The importance of fire safety in engine rooms is highlighted

An engine room post fire

DNV GL has been considering the aspects of fire safety in engine rooms with respect to both new-build and ships in service and offers the following advice. Insulation, screening and the routing of pipes cannot be easily addressed in the design and approval phase. As a result, DNV GL are keen to remind people, including surveyors that these aspects require adequate attention during the new-build construction phase.

Insulation and screening deteriorate during the vessel’s operational phase and require extra attention during the vessel’s in service phase. Often, deficiencies within these two aspects are easy to detect during a survey. However, missing insulation or screening is not always easy to identify, especially on relatively new ships. Therefore, it is important that all requirements are met when the vessel is delivered – making follow-up during the ship’s lifetime simpler.

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MAIB reports on the girting and capsize of mooring launch Asterix

The AsterixThe MAIB report, recently published, into the incident leading to the ultimate loss of Asterix explains the issues surrounding the girting and capsize of the mooring launch while assisting manoeuvring of the small chemical tanker Donizetti at Fawley oil refinery, Southampton UK points to lack of communication and training. The two crew from the launch were rescued, the coxswain having been trapped in the upturned wheelhouse for more than an hour. The launch later sank however there was no pollution and although later recovered, the launch was declared a constructive total loss.

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Sailors’ Society releases free Wellness at Sea app for seafarers

Sailors’ Society has launched Wellness at Sea app, a free app for seafarers
Sailors’ Society has launched Wellness at Sea app, a free app for seafarers

Sailors’ Society, one of the largest seafarer support charities operating internationally, has launched Wellness at Sea app, a free app for seafarers.

Wellness at Sea app is the next step in Sailors’ Society improving on board health and well-being at sea and puts seafarers’ wellness in their own hands.

Sandra Welch, Sailors’ Society’s deputy chief executive, said: “Sailors’ Society’s Wellness at Sea coaching programme has been well received by the industry and we were keen to take it to the next level by putting the tools to enhance and monitor well-being in the hands Continue reading “Sailors’ Society releases free Wellness at Sea app for seafarers”

European Community Shipowners’ Associations says Alang recycling processes have improved

ALANG shipyardShip recycling practices in Alang, India, are gradually improving according to the European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA). It says the European Commission should acknowledge this positive development under the EU Ship Recycling Regulation. Adopting an overly restrictive approach will discourage first movers and further delay the entry into force of the IMO Hong Kong Convention.

These are the main messages that European Community Shipowners’ Associations took home from a fact-finding visit held last week in Alang, India. The visit was organised in cooperation with the Indian government, Continue reading “European Community Shipowners’ Associations says Alang recycling processes have improved”

UK MCA issues Marine Guidance Notes MGN 547 and MGN 552

A bunch of dirtThe UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) has issued two new marine guidance notices on MGN 547 and MGN 552 in recent days.

MGN 547: Solid bulk cargoes – safe carriage of bauxite.
The purpose of this Marine Guidance Note is to advise the industry of the circular issued by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Sub-Committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers, CCC.1/Circ.2, on safe carriage of bauxite and raise awareness of the possible dangers of liquefaction associated with carriage of bauxite.

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DNV GL issues technical guidance for deck cargo on bulk carriers

DNV publishes guidance on deck cargo for bulk carriers
DNV publishes guidance on deck cargo for bulk carriers

DNV GL has issued Technical and Regulatory News including all related information you need when preparing a deck cargo for bulk carriers.

Structural strength
The deck and hatch covers on modern bulk carriers usually have a structural capacity of around 2.0 to 2.5 t/m2 of uniformly distributed load (UDL), without any reinforcements. This load corresponds to the green sea pressure used in the approval of the vessel. With a few minor reinforcements, it may be possible to increase the UDL, especially for the deck area.

Stability documentation
Compliance with applicable stability and longitudinal strength criteria in deck cargo loading conditions shall be shown in updated/amended stability manuals.

In general, intact GM limit curves shall be recalculated taking into account an additional wind profile area from deck cargo.

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MAIB report into the Hoegh Osaka grounding published

The capsized Hoegh OsakaAt 2109 on 3 January 2015, the pure car and truck carrier Hoegh Osaka was rounding West Bramble buoy in The Solent when it developed a significant starboard list causing some cargo shift and consequent flooding.

With the list in excess of 40°, the ship lost steerage and propulsion, and subsequently drifted onto Bramble Bank, grounding at 2115.

Hoegh Osaka had sailed from the port of Southampton, bound for Bremerhaven, at 2006. A pilot was embarked and there were 24 crew on board. Following the accident, all crew were successfully evacuated from the ship or recovered from the surrounding waters. There was no pollution. A major salvage operation successfully refloated Hoegh Osaka and it was subsequently taken to a safe berth in Southampton on 22 January.

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Electrical safety: An evaluation of electrical hazards

A series of electrical hazardsIn its latest Safety Bulletin, published in March 2016, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) tackles the issue of electrical hazards full on. Although aimed at those working onboard in an electrical capacity, it serves as a timely reminder of the potential electrical hazards a surveyor may be faced with too.

Electrical hazards can lead to deaths and injuries such as shocks and burns. They can also lead to shipboard fires, explosions and the disabling (through blackouts) of essential equipment and services on board which can compromise safety. Ensuring that the right controls and mitigation measures are in place is critical for maintaining safe operations. To be effective, control measures need to be developed at the organisational, technical and individual levels.

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MCA issues MGN 543: Safety of Navigation: Offshore Renewable Energy Installations

Offshore Wind turbinesThe UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency has issued guidance note MGN 543 to highlight issues that need to be taken into consideration when assessing the impact on navigational safety and emergency response (search and rescue, salvage and towing, and counter pollution) caused by offshore renewable energy installation developments. It applies to proposals in United Kingdom internal waters, Territorial Sea and Exclusive Economic Zone.

Offshore Renewable Energy Installations (OREI) include offshore wind farms, tidal energy converters (including tidal range devices), wave energy converters and any associated infrastructure with the potential to affect marine navigation and emergency response, proposed in United Kingdom (UK) internal waters, Territorial Sea and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

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Closer inspections for corrosion of kill cord metal components essential

Surveyors are urged to make close inspections to identify weakening of this vital piece of equipment
Surveyors are urged to make close inspections to identify weakening of this vital piece of equipment

One third of skippers have experienced kill cord or kill switch failure, according to the results of a recent survey. The survey also showed that closer inspection of the emergency engine cut-outs is needed to reduce the likelihood of failure.

The majority of respondents stated that they had never experienced a kill cord or kill switch failure, however a third described experiencing a failure of either the kill cord, kill switch or both, with problems occurring across the board in terms of engine size (sub-4hp to 150+hp) and with 73% of problems reportedly occurring in engines aged 2-10 years.

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Skuld P&I Club warns of dangers of entering an enclosed zinc concentrate cargo hold

Man in an enclosed spaceRecently the Skuld P&I club noted a crew fatality incident caused by entering an enclosed zinc concentrate cargo hold. A chief officer of a bulk carrier was found lying unconscious in the cargo hold after he entered the hold alone without ventilation and tragically lost his life. It was later established that the cause of death was asphyxiation. Measurements performed the day after the accident showed that the level of oxygen in the air at the stairwell was 2.6%.

Due to the cargo’s nature of oxidation, ventilation and atmosphere tests are vital before entering holds and breathing apparatus is needed. At sea-level, humans require air that contains minimum 19.5% oxygen. Below that an Continue reading “Skuld P&I Club warns of dangers of entering an enclosed zinc concentrate cargo hold”

MAIB report on deck collapse on St Helen

St Helen the ship

The report relates to the MAIB’s investigation of the collapse of a mezzanine deck on the Wightlink ferry St Helen, at Fishbourne ferry terminal, Isle of Wight, on 18 July 2014. The passengers and vehicles on board the cross Solent roll-on roll-off passenger ferry St Helen were in the process of disembarking at Fishbourne ferry terminal on the Isle of Wight when the vessel’s starboard forward mezzanine deck collapsed. The deck collapsed because one of its steel wire lifting ropes parted. The lifting rope parted because it had not been routinely lubricated and the mezzanine deck had not been properly maintained.

A crewman and 11 cars, with their seated passengers, were on the deck when it collapsed. The crewman suffered a minor head injury and was temporarily rendered unconscious; several passengers suffered minor impact related injuries. The mezzanine deck was structurally damaged and was later removed from the vessel.

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