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ABS published life extension for ageing offshore assets guidance

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ABS Life extensions of floating production installations guide
ABS Life extensions of floating production installations guide

Classification society, the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), has refined its approach to ageing offshore assets with the publication of new guidance entitled ‘Life Extension of Floating Production Installations’.

The offshore assets guidance supports operators looking to extend the operational life of a floating production installation (FPI) by outlining clear Class requirements with a focus on safety. It is informed by lessons learned from ABS supported life extension projects and the findings of a series of FPI life extension joint development projects. Continue reading “ABS published life extension for ageing offshore assets guidance”

Report reveals diesel generator engine failure led to fire onboard offshore supply vessel

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Damaged section of the engine (left) from where the connecting rod from the no. 3 DG (right) was ejected. (Credit: Oceaneering International)
Damaged section of the engine (left) from where the connecting rod from the no. 3 DG (right) was ejected. (Credit: Oceaneering International)

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has published a Marine Accident Brief on its investigation into a diesel generator engine failure and fire onboard an offshore supply vessel near Honolulu, Hawaii, last year. The incident took place on the Ocean Intervention on December 19, 2020. No pollution or injuries to the 16 crew members were reported in connection with the mechanical failure, which resulted in a fire in the engine room. The crew isolated the fire before it could spread throughout the vessel.

Damage to the Ocean Intervention came to more than $3 million. Continue reading “Report reveals diesel generator engine failure led to fire onboard offshore supply vessel”

Reliance is placed on procedures for enclosed space entries

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Reliance is placed on procedures for enclosed space entries. University of Tasmania, Australian Maritime College practicing enclose space entry
Reliance is placed on procedures for enclosed space entries. University of Tasmania, Australian Maritime College

Deaths caused by enclosed space entries continue to be one of the biggest occupational hazards aboard ship, says the Human Element Industry Group (HEIG), which has set up the Enclosed Space Project.

Several years ago, InterManager launched a survey on enclosed space deaths, to which 5000 seafarers responded. A number of issues were raised, in particular:
– Procedures often seem to seafarers, difficult to understand, confusing, and do not take account of the resources, equipment and time available aboard the vessel.
– Investigations of fatalities point to failures in the victims and in particular their failure to follow procedures. Continue reading “Reliance is placed on procedures for enclosed space entries”

Thermal oil circulation pump lead to Pride of Hull fire

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Bahamas Maritime Authority - Marine investigation report
Bahamas Maritime Authority – Marine investigation report

The Bahamas Maritime Authority published its report on the ro-ro passenger ferry Pride of Hull, which suffered a fire due to a thermal oil circulation pump failure. On the 20th October 2020, in the Humber Estuary, UK.

At approximately 20:01 on 20 October 2020, Pride of Hull sailed from the river terminal in Hull, UK, on its scheduled service to Europoort (Rotterdam), Netherlands. The bridge team consisted of the master, chief officer and two ABs. The chief engineer was in the engine control room with the engineer officer of the watch (EOOW). Continue reading “Thermal oil circulation pump lead to Pride of Hull fire”

Fire spread due to unfamiliarity with fire extinguisher equipment

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The American Club Logo
The American Club Logo – unfamiliarity with fire extinguisher led to fire spreading

The American Club has published some lessons learned from an incident where a general cargo vessel’s generator experienced a catastrophic failure while underway resulting in a fire that spread immediately to the bilges under the generator but couldn’t be fixed due to unfamiliarity with the fire extinguisher.

A senior and a junior engineer were in the engine room and both heard a loud bang. The two engineers investigated and saw the fire which quickly spread to the bilges. The automated alarm system sounded shortly after the fire started. The senior engineer saw the fire was in the bilges and knew that the foam fire extinguisher was appropriate to use. Continue reading “Fire spread due to unfamiliarity with fire extinguisher equipment”

Crankcase failure causes two small fires

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Crankcase fire
Crankcase fire

The Marine Safety Forum has published an alert focusing on a case where a vessel experienced crankcase failure. The vessel suffered a crankcase failure on one of their four diesel generators (DG) which resulted in two small fires and excessive damage to the pistons, con-rods, and the engine block.

Fortunately, no personnel were injured during this event and due to the swift actions from the crew and additional barriers already in place it made sure that the situation was quickly and effectively controlled within minutes, plus any potential secondary damage to surrounding machinery was prevented. Continue reading “Crankcase failure causes two small fires”

Cygnus 1 ultrasonic thickness gauge certified to Class 1

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Cygnus Instruments Ltd - Cygnus 1
Cygnus Instruments Ltd – Cygnus 1

The Cygnus 1 ultrasonic thickness gauge is certified to Class 1, Div 1 (“Zone 0”) for ATEX, IECEx and CSA-US. The Cygnus 1 is specifically designed for measuring metal thickness to determine wastage or corrosion in Zone 0, Zone 1 hazardous and potentially explosive environments. It has a highly durable, shock-proof and splash-proof (IP65 rated) construction – this heavy-duty unit is supplied ready to use, and offers up to 12 hours continuous testing before recharge is necessary, with no plant shutdown or hot work permit required.

The exterior houses a set of components, viewed via a bright LED display with polarised filter, in either metric or imperial measurement to suit the user’s preference. These features include an echo strength indicator to aid measurement, measurement self-verification to ensure Continue reading “Cygnus 1 ultrasonic thickness gauge certified to Class 1”

IUMI Stats Report: Small cargo losses increasing, larger losses declining

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The IUMI 2021 Stats Report is available to download
The IUMI 2021 Stats Report is available to download

The International Union of Marine Insurance (IUMI) has published its 2021 analysis of the global marine insurance market in the IUMI Stats report. The report presents a range of statistical data to give an insight into the marine insurance market within the context of global trade and shipping.

Global premiums reported from the offshore energy sector in 2020 were USD 3.6 billion representing an 8.6% increase on 2019. Premium income mirrors the global oil price and it is thought that the bottom of the premium decrease cycle has been reached and that income is now on the rise. However, the oil price remains volatile and was impacted negatively in 2020 due to the pandemic. 2021 has seen an oil price rally but the effects of events such as Hurricane Ida are yet to be known. Continue reading “IUMI Stats Report: Small cargo losses increasing, larger losses declining”

Improper maintenance procedures can cost lives

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Screenshot from the animated video UK P&I Club has released a video describing the dangers of refrigeration machinery and other improper maintenance procedures following an enclosed space casualty. During a third-party survey, the surveyor made a request to test the emergency fire pump, which was arranged with the assistance of the chief engineer. The emergency fire pump was located in a recessed well in the steering gear compartment, approximately 3 metres deep and accessed by an inclined stairway. Continue reading “Improper maintenance procedures can cost lives”

Pre-load steel surveys – recommended only for finished steel products

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A man loaded steel rodsFor their mutual members, Gard P&I Club covers the cost of pre-load steel surveys (after any contribution from charterers). Only finished steel cargos justify the costs. In this short article, the Club highlights the type of cargo that is covered by the pre-load steel surveys recommendation.

As a general guideline, the Club will cover the costs involved in owners’ entries pre-loading survey on finished steel products. Accordingly, it is normally recommended that pre-loading surveys be carried out on the following products: Continue reading “Pre-load steel surveys – recommended only for finished steel products”

Conducting an oil tanker operational risk assessment

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Conducting an oil tanker operational risk assessment. Graph of oil tanker operation claims 2019-2020
Conducting an oil tanker operational risk assessment. Graph of oil tanker operation claims 2019-2020

Oil tanker operations are extremely critical due to the significant impact they can have on life, property and the environment should anything go wrong, Shipowners Club has said. To assist in mitigating the risk involved with this trade, several measures are already in place including regulations governing the carriage of oil and the mandatory requirement for all crew to undergo specialised training courses prior to sailing on tankers and oil tanker operational risk assessment are necessary. Continue reading “Conducting an oil tanker operational risk assessment”

Tristar Safety at Sea Conference – Promoting welfare seafarers

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Tristar safety at sea conferenceTristar Group will host its Third Annual “Safety At Sea” conference on 8th December 2021 (1330 UAE time) at the Dubai Expo Site in the India Pavilion. This continued initiative by Tristar, supported by IIMS, Nautical Institute, and IMarEST, is to draw industry and global attention to crew mental health issues and to improve the general well–being of all seafarers.

As business owners and leaders in the maritime industry, the onus is on us to take a leading role to ensure that the mental health of seafarers is no longer a taboo subject and that we create platforms to discuss and put in place an ecosystem that will enable seafarers to Continue reading “Tristar Safety at Sea Conference – Promoting welfare seafarers”

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