IIMS News

MAIB releases the report about two fatalities aboard the Arniston

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The MAIB has published its report and findings about two fatalities aboard the Arniston. Photo credit: Dave Nelson
The MAIB has published its report and findings about two fatalities aboard the Arniston. Photo credit: Dave Nelson

The MAIB has published its report and findings on the investigation of the two fatalities due to carbon monoxide poisoning on board the Bayliner 285 named Arniston on Lake Windermere on 1 April 2013.

This tragic case, which could have easily been avoided, involved a mother and her daughter who were overcome by fumes from a portable generator, which had been installed in the engine bay. It had been modified by the addition of an exhaust which subsequently failed allowing the small sleeping area to fill with lethal carbon monoxide.

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South Asia still the preferred end of life location says NGO Shipbreaking Platform

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South Asia still the preferred end of life location says NGO Shipbreaking Platform. Photo: NGO Shipbreaking Platform
South Asia still the preferred end of life location says NGO Shipbreaking Platform. Photo: NGO Shipbreaking Platform

The NGO Shipbreaking Platform has released a complete list of all ship owners and their ships sold for breaking last year.

The Statistics

Out of a total of 1026 ships dismantled globally in 2014, 641 – representing 74% of the total gross tonnage (GT) scrapped – were sold to substandard facilities in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh where ships are dismantled directly on tidal beaches. None of the South Asian yards comply with international standards for safe and environmentally sound ship recycling.

End-of-life ships contain toxic materials such as asbestos, heavy metals, PCBs, oil residues and organic waste within their structures – these pollutants can not be contained or safely removed on a tidal beach. The demolition of the largest movable man-made structures is hazardous and must be conducted in a controlled manner using adequate infrastructure such as cranes as well as necessary health and safety provisions – in 2014 the Platform reported 23 deaths and 66 severe injuries due to accidents such as explosions, workers crushed under steel plates and falling from heights on the South Asian beaches.

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Thoughts on the salvage operation of Hoegh Osaka

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The righted Hoegh Osaka car transporter ship finally under tow back to Southampton Docks. Photo: Mick Hopley
The righted Hoegh Osaka car transporter ship finally under tow back to Southampton Docks. Photo: Mick Hopley

Words by Capt. John Noble

The rather dramatic grounding of the large car carrier Hoegh Osaka on the 3rd January raised the spectacle of first, how did it happen and second, how would it be removed.

As I write this article the salvors, Svitzer, have successfully brought the ship into Southampton.

The ship sailed from Southampton at about 2020 hours on the 3rd January. It has been reported that soon after leaving the berth she developed an alarming list. The Master and pilot became extremely concerned and just after passing the notorious Bramble Bank located between the mouth of Southampton water and Cowes on the Isle of Wight a Continue reading “Thoughts on the salvage operation of Hoegh Osaka”

World Shipping Council advises to prepare for Container Weight Verification

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The World Shipping Council warns to prepare for Container Weight Verification changes and legislation coming in July 2016
The World Shipping Council warns to prepare for Container Weight Verification legislation coming in July 2016

At the end of 2014, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) adopted amendments to the Safety of Life at Sea Convention (SOLAS) that will require every packed export container to have a verified container weight as a condition for loading aboard a vessel.

This requirement will become legally binding on July 1, 2016. Continue reading “World Shipping Council advises to prepare for Container Weight Verification”

Fincantieri lays keel for the Seven Seas Explorer

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Fincantieri has laid the keel for the luxurious Seven Seas Explorer for Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Fincantieri has laid the keel for the luxurious Seven Seas Explorer for Regent Seven Seas Cruises

The first building block for Seven Seas Explorer was placed on 21 January 2015 during a special keel laying ceremony at the Fincantieri shipyard in Genoa, Italy. The keel laying signals a significant milestone in the construction for what will be the most luxurious ship ever built, and brings the vessel one step closer to its July 2016 maiden voyage.

In a ceremony befitting of the world’s most luxurious ship, a sleek black Rolls Royce Phantom transported the three symbolic coins to the keel laying event. Upon arrival, a dapper butler emerged with a red velvet pillow carrying the coins to be welded into the keel, including a rare 1921 U.S. silver coin known as the Peace Dollar symbolizing the safe passage of Seven Seas Explorer; a 1959 silver Italian Lire representing the year the Fincantieri shipyard was established; and a commemorative coin specially minted for this occasion.

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Continuing saga of the Hoegh Osaka

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The stricken Hoegh Osaka that has provided an extraordinary spectacle for people living on the UK south coast could soon be on the move back to port
The stricken Hoegh Osaka that has provided an extraordinary spectacle for people living on the UK south coast could soon be on the move back to port

The car transporter ship, Hoegh Osaka, was deliberately grounded following the decision made by the Captain and Pilot on Bramble Bank in the Solent early in January after it began to list heavily. The ship was only 50 minutes into its voyage from the port of Southampton and was carrying a full load of Landrover Jaguar cars and heavy duty construction equipment. It is felt that the quick thinking and decision making, taken to protect the lives of the 25 crew on bard, was courageous and correct.

At that time, the Hoegh Osaka was listing at more than 50 degrees and a salvage operation is expected to take several days. She became an instant tourist attraction for not only locals on the south coats, but also further afield. Such a sight as this is rarely seen.

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Blohm+Voss appoints new Chief Executive

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Fred van Beers who has been appointed as the new CEO of shipbuilder Blohm+Voss
Fred van Beers who has been appointed as the new CEO of shipbuilder Blohm+Voss

Blohm+Voss has appointed Fred van Beers as its Chief Executive Officer Management Board (CEO). As of 1 March 2015, Fred van Beers will take over from Dr Herbert Aly as CEO to lead Blohm+Voss’ growth strategy. His focus will be on developing the luxury yacht business. He will also work to strengthen the leading position of Blohm+Voss in general repairs and conversions with a specific focus for cruise ships and vessels for the off-shore industry.

Fred van Beers (52) has held senior leadership positions in the maritime industry for more than 15 years. He joins Blohm+Voss from his current position as Vice President Services Northern Europe at Wärtsilä, the global leader in complete lifecycle power solutions for the maritime industry and energy markets with a presence in more than 70 countries.

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Bart’s Bash awarded Guinness World Record certificate

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Sir Ben Ainslie accepting the Guinness World Record certificate for Bart's Bash. Image Guinness World
Sir Ben Ainslie accepting the Guinness World Record certificate for Bart’s Bash. Image Guinness World Records

Olympic sailing star Sir Ben Ainslie has accepted an official Guinness World Record Certificate for Bart’s Bash, the charity event which last year set a new record for largest sailing race in 24 hours (multiple venues).

An incredible 9,484 boats took to the water to race at 237 locations worldwide for the race back in September, with the first time event raising a massive £366,391.95 for the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation.

The charity was founded in memory of, and inspired by, Olympic Gold medallist Andrew “Bart” Simpson who died at the age of 36. Bart’s Bash was created both to remember the inspirational sailor and to raise funds for the charity’s work in sailing.

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RNLI lifeboat hero clocks up more than 1,000 missions

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RNLI lifeboat hero, Stan Todd, has clocked up more than 1,000 missions saving many lives
RNLI lifeboat hero, Stan Todd, has clocked up more than 1,000 missions saving many lives

An RNLI crewman has clocked up more than 1,000 lifeboat launches to emergency calls – rescuing 295 people and saving 47 lives in reaching the milestone. Tower lifeboat station helmsman and former Brighton RNLI volunteer Stan Todd reached the impressive milestone in December, after clocking up more than 34 years saving lives at sea and on the River Thames in central London.

During that time he has plucked drowning swimmers from certain death, rescued sailors from sinking yachts in Hurricane winds and found frightened children drifting miles out to sea in rubber dinghies.

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SE Asia tanker hijacks rose in 2014 despite global drop in sea piracy

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Tanker hijacks rose in 2014 despite global drop in sea piracy. Photo: German Navy
Tanker hijacks rose in 2014 despite global drop in sea piracy. Photo: German Navy

Tanker hijacks off South East Asia’s coasts caused a rise in global ship hijackings, up to 21 in 2014 from 12 in 2013, despite piracy at sea falling to its lowest level in eight years, the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) International Maritime Bureau (IMB) has revealed. Pirates took 442 crewmembers hostage, compared with 304 in 2013.

IMB’s annual piracy report shows 245 incidents were recorded worldwide in 2014 – a 44% drop since Somali piracy peaked in 2011. Somali pirates were responsible for 11 attacks, all of which were thwarted. However, IMB warns shipmasters to follow the industry’s Best Management Practices, as the threat of Somali piracy has not been eliminated.

Worldwide, 21 vessels were hijacked last year, 183 were boarded, and 13 fired upon. Pirates killed four crew members, injured 13 and kidnapped nine from their vessels.

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British Marine Federation says growth continues in the UK leisure marine sector

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British Marine Federation says leisure marine industry growth is set to continue
British Marine Federation says leisure marine industry growth is set to continue

According to new statistics published by the British Marine Federation at the 2015 CWM FX London Boat Show, the UK leisure marine industry sector continues to grow.

For the third consecutive year, the industry posted growth in 2013/14, with total revenue in the UK leisure, superyacht and small commercial marine industry totalling £2.93bn (a 1% increase on 2012/13).

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Alang shipbreaking workers operate in poor conditions

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A new study says that Alang shipbreaking workers continue to work in appalling conditions. Photo courtesy of The Hindu Business Line
A new study says that Alang shipbreaking workers continue to work in appalling conditions. Photo courtesy of The Hindu Business Line

The working and living conditions at the Alang shipbreaking yards in India, remain alarmingly poor, argues a new study published in the Economic & Political Weekly, a well known Indian Social Science journal. The research was commissioned and financed by the National Human Rights Commission of India (NHRC) and was coordinated by Dr Geetanjoy Sahu from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS). TISS’ findings are based on intensive field work in Alang from April 2013 to May 2014 including interviews with 300 shipbreaking workers as well as stakeholders from the industry, trade unions and authorities.

The study finds that the “costs to workers’ health and the environment are alarming” while the profit margins for both the yard owners and the contractors providing the labour force are extremely high. Dr Sahu reports that the approximately 35,000 unorganised migrant workers at the Alang shipbreaking yards continue to live in shanty dwellings without adequate facilities for drinking water, sanitation and electricity. The authorities have set up only 12 showers and six toilets. As a result, “workers are forced to defecate in the open”.

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