MGN 436 (M+F) Amendment 4 gives guidance for operators, managers, owners and builders of small vessels on mitigating the risk of injury from whole body vibration (WBV) on small vessels, and in particular severe and repeated shocks (RS) as a result of impacts.
There have been a number of incidents involving small craft, travelling at a wide range of speeds, receiving predominantly vertical shock impact when coming off a wave, resulting in injury to one or more persons on board. The effects of crossing seas and side-on waves can also cause injury. Incidents have occurred on inland waters and estuaries as well as at sea, Continue reading “Updated guidance for MGN 436 (M+F) issued by the MCA on mitigating against the effects of shocks and impacts on small vessels”
A commercial yacht manning advisory has been issued by the Maltese Merchant Shipping Directorate (MMSD) to remind all yacht owners about manning responsibilities.
Applicable from 28 July 2023, this Marine Guidance Note explains the new legal requirement for cargo ships that are 24m or more in length and less than 500GT to be fitted with bilge water level detectors and alarms. This mandatory requirement has been introduced following several incidents in which ships have become flooded due to an undetected ingress of water occurring in bilge spaces and implements a recommendation of the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) following the flooding and sinking of a grab hopper dredger Abigail H. The fitting of bilge alarms in the prescribed manner is intended to improve the safety of affected ships, their crews and the marine environments in which they operate.