News

Reefer claims increase sharply over the pandemic is key report finding

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The Swedish ClubA new report by the Swedish Club, called “Container Claims – Refrigerated Containers,” has identified a peak in refrigerated (reefer) container claims during the pandemic as a result of disruptions in the supply chain, with a high number of reefer containers being delayed either in port or during transportation to and from port via road or rail.

Between 2021 and 2022 the Club saw an increase in reefer container claims of 270%, with 4.1% of all container vessels having a reefer claim in 2020 compared with 11.4% in 2021. Reefer containers are the main cause of all container claims with 30% of the Club’s total container claims being due to refrigerated cargo damage over the last five years. Continue reading “Reefer claims increase sharply over the pandemic is key report finding”

NTSB concludes high winds and lack of weather data contributed to the Seacor Power tragedy

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The Seacor Power TragedyAhead of the soon to be published full National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation report into the Seacor Power capsizing, the agency has issued a report abstract.

NTSB says it finds no fault in the captain’s decision to get underway, but acknowledged gaps in weather data made available to the crew. The NTSB has issued three safety recommendations to the U.S. Coast Guard and reiterated a fourth one about the use of personal locator beacons following the agency’s investigation into last year’s fatal capsizing of the Seacor Power liftboat in Continue reading “NTSB concludes high winds and lack of weather data contributed to the Seacor Power tragedy”

Requirements for the use of scrubbers in Australia issued by AMSA

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AMSA on scrubbersThe Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has published a marine notice to advise vessel owners, operators, masters and marine surveyors of Australia’s requirements for the use of Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (EGCS) or scrubbers.

The use of an EGCS or scrubbers is permitted in Australian waters as an option to comply with the low sulphur fuel requirements of MARPOL Annex VI, as set out in the Protection of the Sea (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Act 1983, section 26FEGA, provided it is approved by the vessel’s flag State Administration, or a recognised organisation appointed by the flag State. The EGCS must also be operated in accordance with International Maritime Organization (IMO) requirements, including the 2021 Guidelines for Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (resolution MEPC.340(77)). Continue reading “Requirements for the use of scrubbers in Australia issued by AMSA”

Crew unfamiliarity with fixed fire-extinguishing system caused towboat fire

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Fire-extinguishing system failure
Fire-extinguishing system failure

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released an investigation report on the towing vessel Capt. Kirby Dupuis, which experienced an engine fire on November 9, 2021 caused by a fire-extinguishing system fail.

On November 4, 2021, at 0600, the Capt. Kirby Dupuis departed Paducah, Kentucky (near mile 950), bound upriver for Steubenville, Ohio (near mile 68), pushing thirteen dry cargo barges filled with sand, rock, and steel. The vessel had a crew of six: the captain, pilot, a “deckineer”, and three deckhands. The deckineer was completing a company training program to be qualified as an engineer.

On the morning of November 9, the towboat was transiting with both engines about 1,275-1,290 rpm Continue reading “Crew unfamiliarity with fixed fire-extinguishing system caused towboat fire”

Biofouling Management for Recreational Boating Report published

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Biofueling management for recreational boatingThe GloFouling Partnerships, led by the IMO in collaboration with the International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA), World Sailing, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), has published a new Biofouling Management for Recreational Boating Report.

The aim of the report is to stop the spread of invasive aquatic species which can adhere to hulls and other areas of recreational craft by addressing how to manage biofouling. The report provides an overview of invasive aquatic species which are believed to have been introduced to different areas of the world through recreational boating. Current regulations and guidance are presented, as well as an overview of anti-fouling paints. Continue reading “Biofouling Management for Recreational Boating Report published”

Disposal of marine pyrotechnics from the UK pleasure vessel sector to change

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Man holding a flareNew arrangements for disposing of redundant marine pyrotechnics, known as flares, are being rolled out by the pleasure vessel industry in the UK. This will replace the voluntary and temporary scheme which His Majesty’s Coastguard has been providing since 2010 from 17 of its stations and the RNLI at its headquarters in Poole, Dorset. The new arrangements, supported by both British Marine and the Royal Yachting Association, will provide a website showing links to businesses offering disposal services across the United Kingdom.

On the 31 December 2022, the current HM Coastguard scheme will end and the Maritime and Coastguard Continue reading “Disposal of marine pyrotechnics from the UK pleasure vessel sector to change”

Valve of cargo line caused injury aboard MTS Central Park

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Cargo pipes of MTS Central Park
Cargo pipes of MTS Central Park

Belgium’s Federal Bureau for the Investigation of Maritime Accidents (FEBIMA) has issued its report following a serious incident onboard the MTS Central Park, when a mist of sulphuric acid came into contact with the AB. The seafarer suffered second degree burns on his back, on the back of his neck, on his arms and his face.

On May 31st, 2021, MTS Central Park was on her way to the port of Antwerp to load a cargo of sulphuric acid, a corrosive product. Around 10:00 hours, a cargo operations meeting was held in the cargo control room. The meeting was organised by the Chief Officer and attended by all crew involved in cargo operations. Continue reading “Valve of cargo line caused injury aboard MTS Central Park”

2012 Cape Town Agreement must be ratified as soon as possible

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Fishing vessel - Image credit: IMO
Fishing vessel – Image credit: IMO

The 11th October 2022 marked the 10th anniversary since the adoption of the 2012 Cape Town Agreement, the key international treaty applicable to large industrial fishing vessels aimed at providing safety standards. IMO Secretary-General, Kitack Lim, has urged for it to be ratified by Member States.

Despite extensive efforts by IMO Member States, other UN agencies, observers and the IMO Secretariat, the Agreement is not yet in force. As a result, there are, as yet, no globally mandatory requirements for the design, construction and equipment of fishing vessels, including life-saving, fire protection and radio-communications equipment to be carried on board. Continue reading “2012 Cape Town Agreement must be ratified as soon as possible”

Insulation panels contaminated with oil caused fire

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Site of the fire - Photo credit: FEBIMA
Site of the fire – Photo credit: FEBIMA

Belgium’s Federal Bureau for the Investigation of Maritime Accidents (FEBIMA) has released its investigation report into the fire that broke out on board TSHD UILENSPIEGEL resulting in damage to the engine room caused by contaminated insulation panels.

On 26 January 2021,TSHD UILENSPIEGEL was moored at pier 0 at Lisnave shipyard, Setubal, Portugal. The vessel was afloat again after a period in dry dock where maintenance had been carried out, including an overhaul of the vessel’s main engines. The ship’s crew had been involved in the overhaul task, together with shipyard personnel and a service engineer from MAN, the manufacturer of the main engines. On the morning of 26 January, the running in of the main engines commenced. Continue reading “Insulation panels contaminated with oil caused fire”

Sounding pipes should be clear of debris or cargo

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Deck of a cargo ship being flooded
Deck of a cargo ship being flooded

The Swedish Club has provided lessons learned from an incident where water had entered cargo hold 1 of a bulker, causing wet damage and clogged sounding pipes. As part of its ongoing series into hatch cover incidents.

A bulk carrier had a full cargo of zinc concentrate on board and was sailing from the west coast to the east coast of South America. When the vessel passed Cape Horn it experienced heavy weather of Beaufort scale 9 with green sea covering the cargo hold covers 1, 2 and 3. This continued for four days as the vessel battled the waves. The vessel had no weather routeing.

When the weather calmed down the Master asked the Chief Officer to inspect the cargo holds. Continue reading “Sounding pipes should be clear of debris or cargo”

Importance of inspecting hatch covers to ensure their weathertight

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150 years - The Swedish Club
150 years – The Swedish Club on hatch cover inspection

The Swedish Club has highlighted the importance of securing and inspecting hatch covers and checking that they are in good condition. In presenting a case study, the Club explains how seawater may ingress into cargo holds in bad condition can cause serious damage.

The incident

A bulk carrier had been fully loaded with grains. The vessel had side rolling cargo hatch covers. For six days, the vessel encountered heavy weather at Beaufort scale 9 which caused it to pitch and roll heavily. During the voyage the cargo hatch covers were washed over by seawater.

When the vessel was at anchor and waiting for an available berth the hatch covers were opened. This was to ensure the vessel Continue reading “Importance of inspecting hatch covers to ensure their weathertight”

River Canal Rescue’s callouts set to reach an all-time high by the end of the year.

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Canal boatThe inland waterways rescue organisation, River Canal Rescue, says its callouts figures up to September 30 are already 3318, ahead of 3235 logged for 2021, and 2850 rescues in 2020.

The callouts have generally been for electrical, fuel and engine issues, flat batteries, over-heating and gear box failures, with River Canal Rescue saying the rise is due to the high number of people unable to visit and maintain their boats during lockdown, resulting in minor niggles now becoming larger problems.

“Figures are currently at an unseasonable high and we still Continue reading “River Canal Rescue’s callouts set to reach an all-time high by the end of the year.”

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