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The UK Maritime Accident Investigation Branch has released its preliminary assessment after, hit a barge and breached its hull plating. At 1430 on 22 June 2023, the inland waterways passenger vessel Oceandiva London (see Figure) lost propulsion control and contacted a moored hopper barge at Halfway Reach on the River Thames, London. Oceandiva London was undergoing propulsion trials as part of its Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) survey required for the issue of a Passenger Ship Safety Certificate. The impact damage to Oceandiva London included breaches to its hull plating above the waterline with deformation of decks and structural frames. There were no passengers on board and none of the six crew or thirteen contractors were injured.Oceandiva London’s propulsion and electrical power Continue reading “Passenger vessel Oceandiva London breaches hull plating after loss of propulsion”

It showed the MAIB received 1,592 reports of marine casualties and incidents last year – involving 1,741 vessels.
While the report showed the number of occurrences raised was higher than usual, in other respects it had been a “fairly average year”.
27 recommendations were issued last year with 26 of them accepted and 13 which have already been implemented.
In terms of safety issues involving merchant ships, Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents, Captain Andrew Moll OBE, said two accidents stood out last year. Continue reading “MAIB publishes Annual Report 2023”

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch is urging owners, operators and skippers of fishing vessels fitted with side shell doors to ensure suitable and sufficient risk assessment of watertight integrity.

Argos Georgia was a longline fishing vessel registered in St Helena. The vessel foundered while on passage from Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands to fishing grounds near the island of South Georgia. Of the 27 persons people on board, 13 perished.

The ongoing investigation has found that the shell door in the starboard side of Argos Georgia descended slowly into the fully open position. This allowed significant quantities of water to enter the vessel. Continue reading “MAIB issues safety bulletin after fishing vessel Argos Georgia sinks leaving 13 dead”