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MAIB Annual Report 2021 published

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The MAIB Annual Report for 2021 has been published
The MAIB Annual Report for 2021 has been published

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has published its 2021 annual report. One of the main findings to note is the number of fatalities in the fishing vessel fleet, which hit a 20-year high. In his annual report statement, Chief Inspector of Accidents, Capt. Andrew Moll OBE, says, “I am pleased to introduce MAIB’s annual report 2021. It was another busy and successful year for the branch improving safety at sea by our sustained output of safety investigation reports, safety digests, and safety bulletins despite lockdown conditions affecting work early in the year. The branch raised 1530 reports of marine accidents and commenced 22 investigations in 2021. Continue reading “MAIB Annual Report 2021 published”

New IIMS President takes up office

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Peter Broad (left), Mike Schwarz (centre) and Geoff Waddington (right)
Peter Broad (left), Mike Schwarz (centre) and Geoff Waddington (right)

At the IIMS Annual General Meeting, broadcast live from Murrills House in Portchester UK on Tuesday 7th June 2022, Peter Broad formally took up his position as President of the International Institute of Marine Surveying for a two-year term succeeding Geoff Waddington. Whilst most delegates joined the AGM online, the management board meeting had taken place earlier in the day meaning that a few could attend the AGM in person for the first-time post-pandemic. The now immediate Past President, Geoff Waddington, opened the AGM with a short speech. In it, he explained what a strange presidency it had been with the inability to meet members due to the pandemic. Continue reading “New IIMS President takes up office”

Key tips for the safe carriage of alternative fuel vehicles in Ro-Ro spaces published by EMSA

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The main reasons behind the topic of alternative fuel vehicles becoming a serious safety concern are the enormous growth of the alternative fuel vehicles fleet, the potential fire risks of these vehicles and a high uncertainty on the associated fire characteristics, EMSA notes and issued in response a guide providing recommendations for the safe carriage of alternative fuel vehicles onboard ships.

In the guide, EMSA highlights that risk assessment should be conducted for each ship to ensure that risks arising from the carriage of the AFVs that might affect persons onboard, the environment, the safety of the ship are addressed. Continue reading “Key tips for the safe carriage of alternative fuel vehicles in Ro-Ro spaces published by EMSA”

Speakers at Savoy dinner praise resilience of Association of Average Adjusters

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After a break of two years, the Association of Average Adjusters triumphantly resumed hosting one of the most celebrated events in the global marine and legal calendar – the annual black-tie dinner at London’s Savoy Hotel. The Association proved itself to be in robust health, overcoming the disappointment of pandemic cancellations including what was to have been the annual gathering during 2020, its 150th anniversary year.

Throughout that interlude of ‘virtual’ activity, practitioners remained undaunted, it was clear from the confident tone of more than 200 adjusters, underwriters, insurance brokers, members of the legal profession and representatives of the London and international shipping community who dined on May 12, 2022, in the illustrious setting of the hotel’s Lancaster Ballroom. Continue reading “Speakers at Savoy dinner praise resilience of Association of Average Adjusters”

Serious violations led to boatyard fire that destroyed superyacht says report

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Boatyard fire destroyed superyacht says report

The company operating Hinckley Yacht Services (Portsmouth, US) has been fined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) after a massive fire in December that destroyed a superyacht and a second boat on the property. The initial fines totalled more than $56,000, but these have since been reduced to around $31,000.

OSHA says employees were exposed to fire hazards while working in an enclosed work area. That enclosed area was under the hull of a boat surrounded by hay bales stacked three-high, and the employees had not been provided with effective information and training on the hazardous chemicals they were using (flammable liquids, which ultimately ignited). Continue reading “Serious violations led to boatyard fire that destroyed superyacht says report”

Proposal to ban sewage sludge dumping made to IMO

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A proposal to ban the worldwide dumping of sewage sludge into the oceans has been made to the IMO by South Korea and Mexico. The proposal is being made some 50 years after the ’Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter 1972’, known as the ‘London Convention’, was drawn up to protect the marine environment from human activities.

In 1996 it was updated to include a so-called ‘reverse list’, which listed certain wastes that could be dumped – and it included sewage sludge. This latest proposal seeks to remove sewage sludge from the list of waste considered acceptable to dump in the sea. Continue reading “Proposal to ban sewage sludge dumping made to IMO”

Luxury yacht fire most likely caused by electrical fault says NTSB report

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The fire that destroyed a luxury yacht near Key West in March 2021 most likely started from an electric source within the sound enclosure for the vessel’s starboard generators, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) report has determined. However, due to the extent of the fire damage, investigators were unable to conclusively determine the source of the fire.

The crew unsuccessfully attempted to extinguish the fire and abandoned along with two passengers using the vessel’s tender boat. They were then picked by two U.S. Coast Guard boats without injury. Continue reading “Luxury yacht fire most likely caused by electrical fault says NTSB report”

Lack of training and inadequate PPE leads to fumigant poisoning reveals MAIB report

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The UK MAIB has published its preliminary report on a fumigant poisoning.
The UK MAIB has published its preliminary report on a fumigant poisoning.

The UK MAIB has published its preliminary report on a fumigant poisoning that took place on the general cargo vessel Thorco Angela, with one person injured as a consequence. A stevedore suffered sickness and disorientation after handling cans containing fumigant while discharging cargo from the general cargo vessel Thorco Angela.

In July 2021, 8000t of bagged sweet potato product was loaded into the cargo holds of Thorco Angela in Rizhao, China. While loading, shore stevedores and, at a later time during the load, Thorco Angela’s crew, placed cans and pouches of aluminium phosphide fumigant between the bags of cargo. On 19 July, Thorco Angela departed Rizhao for northern Europe, and carried out scheduled crew changes during the voyage that included the master, chief officer, second officer and third officer. Continue reading “Lack of training and inadequate PPE leads to fumigant poisoning reveals MAIB report”

Bulk Carrier Casualty Report 2012-2021 published by INTERCARGO

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Bulk Carrier Casualty Report 2012 to 2021 published
Bulk Carrier Casualty Report 2012 to 2021 published

INTERCARGO has published its Bulk Carrier Casualty Report 2012-2021. It reports that 27 bulk carriers of over 10,000 dwt were declared as total losses for the years 2012-2021.

According to INTERCARGO, bulkers losses took place as follows:
10,000-34,999 dwt: Six bulk carriers were lost, representing 22.2% of the total.
35,000 – 49,000 dwt: Five bulk carriers were lost, representing 16.3% of the total, with one loss related to suspected cargo liquefaction.
50,000- 59,000 dwt: Seven vessels were lost, representing 25.9% of the total, with the loss of 55 lives, accounting to 59.8%. Four of the casualties, were related to suspected cargo liquefaction. Continue reading “Bulk Carrier Casualty Report 2012-2021 published by INTERCARGO”

Crew insufficiently swaging compression fitting ferrule led to containership fire is investigation finding

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The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has published its report on the engine room fire aboard the containership President Eisenhower, that took place on April 28, 2021, off California.

At midnight, on April 28, the President Eisenhower was about 6 miles south of Port Hueneme, California, navigating the northwest-bound traffic lane of the Santa Barbara Channel at a speed of 17.5 knots with the main engine operating at 68 rpm. The navigation watch group consisted of a third mate and two able seamen (AB). The master’s night orders included instructions to gradually increase Continue reading “Crew insufficiently swaging compression fitting ferrule led to containership fire is investigation finding”

Visually inspecting lifeboat prior to testing crucial

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The US Coast Guard (USCG) has published a safety alert addressing the importance of visually inspecting lifeboat and davit installations prior to testing with crewmembers onboard, and ensuring crew familiarity with company policy related to lifesaving equipment testing. As USCG said, the remote control wire may be overlooked, yet weaknesses within the linkages or poor spooling of the wire itself can lead to catastrophic failures in the lifeboat launching systems. Continue reading “Visually inspecting lifeboat prior to testing crucial”

MCA publishes new business plan

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Passenger and fishing safety, new technologies and a greener future are the top priorities for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) for the coming year.
Reducing the numbers of deaths in the fishing industry, keeping people safe on-board ships, and continuing to drive forward greener maritime are all featured in the MCA Business Plan for 2022/23.
The Agency continues to focus on maritime safety, pledging to improve how it responds to search and rescue incidents, promising to prioritise safety inspections on domestic passenger ships and fishing vessels. Continue reading “MCA publishes new business plan”

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