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Fire onboard a fishing vessel caused by mechanical failure says NTSB report

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Photo courtesy of Trico Seafood
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.

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Recontruction of classic 1954 superyacht Istros being undertaken by Feadship

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Istros is due to be relaunched in mid-2020.
Istros is due to be relaunched in mid-2020.

Dutch shipyard Feadship is set to completely rebuild 42-metre (138-foot) classic motoryacht Istros. Built in 1954 by Amsterdam yard De Vries Lentsch and previously regarded as one of the largest superyachts to be built in the Netherlands, the yacht is now undergoing a total refit at Feadship’s facility.

Istros, meaning ‘inspiration’, featured an advanced radar system and on-board telephone, which was a rarity at the time.

H2 Yacht Design and Laurent Giles Naval Architects made a first attempt to restore the yacht in 2013, but the project was rejected due to lack of funding.

Under new ownership, the current rebuild project began last year with the removal of the superstructure and reconditioning of the hull at a shipyard in Malta. The yacht has since arrived back in the Netherlands.

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USCG publishes a safety alert after three confined space fatalities on a MODU

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Seven of the crew onboard were involved in the dewatering operation and this incident. All were experienced mariners, but lacked MODU experience.
Seven of the crew onboard were involved in the dewatering operation and this incident. All were experienced mariners, but lacked MODU experience.

The US Coast Guard (USCG) has issued an important Safety Alert on the dangers of confined space entry following a recent incident where three people were asphyxiated in a confined space on a drilling rig (MODU).

The USCG says that studies show that people often miss the obvious clues while working under enhanced stress and because their focus is on another activity. Several sources indicate that over 50% of those who perish in enclosed and confined spaces accidents do so while trying to assist and rescue their co-workers.

Ten crewmembers were on board the MODU preparing it for a heavy lift transport to an overseas ship breaking facility. They were successful in dewatering three of the MODU’s four legs.

Yet, the de-ballasting system was inoperable in the fourth leg because piping and valves had been previously removed. To continue pumping, the crew rigged a portable diesel engine driven pump to discharge the tanks.

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Big four have formed the Digital Container Shipping Association in joint initiative

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Thomas Bagge is appointed CEO and Statutory Director of the recently formed Digital Container Shipping Association
Thomas Bagge is appointed CEO and Statutory Director of the recently formed Digital Container Shipping Association

Four container shipping heavyweights, Maersk, MSC, Hapag-Lloyd and Ocean Network Express, have come together to establish the Digital Container Shipping Association on 10 April 2019 in Amsterdam.

The parties said that the aim of the association is to create common information technology standards to make the industry more efficient for both customers and shipping lines.

The plan to create a neutral, non-profit association for ocean carriers was first announced in November 2018. The association, focusing on driving standardization, digitalization and interoperability in container shipping, is now starting operations with a leadership team made up of industry veterans, including Thomas Bagge (pictured) from A.P. Moller – Maersk, who was appointed CEO and Statutory Director of the Digital Container Shipping Association.

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Leading maritime capitals of the world report 2019 published

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The Leading Maritime Capitals report for 2019 is out, with fresh insight on which maritime metropolises provide the best support for companies in shipping and related services.

Criteria include soft and hard infrastructure and access to world-class talent and services – all key components that maritime businesses need to thrive in their chosen locations.

Singapore maintained its top position at the head of the 15 leading maritime capitals.

Despite a somewhat weak trade cycle in traditional shipping and offshore oil and gas markets yet to recover, Singapore was able to retain its lead in three of the five pillars of the ranking: Shipping, Ports and Logistics as well as Attractiveness and Competitiveness.

In the two remaining pillars, London is number one in Continue reading “Leading maritime capitals of the world report 2019 published”

Mataró Marina Barcelona hosts the first Refit Conference

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Mataró Marina Barcelona has hosted its 1st Refit Conference under the organisation of the Barcelona Clúster Nàutic, Daevi and Varador 2000.

The event, directed towards professionals involved with the maintenance and repair of boats, has strengthened training and networking in this sector. It has also facilitated a dialogue between business and administration, as the event was attended by the manager of Ports de Catalunya, Joan Pere Gómez.

David Bote, mayor of Mataró, introduced the conference before the ‘Present and Future of the Refit Sector in Catalonia’ meeting commenced, involving Toni Tió, president of Barcelona Clúster Nàutic, along with the representative of Ports and the CEO of Varador 2000, Xiqui Mas.

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Future IMO and ILO legislation planned changes

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There are some upcoming planned changes to mandatory statutory regulations and instruments, including:

– Adopted amendments that are in a transitional period towards full implementation;
– Adopted amendments entering into force on or after 1 April 2019;
– Significant topics which are currently under discussion and development, including meetings up to Maritime Safety Committee 100 (MSC) in December 2018.

This 64 page document will help you make sense of what is happening: Future_IMO_and_ILO_Legislation___April_2019

British Coatings Federation to launch protect, collect and dispose antifouling initiative

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British Coatings Federation to launch protect, collect and dispose antifouling initiative
British Coatings Federation to launch protect, collect and dispose antifouling initiative

The British Coatings Federation (BCF), along with the Green Blue (a joint initiative between the Royal Yachting Association and British Marine) and the Yacht Harbour Association (TYHA), will launch their Protect, Collect and Dispose Antifouling Initiative at the 2019 Marina Conference in Bournemouth on 24th-25th April.

The objective of the initiative is to inform as many people as possible about environmental best practice when antifouling boats.

This initiative builds on the successful, award-winning DIY Safe Antifouling programme BCF, RYA and British Marine launched in 2017.

It is intended for those who antifoul their own vessels, as well as for marinas and boatyards who are offering professional antifouling services.

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Cowes Harbour Commission creates new channel for small craft

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Cowes Harbour Commission has completed the dredging of a new Eastern Channel for craft up to 20m in length.

The channel will provide a more direct route to the Solent than the previous Small Craft Channel. It will be suitable for use at all states of the tide.

“It allows smaller vessels safe access to and egress from Cowes Harbour, reducing potential conflict with the ferry and commercial traffic movements,” explained Capt. Stuart McIntosh, Cowes harbour master.

The 35m wide Eastern Channel is dredged to 2.25m below chart datum giving a minimum depth of water equal to the height of tide plus 2.25m.

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Advice on how to ensure containers are stacked safely on board container ships

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Uwe-Peter Schieder, Loss Prevention Manager at GDV (German Insurance Association – Gesamtverband der Deutschen Versicherungswirtschaft) and Vice-Chair of IUMI’s Loss Prevention Committee, provides his comment on securing containers on deck of a container ship.

Mr. Schieder says that there are six different motions in which vessels move in the sea, with the main of them being pitching, heaving and rolling.

However, lateral rolling motion presents the greatest risk for stacks of containers.

In order for containers to be safely transported on the deck of a container ship, this must be done with the help of twistlocks.

These are inserted into the corner castings of the containers, which have elongated holes. There, the rotating lug of the twistlock engages locks the Continue reading “Advice on how to ensure containers are stacked safely on board container ships”

Crack in cargo hold cover leads to wet damage described in latest Swedish Club bulletin

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In its monthly safety scenario, April edition, the Swedish Club describes a case of cargo damage caused by water ingress due to a crack in the hatch coaming.

The incident resulted in several days of delay for the ship to get the wet cargo off the vessel, while most of the cargo was refused by the buyer.

The bulk carrier had a full cargo of zinc concentrate onboard and was sailing from the west coast to the east coast of South America.

When the vessel passed Cape Horn, it experienced heavy weather of Beaufort scale 9 with green sea covering the cargo hold covers 1, 2 and 3.

This continued for 4 days as the vessel battled the waves. The vessel had no weather routing.

When the weather had calmed down the master asked the chief officer to inspect the cargo holds. The chief officer found that water had Continue reading “Crack in cargo hold cover leads to wet damage described in latest Swedish Club bulletin”

ABS publishes expanded and updated best practices for ballast water management systems report

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Workshop attendees reviewed the best practices that support successful BWM system integration.
Workshop attendees reviewed the best practices that support successful BWM system integration.

ABS published its updated Best Practices for Operation of Ballast Water Management (BWM) Systems Report, offering fresh insight on best practices to overcome key challenges with selecting, installing and operating a BWM system.

First published in 2017, the updated 2019 Report captures the key discussion items, lessons-learned and valuable insight gathered and shared during its global program of industry workshops, shaped by questionnaires from owners and operators of vessels with BWM systems.

“Our engagement with the industry has helped us gain a deep understanding of the challenges from around the globe, which we used to develop and enhance our guidance to industry,” said Derek Novak, ABS Senior Vice President for Engineering and Technology. “Working closely with owners and operators we produced detailed best practices for mitigating and minimizing issues with the installation and operation of BWM systems.”

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