Once again the subject of enclosed space fatalities is back in the marine news headlines following a spike of fatalities and incidents over the past 18 months. I for one find it very distressing to read about this phenomenon on a regular basis, which could surely be prevented? This news story brings the numbers into stark reality and, as it clearly shows, 2018 was a shockingly bad year, in fact the worst since statistics became available back in 1999; and 2019 has started in a similar vein with more high profile cases. Seemingly we do we not learn as an industry. Why? At the very least it would seem sensible to take appropriate precautions before entering an enclosed or confined space. I wonder if it simply a lack of training and education, because I suspect it runs deeper than that. None of us is immortal and indestructible. We think it will not happen to us. But I urge any marine surveyor to take extreme caution when entering an enclosed space and, let me remind you, small spaces in yachts and small craft can Continue reading “Are we compromising life due to enclosed spaces?”
Marine News
MAIB report on the fatal capsizing of Laura Jane fishing vessel is published
At 1311 on 7 May 2018, the single-handed fishing vessel Laura Jane capsized off Mount Batten Breakwater in Plymouth trapping its skipper in the wheelhouse.
The vessel remained afloat with a few centimetres of the wheelhouse protruding above the water. Two RNLI lifeboats arrived at the scene within 15 minutes of the capsize and Laura Jane was towed to the nearby Batten Bay beach, arriving at around 1400.
The skipper was extracted from the wheelhouse by two of the RNLI crew who broke a wheelhouse window to get access to him. He was immersed in water, was unconscious and not breathing.
Attempts to resuscitate him by the lifeboat crew and paramedics from the emergency services were unsuccessful.
He was then airlifted to Derriford Hospital, where he Continue reading “MAIB report on the fatal capsizing of Laura Jane fishing vessel is published”
Fire onboard a fishing vessel caused by mechanical failure says NTSB report
NTSB has published its report into the circumstances that led to the fire on board the commercial fishing vessel Ole Betts Sea, on 18 March 2018 in the eastern Gulf of Mexico.
The fire burned for 16 hours and the vessel eventually sank about 18 miles northeast of the island of Garden Key, Dry Tortugas, Florida. No pollution or injuries were reported. The ship was a total loss valued at $200,000.
Before getting under way on March 13 for the voyage that was to turn into disaster, the captain performed a pre-departure check of the vessel and its gear.
He also checked the items listed on a post-voyage work-list form, which was submitted to Trico’s shop foreman at the end of the previous 3-week voyage.
He found all in good order, and the Ole Betts Sea departed its Fort Myers Beach berth.
Continue reading “Fire onboard a fishing vessel caused by mechanical failure says NTSB report”
Leading maritime capitals of the world report 2019 published
The Leading Maritime Capitals report for 2019 is out, with fresh insight on which maritime metropolises provide the best support for companies in shipping and related services.
Criteria include soft and hard infrastructure and access to world-class talent and services – all key components that maritime businesses need to thrive in their chosen locations.
Singapore maintained its top position at the head of the 15 leading maritime capitals.
Despite a somewhat weak trade cycle in traditional shipping and offshore oil and gas markets yet to recover, Singapore was able to retain its lead in three of the five pillars of the ranking: Shipping, Ports and Logistics as well as Attractiveness and Competitiveness.
In the two remaining pillars, London is number one in Continue reading “Leading maritime capitals of the world report 2019 published”
British Coatings Federation to launch protect, collect and dispose antifouling initiative
The British Coatings Federation (BCF), along with the Green Blue (a joint initiative between the Royal Yachting Association and British Marine) and the Yacht Harbour Association (TYHA), will launch their Protect, Collect and Dispose Antifouling Initiative at the 2019 Marina Conference in Bournemouth on 24th-25th April.
The objective of the initiative is to inform as many people as possible about environmental best practice when antifouling boats.
This initiative builds on the successful, award-winning DIY Safe Antifouling programme BCF, RYA and British Marine launched in 2017.
It is intended for those who antifoul their own vessels, as well as for marinas and boatyards who are offering professional antifouling services.
Advice on how to ensure containers are stacked safely on board container ships
Uwe-Peter Schieder, Loss Prevention Manager at GDV (German Insurance Association – Gesamtverband der Deutschen Versicherungswirtschaft) and Vice-Chair of IUMI’s Loss Prevention Committee, provides his comment on securing containers on deck of a container ship.
Mr. Schieder says that there are six different motions in which vessels move in the sea, with the main of them being pitching, heaving and rolling.
However, lateral rolling motion presents the greatest risk for stacks of containers.
In order for containers to be safely transported on the deck of a container ship, this must be done with the help of twistlocks.
These are inserted into the corner castings of the containers, which have elongated holes. There, the rotating lug of the twistlock engages locks the Continue reading “Advice on how to ensure containers are stacked safely on board container ships”
Crack in cargo hold cover leads to wet damage described in latest Swedish Club bulletin
In its monthly safety scenario, April edition, the Swedish Club describes a case of cargo damage caused by water ingress due to a crack in the hatch coaming.
The incident resulted in several days of delay for the ship to get the wet cargo off the vessel, while most of the cargo was refused by the buyer.
The bulk carrier had a full cargo of zinc concentrate onboard and was sailing from the west coast to the east coast of South America.
When the vessel passed Cape Horn, it experienced heavy weather of Beaufort scale 9 with green sea covering the cargo hold covers 1, 2 and 3.
This continued for 4 days as the vessel battled the waves. The vessel had no weather routing.
When the weather had calmed down the master asked the chief officer to inspect the cargo holds. The chief officer found that water had Continue reading “Crack in cargo hold cover leads to wet damage described in latest Swedish Club bulletin”
ABS publishes expanded and updated best practices for ballast water management systems report
ABS published its updated Best Practices for Operation of Ballast Water Management (BWM) Systems Report, offering fresh insight on best practices to overcome key challenges with selecting, installing and operating a BWM system.
First published in 2017, the updated 2019 Report captures the key discussion items, lessons-learned and valuable insight gathered and shared during its global program of industry workshops, shaped by questionnaires from owners and operators of vessels with BWM systems.
“Our engagement with the industry has helped us gain a deep understanding of the challenges from around the globe, which we used to develop and enhance our guidance to industry,” said Derek Novak, ABS Senior Vice President for Engineering and Technology. “Working closely with owners and operators we produced detailed best practices for mitigating and minimizing issues with the installation and operation of BWM systems.”
Port State Control common deficiency areas on liquefied gas carriers cited
This article addresses five common deficiencies that Sector Houston-Galveston Port State Control Officers (PSCOs) have fund on liquefied gas carriers. In 2018, Sector Houston-Galveston conducted 141 Certificate of Compliance (COC) exams on liquefied gas carriers, seven of which resulted in IMO detentions. This equates to a 5% detention ratio, which is more than double the national average for IMO detentions in 2018 (1.5 %). Some combination or other of the below listed deficiencies were cited in all of the Sector’s aforementioned gas carrier detentions. The purpose of this article is to share information and prompt owners, operators, surveyors and other involved parties to take proactive steps to identify and correct sub-standard safety and environmental stewardship conditions before Coast Guard port state control intervention, including COC removal, cargo cessation and/or detentions, becomes necessary.
Continue reading “Port State Control common deficiency areas on liquefied gas carriers cited”
New technology aims to reduce underwater radiated noise generated by ships’ propeller cavitation
A new technology aimed at reducing the underwater radiated noise (URN) generated by ships’ propeller cavitation has been developed by Strathclyde University and Oscar Propulsion.
The patented Oscar PressurePores system reduces propeller tip vortex cavitation by applying a small number of strategically bored holes in the propeller blades.
The addition of these pressure-relieving holes now allows ships to operate with a more silent propeller with a minimum of compromise on its efficiency or having to slow steam. Reducing cavitation also reduces its associated erosive effect.
AMSA changes to shipping registration have come into force
Starting from 1st April 2019, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has applied changes to shipping registration laws.
Registering a ship: There are no changes to the way that you register a ship on the Australian Registers unless you do not know the vessel’s full ownership history. Namely:
– Ships registered on the Australian general shipping register have Australian nationality.
– Registration of a ship on the Australian general shipping register provides legally and internationally recognisable nationality to your ship. When registered, you will have Australian protection on the high seas and in foreign ports.
Continue reading “AMSA changes to shipping registration have come into force”
IG Clubs continue to implement survey triggers for tankers carrying HFO
As part of the industry’s efforts to ensure higher ship standards, the International Group of P&I Clubs (IG Clubs) continues to implement survey triggers for seagoing vessels of 10 years of age or more carrying HFO, the American P&I Club has reminded the industry in a bulletin.
As a consequence, all sea-going vessels aged 10 years or more which have carried heavy HFO as cargo within the previous 12 months will be subject to condition survey, unless:
– the vessel has undergone a P&I club condition survey during the previous 12 months; or
– the vessel has undergone a Special Survey during the previous 6 months; or
– the vessel has a valid Condition Assessment Program (CAP) rating of 1 or 2 with a classification society having membership in the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS).
– HFO is defined as residual fuel with a kinematic viscosity of 380 centipoises when measured at 50 degrees Celsius by the ISO 3104 test method.
Continue reading “IG Clubs continue to implement survey triggers for tankers carrying HFO”