Bunker spill: Lessons learnt

UK P&I Club discuss bunker spill
UK P&I Club discuss bunker spill

Stuart Edmonston, Loss Prevention Director at UK P&I Club, discusses a poorly planned bunkering operation, which led to a bunker spill, and advises on the lessons that can be learnt from this incident.

A bulk carrier was to bunker 215 metric tons of intermediate fuel oil from a supply barge. The bunkers were to be received in a pair of empty topside tanks, each with a capacity of 200 cubic metres. According to the company safety management system procedures, bunker tanks were not to be filled in excess of 85% capacity which corresponded to a minimum ullage of 55cm. Continue reading “Bunker spill: Lessons learnt”

Container certification guide for safely securing cargoes published

ABS issues guide for the certification of container securing systems
ABS issues guide for the certification of container securing systems

ABS has issued a guide for the certification of container securing systems advising that when special containers are used for unique cargoes that have reduced or increased load capacities, limitations should be considered when stowing them onboard ship and when determining permissible tier and container stack weights.

Surveyors are advised to undertake all surveys on container securing systems upon request, with adequate notification, of the owners or their representatives, and are to report to the Committee. Adding to this, if there is a need for further Continue reading “Container certification guide for safely securing cargoes published”

Canal & River Trust issues a strategy update

Canal & River Trust issues a strategy
Canal & River Trust issues a strategy

The Canal & River Trust has released its latest annual update detailing progress over the past year against its strategic action plan.

In October 2015 the Canal & River Trust published its water resources strategy, ‘Putting the Water into Waterways’, setting long term aspirations for the next five years as well as looking ahead to 2050 to understand longer-term pressures and challenges regarding water supply and use.

Drought conditions have persisted in 2019 with restrictions being re-imposed on Continue reading “Canal & River Trust issues a strategy update”

ICOMIA publish ‘The Large Yacht Refit Market Report 2018/19’

ICOMIA has published its second annual report
ICOMIA has published its second annual report

ICOMIA has published its second annual report on the large yacht refit market. The data is sourced from a survey of ICOMIA Superyacht Refit Group (ISYRG) members and supported by AIS data. ISYRG represents approximately 40% of global refit projects, consisting of 12 shipyards. All ICOMIA shipyards adhere to a code of practice which ensures the highest quality of refit and repairs.

The data is collected over the period of 31 August – 1 September each year, and we now have data for the years 2017/18 and 2018/19. Although currently a short time Continue reading “ICOMIA publish ‘The Large Yacht Refit Market Report 2018/19’”

Inland Waterways value to the UK highlighted in report

UK Inland Waterways
UK Inland Waterways

The value of inland waterways across the UK has been highlighted in a new report by the Inland Waterways Association.

The review brings together previously written reports and studies to evidence the many benefits that a waterway can bring to an area with the aim of influencing planners and policy makers.

“As budgets are stretched and funding is being cut, it is all the more important to have clear information at your fingertips when speaking to members of the local council or developers who are looking to impact on inland waterways,” explained Continue reading “Inland Waterways value to the UK highlighted in report”

Cargo handling industry experts move to prevent port and terminal collisions

To minimize risk and improve port safety, three of the cargo handling industry’s leading bodies have produced an information paper Collision Prevention At Ports & Terminals. Experts from international freight transport insurers, TT Club, together with cargo handling industry experts ICHCA and PEMA share the latest technologies to detect and prevent collisions to promote safety.

In an attempt to improve safety, reduce injuries and loss of life, equipment damage and minimize costly business disruption at ports and terminals worldwide, PEMA, TT Club, and ICHCA International have pooled resources to make available information to promote collision prevention. All relevant stakeholders have been involved in the development of this project. PEMA represents container crane and technology manufacturers, and TT Club and ICHCA International represent container terminals.

Continue reading “Cargo handling industry experts move to prevent port and terminal collisions”

USCG publishes guidance on how to comply with SOLAS amendments on life-saving appliances

The US Coast Guard issued a new circular providing guidance to the maritime industry and Coast Guard personnel on how vessel owners and operators may comply with amendments to SOLAS Chapter III, Regulation 3 and 20 regarding life-saving appliances, that will enter into force from 1st January 2020.

The Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular (NVIC) 03-19, “Maintenance, Thorough Examination, Operational Testing, Overhaul And Repair Of Lifeboats And Rescue Boats, Launching Appliances And Release Gear” dated Nov. 20, 2019, supersedes and cancels NVIC 04-07.

Amendments on life saving appliances were adopted during the 96th session of IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 96) in May 2016, Continue reading “USCG publishes guidance on how to comply with SOLAS amendments on life-saving appliances”

NTSB report blames vessel fire on lack of hot work training and poor safety management

Photo credit: US Coast Guard
Photo credit: US Coast Guard

The National Transport Safety Board (NTSB) has published an accident report on a fire that took place on the fishing vessel Jeanette which at the time of the incident was pier side at the American Samoa Government (ASG) container facility in the Port of Pago Pago, Tutuila Island, American Samoa, with 18 crewmembers and one shoreside vessel representative on board.

At about 1130 local time on December 5, 2018, one of the duties the crewmembers had to conduct was to remove wasted sections of the overhead frames on the wet deck and weld in new sections. Three crewmembers were responsible of conducting this task; two who would conduct the welding, or “hot work,” and one who would serve as the fire watch. The welders reported to the assistant engineer, and the fire Continue reading “NTSB report blames vessel fire on lack of hot work training and poor safety management”

Celebrating the tenth anniversary of the IIMS UAE Branch

On the evening of 19 November, nearly 100 invited guests assembled in the Grand Lounge on the famous old ship, the Queen Elizabeth 2, (now permanently moored at Port Rashid in Dubai), for a splendid cocktail party to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the IIMS UAE Branch. The event was kindly and generously sponsored by HFW, represented by Richard Strub, who said a few words.

Once the canapes had been finished, IIMS CEO, Mike Schwarz thanked President, Capt Zarir Irani, the local UAE Branch Chairman, Capt Omprakash Marayil and his committee colleagues for their efforts, both in terms of securing such a prestigious and historic venue to mark this special celebration and for delivering a great event.

Continue reading “Celebrating the tenth anniversary of the IIMS UAE Branch”

The securing of containers on deck on a container ship

There are six different ways in which ships move in the sea, primarily pitching, heaving and rolling.

Lateral rolling motion represents the greatest challenge for stacks of containers. If containers are to be transported safely on the deck of a container vessel, they must be firmly connected to the ship. This is done with the aid of what are known as twistlocks. These twistlocks are inserted into the corner castings of the containers. These corner castings have elongated holes in which the rotating lug of the twistlock engages, locking the containerstogether. In addition, the bottom two layers of the stacked containers are connected to the ship with lashing rods. Initially, it was common practice to stow stacks of containers on deck in such a way that the individual stacks were connected to each other Continue reading “The securing of containers on deck on a container ship”

Consistent testing standards are vital to ensure ballast water compliance

Carried in ships’ ballast waters, invasive aquatic species have had a significant economic impact throughout the world. Specific ballast discharge events have been held responsible for disasters such as outbreaks of deadly disease, complete collapse Continue reading “Consistent testing standards are vital to ensure ballast water compliance”

Australian Superyacht Rendezvous fourth annual in 2020 to be hosted in Whitsundays

Australian Superyacht Rendezvous fourth annual in 2020
Australian Superyacht Rendezvous fourth annual in 2020

Organisers have announced that the fourth annual Australian Superyacht Rendezvous will be hosted in the Whitsundays by Coral Sea Marina Resort from 16th to 18th October 2020.

Recognised internationally as the South Pacific’s leading superyacht event, the Australian Superyacht Rendezvous, which has been staged on the Gold Coast since its inception in 2017, will make an exciting move to the Great Barrier Reef. Invitation only events will be staged across the three days for attending Continue reading “Australian Superyacht Rendezvous fourth annual in 2020 to be hosted in Whitsundays”

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