News

Poor risk assessment contributed to the sinking of two MÆRSK supply ships says newly published DMAIB report

 MÆRSK supply ships moments before sinkingOn the night of 21 December 2016, the Danish offshore supply ships MÆRSK SEARCHER and MÆRSK SHIPPER capsized and sank in the Bay of Biscay, off the French coast, while being towed by another offshore supply ship, MÆRSK BATTLER, en route to Turkey. The Danish Maritime Accident Investigation Board has now published a report on the accident.

The incident

The ships were configured in a side-by-side towing setup during the voyage. During the passage of the English Channel, the fenders between the ships on tow failed, and the ships started to interact. This caused damage to the ships’ superstructure, which eventually compromised MÆRSK SEARCHER’s watertight integrity and led to water ingress. MÆRSK SEARCHER capsized and sank, and subsequently MÆRSK SHIPPER was pulled under by MÆRSK SEARCHER. The crew on MÆRSK BATTLER carried out a controlled breakage of the towing wire and came loose of the foundered towage. Continue reading “Poor risk assessment contributed to the sinking of two MÆRSK supply ships says newly published DMAIB report”

Bureau Veritas approves RIMS BV for use of drones during surveys

David Knukkel, CEO of RIMS BV, whose company has been approved by Bureau Veritas
David Knukkel, CEO of RIMS BV, whose company has been approved by Bureau Veritas

RIMS BV (Robotics In Maintenance Strategies) are the first company to receive an attestation from Bureau Veritas (BV) Marine & Offshore, as an approved service supplier, allowing the use of Remote Inspection Techniques (drones) during surveys of hull structure of ships and mobile offshore units classed with BV.

RIMS are a global provider of high tech, safe, autonomous and sustainable surveying and maintenance solutions. They supply and provide services which aid with the replacement of old and expensive, slower, high-risk and resource intensive maintenance activities, with new smarter drone and robotic technologies.

Continue reading “Bureau Veritas approves RIMS BV for use of drones during surveys”

The first vessel in Germany to be powered by methanol fuel cells has been named

Menthol cells on the boatThe MS innogy, the first vessel in Germany to be powered by methanol fuel cells, has been named. The passenger ferry, which will sail on Lake Baldeneysee, Essen, features a fuel cell system manufactured by the Danish fuel cell manufacture SerEnergy.

The ferry was built to showcase the potential of methanol as a fuel of the future and is the result of cooperation between energy company innogy and SerEnergy.

Continue reading “The first vessel in Germany to be powered by methanol fuel cells has been named”

IMO updates guidelines for abandon ship drills using lifeboats

Lifeboat ready for deployment
Photo credit: Riley Huntley/wikipedia.org

At the 98th Session of its Maritime Safety Committee earlier this year, IMO plans to enshrine a range of amendments in to the guidelines relating to abandon ship drills using lifeboats with the aim of reducing related accidents.

The Committee approved the Guidelines on safety during abandon ship drills using lifeboats, following the amalgamation of annex 1 to the Measures to prevent accidents with lifeboats and the Interim Recommendation on conditions for authorization of service providers for lifeboats, launching appliances and on-load release gear in the Requirements for maintenance, thorough examination, operational testing, overhaul and repair of lifeboats and rescue boats, launching appliances and release gear.

Continue reading “IMO updates guidelines for abandon ship drills using lifeboats”

Report into the total loss of tug Thomas Dann published

Thomas Dann tug (Dann Ocean Towing). Photo credit: Birk Thomas
Thomas Dann tug (Dann Ocean Towing). Photo credit: Birk Thomas

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released an accident report about the outbreak of fire onboard the towing vessel Thomas Dann that led to a constructive total loss.

The incident
On July 22, 2016, at 1700 local time, a fire broke out in the upper engine room aboard the towing vessel Thomas Dann while it was engaged in towing operations offshore near St. Augustine, Florida, en route to Cape Canaveral, Florida. No one was injured, nor was any pollution reported. However, due to the extent of the fire damage, the vessel, which was valued at an estimated $2.5 million, was declared a constructive total loss.

Continue reading “Report into the total loss of tug Thomas Dann published”

Guidance on the use of LPG installations on merchant vessels, fishing vessels, pleasure and other craft issued

The Bow Clipper, shipThe Irish Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport issued a marine notice, providing guidance on the use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) installations on merchant vessels, fishing vessels, pleasure craft and other marine craft.

When handled incorrectly, the dangers associated with LPG systems include fire, explosion, burns and asphyxiation due to gas leakage from the system or accumulation of gas following flame failure in an appliance. Such incidents have caused loss of life and material damage.

The scope of recommendations includes:

Installation and Testing: To help prevent accidents with LPG installations, such systems should be installed at least in accordance with the International Standard ISO 10239:2014 (Small craft – Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) systems). It is recommended that an inspection and test of such systems and associated alarm systems be carried out at least monthly to ensure correct operation. Continue reading “Guidance on the use of LPG installations on merchant vessels, fishing vessels, pleasure and other craft issued”

Lürssen delivers the gigantic 123 metre superyacht Al Lusail

Photo of Al Lusail by Jan Oddvar Eide
Photo of Al Lusail by Jan Oddvar Eide

First sighted in October 2016, those who monitor and are fascinated by the superyacht world were sent spinning! The sheer size of Al Lusail is the first thing one will notice and at 123 meters in length she can lay claims to being one of the 25 largest superyachts in the world.

Her styling is unusual and grabs one’s attention, described by Lürssen as sporty and aggressive. The exterior was designed by H2 Yacht Design the interior by March and White. She is now berthed in Kristiansand, Norway, somewhere that superyachts often sail to following delivery from European yards. The superyacht takes her name Al Lusail from a new city in Qatar and she flies the Qatari flag from her stern.

Continue reading “Lürssen delivers the gigantic 123 metre superyacht Al Lusail”

The process for reactivating vessels after a period of lay-up guidance issued

Inactivated vesselsThe Shipowners’ Club has issued a guidance note, regarding the reactivation process for a vessel following a period of lay-up. In the guidance note, Shipowners recognises no matter if it be an offshore or any other type of support vessel, reactivation and bringing back into service requires careful management in assessing the risks following a period of lay-up.

As explained, the vessel reactivation specifications should be defined based upon the following elements:

– Lay-up Preservation Plan framework in place and Lay-up logbook records. Lay-up plan to be preferably approved by class.
– Last classification society survey report, docking report or any other survey report as applicable.
Continue reading “The process for reactivating vessels after a period of lay-up guidance issued”

Lessons learnt from bunker fuel contamination incident highlighted by UK P&I Club

Bunker fuelThe UK P&I Club has issued guidance about a bunker fuel contamination incident which occurred onboard a general cargo ship during loading a bulk cargo. The Club has, provided details of what happened and highlights the important lessons learned.

This vessel was loading a bulk cargo in two of the vessel’s lower holds. During the loading operation, the vessel bunkered 500 MT of HFO into no.’s 2 port and starboard fuel oil side tanks. Shortly after the completion of bunkering operations, the Chief Engineer (C/E) noticed the level of no.2 port fuel oil tank was decreasing from observation of the remote gauging system.

Continue reading “Lessons learnt from bunker fuel contamination incident highlighted by UK P&I Club”

World’s first electric aquaculture support vessel powered by PBES

Powered by PBES, the Elfrida is the world's first electric aquaculture support vessel
Powered by PBES, the Elfrida is the world’s first electric aquaculture support vessel

Plan B Energy Storage (PBES) has announced a milestone project in the aquaculture industry. The award of the contract for energy storage aboard the electric fish farm vessel Elfrida underscores the ongoing trend toward adoption of green technology in Norway.

“We see this as crucial preparation for a low-carbon future,” says Roger Bekken, Managing Director of Salmar, the vessel’s owner and leading Norwegian aquaculture company. “In keeping with our forward thinking management, and focus on operational efficiency, adding battery technology to our vessels brings cost savings and environmental stewardship together in one package.”

Continue reading “World’s first electric aquaculture support vessel powered by PBES”

Salmon processing and transportation vessel set to be the world’s first with a hybrid battery solution

New salmon processing and transportation vessel for Hav Line AS, Norway, is the world’s first of its kind with a hybrid/battery solution
New salmon processing and transportation vessel for Hav Line AS, Norway, is the world’s first of its kind with a hybrid/battery solution

Technology group Wärtsilä has been contracted to deliver the ship design for a new processing and transportation vessel to be built at the Balenciaga shipyard in Spain on behalf of Hav Line AS of Norway. In addition to the design, Wärtsilä will also supply an integrated solution comprising a 10-cylinder Wärtsilä 31 main engine, auxiliary engines, propulsion machinery, the propulsion remote control system, and the electrical & automation system. The delivery of the Wärtsilä solutions will be during autumn 2017 and the vessel is scheduled for delivery in summer 2018.

Notable environmental gains are made possible by a Wärtsilä hybrid propulsion solution supported by batteries, which results in very low emission levels. This is the world’s first processing and transportation vessel for the fish farming industry to utilise this solution. By absorbing most of the engine’s load fluctuations and vessel load variations through batteries, the engines can be operated close to its optimum design point, thereby providing the highest level of efficiency, which in turn minimises the exhaust emissions. Continue reading “Salmon processing and transportation vessel set to be the world’s first with a hybrid battery solution”

The Quadriga set to become the world’s biggest sailing cargo ship

Visulization of the QuadrigaAs innovators look for ways to further reduce the carbon footprint and create greener vessels using renewable technology in the future, it has been announced that Quadriga, an innovative sustainable shipping project from Hamburg based Sailing Cargo, aims to become the world’s biggest sailing cargo ship. It seems as if time goes in a full circle as developers look to significantly harness wind power once again and match it with ships.

The project outlines a plan to build a 170 metre car carrier, capable of carrying between 1,700 and 2,000 cars, which will be equipped with four DynaRig masts and will operate on hybrid propulsion with sails and diesel-electric engines, and an optional battery system for peak loads. The vessel will be capable of sailing at 10-12 knots with the aim of reaching 14-16 knots in the next few years through combined expertise.

Continue reading “The Quadriga set to become the world’s biggest sailing cargo ship”

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