Accident Reports

NTSB says lithium-ion batteries caused Genius Star XI fires

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NTSB says lithium-ion batteries caused Genius Star XI fires
NTSB says lithium-ion batteries caused Genius Star XI fires

Heavy weather and an improperly secured cargo of lithium-ion battery energy storage system (BESS) units led to two fires on board the cargo vessel Genius Star XI – causing $3.8 million in damages, according to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

What happened

​On December 25, 2023, at 0830, while the cargo vessel Genius Star XI was transiting the North Pacific Ocean in heavy weather with a cargo of lithium-ion battery energy storage system units on board, a fire was discovered in a cargo hold. Continue reading “NTSB says lithium-ion batteries caused Genius Star XI fires”

Prawn trawler Odyssey sank after crew left wash pumps running

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Prawn trawler Odyssey sank after crew left wash pumps running. Image courtesy of Fishing News
Prawn trawler Odyssey sank after crew left wash pumps running. Image courtesy of Fishing News

Six crewmembers were forced to abandon ship after prawn trawler Odyssey capsized and sank in the North Sea on 29 October 2024. Its crew were rescued from a liferaft uninjured.

According to the UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB), the accident occurred after high-capacity deck wash pumps were left running unattended, while the crew recovered the fishing gear, discharging water onto the vessel’s weathertight shelter deck. It is likely that a blocked tonnage valve prevented the water from escaping, resulting in rapid flooding and a catastrophic loss of stability. Continue reading “Prawn trawler Odyssey sank after crew left wash pumps running”

MV Estonia investigation closed as incident due to bow failure

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MV Estonia investigation closed as incident due to bow failure
MV Estonia investigation closed as incident due to bow failure

Authorities have concluded the investigation into the 1994 sinking of the MV Estonia citing the failure of the ferry’s bow section as the cause of the incident.

On September 28, 1994, the Estonian-flagged ferry Estonia sank during the regular route from Tallinn to Stockholm.

There were 989 people on board – only 137 survived. 852 people died in the accident and the bodies of 95 drowned people were found. Most of the victims were Swedish (501) and Estonian (285) citizens. Continue reading “MV Estonia investigation closed as incident due to bow failure”

Report released on fatal mooring incident aboard motor tanker

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Report released on fatal mooring incident aboard motor tanker
Report released on fatal mooring incident aboard motor tanker

The HM Government of Gibraltar has published an accident report into the death of a pumpman on board a motor tanker at the Port of Gibraltar due to a fatal mooring incident.

On the afternoon of the 20 May 2025, the pumpman of the Gibraltar Registered tanker Nisyros was fatally injured whilst operating the port forward mooring winch during heaving in excess rope becoming entrapped in the mooring rope around the winch and sadly died of multiple injuries. Continue reading “Report released on fatal mooring incident aboard motor tanker”

RMI investigation into enclosed space death in tanker

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RMI investigation into enclosed space death in tanker
RMI investigation into enclosed space death in tanker

The Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administrator has released an investigation report into the death of a crewmember from tanker TRF Kashima after the sailor and two other crewmembers had entered an enclosed space and fell unconscious.

What happened

On 14 July 2024, the Republic of the Marshall Islands-registered oil/chemical tanker TRF Kashima, managed by Anglo Eastern Shipmanagement (Singapore) PTE. LTD., was underway in the South China Sea en route to the Republic of Singapore, where the ship was due to arrive on the morning of 16 July 2024. Work being done on board included cleaning of the ship’s cargo tanks. Continue reading “RMI investigation into enclosed space death in tanker”

UK Lords Committee criticises delay in implementing recommendations from marine accident reports

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UK Lords Committee criticises delay in implement recommendations from marine accident reports
UK Lords Committee criticises delay in implementing recommendations from marine accident reports

In its 44th report of Session 24-26, the cross-party House of Lords Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee has criticised the length of time taken by the Marine and Coastguard Agency (MCA) to implement recommendations from marine accident reports, made by the Merchant Shipping (Vessels in Commercial Use for Sport or Pleasure) Regulations 2025 (the Regulations). The Regulations set out various requirements for small and large vessels and introduce additional requirements arising from recommendations made in two reports by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch. Continue reading “UK Lords Committee criticises delay in implementing recommendations from marine accident reports”

ATSB investigation into serious fall injury in engine room of Spirit of Tasmania I

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ATSB investigation into serious fall injury in engine room of Spirit of Tasmania I. Gopal Vijayaraghavan (via Wikimedia Commons) CC BY 2.0
ATSB investigation into serious fall injury in engine room of Spirit of Tasmania I. Gopal Vijayaraghavan (via Wikimedia Commons) CC BY 2.0

Safety management system procedures were not effectively implemented when the Spirit of Tasmania I’s second engineer was seriously injured in a fall during engine maintenance earlier this year, said the final report from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau.

 What happened

At about 0600 on 6 March 2025, the second engineer of Spirit of Tasmania I began a routine oil change on one of the ship’s main engine turbochargers. Problems were encountered during the oil change, and it was decided to replace the turbocharger’s bearing housing cover plate. This significant change to the scope of work required access to the top of the engine. Continue reading “ATSB investigation into serious fall injury in engine room of Spirit of Tasmania I”

BSafe case study: Benzene vapour death following unauthorised tank entry

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BSafe case study: Benzene vapour death following unauthorised tank entry
BSafe case study: Benzene vapour death following unauthorised tank entry

Britannia P&I Club have cautioned its members on the dangers of entering an enclosed space after a benzene vapour death in the cargo hold of a tanker.

Background

An 8,270 gt oil/chemical tanker had discharged benzene on its previous voyage and was proceeding in ballast towards Korea to load its next nominated cargo. The ship had completed discharge at Jiangyin, China and departed for Yeosu, Korea. The planned sequence between voyages included a full cycle of gas freeing and cleaning of cargo tanks in preparation for the next chemical cargo. Continue reading “BSafe case study: Benzene vapour death following unauthorised tank entry”

MAIB publishes preliminary report on scrap metal fire on Altay

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Images courtesy of Humberside Fire & Rescue Service
Images courtesy of Humberside Fire & Rescue Service

A report regarding a scrap metal fire in the cargo hold of bulk carrier Altay has highlighted the importance of cargo loading monitoring and cargo pre-loading inspection.

The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has released a preliminary assessment of the incident which took place in 2025. Nearby residents and business owners had been advised to keep their doors and windows securely closed while firefighters tackled the blaze. Continue reading “MAIB publishes preliminary report on scrap metal fire on Altay”

Gaschem Homer blackout due to generator issue in Port of Brisbane

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Gaschen Homer blackout due to generator issue in port of Brisbane. Source: ATSB
Gaschem Homer blackout due to generator issue in port of Brisbane. Source: ATSB

The gas tanker had just left its berth at the Port of Brisbane when it lost propulsion for two minutes as two of its three electrical generators were not properly configured causing the Gaschem Homer blackout, according to an Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) final report.

What happened

At 1100 local time on 15 March 2025, Gaschem Homer was departing for sea from its berth in the port of Brisbane, Queensland, under the conduct of a harbour pilot. At 1104, while the ship was being turned towards the port’s entrance, it experienced an electrical blackout, resulting in the total loss of propulsion and steering control. About two minutes later, the crew restored the electrical power. The incident did not result in damage or injury. Continue reading “Gaschem Homer blackout due to generator issue in Port of Brisbane”

TSB Canada highlights importance of safeguards to prevent accidental lifeboat releases

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The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is urging stronger safety measures after a crew member was seriously injured aboard the bulk carrier Golden Zhejiang’s lifeboat in 2023. The TSB highlights the need for proper procedures for risk assessments, equipment-specific training, and a safety management system supported by a mature safety culture with a trusted process for communication between crew and shore personnel to prevent accidental lifeboat releases. Continue reading “TSB Canada highlights importance of safeguards to prevent accidental lifeboat releases”

NTSB: loose wire on containership Dali led to Scott Key Bridge collision

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The containership Dali with portions of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge across its forward deck. (Source: NTSB)

​​​The US National Transportation Safety Board said a single loose wire on the Dali containership caused an electrical blackout that led to the vessel hitting the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which then collapsed, killing six highway workers.

At a public meeting, investigators said the loose wire in the ship’s electrical system caused a breaker to unexpectedly open – beginning a sequence of events that led to two vessel blackouts and a loss of both propulsion and steering near the 2.37-mile-long Key Bridge on March 26, 2024. Investigators found that wire-label banding prevented the wire from being fully inserted into a terminal block spring-clamp gate, causing an inadequate connection. Continue reading “NTSB: loose wire on containership Dali led to Scott Key Bridge collision”

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