EMSA marine casualties and incidents 2023 annual overview

EMSA marine casualties and incidents 2023
EMSA marine casualties and incidents 2023

The EMSA marine casualties and incidents 2023 annual overview has been published. The report presents statistics on marine casualties and incidents that cover the period from 1st of January 2014 to 31st of December 2022, reported by EU Member States.

According to the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), 2022 was a positive year considering the reduction or stabilisation of most of the accident indicators, such as the number of occurrences, ships lost, fatalities or injuries. In 2022, there were 2,510 marine casualties and incidents reported, a decrease of 182 from 2021 and 84 from 2020. Continue reading “EMSA marine casualties and incidents 2023 annual overview”

Stern tube damage is on the increase in concerning trend

Claims for stern tube damage have increased considerably over the last few years says recent Gard analysis
Claims for stern tube damage have increased considerably over the last few years says recent Gard analysis

The number of claims for stern tube damage has increased considerably over the last few years and such damages are now one of the more frequent claim types handled by Gard under their hull and machinery policies. A recent Gard analysis has shed light on the issue.

The nature and severity of stern tube damage damage varies greatly – ranging from a simple aft seal leakage that can be rectified over a few days whilst afloat, to loss of propulsion involving costly salvage operations and extended repairs in drydock. Continue reading “Stern tube damage is on the increase in concerning trend”

Injury during MOB training on a rigid inflatable boat

Injury during MOB training on a rigid inflatable boat prompts report by MAIB
Injury during MOB training on a rigid inflatable boat prompts report by MAIB

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has completed a preliminary assessment summary injury during MOB training overboard 1/23: Midsummer.

On 29 June 2023, a student taking part in a Royal Yachting Association (RYA) powerboat level 2 (PB2) training course at St. Andrews Sailing Club, Fife, Scotland was injured when they fell out of the boat during a man overboard (MOB) manoeuvre and were struck by the boat’s propeller. Continue reading “Injury during MOB training on a rigid inflatable boat”

MAIB Safety Digest 2/2023 October published

MAIB Safety Digest published
MAIB Safety Digest published

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) examines and investigates all types of marine accidents to or on-board UK flagged vessels worldwide, and other vessels in UK territorial waters. This Safety Digest, the second edition of 2023, is a compendium of anonymous articles involving vessels from the merchant, fishing and small craft sector which draws the attention of the marine community to some of the lessons arising from investigations into recent accidents and incidents.

In his introduction, Andrew Moll, Chief Inspector, says, “Welcome to the second MAIB Safety Digest of 2023. I will start by thanking Simon Graves, Duncan Murt and Andy Murray for their respective introductions Continue reading “MAIB Safety Digest 2/2023 October published”

Lithium-ion battery fires on vessels remain one of the biggest safety issues

Allianz has highlighted that battery fires on vessels remain one of the biggest safety issues facing the shipping industry. There have been a number of serious fire incidents in recent years where Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries have been reported as the source of, or contributing to fires on vessels. Allianz experts Capt. Rahul Khanna, Captain Randy Lund and Captain Anastasios Leonburg, share their thoughts on how electric vessels may impact safety onboard.

Decarbonization and electrification are increasing the number of shipping goods that contain Li-ion batteries, from electric vehicles (EVs) Continue reading “Lithium-ion battery fires on vessels remain one of the biggest safety issues”

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”

ClassNK Annual Port State Control report

Recently published, the annual Port State Control (PSC) report from ClassNK reveals that in 2022 a total of 1,214 detainable deficiencies were reported and 313 detentions were made. Issues around fire safety topped the list and worryingly show a big increase over the previous year.

The Annual Report summarises deficiencies identified during PSC inspections carried out in various countries around the world. This report is prepared with the objective of building awareness of the present state of PSC and thereby improving future onboard maintenance and inspections as well as Safety Management Systems. Continue reading “ClassNK Annual Port State Control report”

Planning and preparation vital to reduce man overboard fatalities

At a special event to mark UK Maritime Safety Week event, a demonstration of man overboard recovery techniques highlighted how little time there is to effect a successful rescue.

MAIB, (Marine Accident Investigation Branch), analysis has revealed that, on average, crew have under 11 minutes to recover someone who has fallen overboard into cold water before they become unresponsive. The analysis of 20 accidents that occurred between 2017 and 2021 shows that the time decreases as the water becomes colder or the sea state rougher. In some cases, crew had just 4 or 5 minutes to coordinate a complex recovery under extreme pressure. Continue reading “Planning and preparation vital to reduce man overboard fatalities”

Documentary series Coastguard: Every Second Counts set to air from 2 July

For the first time, the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is bringing a TV audience a behind-the-scenes documentary series. The new series, Coastguard: Every Second Counts, which rund for six episodes will air on Sunday 2 July at 9pm on Channel 5. It offers viewers the chance to see the wide breadth of work covered by the agency.

From the surveyors who check the safety of vessels to the nail-biting rescues HM Coastguard carry out, viewers will see that safety always underpins the work across the agency. The MCA granted full and exclusive access to TV crews for 12 months to allow time to provide insight into the varied, complex and, at times, tragic work of the maritime regulator in the UK. Continue reading “Documentary series Coastguard: Every Second Counts set to air from 2 July”

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

The 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. Continue reading “Oily rags were the cause of luxury yacht fire are accident investigation findings”

Deficiencies and non-conformities involving pilot ladders are on the increase

RightShip has presented four different case studies to highlight an alarming trend which has emerged from incident and inspection data over the last two years with regards pilot ladders and transfer arrangements. The organization has observed several deficiencies while the ladders are not in use. However, critically, it is when an inspector is not present, and ladders are being rigged or utilised, that those deficiencies with high-risk potential can result in incidents. RightShip notes offer the following cases: Continue reading “Deficiencies and non-conformities involving pilot ladders are on the increase”

Safety issues of ship engine cooling systems need to be addressed

Ship engine cooling systems safety issues need to be addressed

The Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) has called on Maritime New Zealand to address critical safety issues with the maintenance and management of ship engine cooling systems. The call was detailed in a preliminary report as part of the Commission’s inquiry into the loss of power experienced by the KiwiRail Interislander passenger ferry Kaitaki, leaving it drifting close to the coast in Cook Strait on the night of 28 January 2023.

The Chief Investigator of Accidents, Naveen Kozhuppakalam, says TAIC has recommended that Continue reading “Safety issues of ship engine cooling systems need to be addressed”

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