News Hound

EMSA 2021 report notes 466 less casualties in 2020 compared to the previous year

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The European Marine Safety Agency (EMSA) has published its 2021 Annual Overview of Marine Casualties and Incidents consisting of analysis of marine casualties or incidents accidents reported until 31 December 2020 by the EU Member States in the European electronic database (EMCIP).

2020 was a positive year considering the decrease or stabilisation of most of the indicators, such as the number of occurrences, ships lost, fatalities or injuries. However, consequences of COVID pandemic are very likely to have affected the area of marine casualties and incidents, taking into consideration its significant impact on shipping in 2020: reduced traffic in general, cruise ships and ferries activities heavily disrupted, etc. Continue reading “EMSA 2021 report notes 466 less casualties in 2020 compared to the previous year”

Report finds failure to properly disconnect vehicle batteries led to fire

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Improperly disconnected vehicle batteries led to fire, report finds
Improperly disconnected vehicle batteries led to fire, report finds

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) published its report on the fire aboard vehicle carrier Höegh Xiamen that resulted in $40 million worth of damage.

On June 4, 2020, about 1530 eastern daylight time, the crew of the 600-foot-long, Norwegian-flagged roll on/roll-off vehicle carrier Höegh Xiamen were preparing to depart the Blount Island Horizon Terminal in Jacksonville, Florida, en route to Baltimore, Maryland, when they saw smoke coming from a ventilation housing for one of the exhaust trunks that ran from deck 12 (the weather deck) to one of the cargo decks. Continue reading “Report finds failure to properly disconnect vehicle batteries led to fire”

ABS published life extension for ageing offshore assets guidance

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Classification society, the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), has refined its approach to ageing offshore assets with the publication of new guidance entitled ‘Life Extension of Floating Production Installations’.

The offshore assets guidance supports operators looking to extend the operational life of a floating production installation (FPI) by outlining clear Class requirements with a focus on safety. It is informed by lessons learned from ABS supported life extension projects and the findings of a series of FPI life extension joint development projects. Continue reading “ABS published life extension for ageing offshore assets guidance”

Report reveals diesel generator engine failure led to fire onboard offshore supply vessel

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Damaged section of the engine (left) from where the connecting rod from the no. 3 DG (right) was ejected. (Credit: Oceaneering International)
Damaged section of the engine (left) from where the connecting rod from the no. 3 DG (right) was ejected. (Credit: Oceaneering International)

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has published a Marine Accident Brief on its investigation into a diesel generator engine failure and fire onboard an offshore supply vessel near Honolulu, Hawaii, last year. The incident took place on the Ocean Intervention on December 19, 2020. No pollution or injuries to the 16 crew members were reported in connection with the mechanical failure, which resulted in a fire in the engine room. The crew isolated the fire before it could spread throughout the vessel.

Damage to the Ocean Intervention came to more than $3 million. Continue reading “Report reveals diesel generator engine failure led to fire onboard offshore supply vessel”

Excessive reliance is placed on procedures for enclosed space entries, research says

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University of Tasmania, Australian Maritime College
University of Tasmania, Australian Maritime College

Enclosed space deaths continue to be one of the biggest occupational hazards aboard ship, says the Human Element Industry Group (HEIG), which has set up the Enclosed Space Project.

Several years ago, InterManager launched a survey on enclosed space deaths, to which 5000 seafarers responded. A number of issues were raised, in particular:
– Procedures often seem to seafarers, difficult to understand, confusing, and do not take account of the resources, equipment and time available aboard the vessel.
– Investigations of fatalities point to failures in the victims and in particular their failure to follow procedures. Continue reading “Excessive reliance is placed on procedures for enclosed space entries, research says”

The Canal & River Trust has begun a trial of hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) fuel in its workboats

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Photo courtesy Canal & River Trust
Photo courtesy Canal & River Trust

The fuel is being seen as a greener alternative for boats and boating businesses with the Trust pointing out the adoption of fuels such as hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) will reduce carbon emissions from the boat engines while not requiring changes in either engines or supply infrastructure.

“On the waterways, we hope that hydrotreated vegetable oil will provide a ‘quick win,’ a more sustainable, cost-friendly swap that will enable boaters and boating businesses to easily reduce their emissions,” said Matthew Symonds, Trust national boating manager. “The trial of the fuel in our workboat fleet will provide valuable information on practicalities and performance.” Continue reading “The Canal & River Trust has begun a trial of hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) fuel in its workboats”

Frequent failures of thermal oil circulation pump leads to fire says report

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The Bahamas Maritime Authority published its report on the ro-ro passenger ferry Pride of Hull, which suffered a fire due to a thermal oil circulation pump failure. On the 20th October 2020, in the Humber Estuary, UK.

At approximately 20:01 on 20 October 2020, Pride of Hull sailed from the river terminal in Hull, UK, on its scheduled service to Europoort (Rotterdam), Netherlands. The bridge team consisted of the master, chief officer and two ABs. The chief engineer was in the engine control room with the engineer officer of the watch (EOOW). Continue reading “Frequent failures of thermal oil circulation pump leads to fire says report”

Maritime Autonomous Ship Systems UK Industry Conduct Principles and Code of Practice published by Maritime UK

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Maritime Autonomous Ship Systems UK Industry Conduct Principles and Code of Practice published by Maritime UK
Maritime Autonomous Ship Systems UK Industry Conduct Principles and Code of Practice published by Maritime UK

Maritime Autonomous Ship Systems UK Industry Conduct Principles and The Code of practice has been used by manufacturers, service providers, and others as part of their day-to-day work. Many manufacturers have reported clients requiring compliance with the Code as a basis for contractual negotiations. Continue reading “Maritime Autonomous Ship Systems UK Industry Conduct Principles and Code of Practice published by Maritime UK”

Fire spread to bilges due to unfamiliarity with fire extinguisher equipment

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The American Club has published some lessons learned from an incident where a general cargo vessel’s generator experienced a catastrophic failure while underway resulting in a fire that spread immediately to the bilges under the generator.

A senior and a junior engineer were in the engine room and both heard a loud bang. The two engineers investigated and saw the fire which quickly spread to the bilges. The automated alarm system sounded shortly after the fire started. The senior engineer saw the fire was in the bilges and knew that the foam fire extinguisher was appropriate to use. Continue reading “Fire spread to bilges due to unfamiliarity with fire extinguisher equipment”

Crankcase failure causes two small fires

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The Marine Safety Forum has published an alert focusing on a case where a vessel experienced crankcase failure. The vessel suffered a crankcase failure on one of their four diesel generators (DG) which resulted in two small fires and excessive damage to the pistons, con-rods, and the engine block.

Fortunately, no personnel were injured during this event and due to the swift actions from the crew and additional barriers already in place it made sure that the situation was quickly and effectively controlled within minutes, plus any potential secondary damage to surrounding machinery was prevented. Continue reading “Crankcase failure causes two small fires”

Life-saving signals leaflet for ships, aircraft or people published by the MCA

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Life-saving signals leaflet for ships, aircraft or people published by the MCA
Life-saving signals leaflet for ships, aircraft or people published by the MCA

The Maritime & Coastguard Agency has published a new leaflet for life-saving signals which will be used by ships, aircraft or persons in distress when communicating with life-saving stations, maritime rescue units and aircraft engaged in search and rescue operations. The leaflet includes pictures and descriptive information on the different types of signals you can use when in distress at sea. Continue reading “Life-saving signals leaflet for ships, aircraft or people published by the MCA”

Surveyors beware some diesel heater installations

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Surveyors beware some diesel heater installations
Surveyors beware some diesel heater installations

Recent contact with someone has brought to attention a problem regarding a fault causing potentially life-threatening fumes from his boat’s diesel heater. The heater in question is an Eberspacher for which cheap imported spares are available on the internet. The part in question was a replacement fuel pump which he bought online. Click here to see an example. The part was manufactured in China and on the face of it appears to be very much the genuine article, but there was no CE marking identifiable. The product description stated, “Good replacement – Based on the original factory specifications, a direct replacement for the old or broken one.” Continue reading “Surveyors beware some diesel heater installations”

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