s fastest electric ferry, the Candela P-12 Shuttle, is set to hit Stockholm’s waters next year, heralding a new era of transport. The innovative hydrofoiling electric ferry will reduce emissions and slash commuting times and the city believes it will make waterborne public transport more attractive than trains, buses and cars.

The marine technology company Candela released the first pictures of what will be the world’s fastest, longest-range and most energy efficient electric ship ever. The Candela P-12 Shuttle, as the innovative vessel is called, will be shuttling citizens between the sprawling Stockholm suburb of Ekerö and the city center in the coming year. Continue reading “First flying electric ferry set to transform public transport”

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