Alert issued for surveyors by Steamship Mutual about corrosion in the exhaust gas scrubber system

Alert issued for surveyors by Steamship Mutual about corrosion in the exhaust gas scrubber system
Alert issued for surveyors by Steamship Mutual about corrosion in the exhaust gas scrubber system

Steamship Mutual had published a risk alert to highlight the issues around the corrosion in the exhaust gas scrubber system. According to Vijay Rao, Loss Prevention at Steamship Mutual, corrosion in the exhaust gas scrubber system is a recognised issue requiring adequate corrosion protection measures to be in place in the installation. Despite this several cases of acidic corrosion within the scrubber discharge piping system have been reported and this is an increasing cause for concern.

Steamship Mutal notes that of particular concern is the case of severe corrosion in the section of the discharge piping outboard of the scrubber overboard valve – the distance piece. Wastage and failure of this piping section could, in worst case scenario, lead to flooding of the engine room. Continue reading “Alert issued for surveyors by Steamship Mutual about corrosion in the exhaust gas scrubber system”

Golden Ray NTSB report reveals inaccurate stability calculations as the cause of the capsizing

Golden Ray NTSB report reveals inaccurate stability calculations as the cause of the capsizing
Golden Ray NTSB report reveals inaccurate stability calculations as the cause of the capsizing

Inaccurate stability calculations caused the capsizing of the vehicle carrier Golden Ray that resulted in $200 million worth of damages, the National Transportation Safety Board reveals in its marine accident report. The report gives details of the NTSB’s investigation into the capsizing of the roll-on/roll-off vehicle carrier as it transited outbound through St. Simons Sound near Brunswick, Georgia on 8 September 2019.

All 23 crewmembers and one pilot on board were rescued, including four engineering crew who were trapped in the vessel for nearly 40 hours. Two crewmembers sustained serious injuries. The Golden Ray sustained significant damage due to fire, flooding and saltwater corrosion and was declared a total loss estimated at $62.5 million. An estimated $142 million worth of cargo, including more than 4,100 Continue reading “Golden Ray NTSB report reveals inaccurate stability calculations as the cause of the capsizing”

LIFE of a BOAT tells the history of a 90 year old lifesaving boat in a new book

W&S on acceptance trials in February 1931 by Beken of Cowes. Credit RNLI Archive
W&S on acceptance trials in February 1931 by Beken of Cowes. Credit RNLI Archive

The LIFE of a BOAT is a new book, or as author Graeme Ewens calls it, a ‘Nautobiography’, about a 90-year-old lifesaver comprising tales of shipwreck, heroic rescue, wartime tragedy and its later resurrection.

Ninety years ago, in February, 1931, the RNLI took charge of a new lifeboat, the W&S, which is still surviving after a heroic career and a longer period of retirement. The publication of its ‘nautobiography’ celebrates the boat’s history and will help finance its life support. A share of proceeds will also be donated to the Penlee Lifeboat Station. Continue reading “LIFE of a BOAT tells the history of a 90 year old lifesaving boat in a new book”

UK government’s maritime biennial report: April 2019 to May 2021 published

The maritime biennial report by the UK government is available to read
The maritime biennial report by the UK government is available to read

Just published, the maritime biennial report outlines the UK government’s maritime achievements for 2019 to 2021. It compares them against the priorities of the 2018 to 2019 maritime annual report.

The following text is the introduction taken from the report itself. Maritime is the key transport mode underpinning international trade, securing the vital supply of fuel and food needed to keep the nation running, and is at the forefront of responding to the global technological, environmental and economic challenges and opportunities that we are facing. Continue reading “UK government’s maritime biennial report: April 2019 to May 2021 published”

ClassNK has published guidelines for ships using alternative fuels

ClassNK has published guidelines for ships using alternative fuels
ClassNK has published guidelines for ships using alternative fuels

Classification society ClassNK has released Guidelines for Ships Using Alternative Fuels, updated with safety requirements for ships using ammonia as fuel on previously issued Guidelines for Ships Using Low-Flashpoint Fuels covering liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)/methanol/ethanol.

Ammonia has captured attention as a zero carbon fuel. Appropriate safety measures are required for ammonia as it is toxic to humans and corrosive to materials, while specific international standards for the use of ammonia as a marine fuel have not yet been established. ClassNK has described the requirements for installation, controls and safety devices of an ammonia fueled ship to minimizing risks for theship, crew and the environment, and added it to the guidelines. Continue reading “ClassNK has published guidelines for ships using alternative fuels”

New sustainable propulsion to be offered by Rolls-Royce from 2022

Rolls-Royce has announced it is set to launch a range of sustainable propulsion solutions for yachts, starting with IMO III propulsion for production yachts from spring 2022. Along with the company announcing the first mtu-IMO-III systems for series yachts for 2022, Rolls-Royce says its mtu hybrid solutions will be on the market as of 2023, and mtu yacht engines certified for sustainable fuels as of 2023.

The first large yachts are already running with mtu systems based on the mtu Series 4000, which are certified for IMO III emissions regulations. Joining the market in April 2022 will be mtu Series 2000 propulsion systems with exhaust gas after treatment for production yachts.

Continue reading “New sustainable propulsion to be offered by Rolls-Royce from 2022”

Norman Finlay Memorial Development Scheme launched to discover new talent in the small commercial vessel sector

Norman Finlay MBE receiving his award from Her Majesty The Queen in 2018
Norman Finlay MBE receiving his award from Her Majesty The Queen in 2018

A new scheme has been established that aims to support the development of talent ashore within the small commercial vessel sector. The Norman Finlay Memorial Development Scheme is designed to increase the amount of small commercial vessel seafarers and those with a passion for these types of craft moving onto advanced careers ashore within the sector.

This includes vessel owner/operator organisations as well as within the supply chain such as manufacturers, regulators, surveyors, inspectors, charterers and professional services. The stakeholders will work together to provide a variety of resources towards the development of small commercial sector seafarers.

Continue reading “Norman Finlay Memorial Development Scheme launched to discover new talent in the small commercial vessel sector”

MCA publishes MGN 436 new guidance to mitigate serious injury on small vessels

New guidance on mitigating the risk of serious injury from whole body vibration on small vessels has been published today in MGN 436 (Amendment 2) by the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA).

Whole Body Vibration (WBV) and Repeated Shock (RS) injuries are a known issue of travelling on small vessels at high speeds. When they occur, they can be life-changing or even fatal. MGN 436 (Amendment 2) is aimed at operators of small vessels and focuses on mitigating strategies, following several serious incidents in recent years. It provides guidance on ways to alleviate risk of injury, both severe and chronic, for crew and passengers.

This latest update to the guidance reflects the evolving knowledge and best practice including the use of shock mitigating technology and Continue reading “MCA publishes MGN 436 new guidance to mitigate serious injury on small vessels”

MAIB report into immobilisation and flooding of dredger Shearwater following repeated collisions published

MAIB report into immobilisation and flooding of dredger Shearwater following repeated collisions published
MAIB report into immobilisation and flooding of dredger Shearwater following repeated collisions published

At about 2000 on 9 April 2020, the UK registered dredger Shearwater was immobilised after its propeller shafts were fouled by a towline being used to tow the barge Agem One. The dredger and barge collided with each other repeatedly resulting in the flooding of the dredger Shearwater, before the towline parted and Agem One drifted away. There was no pollution or injury.

Shearwater had been towing Agem One in an alongside configuration on a coastal passage when a significant swell was encountered. This made the alongside tow untenable, causing Shearwater’s crew to switch to an astern tow. Within minutes of
switching, the 80m towline failed. Shortly after reconnecting the towline, it failed again, and the decision was made to abort the planned passage and seek shelter at Kinlochbervie. Continue reading “MAIB report into immobilisation and flooding of dredger Shearwater following repeated collisions published”

Families of dive boat fire victims are suing the US Coast Guard

Image credit: Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times
Image credit: Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times

Families of the 34 victims of a California dive boat fire are suing the US Coast Guard alleging the vessel was allowed to operate with faulty electrical and inadequate safety systems.

Built in 1981, the 75’x25′ wooden hulled Conception was engulfed in flames and sank off Santa Cruz Island September 2, 2019, killing 33 passengers and one crew. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) cited lax oversight by the owner, no roving watch as required by the Certificate of Inspection (COI), insufficient smoke detectors and poor escape routes and faulted the Coast Guard for not requiring safety management systems (SMS) on all U.S.-flag passenger vessels.

Continue reading “Families of dive boat fire victims are suing the US Coast Guard”

ABS and Vanderbilt put spotlight on US waterways decarbonization

ABS and Vanderbilt put spotlight on US waterways decarbonization
ABS and Vanderbilt put spotlight on US waterways decarbonization

The current GHG emissions profile of the US inland waterway sector is low compared to other freight modes. The American Waterways Operators cites statistics that show that one dry cargo barge can carry the same amount of cargo as 16 rail cars or 70 trucks and that barge transportation produces 30% less greenhouse gas emissions than rail and more than 1,000% less than trucks. Still, that does not mean that decarbonization is an issue that the industry can afford to ignore, and ABS and Vanderbilt University have just published a landmark report analyzing decarbonization strategies for U.S. inland waterways.

Called “Decarbonization of the Inland Waterway Sector in the United States,” the report evaluates the potential for possible future Continue reading “ABS and Vanderbilt put spotlight on US waterways decarbonization”

UK National Maritime Strategy for the IMO Instruments Implementation Code

The UK National Maritime Strategy, collectively, commits to giving full effect to her flag, port and coastal State responsibilities and obligations, to advance maritime safety and environmental protection for our seafarers, our local communities, our economy and our international peers.

The UK National Maritime Strategy aims to support and facilitate the UK Maritime Administration’s implementation and enforcement of the III Code, and UKG Maritime 2050 by:
– Enacting and maintaining UK legislation;
– Enforcing all Instruments;
– Review and Improve performance; and
– Collaborate to grow capability and capacity;

These aims will enable the UK Maritime Administration to continually improve the adequacy of measures to give effect to the international instruments. Continue reading “UK National Maritime Strategy for the IMO Instruments Implementation Code”

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