Health & Safety

Transport Malta: crewmember death after steam valve failure onboard Chemical Hunter

Posted on by News Hound
An able bodied seafarer (AB) on board Chemical Hunter was severely scalded by steam
An able bodied seafarer (AB) on board Chemical Hunter was severely scalded by steam

On 28 January 2024, an able bodied seafarer (AB) on board Chemical Hunter was severely scalded by steam. The accident happened during cargo tank washing and steaming operations. Chemical Hunter had just left the port of Altamira, Mexico when the accident occurred. The vessel returned to port where the injured crew member was transferred to a hospital. Despite the first aid given on board, and the more specialised treatment in hospital, the injured crew member succumbed to his injuries about two weeks after the accident.
The safety investigation determined that the failure mechanism of the steam inlet valve to the cargo tank cleaning water heater was most Continue reading “Transport Malta: crewmember death after steam valve failure onboard Chemical Hunter”

Liberia Maritime Authority advice on ships using low-flashpoint fuels

Posted on by News Hound
Liberia Maritime Authority has published guidance on compliance with the requirements for ships using low-flashpoint fuel
Liberia Maritime Authority has published guidance on compliance with the requirements for ships using low-flashpoint fuel

The Liberia Maritime Authority has published guidance on compliance with the requirements for ships using low-flashpoint fuel.
Marine notice SAF-017 Rev. 1/25 applies to ships using low-flashpoint fuels:
• for which the building contract is placed on or after 1 January 2017;
• in the absence of a building contract, the keels of which are laid or which are at a similar stage of construction on or after 1 July 2017; or
• the delivery of which is on or after 1 January 2021.
It also applies to a ship, irrespective of the date of construction, which converts to using low-flashpoint fuels on or after 1 January 2017, or to a ship using low-flashpoint fuels, which, on or after 1 January 2017, undertakes to use low-flashpoint fuels different from those which it was originally approved to use before 1 January 2017. Continue reading “Liberia Maritime Authority advice on ships using low-flashpoint fuels”

Special campaign in China on illegal enclosed space entry

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Huatai Marine circular announces the start of a special campaign against illegal enclosed space entry onboard ships.
Huatai Marine circular announces the start of a special campaign against illegal enclosed space entry onboard ships.

P&I club Britannia has highlighted a Huatai Marine circular announcing the start of a special campaign against illegal enclosed space entry onboard ships.
The nine-month campaign, launched by the China Maritime Safety Administration (China MSA), began on 15 January and is intended to run until 14 October 2025. The campaign appears to target areas such as:
• The crew awareness of the dangers of enclosed spaces
• The identification and marking of enclosed spaces onboard
• The efficient and safe control of entry to enclosed spaces by permit Continue reading “Special campaign in China on illegal enclosed space entry”

IMCA publishes summary of safety incidents in 2024

Posted on by News Hound
A review of all IMCA Safety Flashes 2024 have been published
A review of all IMCA Safety Flashes 2024 have been published

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has released a review of all the safety incidents and events reported last year.
The 24 Safety Flashes covered 88 individual incidents or events shared by IMCA members. A further 33 incidents or events from information already in the public domain, from different trade bodies and/or regulators, were shared as being of interest. It should be noted that Safety Flashes are intended to be read by IMCA’s members’ offshore crews, and by office-based safety professionals. Continue reading “IMCA publishes summary of safety incidents in 2024”

IACS releases new guidelines on safety standards for surveyors

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IACS has introduced new recommendations to enhance safety standards for surveyors.
IACS has introduced new recommendations to enhance safety standards for surveyors.

The International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) has introduced new recommendations to enhance safety standards for surveyors.
The new guidelines, Rec. 184, recognise that surveyors continue to face significant occupational health and safety (OHS) risks at work.
There is growing recognition that some of the safety challenges that surveyors’ face would benefit from improved collaboration and sharing of experience to establish a more consistent approach.
Designed to creating safer working conditions for surveyors and all personnel engaged in maritime operations, these guidelines outline critical measures to mitigate risks and addresses key areas such as risk assessments and situational awareness, ensuring that they are equipped to handle the hazards they may encounter. Continue reading “IACS releases new guidelines on safety standards for surveyors”

IMO Ship Design and Construction Sub-Committee 11 summary

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Lloyd’s Register has provided a summary report on the recent IMO Ship Design and Construction Sub-Committee
Lloyd’s Register has provided a summary report on the recent IMO Ship Design and Construction Sub-Committee

Lloyd’s Register has provided a summary report on the recent IMO Ship Design and Construction Sub-Committee (SDC).
The SDC is where many technical and operational requirements related to ship design and construction (including tonnage, load line and stability) are discussed. SDC reports to the Maritime Safety Committee.

2011 ESP Code amendments relating to Remote Inspection Techniques (RIT):
Draft amendments have now been finalised to permit the use of RIT in support to surveyors undertaking a close-up survey of vessels to which the code applies. They are expected to be applicable from 1 January 2028. Continue reading “IMO Ship Design and Construction Sub-Committee 11 summary”

Morco gas water heaters the subject of an urgent product recall

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Morco gas water heaters have been recalled
Morco gas water heaters have been recalled

A safety issue has been identified with Morco open-flued gas water heaters which may be installed in canal boats and houseboats as well as in domestic and commercial settings.

The product presents a risk of fire, explosion and injuries. There is a risk of gas leaking which, if ignited, may cause burns, explosions and injuries. The products are not in conformity with the requirements of Regulation 2016/426.

Morco has initiated an urgent recall for the affected appliances. Continue reading “Morco gas water heaters the subject of an urgent product recall”

Marshall Islands issues fatal falls from height warning

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Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administrator has published Yacht Safety Advisory 13-24
Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administrator has published Yacht Safety Advisory 13-24

The Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administrator has published Yacht Safety Advisory 13-24 on fatalities due to falls from height.

Since 2019, falls from height on RMI-flagged commercial vessels have been the leading very serious marine casualty (VSMC) by incident type. It accounts for 31% of VSMCs and has resulted in 22 deaths. In the last two years, 11 seafarers have died falling from height. The maritime authority has stressed the importance of wearing fall protection equipment when a risk of falling from height exists.

Recommendations:
• The Administrator strongly recommends that the owner or the owner’s representative review and amend, as necessary, onboard safe Continue reading “Marshall Islands issues fatal falls from height warning”

Counterfeit pilot ladders lead to USCG warning

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Fraudulent certification placard for counterfeit pilot ladder. Source: USCG
Fraudulent certification placard for counterfeit pilot ladder. Source: USCG

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) has issued a safety alert after discovering counterfeit pilot ladders during a Port State Control examination at the Port of Baltimore. The identification plate on the ladder contained several errors, including referencing ISO 779-1 instead of the correct standard, ISO 799-1, and lacking the ISO 799-1 designation type.

Additionally, while the serial number on the ladder matched the accompanying certificate, the number of steps and the length of the ladder did not align with the specifications listed on the certificate. The plate and certificate indicated that the ladder was produced by Continue reading “Counterfeit pilot ladders lead to USCG warning”

Lloyd’s Register: New directive 2023/946 for ro-ro passenger ships

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The European Union has adopted Directive 2023/946
The European Union has adopted Directive 2023/946

The European Union has adopted Directive 2023/946, which amends the “water on deck” damage stability requirements for ro-ro passenger ships in Directive 2003/25/EC.

This new directive is intended to align the EU’s stability requirements with the enhanced standards established by SOLAS 2020.

Since 5 December 2024, the new directive 2023/946 is applicable for new and existing ro-ro passenger ships engaged on international voyages that operate regularly to or from a port of an EU Member State, and which have never been certified in accordance with this directive or the previous Directive Continue reading “Lloyd’s Register: New directive 2023/946 for ro-ro passenger ships”

IIMS Safety & Loss Prevention Briefings Compendium 2024

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Edition IV of the IIMS Safety & Loss Prevention Briefings Compendium has been published and is available for download. This is an essential addition to every marine surveyor’s online library. As you read and browse the 172-page publication you will discover:

– A wealth of safety briefing information.

– Detail of incident and accident reports from last year.

– Vital loss prevention guidance and advice from leading P&I Clubs. Continue reading “IIMS Safety & Loss Prevention Briefings Compendium 2024”

Cashew nutshell marine biofuel warning sent out

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ships in Singapore and Rotterdam have recently reported issues after using cashew nutshell marine biofuel.
Ships in Singapore and Rotterdam have recently reported issues after using cashew nutshell marine biofuel.

Several ships in Singapore and Rotterdam have recently reported issues after using cashew nutshell marine biofuel.

Reported operational problems included fuel sludging, injector failure, filter clogging, system deposits and corrosion of turbocharger nozzle rings. CTI-Maritec carried out extended gas chromatography mass spectrometry testing for very low sulphur fuel oil samples from the vessels. The results showed the fuel was blended with Cashew Nutshell Liquid (CNSL) from undeclared source materials or production processes.

CNSL, a non-FAME biofuel, is a naturally occurring byproduct of the cashew nut industry and acts as a low-cost alternative renewable fuel. Continue reading “Cashew nutshell marine biofuel warning sent out”

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