Replace harmful zinc anodes with aluminium as standard is the advice

Photo credit: The Fitout Pontoon
Photo credit: The Fitout Pontoon

Zinc anodes are causing environmental damage is the message from the Clean Harbours Partnership (CHP), which is a UK-based organisation dedicated to raising awareness of harbour pollution. It has urged boaters, major boat manufacturers and other interested parties to replace or to recommend replacing zinc anodes with aluminium as standard to reduce and prevent further environmental damage. CHP has been studying the release of metals, particularly copper and zinc, by recreational vessels into the marine environment. CHP highlights that, in 2020, the Institute of Marine Sciences at Portsmouth University in the UK calculated that approximately 900 tonnes of zinc is released into UK coastal and inland waters by recreational vessels in an average year. Continue reading “Replace harmful zinc anodes with aluminium as standard is the advice”

EBI and the SeaCleaners publish a Guide to Responsible Boating

EBI and the SeaCleaners publish a Guide to Responsible Boating
EBI and the SeaCleaners publish a Guide to Responsible Boating

Brussels-based European Boating Industry (EBI) and The SeaCleaners have jointly published a Guide to Responsible Boating which they say is a call to action for boaters worldwide to help combat plastic pollution in the oceans and waterways.

The Guide to Responsible Boating provides practical recommendations for boaters to minimise their environmental impact while enjoying their passion for water. From reducing plastic consumption to participating in waste collection efforts, they are encouraged to take an active role in preserving the oceans for future generations. Continue reading “EBI and the SeaCleaners publish a Guide to Responsible Boating”

Be aware of the risks of fumigated cargo

Be aware of the risks of fumigated cargo
Be aware of the risks of fumigated cargo

Hong Kong Merchant Shipping has issued an information note to draw lessons learned from a fatal accident which happened on board a Hong Kong registered general dry cargo ship during discharging a fumigated cargo of logs at Zhangzhou, China.

The incident
A Hong Kong registered general dry cargo ship berthed at the port of Zhangzhou, China to discharge the fumigated logs. In the morning of the day of the accident, a stevedore entered the spiral ladder space of the almost fully loaded No.1 cargo hold from the access entrance on the main deck to unhook the lifting slings of an excavator which was transported from No.2 cargo hold to the hold by the shore crane. Continue reading “Be aware of the risks of fumigated cargo”

What caught my eye: March 2024

Floating sauna in Oslo fjord rescues occupants of sinking Tesla

This is a remarkable story, one of my favourites for ages, which fortunately had a happy ending. What caught my eye specifically were the details of the good Samaritan vessel – a floating sauna – which came to the aid of a sinking Tesla. I must have led a sheltered life as I was completely unaware that such craft existed and that they are indeed popular in Norway and can be hired by the hour! And being a skipper of a floating sauna sounds like a very cool job – never getting cold on the job either! Continue reading “What caught my eye: March 2024”

IMPA Safety Campaign: Securing pilot ladders at intermediate length is vital

IMPA Safety Campaign raises awareness of pilot transfer arrangements
IMPA Safety Campaign raises awareness of pilot transfer arrangements to be compliant

The latest International Maritime Pilots’ Association (IMPA) Safety Campaign raises awareness of the need for pilot transfer arrangements to be procured, inspected, maintained and rigged in compliance with SOLAS regulation V/23, taking complete account of the ISO 799 standards. IMPA highlights the need for securing pilot ladders at intermediate length and conduct mandatory training, inspection and maintenance.

The results of the 2023 IMPA Safety Campaign show that historical trends in non-compliance continue. The headline non-compliance rate remains over sixteen percent, and the main determinant of noncompliance remains pilot ladders. Pilot ladder observations are included in more than fifty percent of reports of non-compliant arrangements. Continue reading “IMPA Safety Campaign: Securing pilot ladders at intermediate length is vital”

Transforming Places and Enriching Lives Report by the Canal & River Trust

Transforming Places and Enriching Lives Report by the Canal & River Trust
Transforming Places and Enriching Lives Report by the Canal & River Trust

The Canal & River Trust has published a report for partners, funders and supporters of the UK’s canal network showcasing the benefits delivered by the Trust and its canals. The Impact Report entitled Transforming Places and Enriching Lives, tells the stories of how canals make a positive impact on people’s lives and help contribute towards some of the most significant challenges facing society.

Building upon an earlier study that aggregates the social value and economic benefits of canals to society, the Transforming Places and Enriching Lives Report brings to life the stories and testimonies, partnerships and projects that sit behind the monetary values. In Continue reading “Transforming Places and Enriching Lives Report by the Canal & River Trust”

UK Boat Safety Scheme governance changes announced

UK Boat Safety Scheme governance changes announced
UK Boat Safety Scheme governance changes announced

The Canal & River Trust, Environment Agency, Broads Authority, and the Association of Inland Navigation Authorities have announced some governance changes to the Boat Safety (BSS) Scheme which will see it become a not-for-profit company. As a company limited by guarantee, Boat Safety Scheme Limited has been incorporated to take on the work of the existing Scheme from 1 April 2024.

The Scheme’s structure remains unchanged, with all income returned into the running costs and continuing the safety improvements brought about by the Scheme since its inception in 1995. Continue reading “UK Boat Safety Scheme governance changes announced”

BMA investigation report: Two contractors collapsed in cargo hold

incident following the arrival of a team of fumigation contractors
incident following the arrival of a team of fumigation contractors

The Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA) has published a marine investigation report about an incident following the arrival of a team of fumigation contractors onboard the Bahamian registered bulk carrier Magic Striker.

On the morning of 21 December 2021, the Bahamian registered bulk carrier Magic Striker had nearly completed loading a cargo of corn in Chennai, India, when a team of fumigation contractors arrived onboard. In the early afternoon, two contractors entered the cargo hold, wearing gas masks along with a phosphine gas detector. Continue reading “BMA investigation report: Two contractors collapsed in cargo hold”

Neptune Thelisis: Leaking thermal oil led to an engine room fire is investigation report finding

leaking thermal oil which led to an engine room fire onboard Neptune Thelisis.
leaking thermal oil which led to an engine room fire onboard Neptune Thelisis.

Transport Malta’s Marine Safety Investigation Unit has published an investigation report on leaking thermal oil which led to an engine room fire onboard Neptune Thelisis.

A fire was discovered by the engine room crew members on board the Maltese registered ship Neptune Thelisis shortly after 16.51 (UTC+1) on 17th January 2022. The crew members gathered at the designated muster station and commenced fire-fighting operations. The fire was controlled and extinguished after the fixed fire-fighting installation was activated. Continue reading “Neptune Thelisis: Leaking thermal oil led to an engine room fire is investigation report finding”

Flyability announces UT probe payload in partnership with Cygnus

live A-scan UT payload is designed for spot thickness measurements
live A-scan UT payload is designed for spot thickness measurements

Flyability, the market leader in confined space drones, announced today a new ultrasonic thickness measurement (UTM) payload for its flagship drone the Elios 3. This payload was developed in partnership with Cygnus Instruments, a global leader in ultrasonic testing (UT) technology to create a product that supports certified UT inspectors.

The new live A-scan UT payload is designed for spot thickness measurements of steel in ship hulls, inside tanks, and between pipe ranks amongst many other applications. With UT critical to many inspection processes, this new payload presents a safer means of accessing thickness measurement locations Continue reading “Flyability announces UT probe payload in partnership with Cygnus”

10 Golden Safety Rules to live by launched

10 Golden Safety Rules published
10 Golden Safety Rules published

Together in Safety, a consortium of maritime organisations and companies, has launched 10 Golden Safety Rules to help shipping improve its safety performance.

The 10 Golden Safety Rules were developed by the Together in Safety Coalition following a review of fatal incident reports across all sectors of the shipping industry. They comprise 10 areas for all companies and every seafarer to adopt in their everyday work to prevent injuries and fatalities.

Dr. Grahaeme Henderson OBE, Chair of Together in Safety, emphasized that shipping is fundamental Continue reading “10 Golden Safety Rules to live by launched”

SSB No. 06/2024 on maintenance of fire safety systems and equipment issued by Transport Canada

ship safety bulletin SSB No. 06/2024 published by Transport Canada
ship safety bulletin SSB No. 06/2024 published by Transport Canada

Transport Canada has issued a ship safety bulletin SSB No. 06/2024 regarding maintaining fire safety systems and equipment.

This bulletin is to remind the marine community about maintaining fire safety systems and equipment.

The bulletin emphasizes the following points:
– Visually check systems and equipment as required. ​
– Confirm that systems and equipment are accessible and available for immediate use. ​ Continue reading “SSB No. 06/2024 on maintenance of fire safety systems and equipment issued by Transport Canada”

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