Too much reliance on navigational aids leads to collision is report finding

The Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority (NSIA) has published its report about the collision between the 118-metre-long cargo ship ‘MS Edmy’ and the fishing vessel ‘MS Tornado’ in Langesundsbukta Bay. As a result of the collision, significant material damage was sustained by the fishing vessel.

At 07:00 on 4 October 2022, the cargo ship ‘Edmy’ left the port of Larvik bound for Copenhagen, Denmark. There was a pilot on board until the ship reached Langesundbukta bay, where the pilot disembarked at approximately 08:00. Continue reading “Too much reliance on navigational aids leads to collision is report finding”

Bulk carrier safety: be aware of vessel structural limitations

Bulk carrier safety: be aware of vessel structural limitations

Not long ago, a Gard member’s vessel was detained at the load port because the density of the solid bulk cargo being loaded exceeded the maximum allowable cargo density for that particular vessel. Recently, Gard was also approached by another member because the master of a capsize bulk carrier had refused the charterer’s request for alternative hold loading due to serious concerns about the ship’s safety.

The above instances appear to have come about due to a lack of knowledge of the CSR-BC Class Notations. Continue reading “Bulk carrier safety: be aware of vessel structural limitations”

Azimut Benetti tops megayacht order book

Photo credit: Azimut Benetti Group
Photo credit: Azimut Benetti Group

Azimut Benetti Group leads the annual ranking of the largest yacht builders. With 168 projects under construction, totalling 5,991 metres in length, Azimut Benetti Group leads the annual ranking of the largest yacht builders known as the Global Order Book by Boat International.

The ranking puts the global yacht builder as the top manufacturer among 189 shipyards, both in number of projects and total length. The gap between first and second place grew sharply over the past year, as the Italian company founded by Paolo Vitelli extended its order portfolio into 2027, recording a production value of more than €1.2 billion for the current year. Continue reading “Azimut Benetti tops megayacht order book”

Poor wiring results in ship’s detention

Photo credit: American Club
Photo credit: American Club

In its most recent “Good Catch” series, the American Club has shared a case where a ship was detained due to an ISM deficiency, arising from poor wiring.

Since there was no electrician onboard, the vessel’s third engineer was sent to investigate why the vessel’s forward anchor light was out. He found the wiring in extremely poor condition. The insulation was missing in some areas and heavily cracked in others. The wire itself was shorted out against the side of the deck penetration. He made repairs using some wire he had in his tool belt and a lot of electrical tape. He then reported that the problem was fixed. Continue reading “Poor wiring results in ship’s detention”

Material fatigue of pressure gauge pipe causes ferry fire is report finding

Report finding is material fatigue of pressure gauge pipe causes ferry fire
Report finding is material fatigue of pressure gauge pipe causes ferry fire

The German Bureau of Maritime Casualty Investigation (BSU) has published its report on the German flagged ferry BERLIN, which suffered a fire en route to Rostock on 13 August 2020.

At about 0245, when the ferry was in the approach fairway about 2.6 nm off the sea channel, alarms sounded in the engine control room (ECR) and in the workshop. The IMAC Alarm, “gear oil sump level low” sounded first. The ship’s mechanic 1 (SM 1) acknowledged the alarm in the workshop and proceeded to the source of the alarm at main engines (ME) 1 and 2 (the two main engines that drive the controllable pitch propeller together with ME 3, via a common reduction gearbox). There he detected a leakage from a double nipple on top of the gearbox (from the pressure gauge connection). Continue reading “Material fatigue of pressure gauge pipe causes ferry fire is report finding”

New Zealand: New port safety guidelines issues by New Zealand

New Zealand port safety has taken an important step forward when employers, unions, the Port Industry Association and government regulators, working together as the Port Health and Safety Leadership Group, published detailed new guidelines for setting up a fatigue risk management system.

‘Building a Fatigue Risk Management System: Good practice guidelines for the ports industry’ focuses on understanding what fatigue is, the science behind it and how to implement a fatigue risk management system. It includes 16 appendices, which are examples and templates that organisations can adapt and use. Continue reading “New Zealand: New port safety guidelines issues by New Zealand”

New International Code of Safety for Ships Carrying Industrial Personnel

The IMO has adopted a new mandatory International Code of Safety for Ships Carrying Industrial Personnel (IP Code), anchored in a new SOLAS Chapter XV. The code enters into force on 1 July 2024 and enables cargo ships and high-speed cargo craft to transport and accommodate industrial personnel working offshore. A growing offshore energy sector, including renewable energy construction projects, has triggered the need for clear requirements to facilitate the safe and efficient transfer of technicians serving offshore installations.

The new IP Code is based on the Code of Safety for Special Purpose Ships (2008 SPS Code), but with adaptations and provisions for the Continue reading “New International Code of Safety for Ships Carrying Industrial Personnel”

Provisional announcement of a 2023 IIMS UK Conference in June

Chilworth Manor Hotel near Southampton
Chilworth Manor Hotel near Southampton

You are invited to join us for the first truly hybrid IIMS Annual Conference on 6-7 June 2023. The last face-to-face IIMS Annual Conference took place way back in 2019. With the pandemic receding, IIMS has decided it is long overdue and plans to test the Conference waters again. So, the Institute is delighted to announce the 2023 Annual Conference, AGM and Dinner which is scheduled to take place on Tuesday 6 and Wednesday 7 June.

All are welcome and encouraged to participate in the event, either face-to-face or by Zoom Continue reading “Provisional announcement of a 2023 IIMS UK Conference in June”

MAIB Report: Failure of a suspended buoy on workboat Annie E with one person injured

At approximately 1315 on 3 April 2021, a deckhand on board the workboat Annie E was injured when he was struck by a grid buoy that had been lifted out of the water by the workboat’s forward crane at a fish farm off the Isle of Muck.

Annie E’s skipper had noticed that the grid buoy was out of position and needed to be lifted in order to recover and re-lay its mooring anchor. The workboat’s forward crane was used to lift the buoy and its anchor connection out of the water. The buoy was suspended 9m above the water when its metal components experienced a mechanical failure, resulting in the buoy falling and striking the deckhand. Continue reading “MAIB Report: Failure of a suspended buoy on workboat Annie E with one person injured”

Whitepaper Ammonium Nitrate fire risk on board ships

The risks posed by poor conditions of storage of this common compound, which is used extensively in the Fertilisers and Explosives industries, have been well documented but awareness of the dangers of fire during transportation by sea is less well known. The objective of this guide, entitled ‘Ammonium Nitrate Fire Risk on Board Ships’ is to outline best practice with respect to the management of risk on vessels chartered to ship the compound through ports around the world.

Ammonium Nitrate (NH₄NO₃), a white to grey odourless chemical has a melting point of 169 degrees C and decomposes at 210 degrees C. While it does not burn by itself, significantly it will accelerate burning of combustible material, producing toxic oxides of nitrogen and ammonia, which will support combustion, even in the absence of oxygen. Continue reading “Whitepaper Ammonium Nitrate fire risk on board ships”

Future of the UK waterways debated in Parliament

The House of Commons parliamentary debate opened with Michael Fabricant MP setting out the unique contribution the waterways make from the economic impact through to the huge social and environmental benefits to society. The debate heard how the outcome of the UK Government’s review of the funding contract beyond 2027 is awaited. The current grant is fixed until 2027 and is declining both in real terms and as a proportion of total income. MPs spoke about how, with the increased threat from climate change events not envisaged in 2012, expenditure is increasing on the core national infrastructure. Continue reading “Future of the UK waterways debated in Parliament”

London P&I Club guidance regarding Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers and Dry Chemicals

The London Club published guidance regarding Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers (FIBCs) and Dry Chemicals. The guide presents common hazards, as well as lessons learned for a safe operation onboard.

FIBCs have a body of a flexible woven material (typically polypropylene) and is intended to ship solid material in powder, flake or granular form. It is designed to be handled from the top by permanently attached lifting loops/ slings which can be lifted by cranes, hoists or forklifts. They are frequently used to ship foodstuffs, agricultural product chemicals such as fertilisers, and pharmaceuticals.

As the London Club has noted, Continue reading “London P&I Club guidance regarding Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers and Dry Chemicals”

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