St Clair: Engine room fire on bulk carrier while in layup status report published

St Clair - Photo courtesy of duluthshippingnews.com
St Clair – Photo courtesy of duluthshippingnews.com

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has published an investigation report on the engine room fire aboard the bulk carrier St Clair whilst in layup status at TORCO dock in Maumee River, Toledo, in February 2019. The investigation has highlighted a lack of operating procedures for continuous monitoring of the vessel while in layup.

About 2010 local time on February 16, 2019, a fire was reported on the bulk carrier St Clair while the vessel was laid-up for the winter at the CSX TORCO Iron Ore Terminal (TORCO dock) at the mouth of the Maumee River in Toledo, Ohio. No one was onboard. The fire was extinguished approximately 36 hours Continue reading “St Clair: Engine room fire on bulk carrier while in layup status report published”

RMI alerts on fire incidents onboard commercial yachts

The marshall islands registry logoIn 2019, four fire incidents occurred onboard commercial yachts registered under the Republic of Marshall Islands (RMI) that resulted in the total constructive loss of the vessel. As a consequence, RMI has shared key areas of concern and best practices.

Two incidents occurred while the yachts were moored, one happened while the vessel was underway, and one while it was in the shipyard. There were no deaths or injuries as a result of any of these fires.

Areas of concern

Although causes of the incidents are different, the RMI investigation findings highlight three major areas of concern:
1. fire prevention;
2. ensuring fire detection and extinguishing systems are fully functional; and
3. ensuring yacht crews are prepared to respond to a fire. Continue reading “RMI alerts on fire incidents onboard commercial yachts”

Red diesel future for boaters in the UK

The future of red diesel for boaters in the UK
The future of red diesel for boaters in the UK

The Cruising Association’s Regulations and Technical Services group (RATS) has been in communication with HMRC and confirmed, as a result of the March Budget Statement, that it is their intention to legislate that red diesel in the United Kingdom can only be used in agricultural equipment, on the railways and for non-commercial heating from 1st April 2022.

Since the propulsion of waterborne craft does not fit into these categories, it is HMRC’s intention that they will have to use white diesel for this purpose. The duty on white diesel for boats will be the same as the full rate paid on white road diesel in the UK. This means that the present so called ’60/40′ fuel duty split will disappear but commercial vessels, such as fishing boats, will still be able to claim a rebate on the full rate through their ‘Marine Voyages Relief’ scheme.

HMRC are exploring the issues involved in introducing a scheme that allows private pleasure craft to pay Continue reading “Red diesel future for boaters in the UK”

Static towing assembly guidelines published by OCIMF

Static towing assembly guidelines published
Static towing assembly guidelines published

Static towing assembly guidelines: This information paper supplements the OCIMF publication Guidelines to Offshore Tanker Operations (GOTO) and should be read along with the relevant guidance for static towing operations.

The purpose of this information paper is to provide technical guidance on selecting fit for purpose towing assemblies that minimise risk of injury to crew members or damage to equipment, and to optimise the effectiveness of static towing operations.

This paper discusses the technical factors that tug operators should consider, in collaboration with terminal operators, when selecting the components of towing assemblies for static towing operations at both Single Point Mooring (SPM) and Floating (Production) Storage and Offloading(F(P)SO) terminals.

The recommendations in this information paper come from extensive industry data gathering and a Continue reading “Static towing assembly guidelines published by OCIMF”

COVID-19 Safety Working Guide – latest IIMS update

Covid-9 InfoThe points made in this updated COVID-19 Safety Working Guide produced by IIMS are essentially common sense suggestions and do not carry any official or authorised backing. Also, remember that advice will change periodically around the world in what is a fast moving situation. Thanks are due to Maurice Pickles, Capt Chris Kelly and the Workboat Association as additional reference sources.

The health and safety of marine surveyors, not just IIMS members, and other related personnel at this time is of primary importance and must not be compromised, especially when coming into contact with others during the course of their work, which is the key focus of our COVID-19 Safety Working Guide. Whilst many marine surveyors are idle at this time, some have still been working in various parts of the world. But as Governments start to look at progressively loosening lockdown procedures, now is not a time to become complacent. COVID-19 remains active in our communities and is likely to remain a challenge for many months until a reliable vaccine is found; so great care should be taken for the foreseeable future to avoid contracting or spreading the disease. No matter if you are currently working, or plan to resume surveying and inspecting soon, here is some practical, common sense advice to help you keep safe. Below is a summary of our COVID-19 Safety Working Guide: Continue reading “COVID-19 Safety Working Guide – latest IIMS update”

Registered Marine Coatings Inspector standard five year revalidation gets underway

RMCI logoUntil the Registered Marine Coatings Inspector (RMCI) standard was introduced in late 2014, there were no specific qualifications for marine coatings Inspectors – especially in the superyacht, leisure and pleasure vessel sectors. Over that period more than 120 industry professionals have achieved the qualification.

The formal RMCI qualification is a collaboration between the International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA) and the International Institute of Marine Surveying (IIMS), in conjunction with the SuperYacht Builders Association (SYBAss) and managed by the Marine Surveying Academy (MSA). The course, the qualification and the certification system were produced in response to the request from these bodies and industry.

Following a meeting of these key stakeholders, the process of RMCI revalidation was discussed and agreed. Continue reading “Registered Marine Coatings Inspector standard five year revalidation gets underway”

Workboat Association publishes a Coronavirus Good Practice Guide

COVID-19 Good Practice Guide for Workboats published by the Workboat Association
COVID-19 Good Practice Guide for Workboats published by the Workboat Association

A new COVID-19 Good Practice Guide for Workboats has been published by the Workboat Association to help minimise the spread of COVID-19, protect people’s health and maximise efficiency when responding to an COVID-19-related emergency situation.

The Workboat Association Good Practice Guide says:

It is recommended that Workboat Operators implement the following controls within their organisations to minimise the spread of COVID-19 on board and within the workplace, protect the health of employees [seafarers], passengers and public, and to maximise efficiency when responding to an emergency situation related to COVID-19.

This Good Practice Guide has been created based upon the current industry best practice and guidance Continue reading “Workboat Association publishes a Coronavirus Good Practice Guide”

The RIVER project designed to elimate CO2 emissions underway

The RIVER project underway
The RIVER project underway

Engineers at Aqueduct Marina have won a tender to work on the RIVER project, a new initiative they believe could help shape the development of the next generation of boat engines.

The RIVER project, of which a new boat to be built by Aqueduct Marina for the Canal & River Trust will play a major part, consists of nine partners from five EU states and five associated partners involved in the capture, storage, treatment of CO2 and waterways.

The project aims to develop internal combustion engines to virtually eliminate CO2 emissions. Continue reading “The RIVER project designed to elimate CO2 emissions underway”

Overpressurization and rupture of cargo tank onboard Fairchem Filly report published

Overpressurization onboard Fairchem Filly report
Overpressurization onboard Fairchem Filly report

NTSB issued an investigation report on the overpressurization and rupture of a cargo tank on the cargo ship Fairchem Filly while at Houston Ship Channel, in May 2019. Investigators stressed that the vessel and terminal personnel involved were not following procedures related to cargo discharge and nitrogen-blanketing operations.

On 30 May 2019, about 0750 local time, the Marshall Islands-flagged chemical tanker Fairchem Filly, with a crew of 22, experienced an overpressurization of the number 3 port and starboard cargo tanks while discharging liquid hexene at Vopak Terminal in Deer Park, Texas.

The overpressurization resulted in damage to the number 3 port cargo tank and the tank top (deck). All cargo was contained on board the double-hulled vessel, with no pollution or injuries reported. Damage to Continue reading “Overpressurization and rupture of cargo tank onboard Fairchem Filly report published”

Ariel: Ignition of fuel leaking from the generator fuel supply line in the engine room caused sinking says report

NTSB publish report on incident involving Ariel
NTSB publish report on incident involving Ariel

NTSB has published its investigation report about the fire onboard and subsequent sinking of the fishing vessel Ariel, while in Sheep Bay, Alaska, in August 2019. The investigation identified ignition of fuel leaking from the generator fuel supply line as key cause of the fire.

On August 26, 2019, the fishing vessel Ariel was transiting Sheep Bay, Prince William Sound, Alaska, when a fire broke out in the vessel’s engine room. The four crewmembers aboard the Ariel attempted to fight the fire, but they were unsuccessful and abandoned ship into the vessel’s skiff.

The Ariel continued to burn and subsequently sank. Good Samaritan vessels rescued the Continue reading “Ariel: Ignition of fuel leaking from the generator fuel supply line in the engine room caused sinking says report”

Japanese government considers shipbuilding merger

A ship being builtJapan is currently exploring the possibilities to integrate 15 major shipyards in the country under a so-called All Japan Shipbuilding merger plan, following similar steps by neighbouring shipbuilding rival countries China and South Korea, local financial newswire Nikkei is reporting.

The merger plan comes after Japan’s two largest shipbuilders – Imabari Shipbuilding and Japan Marine United (JMU) – declared in December they would form an alliance and enter into a capital tie-up.

Continue reading “Japanese government considers shipbuilding merger”

Nordstar: Exposure to lethal gas levels contributed to fisherman’s death says AIBN report

AIBN report on Nordstar
AIBN report on Nordstar

The Accident Investigation Board Norway (AIBN) has published an accident report on the matter of a crew member who died on board the factory trawler Nordstar relating to the with preparations for cleaning a silage tank.

The factory trawler Nordstar was on its way to Ålesund after fishing in international waters west of the Reykjanes Ridge. The vessel was to be made ready for fishing for another type of fish (from redfish to white fish) during the voyage, and the crew had finished cleaning the factory on the morning of 10 June 2018.

Later in the morning, the skipper instructed the factory supervisor to prepare the silage tanks for cleaning. This meant flushing the tanks by filling them with seawater and emptying them several times, before lowering a fan (not explosion proof) into the tank to blow in fresh air and lead air out of the tank via the attached plastic hose. According to the skipper, he had given instructions that the fan was to be lowered Continue reading “Nordstar: Exposure to lethal gas levels contributed to fisherman’s death says AIBN report”

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