Health & Safety

P&I club guidance on proper coal cargo carriage

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P&I club guidance on proper coal cargo carriage
P&I club guidance on proper coal cargo carriage

Coal is an important, widely-used source of energy that is regularly moved as cargo by ship. However, failure to implement proper coal cargo carriage is associated with a number of hazards; it must be carried according to the relevant regulatory requirements.

According to the Britannia Club P&I Club, due to its origins as a carbonaceous sedimentary rock formed by geological processes applying pressure to the remains of plant material over time, coal comes in many different forms and the term covers a relatively wide range of cargoes. Therefore, its properties and the associated hazards also vary significantly depending on the specific form of coal being carried as cargo. However, all coal cargoes require certain Continue reading “P&I club guidance on proper coal cargo carriage”

Electrocution fatality during maintenance onboard explained in Britannia’s BSafe campaign case study

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Image courtesy of RMI - Electrocution fatality explained in Britannia's BSafe campaign
Image courtesy of RMI – Electrocution fatality explained in Britannia’s BSafe campaign

As part of its BSafe campaign, the Britannia P&I Club describes a fatality of an electrician from electrocution, while performing maintenance of the inert gas scrubber electrical system whilst onboard an oil tanker. The electrician had been working alone at the time. Before starting work in the morning on the day of the incident, the second engineer (2/E) held a Toolbox Talk to discuss the work planned for that day. The electrician mentioned he might work on the inert gas (IG) scrubber pump starter panel, but he did not specify the items to be completed, nor the timeframe for the work. No formal risk assessment, permit to work (PTW) or Lock Out/Tag Out (LOTO) procedure were completed, despite all being specifically required by the SMS.

Continue reading “Electrocution fatality during maintenance onboard explained in Britannia’s BSafe campaign case study”

UK P&I Club releases ‘Ask an Expert’ video on grain contamination claims

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UK P&I Club releases ‘Ask an Expert’ video on grain contamination claims
UK P&I Club releases ‘Ask an Expert’ video on grain contamination claims

The UK P&I Club has released the latest video in its online ‘Ask an Expert’ series, featuring Chris Ellyatt from CWA International on the increasing number of grain contamination claims and their causes. The Club continues to see a number of grain contamination claims and Chris Ellyatt explains it is often difficult to work out if these claims are due to the inherent contaminants at the load port, or if they are a result of improper hold cleaning by the ship staff.

Chris highlights the importance of diligent recordkeeping during cargo loading to ensure any untoward contaminants Continue reading “UK P&I Club releases ‘Ask an Expert’ video on grain contamination claims”

Key loss prevention tips for containers lost overboard published in new guide

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Key loss prevention tips for containers lost overboard published in new guide
Key loss prevention tips for containers lost overboard published in new guide

Amid an alarming trend of containers lost overboard, the Swedish P&I Club has published a 32 page guide offering guidance on planning and loading the containers. According to the Club’s statistics, the main reason for containers being lost overboard is related to container vessels navigating in heavy weather, combined with crew failure to reduce speed and/or alter course to avoid it or alleviate its effect. The reasons can often be attributed to a series of multiple failures, rather than a single cause, but raising awareness of these issues to both ship and shore staff will serve to prevent accidents from happening.

The guide also notes that other common factors are

– Containers not being correctly stuffed or declared by the shipper;
Continue reading “Key loss prevention tips for containers lost overboard published in new guide”

Overtightening of locating bolts led to engine failure and grounding

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Overtightening of locating bolts led to engine failure and grounding
Overtightening of locating bolts led to engine failure and grounding

The Swedish P&I Club has described in its Monthly Safety Scenario the case of a bulk carrier grounding caused by engine failure. Soon after departing port, a main engine slowdown alarm was triggered due to a loss of cooling water in the main engine. The Master ordered half head, but there was no response from the engine.

The bulk carrier in question loaded a cargo of soya beans in a North American port prior to travelling to Asia. When loading was completed, the vessel anchored to wait for a favourable tide. At midnight, the vessel departed and headed through the fairway. A pilot was onboard and a pilot briefing had been carried out with the Master. Continue reading “Overtightening of locating bolts led to engine failure and grounding”

Preventing human errors (DPO) when changing Dynamic Positioning control modes

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Preventing human errors (DPO) when changing Dynamic Positioning control modes
Preventing human errors (DPO) when changing Dynamic Positioning control modes

There have been several reports of incidents on Dynamic Positioning (DP) vessels where control was lost because the DP operator (DPO) failed to correctly switch control between different operating stations, notes Mr. John Southam, Loss Prevention Executive at North P&I Club.

Investigations rarely find the cause to be a technical malfunction or an issue with the DP system set up, such as a network error. It is more often caused simply by the incorrect actions of the DPOs.

The importance of redundancy

In some cases, these incidents have been a result of a momentary lapse in concentration, which can happen to anyone. But just like the DP system itself, bridge teams Continue reading “Preventing human errors (DPO) when changing Dynamic Positioning control modes”

Failure of emergency stop on rescue boat davit winch alert

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Failure of emergency stop on rescue boat davit winch alert
Failure of emergency stop on rescue boat davit winch alert

A failure of the winch remote control and emergency stop during recovery of a rescue boat to the davit onboard has been recorded by IMCA in its regular publication of safety issues. Investigation revealed that the davit winch was being repeatedly switched on and off for very short time intervals, causing a burn out. The incident occurred on completion of rescue boat testing in good weather. The personnel in the small boat were disembarked at sea level and used a ladder to access the main deck.

The AB started recovery of the boat using a remote control. When close to the final stowage position, the remote control failed and the limit switch did not activate as designed. The main power supply switch was then operated to isolate the power supply to the winch. Continue reading “Failure of emergency stop on rescue boat davit winch alert”

Report published on cargo ship sinking in heavy weather that led to eight fatalities

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Report published on cargo ship sinking in heavy weather - Image courtesy of JTSB
Report published on cargo ship sinking in heavy weather – Image courtesy of JTSB

Japan Transportation Safety Board (JTSB) has published an investigation report on the foundering of JIA DE the cargo ship sinking due to heavy weather in Kanagawa Prefecture, which led to fatalities of 8 crew members in October 2019.

The cargo ship JIA DE, with 12 crew onbaord, was anchoring at K1 anchorage point of Keihin Port on the way to proceed to Song Dang Port, Vietnam, when it encountered winds and waves due to the typhoon No.19 (Asian name “Hagibis”) approaching, and heeled to the starboard side.

The ship subsequently rolled over and took on seawater into the interior of the cargo holds, and thereby foundered around the anchorage at around 21:39 on October 12, 2019. The master and three crewmembers were rescued, but eight crewmembers died.

Continue reading “Report published on cargo ship sinking in heavy weather that led to eight fatalities”

DNV GL white paper looks to close looming safety gap

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DNV GL White paper coverDNV GL, the world’s leading classification society, has released a white paper – “Closing the safety gap in an era of transformation”. The white paper identifies a looming “safety gap” between shipping’s existing approach to safety risks and its ambitions for greater digitalisation and the adoption of alternative fuels.

The maritime industry is undergoing a rapid transition to a decarbonised, digitally smart future. However, the new technologies and fuels that the industry is banking on to meet the challenges of the next decades are also creating a new risk landscape and demanding a new approach to safety. If shipping is able to adapt and implement the new safety paradigm identified in the white paper – the end result could be a maritime industry that is not only more efficient and sustainable – but safer as well. Continue reading “DNV GL white paper looks to close looming safety gap”

Engine failure caused fire on another towing vessel says NTSB report

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Engine failure causes fire on another towing vessel says NTSB report
Engine failure causes fire on another towing vessel says NTSB report

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released an investigation report on the engine room fire aboard the towing vessel City of Cleveland on the Lower Mississippi River in February 2020. The investigation has identified that catastrophic engine failure caused fire along with crankcase breach of the port main engine.

On 26 February 2020, the towing vessel City of Cleveland was pushing 18 dry cargo barges (15 loaded and 3 empty) upbound on the Lower Mississippi River, approximately 15 miles south of Natchez, Mississippi, when the vessel experienced a main engine failure followed by an engine room fire. All nine crew members safely evacuated to the barges and were rescued by nearby Good Samaritan vessels, which worked to extinguish the fire. The City of Cleveland was later towed to the operator’s facility in Rosedale, Mississippi. There was no pollution or injuries. Damage to the vessel was estimated at $2 million.

Probable cause

Continue reading “Engine failure caused fire on another towing vessel says NTSB report”

Serious fire onboard caused by faulty electrical device

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Serious fire onboard caused by faulty electrical device
Serious fire onboard caused by faulty electrical device

Hong Kong Marine Department has shared the findings of a serious fire accident, which took place onboard the accommodation of a Hong Kong registered bulk carrier whilst at anchorage. The investigation showed that the fire was most probably caused by a faulty electrical device or its accessories in a crew cabin, which led to a short circuit with the heat and sparks igniting the materials placed beside it.

The vessel was at anchorage, when a fire broke out in an unattended cabin of the vessel at night. A laptop computer was being charged in the cabin, and the electric source also supplied power for the lighting and refrigerator. The crew tried to put out the fire, but to no avail. All crew mustered at amidships of the vessel. The fire died down by itself about five hours later.

As a result, the accommodation on D deck and the bridge wings of the vessel were seriously damaged. There was no personal injury or oil pollution.

Continue reading “Serious fire onboard caused by faulty electrical device”

Catastrophic engine failure aboard Susan Lynn led to fire and explosion reveals report

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Catastrophic engine failure aboard Susan Lynn led to fire and explosion
Catastrophic engine failure aboard Susan Lynn led to fire and explosion

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has published its investigation report on the fire and explosion which occured onboard the towing vessel Susan Lynn off Lousiana in October 2019. The investigation has identified a catastrophic engine failure as the key cause of the accident.

On 8 October 2019, at about 0600 local time, the Susan Lynn was docked and in layup status at Tom’s Marine & Salvage yard on the Barataria Waterway in Lafitte, Louisiana, when a fire started in the engine room. The vessel’s watchman could not contain the fire and evacuated the vessel. Local firefighters extinguished the fire. No pollution or injuries were reported. Damage to the vessel was estimated at $1,350,000.

Probable cause

The NTSB determines that the probable cause of the fire onboard the Susan Lynn was a catastrophic engine failure resulting in an oil reservoir breach and an ensuing fire Continue reading “Catastrophic engine failure aboard Susan Lynn led to fire and explosion reveals report”

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