The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) has published its Annual Overview of Marine Casualties and Incidents for 2026.
Presented in the context of a ten-year period between 2016-2025, this publication contains statistics of marine casualties and incidents recorded in the European Marine Casualty Information Platform (EMCIP) as reported by 27 EU Member States, Iceland and Norway. Continue reading “EMSA releases Annual Overview of Marine Casualties and Incidents 2026”
Working with good industry friends, the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) and the Workboat Association, IIMS is pleased to announce the publication of the International Workboat Code of Practice, extending to 122 pages. The publication is designed to assist those involved in operating, building and surveying workboats with some best-practice industry guidance.
The International Workboat Code of Practice is a Good Practice Guide, created in collaboration between the International Marine Contractors Association, the International Institute of Marine Surveying and the Workboat Association. Continue reading “IMCA, IIMS, and the Workboat Association join forces to launch the International Workboat Code of Practice”
Fires on vessels present serious dangers to passengers, crew, and firefighters. They can have significant environmental impact and can affect billion-dollar commerce in busy ports. Marine fires present unique hazards that are incredibly dangerous and challenging incidents for marine firefighters to respond to, including vessel instability, tight onboard spaces, and the need for specialized resources that are not typically available in many ports.
The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), the non-partisan, fact-based arm of Congress, recently published a report highlighting the prevalence of these fires and the Coast Guard’s efforts address them. Continue reading “U.S. Coast Guard addressing marine firefighting challenges, but worrying gaps remain”
An investigation by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) revealed failed engine control transfer led to passenger ferry Radisson to hit a wharf at the Port of Québec, injuring five people.
TSB said the investigation highlighted the need to better manage safety risks following changes to shipboard equipment and to require passenger safety management training for crew members of all passenger vessels. Continue reading “Failed engine control transfer led Radisson ferry to hit wharf”
The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) has issued a safety alert to check the material condition of ageing fiberglass lifeboats and the need for thorough inspections of hook release systems and load-bearing components.
The safety alert addresses the importance of verifying the material condition of lifeboat fibreglass structures, metal components, and the hook release systems that secure lifeboats to ship davits. The Coast Guard is investigating a marine casualty in which a lifeboat suffered a fibreglass failure at the base of the hook release during launch, causing it to fall into the water and resulting in a total loss. This failure occurred despite regular, manufacturer-recommended inspections. Continue reading “USCG urges checks of the material condition of ageing fiberglass lifeboats”
Parliament has passed the Maritime Transport (Lifejackets on Recreational Craft) Amendment Bill. Everyone aboard a recreational vessel of six metres or under will need to wear a properly fitted lifejacket, or another approved personal flotation device, whenever the boat is moving as lifejackets set to become compulsory on all small craft. The rule becomes law 28 days after the Bill receives Royal Assent, the final formality before it takes effect.
Associate Transport Minister James Meager is behind the push, citing 17 deaths in recreational boating incidents last year, 12 of them people who weren’t wearing a lifejacket. He’s called the deaths preventable and the new rule a common-sense fix that’s been a long time coming. Continue reading “Lifejackets set to become compulsory on small craft in New Zealand”
Vessels heading to Indian ports to load iron ore fines and other Group A cargoes should note the revised procedure for loading, sailing clearance and surveys according to London P&I Club’s correspondent James Mackintosh & Co. Pvt. Ltd.
Following the very recent loss of the Panama-flagged bulk carrier Ocean Winner, the Principal Officer, MMD Kolkata has, with immediate effect, imposed additional controls on the loading and sailing of vessels carrying iron ore fines, sand and other Group A (liquefiable) cargoes from ports under Kolkata Port jurisdiction, this would include Kolkata, Haldia, Budge Budge, Diamond Harbour, Paradip, Dhamra, Gopalpur and Port Blair. Continue reading “India tightens loading rules for iron ore fines and Group A cargoes”
The 10th Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1434 that amended the Marine Equipment Directive (MED) 2014/90/EU came into force on 31 August 2026.
And DNV has explained what this update means.
DNV’s essential points:
Continue reading “Updated EU marine equipment directive requirements now in force”
Sea containers are a cornerstone of global trade, with millions of units transported across international supply chains each year. However, their movement also creates pathways for the spread of pests and diseases, posing risks to agriculture, biodiversity, food security and international commerce.
To address these risks, the Australian Government has developed a series of capacity-building videos aimed at helping industry participants and global stakeholders reduce pest contamination associated with sea container movements. Continue reading “Australian government launches guidance to help prevent pest contamination in containers”
A final report from the UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) revealed the safety failures that led to an incident on board the World Prize bulk carrier last year.
What happened
On 14 October 2025, the bosun on the Isle of Man registered bulk carrier World Prize died when he fell from the main deck while the crew were preparing the pilot ladder following the vessel’s departure from Rönnskär, Sweden. Continue reading “Crewmember died in man overboard incident on World Prize bulk carrier”
The Boating Industry Association Ltd (BIA) has released the State of the Industry 2026 Boating Data Report Card revealing national turnover at $10.5 billion for 2025-26, holding steady on the previous record year. BIA CEO Andrew Fielding said the report, launched at the Sydney Boat Show, demonstrated sustained business across the sector over the past 12 months.
“There are now 23,500 people directly employed in the boating industry as well as 11,500 more in contractor roles supporting more than 2000 businesses across the nation, with a further 1350 or more in formal training roles, supporting the future workforce needs,” said Fielding. Continue reading “2026 Boating Data Report Card released”
Plastic pellet pollution remains a concern in shipping due to incidents of nurdle spillage. West P&I Club has highlighted a circular from India’s DGS, Circular No. 19 of 2026, which introduces specific requirements for transporting plastic pellets (nurdles) in freight containers. Nurdles are increasingly recognised as an environmental risk that warrants targeted control.
In the circular, DGS said recent incidents along the Indian coastline have highlighted serious concerns regarding marine pollution caused by the loss of freight containers carrying plastic pellets at sea. Continue reading “India introduces new requirements for transporting plastic pellets in containers”
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