Common problems associated with hatch covers

Hatch Cover - P&I Loss Prevention BulletinThe Japan P&I Club has published an excellent 26 page guide about hatch covers which can be downloaded at the end of this article. The guide highlights a number of key issues that need to be observed to reduce exposure to ingress and wetting damage claims.

Hatch cover maintenance and operation requires a thorough understanding of basic principles together with type specific issues and requirements. Experience and claims show hatch cover problems still remain one of the predominant causes for claims and accidents on board vessels.

According to the Japan P&I Club, “whilst hatch cover claims are generally associated with wetting damage, Continue reading “Common problems associated with hatch covers”

Swedish Club: Pilot falls into water after ladder rope breaks

Image of broken rope ladder
Image of broken rope ladder

In its monthly safety scenario bulletin, the Swedish Club describes an accident where a pilot had fallen into the water after one of the side ropes of the ladder broke, despite a recent monthly inspection.

It was a cold winter’s morning with calm winds and no swell. The vessel had departed port and was preparing for the pilot to disembark. The Chief Officer had told the bosun to prepare the ladder on the port side. The vessel had discharged all its cargo and was in ballast condition proceeding to the next port for loading. As the vessel had no cargo onboard the freeboard was about 7 meters. Continue reading “Swedish Club: Pilot falls into water after ladder rope breaks”

TT Club urges IMO Member States to increase container and cargo inspections and submit reports urgently

A group of firemen are in the background, while blue plastic debris from the blast is in the foreground Photo credit: AFP
The blast at Chittagong left dozens dead. Photo credit: AFP

Past reporting of inspections carried out has been sparse. In welcoming the IMO’s revised guidelines for inspections, the international freight transport insurer TT Club exhorts governments to report findings to IMO on 2021 inspections, as well as to increase the volume of inspections carried out. This would helpfully inform the international maritime regulator and support industry players who are striving to ensure safety and reduce dangerous incidents.

Revised Guidelines for the Implementation of the Inspection of Cargo Transport Units (CTUs) issued last month by the IMO are aimed at helping governments to implement a uniform and safe inspection programme. The IMO Circular (MSC.1/Circ.1649) seeks to broaden the inspections undertaken and Continue reading “TT Club urges IMO Member States to increase container and cargo inspections and submit reports urgently”

Swedish Club guidelines for bills of lading published

The Swedish Club has released a set of guidelines covering the most common issues with bills of lading. The Swedish Club guidelines have been written in response to requests from operators asking for further support in dealing with some of the practical and theoretical aspects of bills of lading.

Despite their seeming simplicity, a bill of lading is still a contract, and the reality is that whilst there is a lot of information available, it is not always easy to find. Part of the issue is that much of the available advice is found in legal textbooks, which may reach a restricted audience The Swedish Club said. Continue reading “Swedish Club guidelines for bills of lading published”

Quantum for claims due to fires onboard ships surpass US$ 4 million

Quantum for claims due to fires onboard ships surpass US$ 4 million
Quantum for claims due to fires onboard ships surpass US$ 4 million

Between 2016 and 2022, the quantum for claims notified to the Shipowners’ Club caused by fires on board vessels was over US$ 4 million. Fire poses a threat to all vessel types, regardless of their size or operation and has the potential to result in severe injuries or the unfortunate loss of life and significant damage to or loss of a vessel.

The Shipowners’ Club, on analysing these incidents, observed that most took place in the engine room or when performing hot work operations and were attributed to a lack of effective procedures and poor housekeeping. The increased use and carriage of lithium batteries on board vessels also presents new challenges Continue reading “Quantum for claims due to fires onboard ships surpass US$ 4 million”

Safe fitting and removing of temporary lashing points recommendations

West P&I Club issues recommendations on temporary lashing points. Photo credit: West P&I
West P&I Club issues recommendations on temporary lashing points. Photo credit: West P&I

Mark Dunbar, Surveys Manager at West P&I Club, has provided recommendations on fitting and removal of temporary lashing points after the club noticed receiving a number of high value claims arising from such operations.

According to Mr. Dunbar, it is sometimes required in the dry cargo trades for fixed lashing points to be temporarily fitted for securing of cargo and then removed at the end of the voyage.

He said, “From cases we have reviewed, toolbox talks had been conducted and hot work permits issued, yet the Club has still experienced a number of high value claims arising from these operations.” Continue reading “Safe fitting and removing of temporary lashing points recommendations”

Fire safety onboard ships remains a continuous concern warns Gard Club

Aftermath of fire engine - Photo credit: Gard Club
Aftermath of fire engine – Photo credit: Gard Club

The Gard Club has provided useful information and guidance about fire safety onboard ships, stressing that fire accidents remain a continuous cause for concern.

In April 2022, the US Coast Guard released its Port State Control (PSC) Annual Report 2021. Findings related to inadequate fire safety systems and arrangements on board visiting ships top the PSC’s list of causes for detainable deficiencies. It is a requirement of SOLAS Reg. II-2/14 that all fire protection equipment shall be kept in good order and readily available for use. It is also a requirement of SOLAS Reg. I/11 that any defects which affect the safety of the ship or its continued compliance with statutory requirements are to be reported to class and the flag administration says Gard Club on its website. Continue reading “Fire safety onboard ships remains a continuous concern warns Gard Club”

Broken fuel valve caused an engine room fire

The broken valve with flames coming out - Photo credit: Swedish Club
Photo credit: Swedish Club

In its latest monthly safety scenario, the Swedish Club has explained an incident where a broken fuel valve above the auxiliary engines started spraying fuel oil over an exhaust pipe, causing a huge explosion and a fire in the engine room.

A vessel was lying alongside loading cargo. The Chief Officer called the engine control room (ECR) to ask the duty engineer to start an extra auxiliary engine so he could begin to ballast the vessel. Continue reading “Broken fuel valve caused an engine room fire”

Refrigerated container cargo claims on the rise warns Britannia Club

Britannia Club says there is evidence of rising refrigerated container cargo claims
Britannia Club says there is evidence of rising refrigerated container cargo claims

In the past two years, the Britannia Club has opened just over 250 claims files for allegedly damaged refrigerated container cargo carried on operators’ vessels, with the number of such claims being on the rise recently.

Cargoes carried in refrigerated containers are many and varied, including meat, vegetables, fruit, live plants, flowers and medicines, all requiring their own bespoke temperature and atmosphere management.

Where there is the loss of the entire contents of a 40’ high cube container, Continue reading “Refrigerated container cargo claims on the rise warns Britannia Club”

Merger plans announced by North P&I and Standard Club to create new global marine insurer

illustative purposes only

North P&I and Standard Club have entered formal discussions for a proposed merger to create a new global marine insurer and one of the largest providers of mutual cover in the maritime industries. With 300 years of shared P&I heritage, the combined mutual insurer would provide cover for vessels equivalent to 400M GT.

Combination would establish a global marine insurer positioned to thrive in the face of current and emerging challenges and opportunities posed Continue reading “Merger plans announced by North P&I and Standard Club to create new global marine insurer”

Cargo claims from damage due to water originating from cargo hold bilge systems

Claims arising from cargo hold bilge systems are a concern for the American Club
Claims arising from cargo hold bilge systems are a concern for the American Club

The American Club has warned operators to be vigilant in light of a number of recent claims arising from damage caused by water originating from cargo hold bilge systems.

Specifically, the American Club says:

– Debris lodges in the non-return valves fitted in the hold bilge pumping systems, preventing them from operating as designed to ensure that water cannot flow back via the bilge line, into the hold bilge wells and thereafter into the cargo hold;
– Manually operated valves in the interconnected bilge, ballast and fire lines are left open following Continue reading “Cargo claims from damage due to water originating from cargo hold bilge systems”

Risk alert for container cargo operations

Safe container cargo operations are the subject of a risk alert from Steamship Mutual
Safe container cargo operations are the subject of a risk alert from Steamship Mutual

The Steamship Mutual has issued a Risk Alert focusing on container cargo operations to highlight that training and reinforcement of safe work practices is of paramount importance not only to ensure an individual’s personal safety but also to ensure that the work area remains safe for others.

The Club notes that incidents involving serious injuries and fatalities during ccontainer argo operations on vessels are not uncommon and refers to contributory factors that can led to an incident and lessons learned from previous cases. Continue reading “Risk alert for container cargo operations”

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