Containership MSC Rita and Tremont collision report published

Containership MSC Rita and fishing vessel collision report published
Containership MSC Rita and fishing vessel collision report published

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its investigation report on the collision between containership MSC Rita and fishing vessel Tremont which happened on October 28, 2022.

On October 28, 2022, about 0036 local time, the containership MSC Rita and the fishing vessel Tremont were underway in the Atlantic Ocean, 55 miles southeast of Chincoteague, Virginia, when the two vessels collided. The 13 people aboard the Tremont abandoned the vessel and were rescued by Good Samaritan vessels and a US Coast Guard helicopter. No injuries were reported. Continue reading “Containership MSC Rita and Tremont collision report published”

Milagro Investigation: Serious burn injuries to a crew member

Simulation of what happened aboard Milagro
Simulation of what happened aboard Milagro

Transport Malta has published an investigation report in response to an incident that took place aboard Milagro on 26 September 2022. Whilst Milagro was drifting outside the Republic of Korea’s territorial waters, the fitter was assigned to replace a leaking hydraulic pipe on the main deck. An oxy-acetylene torch was used to cut the Ubolts, which secured the pipe to the pipe supports on the deck.

Whilst cutting the last U-bolt, which was close to the forward flange, the pipe slipped off its supports. Oil from the pipe splashed onto the fitter and immediately ignited. Continue reading “Milagro Investigation: Serious burn injuries to a crew member”

Seadogz report – An accident waiting to happen is MAIB finding into fatal RIB crash

Seadogz report published - an accident waiting to happen says the MAIB
Seadogz report published – an accident waiting to happen says the MAIB

The Seadogz report into an accident on the morning of 22 August 2020 when the commercially operated rigid inflatable boat (RIB) crashed into a 4.5m high, 5-ton channel marker in Southampton Water at a speed of 38.4 knots has been published. The RIB’s engine stopped abruptly and two of the passengers were catapulted overboard into the water, where their lifejackets inflated.

All eleven passengers and the skipper were treated in hospital, most for substantial impact injuries. One, a 15-year-old passenger, had sustained severe injuries when she was thrown against the handhold directly in front of the bench seat. She died in hospital that afternoon.

Continue reading “Seadogz report – An accident waiting to happen is MAIB finding into fatal RIB crash”

Safety warning issued by MAIB after serious injury during a sea safari ride

Safety warning issued by MAIB after serious injury during a sea safari ride
Safety warning issued by MAIB after serious injury during a sea safari ride

On 7 June 2023, a passenger suffered a serious injury during a sea safari ride (RIB) in which he suffered a spinal injury that left them paralysed from the waist downwards. Twelve passengers had boarded the RIB and, once it was clear of the jetty, the two crew gave them a safety briefing and instruction on the wearing of lifejackets. The RIB then proceeded out to sea and was increasing speed in choppy sea conditions when it encountered a steep-sided wave. The boat fell off the wave and slammed violently into the trough, dislodging the passenger from a seat at the forward end of the boat. Continue reading “Safety warning issued by MAIB after serious injury during a sea safari ride”

Report on engine room fire on Moritz Schulte with loss of one life

At 0918 on 4 August 2020, the liquefied petroleum gas/ethylene carrier Moritz Schulte suffered an engine room fire while discharging a cargo of ethylene alongside the port of Antwerp, Belgium. The newly promoted third engineer, who was working on an auxiliary engine fuel filter, had not effectively isolated the fuel system and both he and an adjacent auxiliary engine’s hot exhaust were sprayed with fuel under pressure. The fuel spray penetrated the exhaust insulation and ignited.

Prompt actions by the crew closed down the space to limit the spread of fire. The subsequent crew muster identifed that the third engineer was missing and had last been seen in the engine room. Continue reading “Report on engine room fire on Moritz Schulte with loss of one life”

Wakashio report by the Panama Maritime Authority issued 3 years after Mauritius grounding

Overview of the damage to the Wakashio
Overview of the damage to the Wakashio

Almost 3 years after bulk carrier, the Wakashio, ran aground and spilled oil along the coast of Mauritius, the Panama Maritime Authority’s investigation report into the accident has been made public. The bulk carrier was not carrying cargo when it grounded on a reef off Mauritius’ Pointe d’Esny during a voyage from Singapore to Brazil on July 25, 2020. The incident sparked an “environmental emergency” after the ship broke up and spilled approximately 1,000 tonnes of fuel oil into the pristine waters. The report does not contain any major Continue reading “Wakashio report by the Panama Maritime Authority issued 3 years after Mauritius grounding”

Doubler plate failure likely cause of Grace Marie sinking

The Fishing vesselThe National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has issued its investigation report about the flooding and subsequent sinking of fishing vessel Grace Marie on 8th July 2022.

On 8 July 2022, about 2200 local time, the fishing vessel Grace Marie was about 80 miles east of Gloucester, Massachusetts, transiting to fishing grounds, when the engine room began flooding. The seven strong crew was unable to pump out the water with the vessel’s bilge pumping system, and they abandoned into an inflatable liferaft. A nearby Good Samaritan vessel rescued the crew, and no injuries were reported. An oil sheen was observed the next day in the area where the vessel was last seen. The Grace Marie, valued at $650,000, was a total loss. Continue reading “Doubler plate failure likely cause of Grace Marie sinking”

MAIB report published into death overboard from Copious

The Copious before accidentAt about 0300 on 18 February 2021, a deckhand fell overboard from the twin rig stern trawler Copious (LK 985) approximately 30 nautical miles south-east of the Shetland Islands. The deckhand was conscious, wearing a lifejacket and was quickly brought alongside the vessel. However, the crew’s attempts to recover the casualty back on board were unsuccessful. He was unresponsive when recovered from the water by a coastguard helicopter and pronounced dead on arrival at hospital.

Safety Issues

– The deckhand fell overboard while attempting a repair to the trawl gear. There was no attempt to stop and consider the repair and the activity was not effectively risk assessed or mitigated. Continue reading “MAIB report published into death overboard from Copious”

Cracks in a muffler led to fire on towing vessel reveals NTSB report

A cracked mufflerCracks in a muffler coupled with the use of combustible materials in accommodation spaces caused a fire on a towing vessel last year on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway near Freeport, Texas, is the key finding in the National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB) report.

On June 25, 2022, the towing vessel, Mary Dupre, left Port Comfort, Texas, bound for Houston. She was pushing a single barge loaded with bio-diesel fuel. The fire broke out the following day. No injuries were reported, and nearby Good Samaritan towing vessels retrieved the barge, extinguished the fire, and evacuated the crewmembers. However, the Mary Dupre was a total loss, with damages estimated at $1 million. Continue reading “Cracks in a muffler led to fire on towing vessel reveals NTSB report”

Oily rags were the cause of luxury yacht fire are accident investigation findings

Fire on yachtThe marine environment takes a toll on coatings, and to keep up with maintenance, most ships’ crews use oil-based paints and finishes almost every day that the weather allows. These materials come with an inherent fire risk, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has warned, because waste and rags from cleanup can easily combust. For finishes containing linseed oil – a common ingredient in wood finishes – the risk is elevated by the material’s tendency to self-heat and ignite. Left alone, a linseed-soaked rag can catch fire without any external source of ignition as the crew of the yacht Pegasus discovered last year .It seems that Oily rags were the cause of luxury yacht fire Continue reading “Oily rags were the cause of luxury yacht fire are accident investigation findings”

Overreliance on ECDIS seen as factor in Radiance of the seas strike on Alaska pier

Cruise ShipIn its report on a May 9, 2022, incident that saw a Royal Caribbean cruise ship, Radiance of the Seas, strike a cruise terminal pier causing $2.1 million in damage, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) identifies overreliance on an ECDIS electronic chart, miscommunication and an outdated navigational chart as all factors in causing the strike.

The cruise ship Radiance of the Seas was docking at the Sitka Sound Cruise Terminal on May 9, 2022, when it struck and damaged a mooring dolphin. The cruise ship sustained a minor hull indentation. The mooring dolphin sustained damage to three of the four pilings supporting it. There were no reported injuries to the 1,375 passengers, 782 crew and four pilots on board. Continue reading “Overreliance on ECDIS seen as factor in Radiance of the seas strike on Alaska pier”

Cargo Fire & Loss Innovation Initiative calls for fire detection solutions

Container ship on fireThe Cargo Fire & Loss Innovation Initiative is calling for innovators to come forward with solutions for early-stage fire detection, one of the most important issues in the drive to mitigate container loss.

Following extensive knowledge sharing among the group, the need for improved fire-detection systems in container cargo holds has been identified as the most pressing area of focus. The Initiative is therefore calling on technology companies to come forward with suitable solutions in early-stage fire detection for cargo holds. Continue reading “Cargo Fire & Loss Innovation Initiative calls for fire detection solutions”

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