AMSA Inspection Report 2022 published

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has published its 2022 Inspection Report. It reveals that container ships are in the top five detained ship types for three years in a row, accounting for nearly 15 per cent of arrivals during last year. In 2022, 1,181 bulk carriers were inspected with 3,446 deficiencies issued resulting in 76 detentions. The detention rate for bulk carriers increased to 6.4 per cent from 6.1 per cent in 2021.

According to the report, the average Port State Control (PSC) deficiencies per inspection increased from 2.2 per cent in 2021 to 2.58 per cent in 2022. This is significantly higher than the 10-year rolling average of 2.3 deficiencies per inspection. Continue reading “AMSA Inspection Report 2022 published”

Holland Shipyards Group to develop autonomous 3D printed ferry

Photo credit: Holland Shipyards Group
Photo credit: Holland Shipyards Group

The Holland Shipyards Group has started work on building the largest ever 3D printed ferry as part of a new project sponsored by France to highlight innovations in sustainable and autonomous shipping. In December last year, Holland Shipyards Group, Sequana Développement and Roboat were designated as winners in a national call for autonomous passenger boat projects initiated by the French inland waterways authority, Voies Navigables de France.

The concept ferry proposed by the winning consortium will be 3D printed and with its dimensions of 9m by 3.90m, is the largest printed autonomous ferry ever. Continue reading “Holland Shipyards Group to develop autonomous 3D printed ferry”

AMSA focusing on watertight and weathertight integrity at Port State Control

Photo Credit: AMSA

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has announced they are carrying out ongoing watertight and weathertight integrity inspections during routine Port State Control (PSC) throughout 2023.

The aim of this PSC campaign is to support foreign-flagged and regulated Australian ships with information to help operators avoid water ingress and the associated safety and financial risks. Ship inspection data shows that watertight and weathertight integrity remains a persistent and concerning issue for ships in Australian ports, making up 9% of detainable deficiencies in 2021. Continue reading “AMSA focusing on watertight and weathertight integrity at Port State Control”

MAIB Safety Digest April 2023 published

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch has published the MAIB Safety Digest April 2023, the first of its two biannual publications featuring a wide selection of case studies.

Andrew Moll OBE, Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents, MAIB writes in his introduction as follows:

Welcome to MAIB Safety Digest April 2023. In my opinion, this is the more important of the MAIB’s biannual Safety Digests because it is published as the northern hemisphere emerges from winter. This is not simply an observation Continue reading “MAIB Safety Digest April 2023 published”

New safety films to benefit first-time boaters on UK inland waterways

A new series of animated films designed to help first-time boaters navigate the UK’s inland waterways safely has been jointly launched by the Canal & River Trust and the Environment Agency.

The five short, animated videos, available on YouTube, are designed primarily for those who are new to the waterways, including hire boaters. They give straightforward guidance on staying safe when boating, mooring, and using locks. There is also information about bridges, tunnels, weirs and sluices, and advice to help boaters protect the waterway network’s unique heritage and wildlife. Continue reading “New safety films to benefit first-time boaters on UK inland waterways”

Targets set for end-of-life boat recycling

A roadmap has been launched for the European boating industry aimed at increasing end-of-life boat recycling as a matter of urgency. The plan, launched by the European Boating Industry (EBI), is based on a three-year process involving all public and private stakeholders, with the boating industry committing to phasing out unsustainable recycling practices and targets set for the period up until 2030.

The ‘Roadmap on the implementation of the circular economy for end-of-life boats’ follows several dismantling and recycling schemes already set up in many European countries. Continue reading “Targets set for end-of-life boat recycling”

Industry bodies unite to produce guidelines for safe transport of Lithium-ion batteries in containers

The Lithium-ion Batteries in Containers Guidelines seek to prevent the increasing risks that the transport of lithium-ion batteries by sea creates, providing suggestions for identifying such risks and thereby helping to ensure a safer supply chain in the future. Together with its partners, the Cargo Incident Notification System Network (CINS) has compiled a comprehensive publication covering the properties of these batteries and their potential to explode, initiate fires and emit toxic gases. Continue reading “Industry bodies unite to produce guidelines for safe transport of Lithium-ion batteries in containers”

Ports Of Stockholm explores safety aspects of autonomous shipping

Image courtesy of Ports of Stockholm
Image courtesy of Ports of Stockholm

Ports of Stockholm and its collaborative partners have been awarded funding from the Swedish Transport Agency maritime transport research and innovation portfolio. Research Institutes of Sweden (RISE) is coordinating the research project, which has the name PLUZ Policy Lab Urban Zjöfart. Other organisations participating in the project are Norwegian shipping company Torghatten, technology supplier Zeabuz, Det Norske Veritas Sweden (DNV), who work with vessel classification and certification, as well as the Vattenbussen AB organisation, which focuses on efficient use of resources and the potential of waterways to contribute to a sustainable society. Continue reading “Ports Of Stockholm explores safety aspects of autonomous shipping”

Adherence to instructions for inflatable boats is crucial says USCG safety alert

Zodiac after bladder failure. Deformation to the deck is visible. Photo credit: US Coast Guard
Zodiac after bladder failure. Deformation to the deck is visible. Photo credit: US Coast Guard

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) has released a safety alert to addresses the importance of proper maintenance and adherence to manufacturer’s recommendations for filling and/or inflating buoyancy chambers on some models of inflatable boats.

During a recent investigation of an incident that occurred involving foreign cruise vessel operations in the Antarctic, a US passenger was severely injured due to a Zodiac MILPRO model FC 580/MK5 keel bladder failure while underway on a sightseeing excursion. In calm weather, the keel bladder suddenly ruptured, sending the passenger several feet into the air before landing onto the deck and sustaining serious injuries including a fractured femur. Continue reading “Adherence to instructions for inflatable boats is crucial says USCG safety alert”

Outboard engine fire causes yacht to sink is finding in MCIB report

Now, a Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) report is recommending that racing yacht owners should ensure their auxiliary engines provide the necessary power for their craft to make a safe passage. In addition, the MCIB says risks associated with refuelling outboards at sea need to be highlighted.

The Beneteau First Class 8 (FC8) yacht, Black Magic, was motor sailing using a 3hp outboard and mainsail, on route from Crosshaven, Co Cork to Kinsale Harbour for winter lay-up in December 2021. The owner and skipper of the yacht the sole person onboard for the approximately 19-mile passage. Continue reading “Outboard engine fire causes yacht to sink is finding in MCIB report”

Risks associated with dirty engine room bilges

The Shipowners Club would like to highlight the potential hazards associated with oily engine room bilges and the checks and steps that a ship’s crew should undertake to assist mitigate the associated possible issues. It is common for bilge water to accumulate during the routine operation of machinery in the engine room spaces. However, engine room bilges contaminated with oil can pose hazards if not managed properly and could indicate a wider problem on board. A recent analysis of the Club’s Condition Survey Programme showed a rise in vessels reported as having occurrences of contaminated engine room bilges. Continue reading “Risks associated with dirty engine room bilges”

MAIB Safety Bulletin: Potential safety hazards from flexible hose installations

On Sunday 19 September 2021, fire broke out in the auxiliary engine room on board the Finland registered roll-on/roll-off cargo ship Finnmaster while departing Hull, UK. The fuel source for the fire was identified as coming from a small-bore flexible hose that failed due to being overheated by an exhaust gas leak from the outboard turbocharger of auxiliary engine 2.

The flexible hose assembly was part of a modification made to the auxiliary engine alarm system more than 15 years prior to the fire. It was contrary to requirements and relevant guidance, as it was too long and had been routed close to hot surfaces. The hose had not been approved or surveyed by the classification society when it was installed. Continue reading “MAIB Safety Bulletin: Potential safety hazards from flexible hose installations”

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