Health & Safety Archives - The International Institute of Marine Surveying (IIMS)

Check that all equipment parts are movable and operational after maintenance process

Posted on May 12, 2022May 12, 2022 by Rosie Webb

International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has published details of two incidents in which something went wrong owing to failures in the maintenance process. There were no reported injuries in either incident.

The first incident relates to the lowering of a lifeboat when a small shackle broke. The shackle held the upper sheave guiding the brake release wire, resulting in the sheave falling down on top of the lower sheave. Continue reading “Check that all equipment parts are movable and operational after maintenance process”

Fire safety onboard ships remains a continuous concern warns Gard Club

Posted on May 10, 2022May 12, 2022 by News Hound

The Gard Club has provided useful information and guidance about fire safety onboard ships, stressing that fire accidents remain a continuous cause for concern.

In April 2022, the US Coast Guard released its Port State Control (PSC) Annual Report 2021. Findings related to inadequate fire safety systems and arrangements on board visiting ships top the PSC’s list of causes for detainable deficiencies. It is a requirement of SOLAS Reg. II-2/14 that all fire protection equipment shall be kept in good order and readily available for use. It is also a requirement of SOLAS Reg. I/11 that any defects which affect the safety of the ship or its continued compliance with statutory requirements are to be reported to class and the flag administration says Gard Club on its website. Continue reading “Fire safety onboard ships remains a continuous concern warns Gard Club”

Allianz Safety and Shipping Review 2022 published

Posted on May 10, 2022May 10, 2022 by News Hound

Allianz have released their 2022 Safety and Shipping Review

Shipping continued its long-term positive safety trend over the past year but Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the growing number of costly issues involving larger vessels, crew and port congestion challenges resulting from the shipping boom, and managing challenging decarbonization targets, means there is no room for complacency, according to the Allianz Safety and Shipping Review 2022.

The 2021 loss total is made more impressive by the fact that there are an estimated 130,000 ships in the global fleet today, compared with some 80,000 30 years ago. Such progress reflects the increased focus on safety measures over time through training and safety programs, improved ship design, technology and regulation. Continue reading “Allianz Safety and Shipping Review 2022 published”

New report published to enhance FPSO safety

Posted on May 6, 2022May 6, 2022 by News Hound

FPSO safety is the focus of a new report

ABS has published industry best practices to address the challenges posed by an aging global Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) fleet.

Enhancing Safety on FPSOs: Operations and Maintenance is the output from an ABS-led working group consisting of Chevron, Shell Trading (U.S.) Company, Petrobras, MODEC and SBM as well as The Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA), the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) Registry, and the U.S. Coast Guard 8th District. Continue reading “New report published to enhance FPSO safety”

Diamond Emblem 1 Report involving loss of life published by MAIB

Posted on May 6, 2022May 6, 2022 by News Hound

Diamond Emblem 1 photo credit Norfolk Constabulary

On 19 August 2020, a member of a family group on board the motor cruiser Diamond Emblem 1 fell overboard from the aft deck when the boat’s stern made hard contact against the embankment wall opposite the Great Yarmouth Yacht Station. She became entangled in rope and the propeller, suffering multiple injuries that resulted in her drowning.

Commenting on this case, Andrew Moll, Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents, said, “Following the investigation into the Diamond Emblem 1 investigation, Continue reading “Diamond Emblem 1 Report involving loss of life published by MAIB”

Certain ship’s tanks could be subjected to severe microbial attack

Posted on May 5, 2022May 5, 2022 by News Hound

Microbial attack is a concern on some ships says Lloyd's Register — Microbial attack is a concern on some ships says Lloyd’s Register

Lloyd’s Register (LR) has said that certain ship’s tanks could be subjected to severe microbial attack, causing significant losses in plating thickness. According to LR, this is a result of biological action where the fluid in the tank has been stagnant during an enforced period of reduced operational status. Tanks likely to be affected are those that may have higher biological loads, such as Grey Water and Treated Black Water. Also vulnerable are Distillate (MGO) Tanks, which, if not used, could exhibit this phenomenon due to the presence of condensation. Continue reading “Certain ship’s tanks could be subjected to severe microbial attack”