NMA issues warning over lithium-ion power following ferry fire

Norwegian Maritime Authority issues warning after fire
Norwegian Maritime Authority issues warning after lithium-ion fire

The Norwegian Maritime Authority (NMA) has published an alert concerning a small fire that erupted in the battery room onboard the MF Ytterøyningen passenger ferry. The Norwegian Maritime Authority is warning shipowners, operators and other stakeholders and interested parties about the dangers associated with lithium-ion battery systems after a fire and subsequent gas explosion on board a diesel-electric ferry in Norway.

The small fire was reported October 10 in the battery room of the Norled passenger ferry MF Ytterøyningen. The ferry returned to harbour under its own power where passengers and crew were evacuated to land. Overnight, however, a serious gas explosion rocked the battery room causing significant damage.

Specifically, on October 10, a small fire erupted onboard the ferry. Norwegian broadcasting company NRK reported at the time that twelve Continue reading “NMA issues warning over lithium-ion power following ferry fire”

TSB Canada release video about tug girding

Video about tug girding by TSB Canada
Video about tug girding by TSB Canada

Between 2005 and 2018, the TSB Canada received reports of 26 girding (also known as girting) situations resulting in 21 capsizings. Girding occurs when a vessel is pulled broadside by a towline force and is unable to manoeuvre out of this position. The TSB has produced a video to illustrate the factors leading to girding and the recovery methods that can be taken in this eventuality.

Girding happens quickly and is a high impact event. When it does happen, the consequences can be serious. According to the video, when the TSB is called to a scene when girding has occurred, they often see that few operators have received Continue reading “TSB Canada release video about tug girding”

Keel laid date or similar stage of construction interpretation published

Keel laid date or similar stage of construction interpretation published
Keel laid date or similar stage of construction interpretation published

The US Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance has published ‘Determinations for a Vessel’s Keel Laid Date or Similar Stage of Construction.’ The instruction was updated on September 20, 2019.

This work instruction aims to establish the interpretations of when a vessel’s keel is considered to be laid or the vessel is at a similar stage of construction.

It also provides guidelines for Officers in Charge, Marine Inspection (OCMIs) to determine what may be accepted for the purpose of establishing a vessel’s laid date.

Regulatory applicability may depend on a ship’s keel laid date or a similar stage of Continue reading “Keel laid date or similar stage of construction interpretation published”

Tug capsizes due to lack of training and oversight says report by TSB Canada

Tug capsizes due to lack of training and oversight says report by TSB Canada
Tug capsizes due to lack of training and oversight says report by TSB Canada

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada discusses a capsize incident where the tug George H Ledcor was towing another barge and resulted to the former’s capsize, tug capsizes occured due to lack of training. The event resulted to a seriously injured crewmember and an unknown quantity of oil spill.

The George H Ledcor, on August 13th 2018, was towing the loaded gravel barge Evco 55, with the assist tug Westview Chinook pushing to an unloading facility in the north arm of the Fraser River, British Columbia.

At about 2210 local time, the George H Ledcor girded and capsized after being Continue reading “Tug capsizes due to lack of training and oversight says report by TSB Canada”

MCIB report says Non-compliance linked to fatal vessel sinking

MCIB publishes report on the fatal sinking involving the fishing vessel 'Beal Sruthan'
MCIB publishes report on the fatal sinking involving the fishing vessel ‘Beal Sruthan’

Ireland’s Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) has published an investigation report on the fatal sinking involving the fishing vessel ‘Beal Sruthan’ off Craugh Island, Galway Bay, in May 2018. Although the actual cause of the accident cannot be determined, it is probable that the failure to properly blank off the redundant stern tube by failing to properly seal both ends led to the sinking.

On the 23rd May 2018, the casualty, operating a 21-foot open boat departed from an unidentified location near Clifden, believed to be a pier close to the townland of Coolacloy, Co. Galway, to commence laying lobster pots. Continue reading “MCIB report says Non-compliance linked to fatal vessel sinking”

NRS Farming unveils first hybrid fish farming boat

New hybrid vessel from NRS Farming
New hybrid vessel from NRS Farming

Danfoss Editron has delivered two 105kW motors that will help power Edel, the first hybrid vessel built for the aquaculture sector by Norwegian shipyard Moen Marin. Edel is also the first diesel-electric vessel in the fleet of NRS Farming, Norway’s leading producer of sustainable salmon.

The 13.5 by 7.5m vessel will become part of the fleet of NRS Farming and be used for sustainable fishing in salmon farms located in Norway’s fjords. As it has an operating pattern of predominantly short trips, NRS Farming plans to run Edel mainly on battery power. However, the boat will operate in diesel-electric mode on longer journeys, with the battery pack charged by the diesel generator. Continue reading “NRS Farming unveils first hybrid fish farming boat”

AMSA release video: Creating a SMS for fishing vessels

AMSA release video
AMSA release video

AMSA has produced an excellent short video explaining how to develop a safety management system for fishing vessels. Watch this 16 minute video for easy to understand steps, real-world stories and experiences of why an effective safety management system (SMS) is essential when working in the fishing industry.

Fishing for Safety has been produced via a collaboration between Southern Rocklobster Limited Clean Green Program and AMSA, as part of a broader ongoing project: Southern Rock Lobster Clean Green Program—revision, digitisation and extension across the supply chain. Continue reading “AMSA release video: Creating a SMS for fishing vessels”

Pacific Knight: Poor stability assessment leads fishing vessel to capsize with one fatality

Starboard quarter of the Pacific Knight. Photo credit: Mike Jones
Starboard quarter of the Pacific Knight. Photo credit: Mike Jones

The National Transportation Safety Board issued an investigation report on the capsizing of the fish tender ‘Pacific Knight’ while at anchor off Alaska in July 2018. The investigation identified several contributing factors to the capsizing, including poor stability assessment by the captain, vessel modifications, overloading and slack water in the tanks.

On July 25, 2018, about 0630 local time, the commercial fish tender Pacific Knight capsized while at anchor about 11 miles south of Dillingham, Alaska. Continue reading “Pacific Knight: Poor stability assessment leads fishing vessel to capsize with one fatality”

Ineffective inspections and surveys contributed to fatal explosion on a barge off Texas says report

The exploded barge
The exploded barge

An explosion and fire aboard the articulated tug and barge ‘Buster Bouchard’ was the result of a lack of effective maintenance and safety management of the barge by the owner company, the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has revealed in its report into the incident.

On 20 October 2017, at 0430 local time, the crews of the articulated tug and barge (ATB) Buster Bouchard/B. No. 255 were preparing to get under way from anchorage to proceed into the Port of Corpus Christi, Texas, when an explosion and subsequent fire occurred on the bow of the barge.

Two barge crew members who were on the bow were killed in the explosion. The fire was extinguished about 1100 on the same day.

Continue reading “Ineffective inspections and surveys contributed to fatal explosion on a barge off Texas says report”

MAIB report on the fatal capsizing of Laura Jane fishing vessel is published

Liferaft at the capsized ship
Liferaft at the capsized ship

At 1311 on 7 May 2018, their was a fatal capsizing of the Laura Jane fishing vessel off Mount Batten Breakwater in Plymouth trapping its skipper in the wheelhouse.

The vessel remained afloat with a few centimetres of the wheelhouse protruding above the water. Two RNLI lifeboats arrived at the scene within 15 minutes of the capsize and Laura Jane was towed to the nearby Batten Bay beach, arriving at around 1400.

The skipper was extracted from the wheelhouse by two of the RNLI crew who broke a wheelhouse window to get access to him. He was immersed in water, was unconscious and not breathing.

Attempts to resuscitate him by the lifeboat crew and paramedics from the emergency services were unsuccessful.

He was then airlifted to Derriford Hospital, where he Continue reading “MAIB report on the fatal capsizing of Laura Jane fishing vessel is published”

Fire onboard Ole Betts Sea caused by mechanical failure

Ole Betts Sea on fire - Photo courtesy of Trico Seafood
Ole Betts Sea on fire – Photo courtesy of Trico Seafood

NTSB has published its report into the circumstances that led to the fire on board the commercial fishing vessel Ole Betts Sea, on 18 March 2018 in the eastern Gulf of Mexico.

The fire burned for 16 hours and the vessel eventually sank about 18 miles northeast of the island of Garden Key, Dry Tortugas, Florida. No pollution or injuries were reported. The ship was a total loss valued at $200,000.

Before getting under way on March 13 for the voyage that was to turn into disaster, the captain performed a pre-departure check of the vessel and its gear.

He also checked the items listed on a post-voyage work-list form, which was submitted to Trico’s shop foreman at the end of the previous 3-week voyage.

He found all in good order, and the Ole Betts Sea departed its Fort Myers Beach berth.

Continue reading “Fire onboard Ole Betts Sea caused by mechanical failure”

The future of fish farming vessels is here now in the form of Astrid Helene

The Astrid Helene - electric workboat
The Astrid Helene – electric workboat

‘Astrid Helene’ is a fully electric salmon farm workboat designed and built by Grovfjord Mekaniske Verksted, Norway. Owner/ operator Northern Lights Salmon saves the planet from up to 90t CO2 and 900kg of NOx particles annually – the average emission of a diesel powered fish-farm workboat.

There are no longer any diesel fumes on deck either. For crew, the fumes could be quite annoying – particularly if the wind was blowing it in their direction. Now, there is just clean air.

Fully electric work boats such as Astrid Helene will play a key role in the industry’s future: “Electric work boats are perfect for fish farming. Continue reading “The future of fish farming vessels is here now in the form of Astrid Helene”

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