Feature Articles

By John Gow, Technical Director Marine, Jensen Hughes

The most important of all international maritime safety conventions is the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS). The first version was adopted at a conference in London in 1914. The catalyst for this conference was the sinking of the Titanic on her first voyage in April 1912, which cost the lives of more than 1,500 passengers. This was the beginning of the journey that put in place a regulatory framework to protect those who work and travel by sea.

Whilst the sinking of the Titanic was not fire-related, the convention introduced new international requirements dealing with, among other things, the provision of fireresistant bulkheads, fire prevention devices and firefighting appliances on passenger ships. The convention came into force in July 1915, some three years after the loss of the Titanic. Continue reading “Firefighting at Sea”

Batteries are part of almost all onboard vital systems as the backup power provider and the proper storage of batteries is crucial. The batteries themselves do not produce power but they provide the stored power which is produced during the charging phase by other power producers.

“The Port State Control code 04103: Emergency, lighting, batteries, and switches is one of the most common inspection deficiency codes marked worldwide and includes battery related items. Most of the findings are related to battery room and protective measures and missing equipment.” Continue reading “The storage of batteries and their on-board maintenance”

Many agricultural bulk cargos and forestry products are required to undergo fumigation on board ships to prevent infestation. However, to achieve the efficacy, the fumigation operation started at the load port often needs to continue in transit to the discharge port. Such “in-transit fumigation” may endanger the safety and lives of crew members and shore based personnel if not handled properly. The toxicity of the fumigant makes it extremely important to raise awareness of the dangers of in transit fumigation.

In transit fumigation begins at the load port with application of the fumigant in the loaded cargo holds by an expert “fumigator in charge” followed by gas-tight sealing of the hatches. The process is intentionally continued in the sealed space during the voyage. According to IMO Recommendations on the Safe Use of Pesticides in Ships applicable to the Fumigation of Cargo Holds (IMO Safety Guidelines), in transit fumigation is at the discretion of the master. However, the process is common for agricultural products. This is reflected in the 2015 BIMCO clause that provides time or voyage charterers with the option to fumigate cargo in transit at their cost and risk provided the fumigation is in conformity with the IMO Safety Guidelines. Continue reading “Beware of the danger of in-transit fumigation”