News

International safety guide for inland navigation tank-barges and terminals revised

Posted on by News Hound

Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF) and the inland navigation sector, with the support of the Central Commission for the Navigation of the Rhine (CCNR), have collaborated with other European organisations to produce the second edition of the International Safety Guide for Inland Navigation Tank-barges and Terminals (ISGINTT).

The purpose of ISGINTT is to improve the safe transport of dangerous goods at the interface between inland tank barges and other vessels or shore facilities (terminals). The safety guide is compatible with other international maritime guidance for seagoing vessels Continue reading “International safety guide for inland navigation tank-barges and terminals revised”

IACS adopts new unified requirement on buckling strength assessment of ship structural elements

Posted on by News Hound

Ship operations take place in hostile and corrosive environments meaning that the structural strength of the ship’s hull may deteriorate with time leading to buckling or structural instability. Buckling has long been recognised as one of the main modes of failure of ship structural elements and IACS has, for many years, had in place a number of Resolutions to address this.

Recognising, however, that the rules for buckling varied across different IACS Unified Requirements (URs), such as S11, S11A, S21, S21A and Common Structural Rules for Bulk Carriers and Oil Tankers (CSR for BC & OT), in 2018 IACS agreed to develop a standalone Unified Requirement (UR) dedicated for Continue reading “IACS adopts new unified requirement on buckling strength assessment of ship structural elements”

IMPA safety campaign on pilot ladders reveals ongoing persistent non-compliance

Posted on by News Hound
IMPA Safety Campaign on pilot ladders highlights there is still a lot of work to do
IMPA Safety Campaign on pilot ladders highlights there is still a lot of work to do

This year’s International Maritime Pilots’ Association (IMPA) Safety Campaign on pilot ladders highlights there is still a lot of work to do as the requirements of SOLAS regulation V/23 (Pilot transfer arrangements), its associated IMO Assembly resolutions, and the ISO 799 series standards are considered as the bare minimum requirement and not an aspirational target according to IMPA.

The IMPA publishes and shares the results of its Safety Campaign annually. Ports and pilotage providers are requesting information from ships on the age and certification of their pilot ladder. IMPA is aware of reports of pilots refusing to board ships due to non-compliance with Continue reading “IMPA safety campaign on pilot ladders reveals ongoing persistent non-compliance”

Gibraltar updates its guidance for periodic servicing and testing of fire protection systems

Posted on by News Hound
Guidance updated for periodic servicing and testing of every fire protection system

The Gibraltar Maritime Administration has issued a revised Shipping Guidance Notice (SGN) regarding periodic inspection, testing, and maintenance of fire extinguishers, compressed gas cylinders, and fixed fire-extinguishing systems onboard Gibraltar registered vessels. This SGN superseded SGN 028, 028(a), and 028(b) and was published on January 26th, 2023.

Fire Extinguishers (extinguishers include portable and semi-portable units of all types) should be examined annually by a competent person. The hydraulic test period for all types of portable fire extinguishers should be conducted at intervals not exceeding 10 years unless the extinguisher is found to be defective during an inspection. Continue reading “Gibraltar updates its guidance for periodic servicing and testing of fire protection systems”

Failure of fire hose couplings case study

Posted on by News Hound

A recent Safety Flash published by the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) focuses on an incident in which a fire hose fitting failed at the neck of the stub inserted into the hose during routine pressure/leak testing.

As part of annual testing of the fire hydrant hoses, two crew were assigned to conduct leak testing of the main deck fire hoses. A Number 3 hose (20m x 52mm (2”)) was connected to a fire hydrant valve and nozzle and visual inspections of the hose and valve conducted prior to testing. During the test it was noted that one end of the fire hose had disconnected. The test was stopped, and further investigation was conducted. Continue reading “Failure of fire hose couplings case study”

Early detection key to preventing electric vehicles fires

Posted on by News Hound
Photo for illustrative purposes only
Photo for illustrative purposes only

Following several high-profile ship fires involving electric vehicles (EVs), Survitec has produced some valuable advice for operators of vessels transporting hybrid and EVs, such as ferries, ropaxes, RoRos, PCCs and PCTCs, on how best to prevent and control fire onboard ships involving lithium-ion battery powered vehicles.

According to Survitec there are a number of ongoing initiatives within the industry to improve safety in this area. There is a desire to develop early fire detection systems to better monitor and protect car decks and lithium-ion batteries installed in vehicles onboard. Continue reading “Early detection key to preventing electric vehicles fires”

The advice from the US Coast Guard is to avoid loading electric vehicles with saltwater damage on ships

Posted on by News Hound
The stricken Felicity Ace photographed before sinking. Photo credit: Portuguese Navy
The stricken Felicity Ace photographed before sinking. Photo credit: Portuguese Navy

The US Coast Guard (USCG) has issued a warning to the shipping industry about the extreme risk of loading electric vehicles (EV) with damaged lithium-ion batteries onto commercial vessels.

Marine Safety Alert 01-23, published by USCG, addresses the issue and provides recommendations to vessels, ports, shippers and regulators. The safety alert comes just a few months after Hurricane Ian made landfall in South Florida. In the aftermath of the intense and destructive storm, first responders encountered numerous EV fires where investigations have subsequently determined were caused by exposure of the lithium-ion batteries to saltwater. Continue reading “The advice from the US Coast Guard is to avoid loading electric vehicles with saltwater damage on ships”

GOS makes recommendations for USCG to improve fishing vessels safety

Posted on by News Hound
Image for illustrative purposes only

The US Government Accountability Office (GAO) has identified several actions that the US Coast Guard (USCG) needs to take to help prevent future fishing vessel losses and related fatalities and has made six key recommendations. According to GAO, USCG hasn’t fully implemented 17 of 22 statutory requirements to improve commercial fishing vessel safety.

For example, USCG hasn’t developed a training program for commercial fishers or re-established an advisory committee on industry safety issues. In addition, USCG doesn’t have a detailed plan to guide their efforts to fully implement the outstanding statutory requirements. Continue reading “GOS makes recommendations for USCG to improve fishing vessels safety”

Electrical component failure causes flame discharge

Posted on by News Hound
Photo credit: ATSB
Photo credit: ATSB

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has published its investigation report on the liquified hydrogen (LH2) carrier Suiso Frontier. According to the report, the failure of an incorrectly-fitted electrical solenoid valve led to the brief propagation of flame.

While berthed on the evening of 25 January 2022, the chief mate and cargo engineer made plans to start the ship’s gas combustion unit or GCU (see the section titled Gas combustion unit and Figure 1) to burn excess boil-off gas (BOG) from the LH2 cargo tank. 2 They notified the wharf operator and followed standard Continue reading “Electrical component failure causes flame discharge”

Condemned fire extinguishers must be discarded

Posted on by News Hound
Image shown is for illustrative purposes only
Image shown is for illustrative purposes only

The Nautical Institute has shared some lessons learned from an incident that involved a corroded fire extinguisher, which had been condemned and subsequently its malfunction proved fatal.

A handheld cartridge-type dry chemical powder fire extinguisher was condemned during an annual third-party inspection due to corrosion. It was subsequently discharged, essentially for demonstration purposes. When the internal carbon dioxide cartridge was activated to pressurise the fire extinguisher, the unit ruptured at the base. The person activating the extinguisher was struck in the head by pieces of flying metal which proved to be fatal. Continue reading “Condemned fire extinguishers must be discarded”

AMSA published its Compliance Strategy 2023/27

Posted on by News Hound

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has published its Compliance Strategy 2023/27. It builds on the modern regulatory foundations laid out in its predecessor and sets out six key elements. It is a data-driven, risk-based and proportionate approach to compliance that minimises impact on industry while maximising safety and environmental outcomes.

On a practical level, the strategy is implemented through AMSA’s annual National Compliance Plans which detail specific inspection and education focus areas for a given 12-month period. AMSA Executive Director of Operations, Michael Drake, Continue reading “AMSA published its Compliance Strategy 2023/27”

Safety alert issued after flare explosion fatality

Posted on by News Hound
Image for illustrative purposes only
Image for illustrative purposes only

The Dutch Safety Board has published an urgent Safety Alert following a recent flare explosion fatality. The incident happened on board a Dutch sailing ship in the Pacific Ocean.

Complying with the flare’s requirements and instructions, the experienced sailor fired the flare. The flare did not launch as intended, but exploded immediately with fatal consequences. Continue reading “Safety alert issued after flare explosion fatality”

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