News

UK P&I Club releases video on correctly securing fasteners after an overhaul

Posted on by News Hound

Labelled diagram of a fastener The Loss Prevention team at the UK P&I Club has produced its latest ‘Inside Ship’ animated training video, focused on correctly securing fasteners to prevent equipment failures during an overhaul.

The proper installation of fasteners is essential to avoiding preventable engine room incidents. Threaded studs have a variety of critical uses on board, including to secure engine fuel injectors, pumps and monitoring instruments in place. If these studs are incorrectly fastened, they can stretch beyond their elastic limit and shear. This can lead to engine room fires, potentially immobilising the vessel, causing significant damage and presenting a danger to crew. Continue reading “UK P&I Club releases video on correctly securing fasteners after an overhaul”

Key guidance for machinery space deficiencies

Posted on by News Hound
Key guidance for machinery space deficiencies
Key guidance for machinery space deficiencies

The Republic of Liberia has issued guidance to alert shipowners and operators, masters and surveyors and recognised oganisations based on recent trends observed during the inspection of machinery spaces.

The following items are consistently noted by Port State Control Officers:
– Engine room water mist system set in “Manual” mode.
– Fuel oil quick closing valves blocked open by use of wedges or wires.
– Pipes insulation laggings wrongly installed, soaked in fuel oil or missing.
– Excessive fuel, oil accumulation and lubrication oil leaks in machinery spaces, auxiliary engines, steering gear room or purifier room. Continue reading “Key guidance for machinery space deficiencies”

UK Transport Select Committee publishes report on Maritime 2050

Posted on by News Hound

The UK Government’s Transport Committee has published a report on the Government’s Maritime 2050 strategy, and calls for investment in new technology, cleaner fuels and workforce training so that the UK’s sector can compete with the world.

This sometimes-overlooked “Cinderella” sector is vital to the UK economy. Approximately 95 per cent of goods by weight come to the UK by ship, and the Department for Business and Trade predicts maritime cargo volumes will triple by 2050. The UK’s sector employs 185,000 people throughout the four nations and contributes £40 billion a year to the economy. Continue reading “UK Transport Select Committee publishes report on Maritime 2050”

New EMSA CARGOSAFE study investigates risks from cargo fires

Posted on by News Hound

Based on a safety risk study on containerized cargo fires, the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) has released the CARGOSAFE study, with the goal of identifying cost-effective risk control options for cargo fires. It assesses the dimensions of the problem for both existing ships and newbuilds.

The CARGOSAFE study examines the risks associated with fires on container ships and evaluates measures to control these risks in terms of prevention, detection, firefighting, and containment. CARGOSAFE follows the Formal Safety Assessment (FSA) structure for use in IMO rule-making process. Continue reading “New EMSA CARGOSAFE study investigates risks from cargo fires”

How the movement of containers can cause spread of pests

Posted on by News Hound
The World Shipping Council has released an informative video on how containers can facilitate the start and spread of pests
The World Shipping Council has released an informative video on how containers can facilitate the start and spread of pests

The World Shipping Council has released an informative video on how containers can facilitate the start and spread of pests to communities around the world, risking agriculture, forestry and natural resources.

The cargo transported in a ship’s hold or in containers can transfer invasive species. Winged insects such as the Flighted Spongy Moth and the Brown Marmorated Stinkbug are seasonal threats, and national regulations mandate treatment by shippers and inspection regimes to prevent their transfer. Being at the frontline of this issue, the industry is actively working with shippers, packers and freight forwarders in establishing and sharing best practice when it comes to prevention, inspection, cleaning and treatment of goods and containers. Continue reading “How the movement of containers can cause spread of pests”

ChatGPT: The AI chatbot that will change the way marine surveyors work and live

Posted on by News Hound
ChatGPT is set to change the digital landscape for good
ChatGPT is set to change the digital landscape for good

Article by Mike Schwarz, IIMS Chief Executive Officer

ChatGPT is in our midst. The one thing we know for sure is that in this modern digital world, things never stand still for long and there is always something bright, shiny and new coming along to challenge us, threatening to change the digital landscape and the way we operate for good.

ChatGPT is one such innovation. Perhaps you have already heard about this phenomenon, or maybe it is completely new to you. As a business acquaintance said to me when I asked her about it, Continue reading “ChatGPT: The AI chatbot that will change the way marine surveyors work and live”

ABS releases Port State Control deficiencies from quarter 4 in 2022

Posted on by News Hound

Port State Control inspections have proven to be an effective tool for eliminating substandard vessels that may be in operation, which may impact maritime safety and the marine environment.

A ship is regarded as substandard if the hull, machinery, equipment or operational safety and the protection of the environment is substantially below the standards required by the relevant conventions or if the crew is not in conformity with the safe manning document.

Evidence that the ship, its equipment, or its crew do not comply substantially with the requirements of the relevant conventions or that the master or crew members are not familiar with essential shipboard procedures relating to Continue reading “ABS releases Port State Control deficiencies from quarter 4 in 2022”

Serious injury to crew members during maintenance work reveals Transport Malta Investigation

Posted on by News Hound
Serious injury to crew members during maintenance work on board Pearl LNG
Serious injury to crew members during maintenance work on board Pearl LNG

Transport Malta has published an investigation report about an incident which resulted in serious injury to three crew members during maintenance work on the fire jockey hydrophore tank on 23 February 2022. The ‘violent’ dislodging of the inspection cover was the result of a pressurised hydrophore.

Shortly after 1430 on 23 February 2022, three crew members on board the Maltese registered LNG carrier Pearl LNG, were involved in an accident about 185 nautical miles West Southwest of Saint Nazaire, France. At the time, the crew members were attempting to remove an inspection cover on one of the vessel’s hydrophores, when the cover dislodged violently from the hydrophore. This caused a serious injury. Continue reading “Serious injury to crew members during maintenance work reveals Transport Malta Investigation”

Proper EPRIBs use is critical says the Marshall Islands

Posted on by News Hound

The Republic of Marshall Islands (RMI) Maritime Administrator has issued an important reminder after an increase in both false Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) distress alerts and issues with their registration.

The Ship Registry has reminded the industry of India’s Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) iMerchant Shipping Notice No. 04 of 2023 which highlights that EPIRBs should be registered and deregistered as required. Otherwise, false EPIRB alerts can obstruct and delay Search and Rescue operations. Fines may also be levied for false EPRIB distress alerts in Indian waters. Continue reading “Proper EPRIBs use is critical says the Marshall Islands”

Red Ensign Group brings together expertise to focus on supporting maritime

Posted on by News Hound

An ongoing commitment to pioneering technology, sharing resources and continuing improving the expertise it offers to the maritime world at large as well as its own members was the focus of the recent REG Technical Forum.

The Red Ensign Group Technical Forum was held in Southampton (UK) and included delegates from Anguilla, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Isle of Man, Jersey, Guernsey, Montserrat, Turks and Caicos Islands and the UK. Continue reading “Red Ensign Group brings together expertise to focus on supporting maritime”

IMO Ship Systems and Equipment 9: Key highlights

Posted on by News Hound

The IMO Ship Systems and Equipment Sub-Committee (SSE) Session 9 took place from 27 February to 3 March 2023. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the technical and operational requirements for systems and safety equipment on ships.

Lloyd’s Register has issued a helpful summary report that includes an executive summary for those requiring a general overview, but also more technical information for those who would like more detail on the discussions that took place.

Key highlights and outcomes from SSE 9:
– Finalisation of the draft International Code of Safety for Diving Operations (Diving Code). Continue reading “IMO Ship Systems and Equipment 9: Key highlights”

Has the post Covid boating boom bubble burst?

Posted on by News Hound

There are signs that the global boating market is returning to normal after sales surged during the Covid-19 pandemic. Online marketplace, Boats Group, reports that the total number of boats sold worldwide decreased last year for the first time since before the pandemic.

The change towards more typical market conditions emerged in 2022 as the total number of boats sold dipped by just 4.3% compared to the same period pre-pandemic in 2019. By comparison, boats sold in 2020 and 2021 were down 15.9% and 11.8% respectively, compared to 2019.

“For the first time in three years, we’re seeing consumer demand soften,” said Courtney Chalmers, vice president of marketing at Boats Group. Continue reading “Has the post Covid boating boom bubble burst?”

Instagram Posts from the IIMS @iimsmarine