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Transport Malta draws attention to the dangers of sheathed steel wires

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Transport Malta HQ - The dangers of sheathed steel wires onboard ships
The dangers of sheathed steel wires onboard ships

Following three incident investigations, Transport Malta has issued a safety notice to draw attention to the dangers of sheathed steel wires onboard ships. Their concern surrounds the restricted access to the wire rope for a thorough inspection and the possibility that corrosion might exist.

It is recommended that all concerned must check the condition of all lashings, lifting slings/strops and other loose gear as specified in the manufacturer’s instructions for the use, size and construction of the wire. This advice is in addition to a recent warning by Tokyo MoU, highlighting the dangers of sheathed steel wires on board ships.

The Transport Malta notice also highlights that all Flexible Steel Wire Ropes (FSWR) and Extra Flexible Steel Wire Ropes (EFSWR) should conform to the design requirements recognised by a relevant International Standard.

Companies should consider means to ensure that the inspection of lifting slings or the FPD encased in plastic sheathing and Continue reading “Transport Malta draws attention to the dangers of sheathed steel wires”

ABS updates Fatigue Assessment of Offshore Structures guide

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ABS Guide: Fatigue Assessment of Offshore Structures
ABS Guide: Fatigue Assessment of Offshore Structures

ABS has released its updated Fatigue Assessment of Offshore Structures guide, which incorporates updated approaches for addressing fatigue including new S-N curves and guidance regarding fatigue strength based on fracture mechanics.

Fatigue assessment is a process where the fatigue demand on a structural element is established and compared to the predicted fatigue strength of that element. One way to categorize a fatigue assessment technique is to say that it is based on a direct calculation of fatigue damage or expected fatigue life. Three important methods of assessment are the Simplified Method, the Spectral Method and the Deterministic Method. Alternatively, an indirect fatigue assessment may be performed by the Simplified Method, based on limiting a predicted (probabilistically defined) stress range to be at or below Continue reading “ABS updates Fatigue Assessment of Offshore Structures guide”

The elephant in the room: What do remote surveys mean for the marine surveying profession?

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Are remote surveys the future for the profession?
Are remote surveys the future for the profession?

Many things have changed in the past few months and not all of them good as we have learned to cope with tragedy and a new way of living courtesy of the pandemic. COVID-19 certainly has a lot to answer for, but out of the situation that was forced upon the profession, a new way of surveying is fast emerging, particularly in the area of commercial ships and offshore assets. I refer to remote surveying, actually not new, but probably unimaginable to most of us just a few years ago; and a shock to the system of more traditional surveyors and those sceptics amongst us too undoubtedly. They are suddenly fashionable – the talk of the town it appears – and the pandemic has fuelled the latent demand for remote surveys.

Can a vessel really be successfully surveyed remotely? The answer is, of course, yes, but how detailed are remote surveys and what depth of Continue reading “The elephant in the room: What do remote surveys mean for the marine surveying profession?”

NTSB prepares to finalise report on Conception dive boat fire

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A firefighter at the Conception fireDue to the risk of COVID-19 transmission, the first hearing into one of the most serious marine casualties in the U.S. in recent memory will be held via teleconference. The National Transportation Safety Board has scheduled its first public session on the loss of the dive boat Conception for the morning of October 20, The NTSB’s five-member board will vote on the findings, probable cause and recommendations in a draft of the board’s not-yet-released final report.

The dive boat Conception burned and sank in the early hours of September 2, 2019 off Santa Cruz Island, California. 34 people lost their lives in the accident, putting it among the ranks of the deadliest civilian marine casualties in recent U.S. history.

Continue reading “NTSB prepares to finalise report on Conception dive boat fire”

Ignition of gas vapor onboard barge Alaganik the cause of fatal explosion reveals NTSB Report

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Barge Alaganik: Photo courtesy of Alex Fefelov for The Cordova Times
Barge Alaganik: Photo courtesy of Alex Fefelov for The Cordova Times

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has published an investigation report on the explosion and subsequent sinking of barge Alaganik in the Canal Passage, off Alaska in July 2019, which resulted in one fatality. The investigation identified ignition of gasoline vapor from a fuel cargo tank as key cause of the accident.

On 7 July 7 2019 an explosion occurred on the barge Alaganik as it was moored port side to the end of the Delong Dock in Whittier, Alaska. The vessel was serving as a platform for pumping fish cargo ashore from fishing vessels and tenders that came alongside. It also provided diesel fuel and gasoline to the fishing vessels. No cargo operations were ongoing when the explosion occurred.

Despite the efforts of shore-based responders to fight the ensuing fire, the vessel eventually sank in 60–80 feet of water. The Continue reading “Ignition of gas vapor onboard barge Alaganik the cause of fatal explosion reveals NTSB Report”

Italian Coast Guard rescues seventeen from burning yacht off coast of Sardinia

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Screencap of the burning yacht from the newsDramatic footage shot by the Italian coast guard showed a burning yacht sinking below the surface of the Mediterranean off the coast of Sardinia. Coast guard officials confirmed they had rescued 17 people from the vessel, which left a plume of smoke behind as it disappeared into the water. Two coast guard boats and a helicopter were involved in the operation.

According to Italian news agency ANSA, the 50-metre burning yacht, the Lady MM, was heading from Capri to Sardinia when a fire broke out on board. The seventeen people, which included eight tourists from Kazakhstan and nine crew members, had already abandoned the ship and were in a smaller boat when the coast guard arrived.

Continue reading “Italian Coast Guard rescues seventeen from burning yacht off coast of Sardinia”

Four new White Papers by GMCG Global give a glimpse into the post-pandemic maritime world

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'The evolving role of the designated person ashore' guide - Four new White Papers by GMCG Global that look at the maritime world post COVID-19 are freely available
Four new White Papers by GMCG Global that look at the maritime world post COVID-19 are freely available

The global maritime world has changed and four new White Papers by GMCG Global outline the realities and new ways of working following the COVID-19 pandemic.

As the world’s shipping industry comes to terms with the issues of post-pandemic operations, new health and safety operational parameters and the realities of the IMO’s global sulphur cap, there are still concerns about how the maritime world will cope with this accumulation of business pressures.

These White Papers by GCMG Global are freely available from the company’s website or can be downloaded from the individual links Continue reading “Four new White Papers by GMCG Global give a glimpse into the post-pandemic maritime world”

RMI publishes its annual report on marine casualties

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RMI publishes its annual report on marine casualties
RMI publishes its annual report on marine casualties

RMI has published its Annual Report on the investigation of Marine Casualties, revealing that it received reports of 806 very serious marine casualties, marine incidents, and occurrences in 2019. Accidental falls, enclosed space incidents and collisions-groundings during pilotage were the main issues of concern last year.

Specifically, during 2019:

– 17 very serious casualties were reported to the Administrator. Two very serious casualties resulted in the constructive total loss of a ship, while 11 others resulted in the loss of one or more lives. Additionally, four occurred on yachts and resulted in their constructive total loss due to fire.
– Accidental falls were the leading cause of death during 2019, with seven lives lost. Four of these fatalities were the result of falls from height and three were falls overboard. Improper enclosed space entry also resulted in the loss of two seafarers
– There were 331 marine casualties.
– Serious injuries (resulting in incapacitation for 72 hours or more) were by far the most frequently occurring marine Continue reading “RMI publishes its annual report on marine casualties”

Autonomous Barge Master gangway landing solution set to improve safety for offshore structures

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Autonomous Barge Master gangway
Autonomous Barge Master gangway

A new autonomous landing solution for offshore structures, called the Barge Master gangway, is designed to significantly improves both safety and performance.

Through a combination of radar technology, cameras and sensors, Bosch Rexroth’s system automatically attaches the landing from the ship to the required site without the need for manual input. This means that the operation is consistent and reliable, regardless of weather and ocean conditions.

After the automated landing procedure, the Barge Master gangway is held safely in place through a combination of motion compensation and the ship’s dynamic positioning.

“There are a number of benefits to the autonomous landing system,” says Rene Coppens, Business Development Manager for Continue reading “Autonomous Barge Master gangway landing solution set to improve safety for offshore structures”

Washington Maritime Blue leads joint innovation project to design innovative Mosquito fleet

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Washington Maritime Blue is leading a joint initiative to develop the Mosquito fleet of fast, fuel efficient ferries
Washington Maritime Blue is leading a joint initiative to develop the Mosquito fleet of fast, fuel efficient ferries

Led by Washington Maritime Blue, a consortium of players in the blue economy has come together to launch a Joint Innovation Project to speed the design of a fast foil ferry, an innovation that promises a leap forward in zero-emissions, high-speed passenger ferry service.

In this unique public-private partnership, three ports in Washington have joined forces to support the effort: Port of Anacortes, Port of Bellingham, and Port of Skagit. The vessel is under design by Glosten, a naval architecture and marine engineering firm, and Bieker Boats, a performance marine craft designer. Kitsap Transit has identified a potential route for its ferry operations and sponsored the team in applying for additional funding to advance the concept. Leading this collaborative joint innovation project effort is Washington Maritime Blue, a strategic alliance formed to foster maritime innovation and sustainability in support of an inclusive blue economy, and DNV GL, a Continue reading “Washington Maritime Blue leads joint innovation project to design innovative Mosquito fleet”

Paddle steamer Waverley makes triumphant return to passenger service

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The paddle steamer Waverley following her boiler refit
The paddle steamer Waverley following her boiler refit

Paddle steamer Waverley, has made a triumphant return to passenger service on the Clyde with a two-week series of cruises from Glasgow and other piers on the river.

The inaugural cruise of the ship’s 2020 season left the ship’s base at the Glasgow Science Centre for Rothesay and Kilcreggan on Friday 21 August, following the fitting of new boilers and the successful completion of sea trials.

Other cruises will serve destinations such as Lochranza, Loch Fyne and Tighnabruaich. All bookings have to be made in advance, on-line, with a phone system being used for passengers joining for part-day cruises from smaller piers.

Continue reading “Paddle steamer Waverley makes triumphant return to passenger service”

What types of biofuels could ships burn in 2030?

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Biofuel containers - What types of biofuels could ships burn in 2030?
What types of biofuels could ships burn in 2030?

Shipping is the backbone of the global economy, responsible for about 90% of world trade. But it also accounts for almost 3% (and rising) of man-made carbon dioxide emissions. The industry’s regulator set a series of emission-cutting targets back in 2018 aimed at driving a transition away from high-polluting fossil fuels. If the more ambitious goals are to be hit, the world’s ships will need to start burning new, clean fuel by 2030; such as biofuels. The question is, which one?

1. What are the bio-bunker options for ships after 2030?

Ships burn about 5 million barrels of fossil fuel every day, pumping a constant stream of CO2 and other chemical nasties into the atmosphere. Yet figuring out the fuel of the future isn’t just about emissions. It’s got to have enough power to propel gigantic tankers around the globe, be storable and transportable, and, of course, not too costly. Here’s a list of the front- Continue reading “What types of biofuels could ships burn in 2030?”

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