The Liberian Administration has released guidance on how to comply with the recent focused trend of inspection of machinery spaces by various Port State Control (PSC) regimes to help with PSC firefighting.
There has been an increased focus on the proper operation of PSC firefighting equipment and cleanliness of machinery spaces. Specifically, the following items are consistently noted by Port State Control Officers: Continue reading “Guidance on PSC firefighting and clean machinery spaces”
The Sub-Committee on the Implementation of IMO Instruments (III) 9th session took place 31 July to 04 August 2023 where, among other things, the draft amendments to the Procedures for Port State Control were finalised.Continue reading “Revised Port State Control procedures effective from January 2024”
Recently published, the annual Port State Control (PSC) report from ClassNK reveals that in 2022 a total of 1,214 detainable deficiencies were reported and 313 detentions were made. Issues around fire safety topped the list and worryingly show a big increase over the previous year.
The Annual Report summarises deficiencies identified during PSC inspections carried out in various countries around the world. This report is prepared with the objective of building awareness of the present state of PSC and thereby improving future onboard maintenance and inspections as well as Safety Management Systems. Continue reading “ClassNK Annual Port State Control report”
The Republic of Liberia has issued guidance to alert shipowners and operators, masters and surveyors and recognised oganisations based on recent trends observed during the inspection of machinery spaces.
The following items are consistently noted by Port State Control Officers:
– Engine room water mist system set in “Manual” mode.
– Fuel oil quick closing valves blocked open by use of wedges or wires.
– Pipes insulation laggings wrongly installed, soaked in fuel oil or missing.
– Excessive fuel, oil accumulation and lubrication oil leaks in machinery spaces, auxiliary engines, steering gear room or purifier room. Continue reading “Key guidance for machinery space deficiencies”
ABS releases Port State Control deficiencies from quarter 4 in 2022. Which shows that Port State Control inspections have proven to be an effective tool for eliminating substandard vessels that may be in operation, which may impact maritime safety and the marine environment.
A ship is regarded as substandard if the hull, machinery, equipment or operational safety and the protection of the environment is substantially below the standards required by the relevant conventions or if the crew is not in conformity with the safe manning document.
Evidence that the ship, its equipment, or its crew do not comply substantially with the requirements of the relevant conventions or that the master or crew members are not familiar with essential shipboard procedures relating to Continue reading “ABS releases Port State Control deficiencies from quarter 4 in 2022”
The International Association of Ports & Harbors (IAPH) has published its new risk and resilience guidelines for ports, harbors and terminals as well as details of a new risk inventory portal aimed at sharing best practices on risk mitigation and management for ports.
According to ISO 31000 (2018), risk is the effect of uncertainty on achieving the objectives, often quantified as the Likelihood of the occurrence of an event multiplied by its Impact (L x I). While risk is generally perceived as a negative thing, we should keep in mind that it can just as well be a positive outcome, linked to a certain likelihood (i.e. an opportunity). Continue reading “Risk and resilience guidelines for ports, harbors and terminals published”
In association with McAusland Turner, The Shipowners Club has published advice on effective hatch cover maintenance for dry cargo ships including preventative action against ingress of water. According to the Club, one of the key requirements in cargo vessel operations is ensuring that the cargo is delivered to the discharge port in the same condition in which it was loaded. Despite improvements in the methods for ensuring that hatch covers are weathertight, claims for wetted cargo that has resulted from water ingress through hatch covers are still being experienced.
In order to ensure that hatch covers are closed sufficiently it is vital that the correct procedures are followed every time the hatches are closed and opened. This can be achieved by ensuring that crew are duly familiar with the manufacturer’s operating instructions, the company’s on board operation procedures, risk assessments and any other relevant policies related to these operations. Occasionally, Continue reading “What to know about hatch cover maintenance”
A survey carried out amongst Cruising Association (CA) members who keep their boats on the rivers and canals of Schengen countries has revealed that 80% of British owners are likely to sell their boats and give up cruising altogether, or move their base to a non-Schengen country.
Overall figures for coastal cruising boat owners are expected to be broadly similar although with more sailing out of Schengen waters to other cruising grounds.
The failure of the UK government to negotiate a fair deal with the EU means that UK citizens can now only visit Schengen countries for 90 Continue reading “Cruising Association: New survey suggests four out of five are set to quit long-term cruising in EU waters”
The Scottish Maritime Museum has launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise funds for vital repairs to, what it believes, is the oldest floating Clyde-built vessel in the UK.
Built by John Fullerton & Co. at Paisley, the 1872 cargo coaster MV Kyles is a rare survivor from the 19th century, a transformational period on the River Clyde when shipyards embraced the possibilities of steam power to become important to shipbuilding.
Kyles, which is moored on Irvine Harbourside at the Scottish Maritime Museum’s main site, reaches its 150th birthday in 2022. But a hard working life, being adapted for different roles across the UK by 24 different owners, has taken a huge toll. Essential repairs are now needed if this historic vessel is to remain part of Scotland’s living maritime heritage. Continue reading “Funding campaign launched to save the oldest floating Clyde-built vessel in the UK”
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has published its investigation report on the fire and explosion aboard houseboat Dixie Delight which spread through Jackson County Park Marina, Alabama, in January 2020, killing eight people. The report has highlighted that marinas should have measures and guidelines in place to prevent such incidents.
On 27 January 2020, about 0035 local time, fire broke out aboard the Dixie Delight, a 43-foot liveaboard houseboat, tied to Dock B at Jackson County Park Marina in Scottsboro, Alabama. The owner of the vessel attempted to extinguish the fire and push the burning vessel away from the dock, but the blaze engulfed the Dixie Delight and then spread to neighbouring vessels and the wood- Continue reading “Dixie Delight: Report published into Alabama boat and marina fire which killed eight people”
NTSB has published an investigation report into an incident when a crane barge U1510, pushed by the towing vessel Goose Creek, made contact with overhead powerlines on the Elizabeth River in June 2019. The report has highlighted poor company oversight and the lack of a towing safety management system.
At 1134 local time on June 20, 2019, the crane barge U1510 (with three persons onboard), being pushed by the towing vessel Goose Creek (with three crew members onboard), struck three overhead power transmission lines while transiting to Precon Marine on the southern branch of the Elizabeth River in Chesapeake, Virginia.
There was neither pollution nor injuries. Damage to the powerlines and crane barge was estimated at $226,204. Continue reading “NTSB investigation identifies lack of a towing safety”
One of the first times the replica ship Pilgrim was mentioned in the Los Angeles Times, it was under the headline “Vagabond Youth.” It was 1974, and a group of young Southern Californians had answered an ad in the paper from Capt. Ray Wallace, who offered them the experience of a lifetime if they’d pay $1,000 and fly overseas to help him on a boating trip from the Spanish and Portuguese coast all the way back to Monterey — maritime experience recommended but not necessary.
Though the journey was a one-off for the Pilgrim and its crew, the vessel and that trans-Atlantic trip imbued all who spent time on it with a classic sense of adventure.
But after nearly 40 years anchored in in Orange County’s Dana Point Harbor, where hundreds of thousands Continue reading “Pilgrim, the Replica ship, sinks in Dana Point Harbor”
Instagram Posts from the IIMS @iimsmarine