ClassNK publishes guideline for LNG bunkering ships survey and equipment

ClassNK publishes guideline for LNG bunkering ships survey and equipment
ClassNK publishes guideline for LNG bunkering ships survey and equipment

Class NK, the leading Japanese classification society, has published its Guideline for Survey and Facilities/Equipment of LNG Bunkering Ships, which outlines the additional safety requirements of liquefied gas carriers that supply LNG fuel at sea.

There are currently no established international conventions for the facilities/equipment of ships that transfer LNG to other ships at sea, and additional safety equipment has been considered individually. Based on the examinations conducted so far, ClassNK has developed the guideline which compiles the requirements for additional equipment for the safe transfer of LNG, a cryogenic substance, between ships, and surveys.

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Singapore cracks down after marine surveyor is infected with COVID-19

MPA Singapore logoSingapore’s Ministry of Health is tightening its COVID-19 control measures for its maritime workforce after a marine surveyor working for a leading class society and a harbor pilot tested positive for the disease.

The surveyor, who works for a prominent class society and was employed inspecting vessels at the Sembcorp Marine Admiralty Yard, tested positive on December 30. Two of his family members also tested positive on New Years’ Eve. The harbor pilot, a 55-year-old Singaporean national, tested positive on December 31, along with two of his relatives. Continue reading “Singapore cracks down after marine surveyor is infected with COVID-19”

Guidance on RMI flagged yacht recreational fire appliances issued

Guidance on recreational fire appliances for yachts issued by RMI flag state
Guidance on recreational fire appliances for yachts issued by RMI flag state

The Republic of Marshall Islands has published its requirements for the design, installation and operation of Recreational Fire Appliances onboard RMI-flagged yachts.

The definition of Recreational Fire Appliances covers fireplaces which use wood, ethanol or LPG as a primary fuel source, or for ignition purposes. They include charcoal galley ovens, LPG or charcoal fire barbeques, spit roasts and fire pits.

Operational guidance

1. When Recreational Fire Appliances are installed or used onboard, a risk assessment must be conducted for each appliance type. This risk assessment must form part of the yacht’s Safety Management System (SMS).

Continue reading “Guidance on RMI flagged yacht recreational fire appliances issued”

Limiting liquefaction

Limiting liquefaction - Photo credit: London P&I Club
Limiting liquefaction – Photo credit: London P&I Club

Although the IMO provides the official regulations and guidance notes on cargo liquefaction, P&I Clubs such as The London P&I Club offer complementary advice to ship’s masters to raise awareness of the issue and to suggest practical steps to reduce the danger.

IMO has identified 75 bulk cargoes that have the potential to liquefy under certain conditions – these are known as Group A cargoes. If the Moisture Content (MC) of a Group A cargo exceeds the Transportable Moisture Limit (TML) then vibration and the motion of the vessel might cause that cargo to behave as a liquid rather than a solid when it is being transported in the hold. When in liquified form, and in a heavy sea, the cargo can easily flow from one side of the hold to the other. This affects the vessel’s stability and can lead to a vessel capsizing. Therefore it is vital that the crew are fully aware of this issue and are able to spot warning signs as early as possible.

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MAIB initial assessment after the explosion onboard the potting fishing vessel Galwad-Y-Mor

Detail of shell plating damage to Galwad-Y-Mor showing coating loss and indentation between internal frames
Detail of shell plating damage to Galwad-Y-Mor showing coating loss and indentation between internal frames

A preliminary assessment of the explosion resulting in damage and abandonment of the potting fishing vessel Galwad-Y-Mor (BRD116) 22 nautical miles north of Cromer, Norfolk on 15 December 2020 has been released by the MAIB.

On 15 December 2020, Galwad-Y-Mor was operating in potting fishing grounds east of the Wash. At about 1120, the crew was in the process of hauling in a string of crab pots; the skipper was in the wheelhouse with other crew members below decks working the pots. The hauler was being used to heave in the back rope, and the crew had let Continue reading “MAIB initial assessment after the explosion onboard the potting fishing vessel Galwad-Y-Mor”

Remembering the novelty of face-to-face training

Men surrounding a boat in a riverDo you recall those days when we used to get together in a room to do some face-to-face training and networking? It seems an age ago already with Zoom and Teams taking over as the was to train. So, imagine my angst when the planned 7 day practical course at the Boat Building Academy in Lyme Regis, which had been under development for more than a year, was placed in jeopardy by the pandemic. It was unclear if we could run the event safely until just a couple of weeks prior. But I am delighted to say we managed to get the course away with a reduced number of 6 students.

I spent a day with the students – social distancing and other sensible pandemic measures were in place naturally. As I write, the course has just one more day to run, including the multiple choice testing for students to undergo. Over the week, students have had the chance to get their hands dirty learning skills in the workshops about vessel structure as well as undertaking some practical activities with GRP. Continue reading “Remembering the novelty of face-to-face training”

River Canal Rescue calls for ‘sticky fuel’ samples

River Canal Rescue calls for ‘sticky fuel’ samples
River Canal Rescue calls for ‘sticky fuel’ samples

After a spate of incidents in which River Canal Rescue (RCR) has seen up to 100 cases of ‘sticky fuel’ this year, MD Stephanie Horton is asking for similar fuel samples to be sent to her. RCR says it is the UK’s largest national 24/7, 365 days-a-year breakdown/emergency assistance service provider for inland waterway boaters. As such, with around 4,000 call outs each year, it says it can usually gauge when an issue is arising. Now with regions affected from York to London and Bristol to Lancaster, Horton says it’s time to act and work out what the cause of the sticky fuel is. She’s calling for samples – and locations – so she can try to identify common factors like treatments being used.

The situation came to light when River Canal Rescue had two identical jobs. Fuel injectors were diagnosed as needing an overhaul, yet their replacements stopped working within a week. The injection pumps were found to have failed even though the diesel was clear and bright. Continue reading “River Canal Rescue calls for ‘sticky fuel’ samples”

UK P&I Club releases video on cyber security ahead of new regulations in January 2021

IMO 2021 Regulations powerpoint

The UK P&I Club has released a video on cyber security, featuring Russell Kempley, chief security officer at CyberOwl, ahead of new IMO regulations in January 2021.

The new IMO resolution requires shipping companies to incorporate cyber security into their safety management systems. Captain Anuj Velankar, senior loss prevention advisor talks with Russell Kempley, an expert in the field of cyber security, about the implications of the upcoming changes for shipowners and wider marine industry.

The video examines the driving forces behind the changes within marine cyber security and discusses the various areas in which the marine industry can improve to ensure compliance, the current gaps in cyber security and its outlook in the near future. Continue reading “UK P&I Club releases video on cyber security ahead of new regulations in January 2021”

Cargo fumigation incident leads to one fatality

Cargo fumigation incident leads to one fatality
Cargo fumigation incident leads to one fatality

Cargo fumigation remains a challenging operation onboard. An investigation by the Bahamas Maritime Authority found that the crew had been exposed to the fumigant gas – which had been used to treat a cargo of corn – after positive pressure in the accommodation was lost when the ventilation system was stopped by a large wave flooding the galley and store through the ventilation trunking.

Due to the fumigant gas leak, one seafarer died and three others had to be evacuated from their ship after exposure to hydrogen phosphide gas, it has prompted calls for a radical overhaul of the rules governing fumigated cargoes.

In addition to the checks after the accident it was found that the door between the hydraulic room and cargo hold was mounted incorrectly Continue reading “Cargo fumigation incident leads to one fatality”

Cargo losses claim from ONE Apus incident may reach USD200 million

Cargo Container at sea Photo credit: W K Webster
Photo credit: W K Webster

With a total of 1,816 containers lost overboard during the Apus incident and what looks to be thousands more collapsed throughout the deck of ONE Apus, cargo losses, on the basis of average containerized cargo values, may reach USD200 million or more, according to shipping claims consultancy WK Webster, which is involved in the case.

The ship lost the containers overboard during severe inclement weather on 30 November in the Pacific Ocean, approximately 1,600 nautical miles northwest of Hawaii. WK Webster has conducted a drone survey as the vessel approached Kobe Port. This shows the extent of the damage and has been used by Websters as vital evidence in helping to determine the cause of the incident. Continue reading “Cargo losses claim from ONE Apus incident may reach USD200 million”

IIMS releases two free compilations from Matrix Insurance Services for free download

Matrix Insurance ad that says 'Fifty shades of insurance'Over the years, Karen Brain, Managing Director of Matrix Insurance Services Ltd, has spoken at various IIMS events, conferences and small craft seminars, both in person and online. Her input has been invaluable, her depth of knowledge is significant and is always much appreciated by surveyors.

Karen has also written extensively for the Report Magazine in recent years on the subject of both insurance for marine surveyors and aspects of law and contracts.

For the first time, IIMS has produced two compilations, each presented as 28 page pdfs that brings the contents together in two easy to read documents.

Continue reading “IIMS releases two free compilations from Matrix Insurance Services for free download”

NTSB publishes its Safer Sea Digest with lessons learned from US marine accident investigations in 2019

Safer Sea DigestThe National Transport Safety Board (NTSB) has published its 104 page Safer Sea Digest in pdf format which can be downloaded at the foot of this article. The Safer Sea Digest shares lessons learned as a result of the Board’s many incident and accident investigations in 2019. The aim of the Digest is to focus those who read it on what can and does go wrong and how it can be prevented in the future.

Organisational oversight

In over a third of all accidents reported on in 2019, insufficient organisational oversight was the primary or a contributing cause. Insufficient organisational oversight was a factor in the cases of the Stretch Duck 7, Buster Bouchard-B. No. 255, John S McCain–Alnic MC, Imperial, Dredge200–R.E. Pierson 2, Miss Roslyn, Jeanette, Ram XVIII, PTC 598, Atlantic Giant II, Jonathon King Boyd–Bayou Chevron, Natalie Jean, Emsworth Locks and Dams, Yochow–OSG Independence/OSG 243, and Ms Nancy C accidents. Continue reading “NTSB publishes its Safer Sea Digest with lessons learned from US marine accident investigations in 2019”

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