News

Singapore cracks down after marine surveyor is infected with COVID-19

Posted on by News Hound

Singapore’s Ministry of Health is tightening its COVID-19 control measures for its maritime workforce after a marine surveyor working for a leading class society and a harbor pilot tested positive for the disease.

The surveyor, who works for a prominent class society and was employed inspecting vessels at the Sembcorp Marine Admiralty Yard, tested positive on December 30. Two of his family members also tested positive on New Years’ Eve. The harbor pilot, a 55-year-old Singaporean national, tested positive on December 31, along with two of his relatives. Continue reading “Singapore cracks down after marine surveyor is infected with COVID-19”

Guidance on RMI flagged yacht recreational fire appliances issued

Posted on by News Hound
Guidance on recreational fire appliances for yachts issued by RMI flag state
Guidance on recreational fire appliances for yachts issued by RMI flag state

The Republic of Marshall Islands has published its requirements for the design, installation and operation of Recreational Fire Appliances onboard RMI-flagged yachts.

The definition of Recreational Fire Appliances covers fireplaces which use wood, ethanol or LPG as a primary fuel source, or for ignition purposes. They include charcoal galley ovens, LPG or charcoal fire barbeques, spit roasts and fire pits.

Operational guidance

1. When Recreational Fire Appliances are installed or used onboard, a risk assessment must be conducted for each appliance type. This risk assessment must form part of the yacht’s Safety Management System (SMS).

Continue reading “Guidance on RMI flagged yacht recreational fire appliances issued”

Limiting liquefaction

Posted on by News Hound
Limiting liquefaction - Photo credit: London P&I Club
Limiting liquefaction – Photo credit: London P&I Club

Although the IMO provides the official regulations and guidance notes on cargo liquefaction, P&I Clubs such as The London P&I Club offer complementary advice to ship’s masters to raise awareness of the issue and to suggest practical steps to reduce the danger.

IMO has identified 75 bulk cargoes that have the potential to liquefy under certain conditions – these are known as Group A cargoes. If the Moisture Content (MC) of a Group A cargo exceeds the Transportable Moisture Limit (TML) then vibration and the motion of the vessel might cause that cargo to behave as a liquid rather than a solid when it is being transported in the hold. When in liquified form, and in a heavy sea, the cargo can easily flow from one side of the hold to the other. This affects the vessel’s stability and can lead to a vessel capsizing. Therefore it is vital that the crew are fully aware of this issue and are able to spot warning signs as early as possible.

Continue reading “Limiting liquefaction”

IACS adopts new governance model

Posted on by News Hound

The IACS Council has agreed at its 82nd Council Meeting (C82) to adopt a range of far reaching measures to prepare it to meet the long-term challenges faced by many associations in a time of rapid technological development, constant regulatory evolution and changing market dynamics. These measures include the move to an elected Council Chair in post for two years, an elected General Policy Group (GPG) Chair to join the IACS Secretariat in London, a move to simple-majority voting for the majority of decisions and an enhanced Chair’s Office to facilitate faster decision making.

A fast-moving maritime landscape requires the constant development of responses and solutions which, to be effective, entails a consistency of effort often over several Continue reading “IACS adopts new governance model”

MAIB initial assessment after the explosion onboard the potting fishing vessel Galwad-Y-Mor

Posted on by News Hound
Detail of shell plating damage to Galwad-Y-Mor showing coating loss and indentation between internal frames
Detail of shell plating damage to Galwad-Y-Mor showing coating loss and indentation between internal frames

A preliminary assessment of the explosion resulting in damage and abandonment of the potting fishing vessel Galwad-Y-Mor (BRD116) 22 nautical miles north of Cromer, Norfolk on 15 December 2020 has been released by the MAIB.

On 15 December 2020, Galwad-Y-Mor was operating in potting fishing grounds east of the Wash. At about 1120, the crew was in the process of hauling in a string of crab pots; the skipper was in the wheelhouse with other crew members below decks working the pots. The hauler was being used to heave in the back rope, and the crew had let Continue reading “MAIB initial assessment after the explosion onboard the potting fishing vessel Galwad-Y-Mor”

Report into fatal accident on board Sunbeam published by MAIB

Posted on by Rosie Burton
Report into fatal accident on board Sunbeam published by MAIB
Report into fatal accident on board Sunbeam published by MAIB

MAIB has released a report on the fatal accident on board the trawler Sunbeam. On 14 August 2018, a second engineer on board was asphyxiated and died in one of the vessel’s refrigerated saltwater tanks. The report found that entering Sunbeam‘s tanks without safety precautions had become ‘normalised’ by the crew and had been done ‘without consequence’ over a period of many years.

Sunbeam was in Fraserburgh getting ready for a refit and the refrigerated saltwater tanks had been emptied of water in preparation for cleaning. Entry into the tanks, which were enclosed spaces, was routine business for the crew, both when operating the tanks at sea and during maintenance in harbour.

The second engineer was found collapsed inside a refrigerated saltwater tank. The available evidence, says MAIB, strongly indicates that he’d entered the tank to sweep away residual water. When he was found, three of his crew mates went into the Continue reading “Report into fatal accident on board Sunbeam published by MAIB”

River Canal Rescue calls for ‘sticky fuel’ samples

Posted on by News Hound
River Canal Rescue calls for ‘sticky fuel’ samples
River Canal Rescue calls for ‘sticky fuel’ samples

After a spate of incidents in which River Canal Rescue (RCR) has seen up to 100 cases of ‘sticky fuel’ this year, MD Stephanie Horton is asking for similar fuel samples to be sent to her. RCR says it is the UK’s largest national 24/7, 365 days-a-year breakdown/emergency assistance service provider for inland waterway boaters. As such, with around 4,000 call outs each year, it says it can usually gauge when an issue is arising. Now with regions affected from York to London and Bristol to Lancaster, Horton says it’s time to act and work out what the cause of the sticky fuel is. She’s calling for samples – and locations – so she can try to identify common factors like treatments being used.

The situation came to light when River Canal Rescue had two identical jobs. Fuel injectors were diagnosed as needing an overhaul, yet their replacements stopped working within a week. The injection pumps were found to have failed even though the diesel was clear and bright. Continue reading “River Canal Rescue calls for ‘sticky fuel’ samples”

UK P&I Club releases video on cyber security ahead of new regulations in January 2021

Posted on by News Hound

The UK P&I Club has released a video on cyber security, featuring Russell Kempley, chief security officer at CyberOwl, ahead of new IMO regulations in January 2021.

The new IMO resolution requires shipping companies to incorporate cyber security into their safety management systems. Captain Anuj Velankar, senior loss prevention advisor talks with Russell Kempley, an expert in the field of cyber security, about the implications of the upcoming changes for shipowners and wider marine industry.

The video examines the driving forces behind the changes within marine cyber security and discusses the various Continue reading “UK P&I Club releases video on cyber security ahead of new regulations in January 2021”

Cargo fumigation incident leads to one fatality

Posted on by News Hound
Cargo fumigation incident leads to one fatality
Cargo fumigation incident leads to one fatality

Cargo fumigation remains a challenging operation onboard. An investigation by the Bahamas Maritime Authority found that the crew had been exposed to the fumigant gas – which had been used to treat a cargo of corn – after positive pressure in the accommodation was lost when the ventilation system was stopped by a large wave flooding the galley and store through the ventilation trunking.

Due to the fumigant gas leak, one seafarer died and three others had to be evacuated from their ship after exposure to hydrogen phosphide gas, it has prompted calls for a radical overhaul of the rules governing fumigated cargoes.

In addition to the checks after the accident it was found that the door between the hydraulic room and cargo hold was mounted incorrectly Continue reading “Cargo fumigation incident leads to one fatality”

MAIB report published about capsize and full inversion of self-righting keelboat RS Venture Connect

Posted on by Rosie Burton
Report on capsize and full inversion of RS Venture Connect
Report on capsize and full inversion of RS Venture Connect

MAIB has published a report about the capsize and full inversion of self-righting keelboat RS Venture Connect. On 12 June 2019, Blackwell Sailing’s self-righting RS Venture Connect keelboat sail number 307 (RSVC 307) suffered a capsize and full inversion while sailing on Windermere, England. The boat was crewed by an experienced disabled sailor at the helm and a local sailing instructor who was acting as crewman.

Having been knocked down by gusty winds, RSVC 307 initially lay on its starboard side with its two crew still in their seats. The boat’s liftable keel then slid back into the hull, following which the boat inverted completely, trapping the disabled helmsman under the hull. The crewman was able to swim clear, but with the keel retracted he was unable to right RSVC 307 unaided.

The boat was righted by the Windermere Lake Wardens working with the crew of the sailing centre’s safety boat, and the helmsman was Continue reading “MAIB report published about capsize and full inversion of self-righting keelboat RS Venture Connect”

Cargo losses claim from ONE Apus incident may reach USD200 million

Posted on by News Hound
Photo credit: W K Webster
Photo credit: W K Webster

With a total of 1,816 containers lost overboard recently and what looks to be thousands more collapsed throughout the deck of ONE Apus, cargo losses, on the basis of average containerized cargo values, may reach USD200 million or more, according to shipping claims consultancy WK Webster, which is involved in the case.

The ship lost the containers overboard during severe inclement weather on 30 November in the Pacific Ocean, approximately 1,600 nautical miles northwest of Hawaii. WK Webster has conducted a drone survey as the vessel approached Kobe Port. This shows the extent of the damage and has been used by Websters as vital evidence in Continue reading “Cargo losses claim from ONE Apus incident may reach USD200 million”

IIMS releases two free compilations from Matrix Insurance Services for free download

Posted on by News Hound

Over the years, Karen Brain, Managing Director of Matrix Insurance Services Ltd, has spoken at various IIMS events, conferences and small craft seminars, both in person and online. Her input has been invaluable, her depth of knowledge is significant and is always much appreciated by surveyors.

Karen has also written extensively for the Report Magazine in recent years on the subject of both insurance for marine surveyors and aspects of law and contracts.

For the first time, IIMS has produced two compilations, each presented as 28 page pdfs that brings the contents together in two easy to read documents.

Continue reading “IIMS releases two free compilations from Matrix Insurance Services for free download”

Instagram Posts from the IIMS @iimsmarine