News

Fishing vessel FREYJA: Report released by BSU after fire in engine compartment

fire in the engine compartment of fishing vessel FREYJA
Fire in the engine compartment of fishing vessel FREYJA

The German Bureau of Maritime Casualty Investigation (BSU) has published an accident report following a fire that broke out in the engine compartment of the German fishing vessel FREYJA on the evening of 17 September 2021.

The fire on board the fishing vessel FREYJA resulted in the destruction of most of the boat. The fire-induced foundering of the vessel made it impossible to identify usable evidence of the cause of the fire or the exact starting point of its development during the investigation of the wrecked parts. The statements of the crew merely permit the conclusion that the fire broke out inside the engine compartment. Continue reading “Fishing vessel FREYJA: Report released by BSU after fire in engine compartment”

MPV Everest engine room fire report published

MPV Everest engine room fire report published
MPV Everest engine room fire report published

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has published an investigation report into the Bahamas-registered, 145m multi-purpose vessel MPV Everest engine room fire, which suffered a fire in the port engine room. The vessel was en-route from Mawson Station, Antarctica to Hobart, Tasmania with 37 crew and 72 Australian Antarctic Division staff on board.

The ship’s crew responded, and the fire was contained before being eventually extinguished using the engine room water mist fixed fire-extinguishing system. The port engine room sustained substantial damage with most of the power generation equipment and machinery located within rendered inoperable. Continue reading “MPV Everest engine room fire report published”

Ensuring safe access to Australian domestic commercial vessels

AMSA has published a safety alert to raise awareness of the risks involved with getting on and off Australian domestic commercial vessels
AMSA has published a safety alert to raise awareness of the risks involved with getting on and off Australian domestic commercial vessels

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has published a safety alert to raise awareness of the risks involved with getting on and off Australian domestic commercial vessels. Accessing a vessel while at berth is a routine activity and is sometimes taken for granted. The requirement for safe access can be overlooked, particularly where there are limited berthing options, or a vessel is only berthed for a short period. Failing to provide safe access can result in serious risk to people. This is heightened by bad weather or extreme tidal variations. Under the Australian National Law, the owner and master are responsible to ensure the safety of people boarding a domestic commercial vessel. Continue reading “Ensuring safe access to Australian domestic commercial vessels”

Towing and mooring equipment regulation effective from January 2024

According to Korean Register, amendments to SOLAS II-1/Reg.3-8 “Towing and mooring equipment” were adopted by the Maritime Safety Committee at MSC 102
According to Korean Register, amendments to SOLAS II-1/Reg.3-8 “Towing and mooring equipment” were adopted by the Maritime Safety Committee at MSC 102

According to Korean Register, amendments to SOLAS II-1/Reg.3-8 “Towing and mooring equipment” were adopted by the Maritime Safety Committee at MSC 102 and will enter into force on or after 1 January 2024. In particular, these amendments introduce new safety requirements for design, selection, inspection, maintenances and replacement of mooring and towing arrangements in conjunction with MSC.1/Circ.1175/ Rev.1, MSC.1/Circ.1619 and MSC.1/Circ.1620.

New ship designs, and especially the design of large ships, have resulted in optimized performance and a greater degree of complexity. It is a widely recognized fact that the development and design of mooring systems have not adequately followed the development of ships. Despite efforts to improve how safe mooring operations, there is still a high number of accidents during these operations.

Continue reading “Towing and mooring equipment regulation effective from January 2024”

Battery Energy Storage Systems: Safety guidance published by EMSA

Battery Energy Storage Systems: Safety guidance published by EMSA
Battery Energy Storage Systems: Safety guidance published by EMSA

EMSA battery guidance is the subject of a new publication about the Safety of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) on-board ships. The guidance aims at supporting maritime administrations and the industry by promoting a uniform implementation of the essential safety requirements for battery systems on-board of ships.

According to the EMSA battery guidance, BESS installations on board ships have been increasing in number. There are more than 800 battery ships in operation across the world, 60% of which are known to be operating in Europe, using batteries onboard for propulsion either in pure electric or hybrid functions. Continue reading “Battery Energy Storage Systems: Safety guidance published by EMSA”

Battery electric vehicles carriage risk guidance published by AMSA

new guidance on the risks associated with the carriage of battery electric vehicles
new guidance on the risks associated with the carriage of battery electric vehicles

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has issued the Guidance on Risks Associated with the Carriage of Battery Electric Vehicles. The safety alert provides guidance to operators of domestic commercial vessels (DCVs) on risks associated with the carriage of battery-powered electric vehicles (BEVs) on roll-on, roll-off (RORO) ferries, and how best to deal with these risks.

As per Marine Order 504 (Certificates of operation and operation requirements) you must conduct a risk assessment for your vessel to ensure that risks arising from the carriage of BEVs are addressed. Consideration must be given to the hazards arising from transporting BEVs Continue reading “Battery electric vehicles carriage risk guidance published by AMSA”

Safer Seas Digest 2022 published by the NTSB

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has published its Safer Seas Digest 2022. In the digest, NTSB highlights the most important lessons learned from 29 maritime tragedies that took place in 2022. Safer Seas Digest 2022 details the lessons learned from these maritime tragedies involving capsizings, contact, collisions, fires, flooding and groundings.

Among the investigations, two of the casualties described, the Emmy Rose and the SEACOR Power, led to the loss of human life. The NTSB investigations into these tragedies once again revealed the critical importance of personal locator beacons (PLBs) for seafarers. Continue reading “Safer Seas Digest 2022 published by the NTSB”

RRS Sir David Attenborough lifeboat davit failure report issued

RRS Sir David Attenborough lifeboat davit failure
RRS Sir David Attenborough lifeboat davit failure

The MAIB has issued an accident investigation report into the lifeboat davit failure aboard RRS Sir David Attenborough. On the 4 March 2021, the port lifeboat from RRS Sir David Attenborough fell into the water while the crew were practising lifeboat drills. The investigation found that a critical interlock device on the lifeboat davits had heavily corroded due to lack of maintenance. The interlock failed to operate correctly and subsequently caused the lifeboat to fall from the davit and into the sea with three crew on board. It also found that the installation of the lifeboat davits was not in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and did not meet international regulations. Continue reading “RRS Sir David Attenborough lifeboat davit failure report issued”

Boater Report 2023 by published by CRT

Boater Report 2023 by published
Boater Report 2023 by published

The Boater Report 2023 summarises the work undertaken to keep the canal network open and available for navigation and sets out how the Canal & River Trust (CRT) generates the income needed to support boating and the wider use of the waterways.

Covering the period from April 2022 to March 2023, The Boater Report 2023 illustrates how navigation is the core of the CRTs day-to-day spending and objectives. A link to the Report will be included with new boat licences and boat licence renewals.

In a challenging year which illustrated the vulnerability of the ageing canal network and its exposure to extreme and more frequent weather events brought about by climate change, Continue reading “Boater Report 2023 by published by CRT”

Joint Hull Committee issues new clause in wake of lithium battery incidents

Joint Hull Committee issues new clause in wake of lithium battery incidents
Joint Hull Committee issues new clause in wake of lithium battery incidents

Joint Hull Committee to issue a new clause covering the use of electronically driven equipment rated at above 100Wh. In recent years there has been a growing number of marine incidents involving lithium battery fires, resulting in the total losses of yachts, superyachts and other craft.

The Joint Hull Committee, founded in 1910, is the oldest Joint Committee. It comprises underwriting representatives from both the Lloyd’s and International Underwriting Association (IUA) company markets. It represents the interests of those who write marine hull business in the London market and it works through a number of sub-committees, principally Navigating Limits and Risk Assessment. Continue reading “Joint Hull Committee issues new clause in wake of lithium battery incidents”

Spirit of Norfolk: fire onboard passenger vessel investigation report published

Spirit of Norfolk: fire onboard passenger vessel investigation report published
Spirit of Norfolk: fire onboard passenger vessel investigation report published

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released an investigation report on the engine room fire onboard passenger vessel Spirit of Norfolk in June 2022. The US Coast Guard received a report of an engine room fire aboard the 169-foot-long passenger vessel Spirit of Norfolk while it was underway on the Elizabeth River near Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia. The vessel was on a 2-hour sightseeing cruise with 108 persons on board.

The crew determined they could not enter the smoke-filled engine room to fight the fire, the vessel lost propulsion, and the passengers and crew evacuated to one of the Good Samaritan vessels on scene. The Spirit of Norfolk was towed to a US Navy pier. Continue reading “Spirit of Norfolk: fire onboard passenger vessel investigation report published”

EMSA marine casualties and incidents 2023 annual overview

EMSA marine casualties and incidents 2023
EMSA marine casualties and incidents 2023

The EMSA marine casualties and incidents 2023 annual overview has been published. The report presents statistics on marine casualties and incidents that cover the period from 1st of January 2014 to 31st of December 2022, reported by EU Member States.

According to the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), 2022 was a positive year considering the reduction or stabilisation of most of the accident indicators, such as the number of occurrences, ships lost, fatalities or injuries. In 2022, there were 2,510 marine casualties and incidents reported, a decrease of 182 from 2021 and 84 from 2020. Continue reading “EMSA marine casualties and incidents 2023 annual overview”

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