Health & Safety

SOLAS compliance poor – lifeboat release hook failure identified

Posted on by News Hound
Poor compliance with SOLAS in 'Northern Ranger' incident
Poor compliance with SOLAS in ‘Northern Ranger’ incident

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) has published an incident report on a lifeboat release hook failure during a drill on the passenger ferry ‘Northern Ranger’ in October 2017, which led to minor injuries. The failure was linked to poor compliance with SOLAS and the operator’s safety manual.

On 11 October 2017, the starboard lifeboat of the passenger ferry Northern Ranger was undergoing operational testing at the dock in Nain, Newfoundland and Labrador, when its forward release hook failed.

While the crew members were lifting the lifeboat to the vessel’s embarkation deck, the forward release hook suddenly released and the Continue reading “SOLAS compliance poor – lifeboat release hook failure identified”

North P&I Club publishes cargo care checklists for nickel ore, grain and coal cargoes

Posted on by News Hound
The North P&I Club has published three helpful checklists
The North P&I Club has published three helpful checklists

The North P&I Club has published three different and helpful checklists about the care of nickel ore, grain and coal cargoes giving details of how to deal with these types of shipments.

North P&I Club Cargo Care Checklist for Nickel Ore

Prior to loading documentation received from shipper is needed.
Also, the Club advises that visual inspection should be conducted before it is loaded to ensure it is safe. Continue reading “North P&I Club publishes cargo care checklists for nickel ore, grain and coal cargoes”

Poor hull maintenance linked to flooding of towing vessel Tom Bussler says NTSB report

Posted on by News Hound
Poor hull maintenance linked to flooding of towing vessel
Poor hull maintenance linked to flooding of towing vessel

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has published an investigation report on the flooding and sinking of towing vessel ‘Tom Bussler’ on Tennessee River in January 2019. The incident stressed issues associated with poor hull maintenance and repair.

On January 7, 2019, about 2030 local time, the towing vessel Tom Bussler was transiting in light boat condition (no tow) upbound on the Tennessee River at mile 15 near Calvert City, Kentucky, when it began flooding and quickly sank in the channel. Both crew members aboard abandoned the Continue reading “Poor hull maintenance linked to flooding of towing vessel Tom Bussler says NTSB report”

MFV Suzanne II: MCIB publish report on the fire and loss

Posted on by News Hound
MFV Suzanne II
MFV Suzanne II

Ireland’s Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) has released its investigation report on the fire and loss of MFV Suzanne II, east of Arklow, in May 2019. While the exact source of the fire is unknown, the report highlights that the quick response of the crew and their knowledge on when to abandon ship was key to their successful rescue.

On 2 May 2019 the MFV Suzanne II, a fishing vessel, was stopped 30 nautical miles east of Arklow and the crew were taking a break between fishing activities when a crew member observed smoke coming from an engine room vent. The skipper went Continue reading “MFV Suzanne II: MCIB publish report on the fire and loss”

Red Falcon collision moored yacht at Cowes published

Posted on by News Hound
Red Falcon report
Red Falcon report

At 0811 on 21 October 2018, when navigating in severely reduced visibility in Cowes Harbour, the master of the ro-ro passenger ferry Red Falcon lost orientation when his vessel swung out of control, departed the navigable channel and was spun around through 220°. In his confusion the master drove the ferry in the wrong direction resulting in a collision with the moored yacht Greylag which was sunk on its mooring as a result.

Safety issues

the master became fixated upon the information displayed on his electronic chart Continue reading “Red Falcon collision moored yacht at Cowes published”

Through-bulkhead seal safety enhanced by non-welding advancement

Posted on by News Hound
Through-bulkhead
Through-bulkhead

A new solution for sealing metal pipes without welding is speeding up installation time and cutting costs in shipyards, while also enhancing the safety of the through-bulkhead seal.

Roxtec’s SPM seal holds pipes in place by use of a metal and rubber sandwich. No welding is required. A gasket of EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) rubber is held between two flanges of marine grade 316 stainless steel. The seal is slid over the end of the pipe, then the pipe is pushed into an oversized aperture on the bulkhead. Continue reading “Through-bulkhead seal safety enhanced by non-welding advancement”

Hatch covers and ship holds guidance for safe operation

Posted on by News Hound
Graph of cause of large cargo claims by value from the hatch cover and ship holds guidance
Graph of cause of large cargo claims by value from the hatch cover and ship holds guidance

The London P&I Club has published an updated guide on the safe operation and maintenance of ship holds and hatch covers, highlighting some of the common associated causes of damage, loss and personal injury and providing recommendations on best practices and points to avoid.

According to the Club’s data, the cause of large cargo claims by value in dry bulk and general cargo vessels accounts for 33%.

As noted, ISM Code systems should include procedures for loading, unloading, ballasting, deballasting, securing manholes, blanking ballast lines, testing bilge Continue reading “Hatch covers and ship holds guidance for safe operation”

Lubrication oil filter was mounted poorly resulting in engine failure

Posted on by News Hound
Lubrication oil filter
Lubrication oil filter

Transport Malta’s MSIU has released an investigation report on the main engine failure of the oil/chemical tanker ‘MV Guroni’ while underway in January 2019. According to the report, the lubrication oil filter of the main engine had been improperly mounted, which eventually led to severe damages to the components of the main engine and a complete failure of the main engine.

On 08 January 2019, at 0742, while the vessel was navigating through Skagerrak, an oil mist detector alarm was observed in the engine-room, followed by a Continue reading “Lubrication oil filter was mounted poorly resulting in engine failure”

Is the cargo too wet to load?

Posted on by News Hound
Wet Cargo
Wet Cargo

Do we know enough about the cargo we carry, ask Gard P&I Club. It may be impossible for crew to estimate the particle size but they can look out for signs of high moisture content.

Appendix 3, Art 2 of the IMSBC Code states “many fine particle cargoes, if possessing a sufficiently high moisture content are liable to flow”. There are two main concerns here for seafarers relating to liquefaction. Firstly, the fine particle size of the cargoes and secondly, the high moisture content, i.e. the moisture content is higher than the cargo’s transportable moisture limit (TML).

Continue reading “Is the cargo too wet to load?”

Yantian Express fire likely caused by coconut charcoal official report identifies

Posted on by News Hound
Yantian Express - Photo credit: Smit Nicobar
Yantian Express – Photo credit: Smit Nicobar

The Federal Bureau of Maritime Casualty Investigation (BSU) has published its investigation report about the causes of the fire in the area of the deck cargo on board the container ship Yantian Express, identifying coconut charcoal as the likely cause of the fire.

It was during the early morning hours of 3 January 2019 that fire broke out in the deck cargo in the area of cargo hold 2 on board the German flagged container ship Yantian Express. The ship was in the North Atlantic, due to reach Halifax, Canadathe following day. Continue reading “Yantian Express fire likely caused by coconut charcoal official report identifies”

USCG issues advice on tank cleaning and gas freeing operations

Posted on by News Hound
Safety Alert focusing on the dangers related with improper tank cleaning
Safety Alert focusing on the dangers related with improper tank cleaning

The Office of Investigations and Casualty Analysis has recently published a Marine Safety Alert, focusing on the dangers related with improper tank cleaning and gas freeing operations. Following several investigations on a tanker barge which exploded during cargo tank cleaning, USCG makes recommendations to avoid such incidents.

USCG has said that if the safety regulations under Title 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 1915 and Title 33 CFR Part 154 are not followed, then cargo Continue reading “USCG issues advice on tank cleaning and gas freeing operations”

Fixed gas detection systems discrepancies on liquefied gas carriers

Posted on by News Hound
USCG advice about common discrepancies with fixed gas detection systems
USCG advice about common discrepancies with fixed gas detection systems

The US Coast Guard has issued advice about common discrepancies associated with fixed gas detection systems onboard liquefied gas carriers specifically, which are a critical safety measure on liquefied gas carriers.

The International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk (IGC Code) requires the activation of alarms at specified vapor concentrations.

During inspection on three separate LNG carriers in Boston, Port State Control Officers (PSCOs) discovered issues with the fixed flammable gas detection system Continue reading “Fixed gas detection systems discrepancies on liquefied gas carriers”

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