This article addresses five common deficiencies that Sector Houston-Galveston Port State Control Officers (PSCOs) have fund on liquefied gas carriers. In 2018, Sector Houston-Galveston conducted 141 Certificate of Compliance (COC) exams on liquefied gas carriers, seven of which resulted in IMO detentions. This equates to a 5% detention ratio, which is more than double the national average for IMO detentions in 2018 (1.5 %). Some combination or other of the below listed deficiencies were cited in all of the Sector’s aforementioned gas carrier detentions. The purpose of this article is to share information and prompt owners, operators, surveyors and other involved parties to take proactive steps to identify and correct sub-standard safety and environmental stewardship conditions before Coast Guard port state control intervention, including COC removal, cargo cessation and/or detentions, becomes necessary.
News Hound
New technology aims to reduce underwater radiated noise generated by ships’ propeller cavitation
A new technology aimed at reducing the underwater radiated noise (URN) generated by ships’ propeller cavitation has been developed by Strathclyde University and Oscar Propulsion.
The patented Oscar PressurePores system reduces propeller tip vortex cavitation by applying a small number of strategically bored holes in the propeller blades.
The addition of these pressure-relieving holes now allows ships to operate with a more silent propeller with a minimum of compromise on its efficiency or having to slow steam. Reducing cavitation also reduces its associated erosive effect.
AMSA changes to shipping registration have come into force
Starting from 1st April 2019, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has applied changes to shipping registration laws.
Registering a ship: There are no changes to the way that you register a ship on the Australian Registers unless you do not know the vessel’s full ownership history. Namely:
– Ships registered on the Australian general shipping register have Australian nationality.
– Registration of a ship on the Australian general shipping register provides legally and internationally recognisable nationality to your ship. When registered, you will have Australian protection on the high seas and in foreign ports.
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IG Clubs continue to implement survey triggers for tankers carrying HFO
As part of the industry’s efforts to ensure higher ship standards, the International Group of P&I Clubs (IG Clubs) continues to implement survey triggers for seagoing vessels of 10 years of age or more carrying HFO, the American P&I Club has reminded the industry in a bulletin.
As a consequence, all sea-going vessels aged 10 years or more which have carried heavy HFO as cargo within the previous 12 months will be subject to condition survey, unless:
– the vessel has undergone a P&I club condition survey during the previous 12 months; or
– the vessel has undergone a Special Survey during the previous 6 months; or
– the vessel has a valid Condition Assessment Program (CAP) rating of 1 or 2 with a classification society having membership in the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS).
– HFO is defined as residual fuel with a kinematic viscosity of 380 centipoises when measured at 50 degrees Celsius by the ISO 3104 test method.
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MAIB safety digest with analyses of 25 accidents volume 1 2019 published
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has published a digest and analyses of twenty five marine recent incidents and accidents with short descriptions about each involving vessels from the merchant, fishing and recreational sectors. The 70 page report can be accessed and downloaded here or at the foot of this page.
In his introduction to the Digest, Andrew Moll says, “I’d like to thank this edition’s introduction writers. I am delighted that Captain Nick Nash, Andrew Locker and Steve Gravells have agreed to write the introductions to the merchant, commercial fishing and recreational craft sections of this digest. All three have written from both their professional and own personal perspectives, and their words are very powerful. If you read nothing else in this issue, I would encourage you to read the section introductions.
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Restoration work begins on Loch Lomond paddle steamer
Work on the iconic paddle steamer berthed in Loch Lomond has taken significant steps forward, in a bid to get the historic Maid of the Loch fully restored to her former glory.
Following a £950,000 cash injection from The Scottish Government, the Loch Lomond Steamship Company (LLSC) has contracted out vital structural work to naval architects, Marine Design International Ltd. This particular stage is necessary for meeting the required safety standards and will place a strong focus on the vessel’s current state by surveying, calculating and designing any adjustments which may have to take place.
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Norwegian Maritime Authority early findings suggest Viking Sky engine failure caused by low oil pressure
Throughout the night of Saturday 23 March, the Norwegian Maritime Authority (NMA) worked with the ship’s classification society, Lloyd’s, and the company in order to identify the reason why the Viking Sky suffered power “blackout” at Hustadvika in challenging weather conditions. For the present, their conclusion is that the engine failure was directly caused by low oil pressure.
Last night, the Norwegian Maritime Authority (NMA) granted the company a permit to sail on a single voyage to Kristiansund to have necessary repairs made. Throughout the night, the NMA has worked together with the ship’s classification society, Lloyd’s, and the company in order to identify the reason why the Viking Sky suffered power “blackout” at Hustadvika in challenging weather conditions on Saturday 23 March.
The future of fish farming vessels is here now in the form of a fully electric workboat
‘Astrid Helene’ is a fully electric salmon farm workboat designed and built by Grovfjord Mekaniske Verksted, Norway. Owner/ operator Northern Lights Salmon saves the planet from up to 90t CO2 and 900kg of NOx particles annually – the average emission of a diesel powered fish-farm workboat.
There are no longer any diesel fumes on deck either. For crew, the fumes could be quite annoying – particularly if the wind was blowing it in their direction. Now, there is just clean air.
Fully electric work boats such as Astrid Helene will play a key role in the industry’s future: “Electric work boats are perfect for fish farming. Continue reading “The future of fish farming vessels is here now in the form of a fully electric workboat”
Poor maintenance the key cause leading to sinking of Ms Nancy C says report
The NTSB has published its investigation report into the flooding and sinking of the towing vessel ‘Nancy C’ on Lower Mississippi River, near Dyersville, Tennessee, in March 2018. The investigation has identified poor maintenance as the principle cause of the incident.
On 6 March 2018, about 1630 local time, the uninspected towing vessel Ms Nancy C was moving and positioning cargo barges while operating in Everett Lake, a tributary of the Mississippi River, when a deckhand discovered water in a void at the stern of the vessel. While the captain and deckhand attempted to dewater the vessel, it sank in 15 feet of water. Both crew members disembarked to a barge prior to the sinking without injury. Damage was estimated at $667,306.
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Reducing the risk of incidents due to systemic failures booklet published
The guide ‘Reducing the risk of incidents due to systemic failures’ is based on the partnership between Bureau Veritas, TMC Marine and the London P&I Club. It offers guidance on decreasing onboard systemic failures and highlights the challenges in shipping with the aim of preventing injury, loss of life and damage to ships and cargo.
Essentially the booklet focuses on enhanced onboard systems so that they are in line with the requirements of the International Safety Management (ISM) Code’s Safety Management Systems to reduce risk and develop a culture of continual improvement.
The publication provides an insight into systemic failures on board ships in response to a global trend of increases in system deficiencies related to the requirements of the ISM code.
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UK MAIB issues amended guidance to MGN 564 on marine incident reporting
The MAIB investigates marine casualties involving UK vessels worldwide and vessels of any flag in UK territorial waters with the aim of preventing further avoidable accidents from recurring in the future. The UK MAIB has published amended guidance on marine incident reporting – what who and when an incident should be notified – with modifications made to MGN 564.
Who must report
The master/skipper, or senior surviving officer of a UK ship must notify the MAIB of any marine casualty or marine incident.
The master/skipper of any ship must notify the MAIB of any marine casualty or marine incident if:
– the ship is within UK waters and carrying passengers to / from the UK, or
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MCA safety bulletin issued for all mariners who use GPS equipment
The Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) has issued a special safety bulletin to all mariners that use GPS to prepare for a rollover event that will occur on 6 April 2019.
On April 6 navigation data from some older GPS systems might become inaccurate due to the ‘week number’ rollover event.
This could cause stand-alone GPS receivers and systems using GPS chips, to produce data that is 19.7 years either in the past or future, therefore generating errors in both the GPS position and time. However, if onboard equipment has been installed after August 1999, or has regular firmware updates from the manufacturer, there should be minimal Continue reading “MCA safety bulletin issued for all mariners who use GPS equipment”