UK News

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has issued an investigation report regarding a diesel generator engine failure on board Offshore Supply Vessel Ocean Guardian. ​On May 27, 2022, about 1435, the offshore supply vessel Ocean Guardian was conducting sea trials in Shilshole Bay near Seattle, Washington, when its no. 3 main diesel generator engine suffered a mechanical failure that resulted in a fire in the engine room. It is reported the mechanical failure was due to wrong-sized bearing issued.

The crew extinguished the fire before it could spread throughout the vessel. There were no injuries reported for the 22 crewmembers and contractors on board, and there was no pollution reported. Damage to the Ocean Guardian totaled an estimated $1.1 million. Continue reading “Investigation report into mechanical failure due to wrong-sized bearing issued”

CHIRP Maritime has published its eighth annual digest of maritime safety reports, covering all the cases published during 2022. Additionally, it includes some in-depth articles specially commissioned to highlight important safety topics.

As Captain Alan Loynd, FNI FITA MCIArb BA (Hons) says, “All companies are able to demonstrate a robust safety culture, and there are still ships where living conditions are abominable, safety is ignored, and crew welfare counts for nothing.
..said on the report.”

According to the report, 2022 was another difficult year for seafarers. As the Covid-19 situation showed signs of improving, mariners were faced with added dangers due to conflicts, especially in waters off Ukraine. Continue reading “Annual Digest of safety reports published by CHIRP”

An incredible £1 million donation has been given anonymously in support of the TS Queen Mary’s journey back to the River Clyde. The 90-year-old ship, built in Dumbarton, carried 13,000 holidaymakers and was famously visited by the Queen Mother and King George VI. This anonymous gift will “turbo-charge” the refurbishment project as it brings donations to the halfway mark of the £10 million estimate.

Iain Sim, chairman of Friends of TS Queen Mary, is elated with this incredible donation: “Our donations now stand at £4.8million, and we are beyond ecstatic about this anonymous contribution. Continue reading “Anonymous benefactor contributes £1 Million for restoration of the TS Queen Mary”

Sunseeker International has recently announced the launch of a new training initiative to address a national skills shortage affecting the marine industry in the UK. The Sunseeker Skills Academy, developed in partnership with Bournemouth and Poole College, is open to those seeking a career change, offering individuals the opportunity to undertake a fully-paid, 12-week intensive boat-building course.

Successful applicants will learn trade skills across five boat building specialisms, comprising carpentry, plumbing, composite bonding, engineering and electrical installations. Continue reading “Sunseeker launches new boatbuilding skills academy”

The UK Government’s Transport Committee has published a report on the Government’s Maritime 2050 strategy, and calls for investment in new technology, cleaner fuels and workforce training so that the UK’s sector can compete with the world.

This sometimes-overlooked “Cinderella” sector is vital to the UK economy. Approximately 95 per cent of goods by weight come to the UK by ship, and the Department for Business and Trade predicts maritime cargo volumes will triple by 2050. The UK’s sector employs 185,000 people throughout the four nations and contributes £40 billion a year to the economy. Continue reading “UK Transport Select Committee publishes report on Maritime 2050”