IIMS News

USCG issues advice on tank cleaning and gas freeing operations

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Safety Alert focusing on the dangers related with improper tank cleaning
Safety Alert focusing on the dangers related with improper tank cleaning

The Office of Investigations and Casualty Analysis has recently published a Marine Safety Alert, focusing on the dangers related with improper tank cleaning and gas freeing operations. Following several investigations on a tanker barge which exploded during cargo tank cleaning, USCG makes recommendations to avoid such incidents.

USCG has said that if the safety regulations under Title 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 1915 and Title 33 CFR Part 154 are not followed, then cargo Continue reading “USCG issues advice on tank cleaning and gas freeing operations”

Fixed gas detection systems discrepancies on liquefied gas carriers

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USCG advice about common discrepancies with fixed gas detection systems
USCG advice about common discrepancies with fixed gas detection systems

The US Coast Guard has issued advice about common discrepancies associated with fixed gas detection systems onboard liquefied gas carriers specifically, which are a critical safety measure on liquefied gas carriers.

The International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk (IGC Code) requires the activation of alarms at specified vapor concentrations.

During inspection on three separate LNG carriers in Boston, Port State Control Officers (PSCOs) discovered issues with the fixed flammable gas detection system Continue reading “Fixed gas detection systems discrepancies on liquefied gas carriers”

Oil companies asked to explain how their new super pollutant shipping fuels have come to market

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A ship with lots of smoke coming from itResponding to the discovery that some of the new blended low sulphur shipping fuels developed and marketed by oil companies to comply with IMO 2020 air pollution standards will actually lead to a surge in the emissions of a super pollutant known as Black Carbon, the Clean Arctic Alliance is calling for the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to support an immediate switch to distillate fuels for ships in the Arctic and develop a global rule prohibiting fuels with high Black Carbon emissions.

“If immediate action isn’t taken by the International Maritime Organization, the shipping industry’s use of very low sulphur fuel oil – introduced to comply with the 2020 sulphur cap – will lead to a massive increase in Black Carbon emissions from Oil companies, and this will both accelerate Continue reading “Oil companies asked to explain how their new super pollutant shipping fuels have come to market”

Netherlands Maritime Technology provides new home for Dutch yards after the collapse of HISWA

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Following the collapse of HISWA, Netherlands Maritime Technology provides new home for Dutch yards
Following the collapse of HISWA, Netherlands Maritime Technology provides new home for Dutch yards

Netherlands Maritime Technology (NMT), a grouping of 400-plus expert maritime companies, showed Dutch superyacht builders and their suppliers a new home last week following the collapse of their HISWA Holland Yachting Group.

NMT has created Dutch Yachting Society (DYS), a stand-alone NMT unit to handle the global branding and export promotion of Dutch superyacht makers and their supply chain.

Around 60 companies have already registered to join DYS. Businesses have until 1st February to make up their minds. NMT officials said they expect 40 to 50 to actually join. They wooed them at a meeting this week by briefing them on NMT house rules and explaining the Continue reading “Netherlands Maritime Technology provides new home for Dutch yards after the collapse of HISWA”

MOB recovery equipment and drills inspections to be witnessed by MCA surveyors following MAIB report

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MCA surveyors to witness inspections of MOB recovery equipment and drills
MCA surveyors to witness inspections of MOB recovery equipment and drills

The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has published its report on the investigation into an accident where a tug’s chief engineer lost his life boarding his vessel. The MCA has instructed its surveyors to witness inspections of MOB recovery equipment and drills following the MAIB report.

The accident highlights the forever-present dangers seafarers including tug crews face in carrying out everyday tasks and the difficulties reacting to incidents despite the presence of well-prepared procedures and equipment.

The tug was carrying out typical shiphandling and standby duties at a UK Continue reading “MOB recovery equipment and drills inspections to be witnessed by MCA surveyors following MAIB report”

Report on the IIMS Baltimore 2020 Conference

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Capt Bill Weyant and Bob Kissinger discussing surveyor ethics
Capt Bill Weyant and Bob Kissinger discussing surveyor ethics

Held in Baltimore during late January, the Maritime Institute (MITAGS) once again played host to IIMS for its annual 2020 Baltimore conference visit to the US. The conference has grown in popularity and this one, the first marine surveying conference of the new decade, was the largest so far attracting forty plus delegates, most of whom joined in a real time capacity.

James Renn FIIMS had arranged a first class line up of speakers who presented on a wide range of topics, much appreciated by those who participated.

Having welcomed delegates, James handed over to Mike Schwarz, IIMS CEO, who gave an overview of the main activities of the Institute. He gave way to Van Macomb, who delivered a succinct presentation on surface coatings for non-skid surfaces. James came back to the podium to continue the theme as he talked about measuring slip resistance in non-skid surfaces. Continue reading “Report on the IIMS Baltimore 2020 Conference”

‘Book it right and pack it tight’ guide produced by UK P&I Club and TT Club

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‘Book it right and pack it tight’ guide collaboration
‘Book it right and pack it tight’ guide collaboration

At the start of 2020, the latest version of the IMDG Code, Amendment 39-18, came into force. The UK P&I Club has collaborated with TT Club to produce and publish ‘Book it right and pack it tight’ guide – a collaboration 108 page set of guidelines. It offers an insight for all involved and responsible for preparing unitized consignments for carriage at sea.

The ‘Book it right and pack it tight’ guide is designed to support shippers, forwarders, shipping line booking personnel and those who pack dangerous goods into cargo transport units, helping them understand the technical aspects of the Continue reading “‘Book it right and pack it tight’ guide produced by UK P&I Club and TT Club”

Seed cake guidelines published for safe carriage in containers

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Guidelines published for the carriage of seed cake in containers
Guidelines published for the carriage of seed cake in containers

CINS, together with the International Group of P&I Clubs, has published guidelines for the carriage of seed cake (s.c.) in containers. The practices set out in this document are intended to improve knowledge and the safety during the carriage of such cargo and to ensure that it is properly declared, packaged and carried.

In these Guidelines, seed cake includes any type of pulp, meals, cake, pellets, expellers or other cargo where oil has been removed from oil-bearing seeds, cereals or commodities with similar properties.

Continue reading “Seed cake guidelines published for safe carriage in containers”

Cargo lashings insufficient says MAIB report on European Causeway incident

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Cargo lashings insufficient says MAIB report
Cargo lashings insufficient says MAIB report

At 0633 on Tuesday 18 December 2018, the roll-on/roll-of (ro-ro) passenger ferry European Causeway rolled heavily in very rough seas and very high winds during its voyage from Larne, Northern Ireland to Cairnryan, Scotland. Insufficient cargo lashings have been found to be a key factor in the incident.

The violent motion caused several freight vehicles to shift and nine to topple over. This resulted in damage to 22 vehicles, some damaged severely. At least six freight vehicle drivers had remained in their cabs on the vehicle decks
during the crossing and four were found in cabs of vehicles that had toppled over. One driver was trapped and had to be freed by the emergency services when the ship arrived in Cairnryan. Continue reading “Cargo lashings insufficient says MAIB report on European Causeway incident”

Pleasure craft safety equipment recommendations

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Advisory safety equipment for pleasure craft
Advisory safety equipment for pleasure craft

For pleasure yachts of less than 13.7 meters in length there are no statutory requirements for safety equipment other than those required under SOLAS V. Safety equipment is an important part of preparing a boat. It is advisable that all pleasure craft skippers check that their vessel is properly equipped.

The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) recommends it is essential that you properly equip your boat prior to going on the water and that you ensure that the craft is Continue reading “Pleasure craft safety equipment recommendations”

Coastguard: Research in the UK reveals many don’t know to dial 999 for coastal emergencies

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Lands End Coastguard Rescue Team
Lands End Coastguard Rescue Team

Last year, countless lives were saved because someone knew to call 999 in an emergency at the coast and ask for the Coastguard. But shockingly, research carried out by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) shows in some parts of the UK more than half still don’t know who to call when the worst happens at the coast or at sea close to the shoreline.

To help get the message home, the Coastguard has recreated and shared the kind of thank you messages it receives from those people who are alive today because Continue reading “Coastguard: Research in the UK reveals many don’t know to dial 999 for coastal emergencies”

Misdeclared cargo needs urgent action says Digital freight forwarder iContainers

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Fire caused by dangerous misdeclared cargo
Fire caused by dangerous misdeclared cargo

On the back of a spate of incidents in which has been the source on fires onboard container vessels, the digital freight forwarder iContainers highlighted that the shipping industry needs to pay attention to increasing misdeclared cargo.

Over the past two years there has been a noticeable, sharp increase in the number of container fires directly resulting from shippers’ dangerous misdeclared cargo.

Klaus Lysdal, vice president of operations at iContainers, has identified this is a vital Continue reading “Misdeclared cargo needs urgent action says Digital freight forwarder iContainers”

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