MCA releases MGN 548 (M+F) Amendment 1 – Servicing Requirements for SOLAS Inflatable Life-Saving Appliances

MCA releases MGN 548 (M+F) Amendment 1
MCA releases MGN 548 (M+F) Amendment 1

The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has published an amended MGN 548 that details how SOLAS-certificated life-saving appliance servicing stations can gain the necessary approval from the UK Secretary of State to act as a UK Approved Service Station. It also provides some essential considerations for vessel owners.

Before submitting a SOLAS-certificated inflatable life-saving appliance (LSA) to a service station, owners, masters, or skippers of Continue reading “MCA releases MGN 548 (M+F) Amendment 1 – Servicing Requirements for SOLAS Inflatable Life-Saving Appliances”

Loss of propulsion of ro-ro cargo vessel Mazarine

The vessel Mazarine dramatically stuck on Wolf Rock
The vessel Mazarine dramatically stuck on Wolf Rock

Transport Malta’s Marine Safety Investigation Unit has published an investigation report into the loss of propulsion and subsequent grounding of the Maltese-registered ro-ro cargo vessel Mazarine, on Wolf Rock off Land’s End, UK on 10 July 2023.

At about 1040, the Maltese-registered, ro-ro cargo vessel, Mazarine ran aground on Wolf Rock, UK. The vessel sustained structural damage to the underwater section of the hull. In addition to the hull perforations, several deformations were observed, mostly on the port Continue reading “Loss of propulsion of ro-ro cargo vessel Mazarine”

InterManager issues call for industry-wide accident reporting

Captain Kuba Szymanski, InterManager Secretary General
Captain Kuba Szymanski, InterManager Secretary General

Accidents onboard ships are not decreasing, according to latest accident statistics submitted to the International Maritime Organization by InterManager.

The Association says the number of seafarers injured in falls has remained fairly consistent year on year, as has the number of injuries resulting from rescue and survival craft accidents. However, the Association warns that the casualty rate for enclosed space accidents has almost doubled. InterManager has submitted its figures, which span several decades, to the 10th session of the IMO’s Sub-Committee Continue reading “InterManager issues call for industry-wide accident reporting”

How well do you know your lifeboat?

How well do you know your lifeboat?
How well do you know your lifeboat?

The American P&I Club has issued guidance highlighting the importance of in-depth training, robust familiarity with the specific lifeboat onboard each vessel, and rigorous maintenance routines to ensure the safety and reliability of lifeboats.

There are several types of lifeboats used aboard ships, each designed to meet specific safety requirements. Open lifeboats, lacking a roof, are the most basic and least safe, typically propelled by hand-operated oars. Closed lifeboats, either partially or fully enclosed, provide a Continue reading “How well do you know your lifeboat?”

£100k fine handed to operator for vessel modification resulting in two deaths

£100k fine handed to operator for vessel modification
£100k fine handed to operator for vessel modification

A Brixham, UK based fishing vessel operator has been ordered by a court to pay more than £100,000 after a vessel modification caused it to capsize, leading to the deaths of two people onboard. Joanna C had a major refit in 2019, including the addition of a whaleback, extension of the wheelhouse and raised bulwarks being added. That fatal incident happened in 2020 when the vessel’s gear snagged on the seabed. Its lack of stability meant it could not recover, causing the boat to sink rapidly. Only one crewmember of three survived. Continue reading “£100k fine handed to operator for vessel modification resulting in two deaths”

Aratere ferry refloated after running aground near Picton

The Aratere was travelling from Picton to Wellington when it ran aground approximately 1.5nm north of Picton in Titoko Bay
The Aratere was travelling from Picton to Wellington when it ran aground approximately 1.5nm north of Picton in Titoko Bay Photo credit: Marlborough District Council and Skyworks

The Aratere was travelling from Picton to Wellington when it ran aground approximately 1.5nm north of Picton in Titoko Bay. The Ro-Ro ferry ran aground in Titoko Bay, New Zealand following a reported steering issue on 21 June.

It was successfully refloated at high tide the following evening after investigative works confirmed the grounding pressure of the boat and vessel design using divers and with input from naval architects and technical experts. Oil spill booms had also been put in place to protect against any possible environmental effects. The local council’s environmental science team conduct environmental surveys to assess any impact to the site. Continue reading “Aratere ferry refloated after running aground near Picton”

Safer Seas Digest 2023 published by the NTSB

NTSB has released its Safer Seas Digest 2023
NTSB has released its Safer Seas Digest 2023

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its Safer Seas Digest 2023, highlighting the most important lessons learned from 31 maritime tragedies that took place last year involving capsizings, contact, collisions, fires, flooding and groundings.

Among the investigations, the most sobering investigations NTSB conducted involve the loss of human life. In 2023, they completed their investigation of the fatal collision between the Coast Guard cutter Winslow Griesser and the center-console boat Desakata, which took the life of one Desakata crewmember and seriously injured another. Continue reading “Safer Seas Digest 2023 published by the NTSB”

‘Risk of drowning’ alert for some Jeanneau Yachts issued

The MCA have alerted the IIMS about issues surrounding Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 410, 440 and 490 models, which are equipped with Sleipner-Sidepower retractable bow thruster modules.
The MCA have alerted the IIMS about issues surrounding Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 410, 440 and 490 models, which are equipped with Sleipner-Sidepower retractable bow thruster modules.

IIMS has been contacted directly by the UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) to alert us to potential issues surrounding Jeanneau Yachts of the Sun Odyssey line 410, 440 and 490 models, which are equipped with Sleipner-Sidepower retractable bow thruster modules. These models were built in 2020, 2021 and 2022.

The advice from Jeanneau is to immediately stop sailing. The company has issued a Continue reading “‘Risk of drowning’ alert for some Jeanneau Yachts issued”

SOLAS amendments: Enhancing safety in pilot transfer

support vessel alongside ship - Photo Credit: BIMCO
Photo Credit: BIMCO

BIMCO has provided a comprehensive look at new SOLAS amendments, which are expected to be adopted later this year.

The IMO Sub-Committee on Navigation, Communications and Search and Rescue (NCSR) convened for its 11th session from 4 to 13 June, and finalised the draft amendments of SOLAS, Regulation V/23 and associated instruments to improve the safety of Pilot Transfer Arrangements. The amendments are expected to be adopted at the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) 109, in autumn this year, with an entry-into-force date as 1 January 2028. There is also a provision of voluntary early implementation for member states.

– PTAs installed on or after 1 January 2028 shall be designed, manufactured, constructed, secured and installed in accordance with the amended performance standards Continue reading “SOLAS amendments: Enhancing safety in pilot transfer”

IMCA annual report: poor control on confined spaces

IMCA 2023/24 report on confined spaces - photo credit: IMCA
photo credit: IMCA

Analysis of more than 1,600 vessel inspection reports in year to 1 April this year reveals ongoing safety concerns over confined spaces.

A new report from IMCA has analysed 1,611 standard vessel inspection reports uploaded to IMCA’s eCMID (Common Marine Inspection Document) and eMISW (Common Marine Inspection Documents for Small Workboats) database in the previous year.

The eCMID system provides the marine and offshore industry with standardised formats Continue reading “IMCA annual report: poor control on confined spaces”

Ship fire safety systems are crucial and must be treated as such

Ship fire safety systems are the topic of whitepaper
Ship fire safety systems are the topic of whitepaper

Survitec has highlighted the dangers of inadequate maintenance, testing, and inspection of ship fire safety systems in a new white paper, which points to an alarming increase in fire-safety-related deficiencies found during Port State Control Inspections and subsequent ship detentions.

In a white paper released at the Posidonia tradeshow, Survitec highlighted that fire continues to be a leading cause of major shipping incidents, accounting for over 20% of total losses, and the most expensive cause of marine insurance claims. While the highest level of fire safety deficiencies in a decade was recorded by the Paris MoU in 2022, and the Tokyo MoU also reported an increase in detentions, with a staggering 15,562 deficiencies reported in 2023. Continue reading “Ship fire safety systems are crucial and must be treated as such”

BIMCO informs of the dangers of transporting palm kernel shells

Credit: BIMCOBIMCO informs of the dangers of transporting palm kernel shells
PHOTO CREDIT: BIMCO 

According to BIMCO, recent events at the port of Ishinomaki, Japan, involved two workers found unconscious during cargo operations aboard a bulker ship transporting palm kernel shells. While the incident is under investigation by the Japanese Coast Guard to determine any connection between the cargo and the workers’ condition, it underscores the importance of understanding the hazards associated with transporting palm kernel shells. Continue reading “BIMCO informs of the dangers of transporting palm kernel shells”

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