Netherlands to impose degassing ban on inland navigation vessels

This ban aims to make the air quality around shipping routes better.
This ban aims to make the air quality around shipping routes better.

The Netherlands will impose a nationwide degasification ban for inland navigation vessels. The Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management, Van Nieuwenhuizen, wants the degasification ban to be introduced in the Netherlands by mid-2020.

This ban aims to make the air quality around shipping routes better. Inland shipping vessels often leave harmful emissions in the open air while sailing. The degassing ban must provide about 95% less emissions of harmful volatile substances by 2023.

A taskforce will be created in order to ensure along with the business community that the introduction of this national degassing ban runs Continue reading “Netherlands to impose degassing ban on inland navigation vessels”

German authority report suggests containers on two ships caught fire probably from self-heating

The German Federal Bureau of Maritime Casualty Investigation has released its reports about two non-connected fires on container ships. The MSC Katrina was in the Elbe estuary when the fire was detected on 20 November 2015. The second ship, the Ludwigshafen Express was in the Red Sea when fire was noticed during an inspection in February 2016.

The first incident
The MSC Katrina was located in the Elbe estuary when its smoke detection system discovered fire. As a result, the Central Command for Maritime Emergencies had the ability to deploy specially trained firefighters.

Continue reading “German authority report suggests containers on two ships caught fire probably from self-heating”

DNVGL issues three free to read publications on tankers, bulk and gas carriers

DNVGL has released a series of publications with updates on the tanker, bulk carrier and gas carrier industry sectors.

Tanker Update 2018
Articles on: market development, alternative fuels and technologies, cybersecurity and TMSA3, tail shaft notation, batteries on small tankers, environmental regulations, eco …
DNV GL Tanker Update 2018

Bulk Carrier Update 2018
Continue reading “DNVGL issues three free to read publications on tankers, bulk and gas carriers”

Key errors leading to inaccuracies in draught surveys

The West of England P&I Club has said that it regularly receives claims arising from alleged shortages of solid bulk cargoes as a result of discrepancies between draught survey results. Draught surveys by their very nature are not an exact science and the accuracy of the calculated cargo figure may vary typically by between 0.5% and 1.0%. However, there are occasions when considerable differences in the cargo figures derived from the draught surveys have been obtained.

The commonly forgotten weights are:
– Bilge water present in the cargo holds, machinery spaces, duct keel, void spaces and the chain lockers.
Continue reading “Key errors leading to inaccuracies in draught surveys”

Propulsion system being prepared for Australian icebreaker Nuyina

An artist's impression of Nuyina, Australia's new icebreaker
An artist’s impression of Nuyina, Australia’s new icebreaker

More than 8,600 tons of steel has now been shaped, welded and assembled into the hull of Australia’s new icebreaker RSV Nuyina.

A few key pieces of the ship’s propulsion system have recently arrived at the Damen Shipyard at Galati, including the propellers, propeller hubs and the sterntubes.

RSV Nuyina, will make her maiden voyage to Antarctica in 2020-21. The ship will be the main lifeline to Australia’s three Antarctic research stations and its sub-Antarctic station on Macquarie Island, and will support Australia’s leadership role in Antarctic and Southern Continue reading “Propulsion system being prepared for Australian icebreaker Nuyina”

Stainless steel bolts at offshore facility fail due to corrosion cracking

A number of strain-hardened, Type 304 stainless steel bolts, (ASTM A193 B8, Class 2) failed unexpectedly at an offshore facility
A number of strain-hardened, Type 304 stainless steel bolts, (ASTM A193 B8, Class 2) failed unexpectedly at an offshore facility

The International Association of Oil & Gas Producers (IOGP) published an alert regarding an unexpected failure of certain kinds of strain-hardened Type 304 stainless steel bolts. The failure happened at an offshore facility during a pneumatic leak test of gas piping exiting a test separator.

The incident
A number of strain-hardened, Type 304 stainless steel bolts, (ASTM A193 B8, Class 2) failed unexpectedly at an offshore facility while a pneumatic leak test of gas piping exiting a test separator was being conducted.

Strain-hardening austenitic stainless steel nuts and bolts to increase their strength may increase their sensitivity to chloride-induced stress corrosion cracking (CISCC) and reduce their safe upper temperature limit. Other factors such as Continue reading “Stainless steel bolts at offshore facility fail due to corrosion cracking”

Recent marine bollard failures give USCG cause for concern

There have been a number of shore side marine bollard failures whereby moored vessels were cast adrift
There have been a number of shore side marine bollard failures whereby moored vessels were cast adrift

The USCG issued an alert informing that recently, there have been a number of shore side marine bollard failures whereby moored vessels were cast adrift. In some cases, this resulted in damage to the involved vessel, as well as other nearby vessels and shore side structures, the USCG warned.

Neither the USCG nor the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has regulatory oversight over these items. In several cases, the underlying deficient material condition of the bollards was unknown until the failures occurred.

Key causes include:
– the rotting of organic bollards made of marine pilings,
– the undetected fracture of bollard castings due to manufacturer defects,
damage from previous overloads, or
– the degradation of bollard foundations and fasteners.

Typically, the failures are associated with abnormal dynamic loads transferred to the bollard from a vessel. The abnormal loads are oftentimes caused by Continue reading “Recent marine bollard failures give USCG cause for concern”

Ethylene vapors activate carbon monoxide alarm says safety alert

A certified marine chemist traced the source of the vapors to an eight inch crack on a cargo vapor line
A certified marine chemist traced the source of the vapors to an eight inch crack on a cargo vapor line

The USCG has published a safety alert informing marine inspectors that ethylene vapors on LNG carriers can activate Carbon Monoxide alarms. Specifically, during an examination of a LNG carrier whose cargo tanks contained ethylene vapors, PSC Officers (PSCOs) received alarms on their portable four gas meters giving a reading of 60 to 100 parts per-million (PPM) Carbon Monoxide (CO).

A certified marine chemist traced the source of the vapors to an eight inch crack on a cargo vapor line. PSCOs initially thought the alarm was related to a combustion event and did not suspect the ethylene vapors were the source, because they did not get a Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) reading on their monitors.

The chemist indicated that the LEL most likely never alarmed because of high winds on deck. He further explained that the molecular weight of Ethylene (28 g/mol) was identical to the molecular weight of CO which accounted for the CO PPM readings. USCG personnel contacted the manufacturer who confirmed that Continue reading “Ethylene vapors activate carbon monoxide alarm says safety alert”

Urgent safety lessons issued by MAIB after the failure of a throw bag rescue line

RIBER, and several other suppliers of throw bag rescue lines, import the complete manufactured product pre-branded with their company’s logo.
RIBER, and several other suppliers of throw bag rescue lines, import the complete manufactured product pre-branded with their company’s logo.

A defective throw bag rescue line was discovered while Warrington Rowing Club was conducting boat capsize drills for new rowers at Halton Baths in Cheshire, UK. A 15m long polypropylene rescue line in a throw bag, supplied by Riber Products Limited (RIBER), parted while a young person in the water was being pulled to the side of the pool during a simulated rescue. There were no injuries. The rowing club safety advisor subsequently found another throw bag with a defective rescue line that had been purchased from the same supplier. RIBER was informed and the company contacted its customers after identifying a batch of 208 throw bags that could be at risk. A further three defective rescue lines have been identified as a consequence of the customer warning notice posted on Facebook. Considering the potentially serious consequences of a throw bag rescue line failing in a real lifesaving situation, the MAIB is conducting a safety investigation.

Initial findings
On inspection, the defective RIBER throw bag rescue lines identified by Warrington Rowing Club were found to have been made up of sections of polypropylene rope fused together, which broke easily at the joint when put under tension. One line was constructed of two sections of rope fused together, Continue reading “Urgent safety lessons issued by MAIB after the failure of a throw bag rescue line”

LATTICE Technology secures first commercial sale of its on-board LPV LNG Fuel tank

LATTICE technology’s proprietary LPV containment system for LNG has been approved by seven international classification societies following the successful test of four prototype tanks.
LATTICE technology’s proprietary LPV containment system for LNG has been approved by seven international classification societies following the successful test of four prototype tanks.

LATTICE Technology’s CEO Hoonjin Park confirmed on May 23rd that the company has secured the order for a 15m3 a lattice pressure vessel (LPV® ) LNG fuel tank to be installed onboard a newbuild Port Cleaning Ship to assume service for the Ulsan Port Authority during 2019. The LPV® tank is a Type C-equivalent pressure vessel based on proprietary design by LATTICE Technology. This will be the first commercial contract for a LPV as well as the first LNG-fueled, public service vessel in South Korea.

The Port Cleaning Ship is the first project following the Korean government’s recent assertion that it will actively boost eco-friendly LNG-fuelled shipping by ordering LNGfuelled public service ships and supporting use of LNG-fueled, commercial ships. LATTICE Technology is proud to have been chosen to deliver its unique LPV LNG fuel tank for this project. This LPV is designed for 9 Continue reading “LATTICE Technology secures first commercial sale of its on-board LPV LNG Fuel tank”

Incorrect oxygen welding gas hose led to fire

The hose had been recently replaced, but the replacement hose was a hydraulic oil service hose with oxygen fittings.
The hose had been recently replaced, but the replacement hose was a hydraulic oil service hose with oxygen fittings.

In its latest Safety Flashes, IMCA presents a case of a fire due to incorrectly selected oxygen welding gas hose, during a routine cutting job onboard a ship. There were no injuries or ship damage, but investigation later revealed that the hose had been recently replaced with one that did not comply with ISO 14113 specification.

The incident
The ship’s welder opened the Oxygen and Acetylene gas bottle valves in order to do a cutting job on deck. These gas bottles were attached to the vessel’s integrated welding gas system. Opening the valve on the Oxygen bottle caused an explosion to a short, high pressure hose delivering oxygen from the bottle to the oxygen gas regulator. The end of the hose caught fire and was quickly extinguished by turning off the oxygen bottle. Nobody was injured and the only damage was to the hose that completely separated.

Findings
The hose had been recently replaced, but the replacement hose was a hydraulic oil service hose with oxygen fittings. The replacement hose was not Continue reading “Incorrect oxygen welding gas hose led to fire”

Sinking raises safety issues on bilge alarms

The failure of engine cooling system pipework is one of the most common causes of flooding on small fishing vessels
The failure of engine cooling system pipework is one of the most common causes of flooding on small fishing vessels

In its latest Safety Digest, the UK MAIB provides learnings about an 8.13m fibreglass fishing vessel that was engaged in picking up its fleets of creels when it began to take on water and subsequently sank. The skipper, who was working alone, managed to deploy the boat’s liferaft and climb into it as the boat was sinking and was later rescued without injuries.

The incident
The skipper went out to sea shortly after daybreak to recover his two fleets of creels. The weather was good. As soon as he arrived at the fishing grounds, he hauled in the first fleet of creels and stowed it on the aft end of the deck. He then headed at speed toward the second fleet of creels.

Continue reading “Sinking raises safety issues on bilge alarms”

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