On 27 January 2021, the whelk potter Nicola Faith capsized and sank 1.9 miles north of Rhos-on-Sea, North Wales with the loss of its three crew members. The vessel had been extensively modified during its life which had significantly reduced its margin of positive stability. On the day of the accident the Nicola Faith had been loaded with catch and retrieved strings of pots to the point of instability, which resulted in the capsize and subsequently sinking of the vessel. Nicola Faith had not been fitted with a mandatory emergency beacon to alert to the capsize, and it was not reported as overdue until 1000 the next day. Following its salvage by the MAIB, a thorough inspection of the vessel was carried out to determine possible modes of capsize Continue reading “Capsize and sinking of whelk potter Nicola Faith with loss of 3 lives report published”
News
MAIB issues report into fatal capsize and sinking of scallop dredger Joanna C
Early in the morning on 21 November 2020, the scallop dredger Joanna C capsized south of Newhaven, England; only one of the three crew survived. Joanna C’s crew was hauling the gear when they noticed that the starboard dredge bar had become snagged on a line of whelk pots. The snag caused a heel to starboard from which the vessel could not recover, and it capsized rapidly.
The MAIB’s investigation found that through-life modifications, culminating in extensive alterations in 2019, had reduced Joanna C’s previously good stability to a state where it had very low reserves of positive stability and increased vulnerability to capsize. The detrimental effect of the modifications was unknown to the crew and regulator alike because, Continue reading “MAIB issues report into fatal capsize and sinking of scallop dredger Joanna C”
Guidelines for transport of hazardous liquid substances on OSVs published by USCG
The US Coast Guard Office of Design and Engineering Standards has released the Policy Letter “Implementation of IMO Resolution A.673(16), Guidelines for the Transport and Handling of Limited Amounts of Hazardous and Noxious Liquid Substances in Bulk on Offshore Support Vessels, For New and Existing U.S. Offshore Supply Vessels.”
IMO resolutions MEPC.318(74) and MSC.460(101) adopted amendments to the IBC Code updating carriage requirements for a significant number of products. These amendments became effective on January 1, 2021 and affected several cargoes. On 16 May, 2022, 03-12 CH-1 was published, which includes a second enclosure with changes in carriage requirements for affected cargoes. Continue reading “Guidelines for transport of hazardous liquid substances on OSVs published by USCG”
Quantum for claims due to fires onboard ships surpass US$ 4 million
Between 2016 and 2022, the quantum for claims notified to the Shipowners’ Club caused by fires on board vessels was over US$ 4 million. Fire poses a threat to all vessel types, regardless of their size or operation and has the potential to result in severe injuries or the unfortunate loss of life and significant damage to or loss of a vessel.
The Shipowners’ Club, on analysing these incidents, observed that most took place in the engine room or when performing hot work operations and were attributed to a lack of effective procedures and poor housekeeping. The increased use and carriage of lithium batteries on board vessels also presents new challenges Continue reading “Quantum for claims due to fires onboard ships surpass US$ 4 million”
EMSA gives first factual analysis of maritime safety landscape in the EU
The European maritime safety framework has evolved to become one of the most robust in the world. That’s according to the European Maritime Safety Report (EMSAFE), the first ever comprehensive overview of maritime safety in the European Union.
One of the key pillars of the EU safety framework is port state control, which results in over 14,000 vessel checks each year by inspectors in EU ports, complemented by legislative initiatives like the specific EU survey Continue reading “EMSA gives first factual analysis of maritime safety landscape in the EU”
Paris MoU 2021 performance lists adopted
At its 55th meeting, the Paris MoU Committee approved the 2021 inspection results and adopted new performance lists for flag States and Recognized Organizations (ROs). The White, Grey and Black List will take effect from the 1st of July 2022. The “White, Grey and Black List” presents the full spectrum, from quality flags to flags with a poor performance that are considered high, or very high risk. It is basedon the total number of inspections and detentions during a 3-year rolling period for flags with at least 30 inspections in the period. Continue reading “Paris MoU 2021 performance lists adopted”
CHIRPS 2021 annual digest of reports
CHIRP Maritime has published its seventh annual Digest of CHIRP Maritime reports, covering all the cases it published during 2021 as well as several in-depth articles specially commissioned to highlight important safety topics. Continue reading “CHIRPS 2021 annual digest of reports”
New guide launched to help improve welfare standards on fishing vessels
Two maritime charities have joined forces to help improve welfare standards on fishing vessels with the launch of a new guide entitled ‘Work in Fishing Convention (C188): Everything you need to know but were frightened to ask’, following some reports of labour exploitation that have plunged the sector into disrepute.
The Merchant Navy Welfare Board (MNWB) and The Fishermen’s Mission have joined forces to produce this informative guide that provides key elements of the UK legislation on the International Convention on Work in Fishing (C188).
The report comes in the wake of reports that show migrant fishers suffering physical violence, working 20-hour shifts for less than £3.50 an hour and being recruited into the UK fishing industry on transit visas.
This new guide aims to inform and assist all those with an interest in commercial fishing, from vessel owners and skippers, to crew from all nations, and those in the maritime charitable sector, to understand the legal welfare standards applicable to those working on fishing vessels. Continue reading “New guide launched to help improve welfare standards on fishing vessels”
Marine Safety Forum alert about corrosion in a fixed CO2 firefighting system
The Marine Safety Forum has issued a safety alert to highlight an observation involving the CO2 firefighting system onboard a member’s vessel. The vessel concerned found that during a routine monthly inspection of the fixed CO2 system, significant corrosion was noted. This resulted in it not being possible to insert the safety pin to isolate the cylinder during any maintenance. Photo A shows the safety lever and pin, unable to be positioned correctly in line with the pinhole.
In Photo B after corrective maintenance and repair, it can clearly be seen that the activator arm, Continue reading “Marine Safety Forum alert about corrosion in a fixed CO2 firefighting system”
US Coast Guard publishes its 2021 Flag State Control Domestic Annual Report
The US Coast Guard (USCG) has published its 2021 Flag State Control Domestic Annual Report. This report highlights U.S. domestic fleet deficiencies, inspection, and marine casualty statistics.
In 2021, the U.S. Flag fleet contained 18,967 vessels subject to inspection, with Coast Guard Marine Inspectors (MI) conducting 19,474 inspections.
The overall U.S. Flag fleet inspection total increased this year by 6%. Additionally, the number of deficiencies issued also increased by more than 15% from the 2020 calendar year report. Continue reading “US Coast Guard publishes its 2021 Flag State Control Domestic Annual Report”
Sea Cargo Charter annual disclosure report 2022 published
The Sea Cargo Charter is a global framework for measuring and reporting how ship charterers’ activities align with society’s goals. This report marks the first time Signatories disclose the climate alignment of their activities, and the first disclosure of climate alignment using the Energy Efficiency Operational Indicator (EEOI) as a metric.
Signatories to the Sea Cargo Charter recognize that their role in the industry affords them opportunities to promote responsible environmental stewardship and drive change throughout the maritime Continue reading “Sea Cargo Charter annual disclosure report 2022 published”
DNV’s published a forecast and insight about the development and role of hydrogen in the energy transition
In his introduction to this report, Remi Eriksen, Group president and CEO of DNV, writes as follows:
Welcome to DNV’s first standalone forecast of hydrogen in the energy transition through to 2050. While there are ambitious statements about the prominent role that hydrogen could play in the energy transition, the amount of low-carbon and renewable hydrogen currently being produced is negligible.
That, of course, will change. But the key questions are, when and by how much? We find that hydrogen is likely to satisfy just 5% of global energy demand by 2050 — two thirds less than it should be in a net zero pathway. Clearly, much stronger policies are needed globally to push hydrogen to levels required to meet the Paris Agreement. Continue reading “DNV’s published a forecast and insight about the development and role of hydrogen in the energy transition”