Health & Safety

Marine Installation Safety Training: Diesel fuelled heating

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The safety of diesel fuelled heating systems in boats is challenged as never before
The safety of diesel fuelled heating systems in boats is challenged as never before

The history

For over 40 years diesel fuelled heating has enjoyed a faultless safety record within the marine industry. This has been achieved despite being largely ignored by most regulating bodies. So why are we writing this? Heaters are safe right? Well, yes, if installed and maintained correctly, diesel fuelled heating is still one of the safest forms of heating you can use. Unfortunately, in recent years a worrying trend has started to develop, fuelled by a glut of cheap second hand vehicle diesel heaters and dubious internet knowledge. Which has led to more marine installation safety training needed in diesel fuelled heating

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Fuel hoses for petrol inboard engines

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workboat on fire - Fuel hoses for petrol inboard engines
Workboat on fire – Fuel hoses for petrol inboard engines

The context of this article is in relation to improving the safety of operators and crew of existing inboard petrol powered vessels including from fuel hoses for petrol inboard engines the possibility of explosion resulting in death or injury.

As one of our clients stated: “This vessel has only exploded once in all my 40 years of fishing. The explosion throwing me backwards onto the net board, so my vessel is perfectly safe!”

This particular case was the result of the fuel tank breather line falling off the fuel tank connection with the resulting fumes allowing free passage through the open boat structure as no bulkheads were included in the construction of the vessel finally allowed to gathering in the bilge under the motor. This nearly resulted in a personal space shuttle, he was lucky.

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Ocean Signal recognised for world’s smallest man overboard device

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Ocean Signal has been recognised for world’s smallest man overboard device
Ocean Signal has been recognised for world’s smallest man overboard device

The innovative rescueME MOB1 by British company, Ocean Signal, has been nominated for a prestigious DAME Design Award for the world’s smallest man overboard device.

Developed by UK communication and safety at sea specialist Ocean Signal as the world’s most advanced Man Overboard locating device, the rescueME MOB1 has been selected by the DAME Awards Jury in the ‘lifesaving and safety equipment’ category.

The MOB1 incorporates both AIS and DSC technologies within the most compact product on the market at 30% smaller than similar products. The easy-to-use device has been designed to integrate into a life jacket, ensuring the best chance of rapid rescue for an MOB in extreme conditions.

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Joint concentrated campaign on crew familiarisation for enclosed space entry initiative

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A new Joint concentrated initiative is being launched to familiarise crew on enclosed space entry
A new Joint concentrated initiative is being launched to familiarise crew on enclosed space entry

The Maritime Authorities of the Tokyo and the Paris Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) on Port State Control will launch a joint concentrated inspection campaign (CIC) on crew familiarisation for enclosed space entry initiative.

The aim of the CIC is to ensure effective procedures and measures are in place to safeguard seafarers on board ships when entering and working in enclosed spaces and to check compliance with the applicable requirements of the SOLAS Convention.

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MAIB reports on two fatalities on GPS Battler

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The GPS Battler has been the subject of two separate MAIB investigations as a result of two fatalities
The GPS Battler has been the subject of two separate MAIB investigations as a result of two fatalities

This reports two MAIB’s investigations of the deaths of crewmen from the workboat GPS Battler while the vessel was operating in Spain.

On 13 August 2014, the vessel’s master drowned soon after the open tender returning him from the marina in Almeira to the anchored workboat was overwhelmed in choppy seas. The tender flooded rapidly and started to submerge. The master initially swam clear but soon lost consciousness and could not be revived.

On 5 January 2015, a crewman joining GPS Battler as mate fell into the water from quayside in Marin while waiting for the access arrangements to the vessel to be made safe. The mate was soon motionless and was recovered from the water by the Spanish Coastguard.

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MAIB releases safety warning following mooring line failure

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Mooring line failure on board LNG tanker, Zarga - MAIB issues urgent safety notice
Mooring line failure on board LNG tanker, Zarga – MAIB issues urgent safety notice

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB), has issued a safety bulletin to highlight urgent safety lessons that have arisen in the early stages of its investigation into the mooring line failure on board LNG tanker, Zarga.

Zarga was working alongside South Hook LNG terminal, Milford Haven, when the mooring line failure resulted in serious injury to a deck officer on 2nd March 2015. The mooring line parted during a berthing operation and resulted in the deck officer being struck and obtaining severe head trauma.

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IMO and Bangladesh collaborate to improve ship recycling standards

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The IMO and Bangladeshi Government has agreed to collaborate to improve ship recycling standards
The IMO and Bangladeshi Government has agreed to collaborate to improve ship recycling standards

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh have signed a landmark agreement to work together to improve safety and environmental ship recycling standards in the country.

A Memorandum of Understanding formalizing the cooperation between the two was signed by Mr Nicolaos Charalambous, Director, Technical Cooperation Division, IMO and Mr Md. Ashadul Islam, Additional Secretary, Economic Relations Division of the Ministry of Finance of the Government of Bangladesh, on 10 April 2014.

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Nautilus demands action following enclosed space deaths

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As a result of recent enclosed space deaths affecting seafarers Nautilus is calling for action
As a result of recent enclosed space deaths affecting seafarers Nautilus is calling for action

Nautilus International is calling for the UK to lead a ‘new and concerted drive to end the appalling litany’ of enclosed space deaths that are currently affecting seafarer.

The Union has written to shipping minister John Hayes following the latest incident, in which two seafarers died in a cargo hold of the Isle of Man flagged Carisbrooke Shipping general cargo vessel Sally Ann C last month.

Investigations into the incident – which took place off the coast of west Africa – are underway, but it is known that the chief officer and chief engineer died after entering a hold where timber was stowed and the second officer had to be rescued after losing consciousness when he went to the aid of his colleagues.

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NZ Maritime Union calls for inquiry into port safety

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The Maritime Union of New Zealand is calling for an inquiry to be set up into the number of accidents affecting seafarers and port workers
The Maritime Union of New Zealand is calling for an inquiry to be set up into the number of accidents affecting seafarers and port workers

A Port of Lyttelton worker suffered a broken arm on Tuesday 3 March 2015 after a fall aboard a vessel. Two C3 employees in the Port of Timaru were taken to hospital after an incident aboard a container vessel on the early morning of Wednesday 4 March 2015. One of the workers was transferred to Christchurch hospital with serious back injuries.

Maritime Union National Secretary Joe Fleetwood says the ongoing and regular accidents in the port sector showed there were “systemic and deep rooted problems” that needed to be brought into the open.

Mr Fleetwood says he was concerned other incidents were happening in ports but had gone under a “cone of silence.”

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Scottish Minister calls on UK Government to extend funding for emergency towing vehicles

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Scottish Minister, Richard Lochhead, calls for funding for emergency towing vehicles to be extended
Scottish Minister, Richard Lochhead, calls for funding for emergency towing vehicles to be extended

The provision for Emergency Towing Vehicles should be reviewed immediately and extended beyond March 2016, Richard Lochhead said during the recent national marine plan debate as he calls UK Government to extend funding for emergency towing vehicles. This call comes as a result of the recent sinking of the Cemfjord and the grounding of a large cargo ship Lysblink Seaways at Ardnamurchan Point.

The UK Government must reassure maritime industries that emergency tug provision is available across Scotland’s waters including the Western Isles and the west coast of Scotland. Marine industries bring approximately £18 billion into the Scottish economy and there must be adequate provision to protect these interests and the marine environment itself. The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that the development of Scotland’s seas stay within environmental limits, which is why we have developed this plan. The plan outlines the Government’s vision for the sustainable development and use of the marine environment. It provides clarity and flexibility to developers and decision makers on Scotland’s priorities for sustainable use of the sea.

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Poor procedures means no let up in navigational claims reports The Swedish Club

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The Swedish Club Logo
The Swedish Club Logo

According to The Swedish Club, half of the costs of hull and machinery claims handled by the Club have arisen due to navigational claims such as collisions, contacts or groundings – a figure that has remained steady over recent years despite improved technology and the widespread implementation of Safety Management Systems. In short, The Swedish Club says poor procedures means no let up in navigational claims.

The Swedish Club, in its latest Loss Prevention publication, Navigational Claims, has revealed a number of interesting findings relating to claims made for hull and machinery damage between 2004–2013.

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South Asia still the preferred end of life location says NGO Shipbreaking Platform

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South Asia still the preferred end of life location says NGO Shipbreaking Platform. Photo: NGO Shipbreaking Platform
South Asia still the preferred end of life location says NGO Shipbreaking Platform. Photo: NGO Shipbreaking Platform

The NGO Shipbreaking Platform has released a complete list of all ship owners and their ships sold for breaking last year and list shows that South Asia still the preferred end of life location.

The Statistics

Out of a total of 1026 ships dismantled globally in 2014, 641 – representing 74% of the total gross tonnage (GT) scrapped – were sold to substandard facilities in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh where ships are dismantled directly on tidal beaches. None of the South Asian yards comply with international standards for safe and environmentally sound ship recycling.

End-of-life ships contain toxic materials such as asbestos, heavy metals, PCBs, oil residues and organic waste within their structures – these pollutants can not be contained or safely removed on a tidal beach. The demolition of the largest movable man-made structures is hazardous and must be conducted in a controlled manner using adequate infrastructure such as cranes as well as necessary health and safety provisions – in 2014 the Platform reported 23 deaths and 66 severe injuries due to accidents such as explosions, workers crushed under steel plates and falling from heights on the South Asian beaches.

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