CHIRP Maritime has published its seventh annual Digest of CHIRP Maritime reports, covering all the cases it published during 2021 as well as several in-depth articles specially commissioned to highlight important safety topics. Continue reading “CHIRPS 2021 annual digest of reports”
Health & Safety
New guide launched to help improve welfare standards on fishing vessels
Two maritime charities have joined forces to help improve welfare standards on fishing vessels with the launch of a new guide entitled ‘Work in Fishing Convention (C188): Everything you need to know but were frightened to ask’, following some reports of labour exploitation that have plunged the sector into disrepute.
The Merchant Navy Welfare Board (MNWB) and The Fishermen’s Mission have joined forces to produce this informative guide that provides key elements of the UK legislation on the International Convention on Work in Fishing (C188).
The report comes in the wake of reports that show migrant fishers suffering physical violence, working 20-hour shifts for less than £3.50 an hour and being recruited into the UK fishing industry on transit visas.
This new guide aims to inform and assist all those with an interest in commercial fishing, from vessel owners and skippers, to crew from all nations, and those in the maritime charitable sector, to understand the legal welfare standards applicable to those working on fishing vessels. Continue reading “New guide launched to help improve welfare standards on fishing vessels”
Marine Safety Forum alert about corrosion in a fixed CO2 firefighting system
The Marine Safety Forum has issued a safety alert to highlight an observation involving the CO2 firefighting system onboard a member’s vessel. The vessel concerned found that during a routine monthly inspection of the fixed CO2 system, significant corrosion was noted. This resulted in it not being possible to insert the safety pin to isolate the cylinder during any maintenance. Photo A shows the safety lever and pin, unable to be positioned correctly in line with the pinhole.
In Photo B after corrective maintenance and repair, it can clearly be seen that the activator arm, Continue reading “Marine Safety Forum alert about corrosion in a fixed CO2 firefighting system”
Serious violations led to boatyard fire that destroyed superyacht
The company operating Hinckley Yacht Services (Portsmouth, US) has been fined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) after a massive fire in December that destroyed a superyacht and a second boat on the property. The initial fines totalled more than $56,000, but these have since been reduced to around $31,000.
OSHA says employees were exposed to fire hazards while working in an enclosed work area. That enclosed area was under the hull of a boat surrounded by hay bales stacked three-high, and the employees had not been provided with effective information and training on the hazardous chemicals they were using (flammable liquids, which ultimately ignited). Continue reading “Serious violations led to boatyard fire that destroyed superyacht”
Lack of training and inadequate PPE leads to fumigant poisoning reveals MAIB report
The UK MAIB has published its preliminary report on a fumigant poisoning that took place on the general cargo vessel Thorco Angela, with one person injured as a consequence. A stevedore suffered sickness and disorientation after handling cans containing fumigant while discharging cargo from the general cargo vessel Thorco Angela.
In July 2021, 8000t of bagged sweet potato product was loaded into the cargo holds of Thorco Angela in Rizhao, China. While loading, shore stevedores and, at a later time during the load, Thorco Angela’s crew, placed cans and pouches of aluminium phosphide fumigant between the bags of cargo. On 19 July, Thorco Angela departed Rizhao for northern Europe, and carried out scheduled crew changes during the voyage that included the master, chief officer, second officer and third officer. Continue reading “Lack of training and inadequate PPE leads to fumigant poisoning reveals MAIB report”
Bulk Carrier Casualty Report 2012-2021 published by INTERCARGO
INTERCARGO has published its Bulk Carrier Casualty Report 2012-2021. It reports that 27 bulk carriers of over 10,000 dwt were declared as total losses for the years 2012-2021.
According to INTERCARGO, bulkers losses took place as follows:
10,000-34,999 dwt: Six bulk carriers were lost, representing 22.2% of the total.
35,000 – 49,000 dwt: Five bulk carriers were lost, representing 16.3% of the total, with one loss related to suspected cargo liquefaction.
50,000- 59,000 dwt: Seven vessels were lost, representing 25.9% of the total, with the loss of 55 lives, accounting to 59.8%. Four of the casualties, were related to suspected cargo liquefaction. Continue reading “Bulk Carrier Casualty Report 2012-2021 published by INTERCARGO”
Crew swaging compression fitting led to President Eisenhower fire
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has published its report on the engine room fire aboard the containership President Eisenhower, that took place on April 28, 2021, off California.
At midnight, on April 28, the President Eisenhower was about 6 miles south of Port Hueneme, California, navigating the northwest-bound traffic lane of the Santa Barbara Channel at a speed of 17.5 knots with the main engine operating at 68 rpm. The navigation watch group consisted of a third mate and two able seamen (AB). The master’s night orders included instructions to gradually increase Continue reading “Crew swaging compression fitting led to President Eisenhower fire”
Visually inspecting lifeboat prior to testing crucial
The US Coast Guard (USCG) has published a safety alert addressing the importance of visually inspecting lifeboat and davit installations prior to testing with crewmembers onboard, and ensuring crew familiarity with company policy related to lifesaving equipment testing. As USCG said, the remote control wire may be overlooked, yet weaknesses within the linkages or poor spooling of the wire itself can lead to catastrophic failures in the lifeboat launching systems. Continue reading “Visually inspecting lifeboat prior to testing crucial”
Check that equipment is operational after maintenance process
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 equipment is operational after maintenance process”
Fire safety onboard ships remains a continuous concern warns Gard Club
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
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
ABS has published industry best practices to address the challenges posed by an aging global Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) safety.
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”