IMO agrees to changes to SOLAS guidelines on ship systems

International Maritime Organisation (IMO)
International Maritime Organisation (IMO)

The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has held the 7th session of the Sub-Committee on Ship Systems and Equipment (SSE), held from 2 – 6 March 2020. ICOMIA has released a report from the meeting and the main items of interest to the superyacht and leisure marine industry are as follows:

On board lifting appliances and winches (OLAW)

During this session, minor modifications were made to the SOLAS amendments in order to align with the draft guidelines which were agreed to at this session. The guidelines address the testing, operation and maintenance of lifting equipment and are broadly in line with the guidance contained in the Code of Safe Working Continue reading “IMO agrees to changes to SOLAS guidelines on ship systems”

North P&I Club publishes cargo care checklists for nickel ore, grain and coal cargoes

The North P&I Club has published three helpful checklists
The North P&I Club has published three helpful checklists

The North P&I Club has published three different and helpful checklists about the care of nickel ore, grain and coal cargoes giving details of how to deal with these types of shipments.

North P&I Club Cargo Care Checklist for Nickel Ore

Prior to loading documentation received from shipper is needed.
Also, the Club advises that visual inspection should be conducted before it is loaded to ensure it is safe. Continue reading “North P&I Club publishes cargo care checklists for nickel ore, grain and coal cargoes”

3D-printed part delivery to Bulker in world first

First commercial delivery of 3D-printed scupper plugs
First commercial delivery of 3D-printed scupper plugs

Berge Mafadi, a 300,000 dwt bulk carrier operated by Berge Bulk, has received the world’s first commercial delivery of 3D-printed scupper plugs. Berge Bulk is one of several companies enrolled in a Wilhelmsen Ships Service early adopter program that gives customers access to on-demand additive manufacturing. Other customers for the program, launched in December 2019, include Carnival Maritime, Thome Ship Management, OSM Maritime Group, Executive Ship Management and Wilhelmsen Ship Management.

“We are very excited with this milestone — completing one of the first commercial Continue reading “3D-printed part delivery to Bulker in world first”

Hatch covers and ship holds guidance for safe operation

Graph of cause of large cargo claims by value from the hatch cover and ship holds guidance
Graph of cause of large cargo claims by value from the hatch cover and ship holds guidance

The London P&I Club has published an updated guide on the safe operation and maintenance of ship holds and hatch covers, highlighting some of the common associated causes of damage, loss and personal injury and providing recommendations on best practices and points to avoid.

According to the Club’s data, the cause of large cargo claims by value in dry bulk and general cargo vessels accounts for 33%.

As noted, ISM Code systems should include procedures for loading, unloading, ballasting, deballasting, securing manholes, blanking ballast lines, testing bilge Continue reading “Hatch covers and ship holds guidance for safe operation”

Lubrication oil filter was mounted poorly resulting in engine failure

Lubrication oil filter
Lubrication oil filter

Transport Malta’s MSIU has released an investigation report on the main engine failure of the oil/chemical tanker ‘MV Guroni’ while underway in January 2019. According to the report, the lubrication oil filter of the main engine had been improperly mounted, which eventually led to severe damages to the components of the main engine and a complete failure of the main engine.

On 08 January 2019, at 0742, while the vessel was navigating through Skagerrak, an oil mist detector alarm was observed in the engine-room, followed by a Continue reading “Lubrication oil filter was mounted poorly resulting in engine failure”

Is the cargo too wet to load?

Wet Cargo
Wet Cargo

Do we know enough about the cargo we carry, ask Gard P&I Club. It may be impossible for crew to estimate the particle size but they can look out for signs of high moisture content.

Appendix 3, Art 2 of the IMSBC Code states “many fine particle cargoes, if possessing a sufficiently high moisture content are liable to flow”. There are two main concerns here for seafarers relating to liquefaction. Firstly, the fine particle size of the cargoes and secondly, the high moisture content, i.e. the moisture content is higher than the cargo’s transportable moisture limit (TML).

Continue reading “Is the cargo too wet to load?”

Yantian Express fire likely caused by coconut charcoal official report identifies

Yantian Express - Photo credit: Smit Nicobar
Yantian Express – Photo credit: Smit Nicobar

The Federal Bureau of Maritime Casualty Investigation (BSU) has published its investigation report about the causes of the fire in the area of the deck cargo on board the container ship Yantian Express, identifying coconut charcoal as the likely cause of the fire.

It was during the early morning hours of 3 January 2019 that fire broke out in the deck cargo in the area of cargo hold 2 on board the German flagged container ship Yantian Express. The ship was in the North Atlantic, due to reach Halifax, Canadathe following day. Continue reading “Yantian Express fire likely caused by coconut charcoal official report identifies”

USCG issues advice on tank cleaning and gas freeing operations

Safety Alert focusing on the dangers related with improper tank cleaning
Safety Alert focusing on the dangers related with improper tank cleaning

The Office of Investigations and Casualty Analysis has recently published a Marine Safety Alert, focusing on the dangers related with improper tank cleaning and gas freeing operations. Following several investigations on a tanker barge which exploded during cargo tank cleaning, USCG makes recommendations to avoid such incidents.

USCG has said that if the safety regulations under Title 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 1915 and Title 33 CFR Part 154 are not followed, then cargo Continue reading “USCG issues advice on tank cleaning and gas freeing operations”

Fixed gas detection systems discrepancies on liquefied gas carriers

USCG advice about common discrepancies with fixed gas detection systems
USCG advice about common discrepancies with fixed gas detection systems

The US Coast Guard has issued advice about common discrepancies associated with fixed gas detection systems onboard liquefied gas carriers specifically, which are a critical safety measure on liquefied gas carriers.

The International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk (IGC Code) requires the activation of alarms at specified vapor concentrations.

During inspection on three separate LNG carriers in Boston, Port State Control Officers (PSCOs) discovered issues with the fixed flammable gas detection system Continue reading “Fixed gas detection systems discrepancies on liquefied gas carriers”

‘Book it right and pack it tight’ guide produced by UK P&I Club and TT Club

‘Book it right and pack it tight’ guide collaboration
‘Book it right and pack it tight’ guide collaboration

At the start of 2020, the latest version of the IMDG Code, Amendment 39-18, came into force. The UK P&I Club has collaborated with TT Club to produce and publish ‘Book it right and pack it tight’ guide – a collaboration 108 page set of guidelines. It offers an insight for all involved and responsible for preparing unitized consignments for carriage at sea.

The ‘Book it right and pack it tight’ guide is designed to support shippers, forwarders, shipping line booking personnel and those who pack dangerous goods into cargo transport units, helping them understand the technical aspects of the Continue reading “‘Book it right and pack it tight’ guide produced by UK P&I Club and TT Club”

Seed cake guidelines published for safe carriage in containers

Guidelines published for the carriage of seed cake in containers
Guidelines published for the carriage of seed cake in containers

CINS, together with the International Group of P&I Clubs, has published guidelines for the carriage of seed cake (s.c.) in containers. The practices set out in this document are intended to improve knowledge and the safety during the carriage of such cargo and to ensure that it is properly declared, packaged and carried.

In these Guidelines, seed cake includes any type of pulp, meals, cake, pellets, expellers or other cargo where oil has been removed from oil-bearing seeds, cereals or commodities with similar properties.

Continue reading “Seed cake guidelines published for safe carriage in containers”

Insufficient cargo lashings caused European Causeway incident

Cargo lashings insufficient says MAIB report
Cargo lashings insufficient says MAIB report

At 0633 on Tuesday 18 December 2018, the roll-on/roll-of (ro-ro) passenger ferry European Causeway rolled heavily in very rough seas and very high winds during its voyage from Larne, Northern Ireland to Cairnryan, Scotland. Insufficient cargo lashings have been found to be a key factor in the incident.

The violent motion caused several freight vehicles to shift and nine to topple over. This resulted in damage to 22 vehicles, some damaged severely. At least six freight vehicle drivers had remained in their cabs on the vehicle decks
during the crossing and four were found in cabs of vehicles that had toppled over. One driver was trapped and had to be freed by the emergency services when the ship arrived in Cairnryan. Continue reading “Insufficient cargo lashings caused European Causeway incident”

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