Health & Safety

MCA amends its Code of Safe Working Practices

Posted on by News Hound
A high vis vest that says 'MCA Surveys and Inspections'
A high vis vest that says ‘MCA Surveys and Inspections’

The UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) has published an updated version of the ‘Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seafarers’. The amendments give advice on improving health and safety of seafarers, primarily for those on board UK registered ships. But surveyors should also take note.

The Code provides guidance on safe working practices for the many and numerous situations that occur on ships.

However, it should not be considered a comprehensive guide to safety and its advice should always be considered in conjunction with the Continue reading “MCA amends its Code of Safe Working Practices”

New requirements for authorized service providers under new IMO requirements

Posted on by News Hound
Man inspecting a cannister on a ship
Man inspecting a cannister on a ship

DNV GL has announced that IMO has introduced new requirements for the maintenance, examination, operational testing, overhaul and repair of lifeboats and rescue boats, relevant for shipyards, suppliers, owners/managers, flag states of all ship types. From 1 January 2020, personnel carrying out maintenance, thorough examination, operational testing overhaul and repair of the following items shall be certified by an authorized service providers:

Lifeboats (including free-fall lifeboats), rescue boats and fast rescue boats
Launching appliances as well as on-load and off-load release gear for lifeboats, rescue boats, fast rescue boats and davit-launched life rafts
Continue reading “New requirements for authorized service providers under new IMO requirements”

MAIB issues report and safety flyer about gas explosions on general cargo ship Nortrader

Posted on by News Hound
Nortrader alongside with damaged hatch covers following the gas explosions
Nortrader alongside with damaged hatch covers following the gas explosions

On 13 January, at 1447, Nortrader, anchored off Plymouth with a cargo of unprocessed incinerator bottom ash (U-IBA), suffered 2 explosions in quick succession. The first explosion was in the forecastle store and the second in the cargo hold. The chief engineer, in the forecastle store at the time, suffered second degree burns requiring 4 months to recover. The vessel suffered extensive damage putting it out of service for over 3 months.

Safety lessons
Sea transportation of a cargo that was not included in the schedule of authorised cargoes of the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code
Not conducting appropriate tests that could have identified the propensity of the cargo, U-IBA, to release hydrogen when wet
The inadequacy and the inappropriateness of United Nations Test N.5 for the detection of flammable gases from non-homogeneous material Continue reading “MAIB issues report and safety flyer about gas explosions on general cargo ship Nortrader”

MAIB report published into the cargo collapse on bulk carrier Graig Rotterdam resulting in one fatality

Posted on by News Hound
The Graig Rotterdam. Image courtesy of shipspotting.com
The Graig Rotterdam. Image courtesy of shipspotting.com

On 18 December 2016, the bulk carrier Graig Rotterdam was discharging a deck cargo of packaged timber at anchor in Alexandria Port, Egypt. At 1109, the bosun, a Chinese national, fell overboard and into a barge that was secured alongside after the timber deck cargo stack on which he was standing partially collapsed. Although the ship’s crew provided first-aid following the accident, the bosun later died of his injuries.

Safety Issues

Poor stevedoring practices probably contributed to the unsecured cargo stack collapsing, and no measures were in place to prevent the bosun from falling overboard as a result
With the deck cargo lashings removed, the cargo packages had insufficient racking strength to counter the effects of ship movement, cargo repositioning, dunnage displacement, barges securing to deck cargo stacks, and cargo discharge operations over a prolonged period
Poor stevedoring practices that had previously been witnessed by the ship’s crew were not discussed and so were allowed to continue Continue reading “MAIB report published into the cargo collapse on bulk carrier Graig Rotterdam resulting in one fatality”

New guide on how to carry charcoal and carbon cargoes in containers safely published

Posted on by News Hound
The Evergiven container ship
The Evergiven container ship

The International Group of P&I Clubs together with The Cargo Incident Notification System (CINS) has published a new guide with advise on the safe carriage of charcoal and carbon cargoes.

According to data, the local production of wood charcoal and carbon for domestic and export markets is about 53 million tonnes per year. These cargoes need to comply with the IMDG Code compliance and the aim of the guide is to highlight additional precautions to enhance their safe carriage.

Continue reading “New guide on how to carry charcoal and carbon cargoes in containers safely published”

MAIB report published into an accident during pilot transfer resulting in loss of one life

Posted on by News Hound
Pilot boat Patrol
Pilot boat Patrol

At 1812 on 5 October 2016, a Port of London Authority sea pilot was in the process of boarding the Bahamas registered general cargo vessel Sunmi from the pilot transfer Patrol when he fell and was crushed between the two vessels. He died at the scene despite prompt medical attention from Royal National Lifeboat Institution and local ambulance crew.

Safety Issues
– Low freeboard pilot transfers involve risks that should be included in risk assessments for boarding and landing
– The designated pilot boarding station on board Sunmi was not marked and the deck gate should not have been opened in preparation for the transfer as it was unsuitable
Continue reading “MAIB report published into an accident during pilot transfer resulting in loss of one life”

Safety alert issued about vessel stability and watertight integrity following fatalities

Posted on by News Hound
Photo credit: USCG
Photo credit: USCG

The US Coast Guard has issued an interim safety alert to address its concerns regarding vessel stability and watertight integrity, especially in light of a recent marine casualty in the Bering Sea that resulted in multiple fatalities and the total loss of the fishing vessel involved.

Although the investigation is not complete, testimony and fact finding indicate that vessel owners, operators, and crews should give special consideration to vessel stability concerns.

As a result, USCG suggests that operators and crew should seek out opportunities to further their knowledge of stability via courses, training, workshops, and visits from Naval Architects. They should also take advantage of other various initiatives, both mandatory and Continue reading “Safety alert issued about vessel stability and watertight integrity following fatalities”

Cargo handling fatality report and recommendation issued by JTSB

Posted on by News Hound
Cargo ship - Photo credit: vesseltracker.com
Photo credit: vesseltracker.com

The Japan Transport Safety Board (JTSB) has published its investigation report concerning the cargo handling fatality of two workers onboard the cargo vessel ‘BBC ASIA’. The incident happened in October 2016 at Hanshin Port. The report provides a description of what happened and provides important safety issues to prevent similar accidents in the future.

The incident
The accident occurred at around 11:31 on October 30, 2016, on the cargo ship BBC ASIA when, during work to load pipes with a crane at Shinko East Quay T Wharf, Kobe Section, Hanshin Port, three workers who were working in a cargo hold were caught between pipes being hoisted by the crane and a side wall. Two of the workers were killed and one was seriously injured.

Continue reading “Cargo handling fatality report and recommendation issued by JTSB”

MAIB issues an essential Safety Digest featuring 25 cases

Posted on by News Hound
MAIb Safety Digest
MAIb Safety Digest

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) examines and investigates all types of marine accidents to, or on board UK vessels worldwide and other vessels in UK territorial waters. This Safety Digest (02/17) draws the attention of the marine community to some of the lessons arising from investigations into recent accidents and incidents. It contains information which has been determined up to the time of issue.

In his introduction to the Safety Digest, Steve Clinch, Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents for the MAIB says, “A fire is one of the most frightening things that can happen at sea. Often, seafarers have no ready access to the emergency services when a fire breaks out and will need to rely on their own resources, courage and training to tackle and extinguish the blaze quickly to ensure the safety of the ship and everyone on board. After reading one of the cases while editing this edition of the Safety Digest, I found myself thinking about the recent fire that engulfed Grenfell Tower, a west London residential tower block. This was an horrific incident; 80 people are currently presumed to have died but the ferocity of the fire means that the final death toll may never be known for sure. Why the Grenfell Tower fire spread so quickly is the subject of intense debate but its source was attributed to a domestic fridge/freezer that overheated. Case 10 provides a reminder that fires can quite easily start in a similar way on a ship. In that case a fire was caused when a travel fridge was placed on the carpeted area of the deck in a cabin; the lack of air circulation around the unit caused the fridge to overheat… fortunately the crew were able to extinguish the fire without too much damage being done.” Continue reading “MAIB issues an essential Safety Digest featuring 25 cases”

Beware of fuel oil quick closing valve deficiencies

Posted on by News Hound
A fuel oil quick closing valve
A fuel oil quick closing valve

The Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA) has published a technical alert aimed at highlighting some major deficiencies related to fuel oil quick closing valves, which it has observed during Port State Control inspections. These deficiencies are considered of importance and often lead to detention.

Quick closing valves are fitted to oil tanks so that in the event of a fire they can be safely closed from a remote location to stop the supply of fuel to the fire. These valves may be operated remotely by pull wires, hydraulics, compressed air, etc.

Continue reading “Beware of fuel oil quick closing valve deficiencies”

Wire failure results in fatality onboard Sydney Trader

Posted on by News Hound
The Sydney Trader
The Sydney Trader

The Marine Safety Investigation Unit has issued an investigation report on the fatality of a crew member on board the Maltese registered container ship, Sydney Trader, off Port Limits Anchorage, Hong Kong that occurred in September 2016. The report, (which can be downloaded below), provides a description of what happened and the safety conclusions and recommendations.

The incident
The Maltese registered container vessel Sydney Trader had been anchored OPL at Hong Kong, China since 19 June 2016, awaiting orders for the next charter. At 0730, on 02 September 2016, the chief mate instructed the bosun to continue routine maintenance work in cargo hold no. 2. The chief mate also confirmed that all the Safety Management System (SMS) risk assessments and Permit to Work forms had been completed and signed before the bosun left the bridge at 0750. Continue reading “Wire failure results in fatality onboard Sydney Trader”

IMO highlights hazard of bauxite ship cargo

Posted on by News Hound
Container Ship - Picture credit IMO
Picture credit IMO

According to a new warning issued by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), it says that bauxite could become unstable when carried in bulk onboard a ship, potentially resulting in the vessel capsizing.

Bauxite is one of the world’s major sources of aluminium with around 100 million tonnes transported annually by sea. In 2015, a bulk carrier sank while transporting, with the loss of 18 seafarers. Research presented this week to an IMO Sub-Committee found that certain forms of bauxite with a large proportion of smaller particles could be subject to a newly-identified phenomenon of “dynamic separation” when there is excess moisture in the cargo.

Continue reading “IMO highlights hazard of bauxite ship cargo”

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