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Sharp increase in the number of complaints to the UK Waterways Ombudsman

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The UK Waterways Ombudsman has reported a sharp increase in complaints
The UK Waterways Ombudsman has reported a sharp increase in complaints

The UK Waterways Ombudsman and the Waterways Ombudsman Committee have seen a substantial rise in the number of complaints over the last 12 months. The UK Waterways Ombudsman scheme deals with complaints about the Canal & River Trust and the Avon Navigation Trust once its own complaints processes have been exhausted.

During the year 2020/21, the UK Waterways Ombudsman received 77 enquiries, up from 41 the previous year. Ten new investigations were opened and the number of complaints resolved was eight. As before there was a very diverse range of complaints, and again the majority were about boating issues with a lack of communication being a common cause of conflict. Continue reading “Sharp increase in the number of complaints to the UK Waterways Ombudsman”

Fatality of crew member after head trapped in hatch cover panel report published

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Fatality of crew member after head trapped in hatch cover panel report published
Fatality of crew member after head trapped in hatch cover panel report published

The Japan Transport Safety Board (JTSB) has published its report into the death of a boatswain while the cargo vessel FIRST AI was mooring off Kyoto in September 2019 when his head was trapped in a hatch cover panel while performing hatch cover closing duty.

A master, Officer A, a chief engineer, a boatswain, and six other crew members boarded the Vessel. While the ship was mooring at Maizuru Port in Kyoto, at around 10:45 on September 9, 2019, Officer A and the boatswain began closing the hatch covers in preparation for departure after finishing the unloading tasks.

While visually checking the condition of the hatch cover on the port upper deck during the closing of the hatch cover, Officer A noticed that the rubber packing 2 for sealing the hatch cover near the Arm that had been temporarily repaired during the previous navigation had flaked. Hence, he instructed the boatswain, who was operating the closure at the hatch cover handling stand on the starboard side of the Continue reading “Fatality of crew member after head trapped in hatch cover panel report published”

UK Maritime Safety Week 2021 is underway

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This year’s Maritime Safety Week 2021 from 5 to 9 July
This year’s Maritime Safety Week 2021 from 5 to 9 July

This year’s Maritime Safety Week 2021 from 5 to 9 July is an opportunity for all key organisations – including HM Coastguard, charities and port authorities – to share best safety practices and knowledge, and challenge each other to enhance their already rigorous standards.

With lockdown restrictions easing and more people than ever holidaying in the UK this year, keeping the public safe on our coast, lakes and waterways is paramount.

To mark the beginning of the fourth annual Maritime Safety Week, Maritime Minister Robert Courts visited the Port of London Authority (PLA) to see first-hand its maritime pilot training space and meet some of the pilots trained to board commercial vessels to ensure safe passage. The PLA manages 95 miles of the Thames and is the UK’s busiest waterway. Continue reading “UK Maritime Safety Week 2021 is underway”

Should regulations be introduced for masts and rigging in the leisure sector?

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Should regulations be introduced for masts and rigging in the leisure sector?
Should regulations be introduced for masts and rigging in the leisure sector?

That’s the opinion of marine consultant David Barrow who carries out surveys for MS Amlin and was director of Sparcraft for 20 years. “I’ve seen many bent and broken masts over the years. There’s no real regulation of masts and rigging in the leisure sector,” he said. “There’s no specific rule to change a boat’s rigging after ten years.”

And he pointed out that while superyachts are regulated under MCA regs and boats that have done a circumnavigation usually have a survey carried out, when it comes to other boats, owners often don’t see the need. If a boat had suffered a knock, this could affect the masts and rigging without the owner knowing. If a boat was inspected very few years, there would be more chances to look at the mast. “It’s not the insurers’ job to regulate the rigging business; the insurer’s job is to behave according to the results of their surveys,” David says. Continue reading “Should regulations be introduced for masts and rigging in the leisure sector?”

Inspection guidance for small passenger vessels issued by USCG

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Inspection guidance for small passenger vessels issued by USCG
Inspection guidance for small passenger vessels issued by USCG

The US Coast Guard (USCG) has issued inspection guidance for Officers in Charge, Marine Inspection (OCMI), Chiefs of Inspection Division (CID), and Marine Inspectors for the small passenger vessels (SPV) risk-based inspection program.

USCG continues to conduct statutory inspections on the SPV fleet in accordance with 46 U.S. Code § 3301; however, data analytics provide a new tool and modernized approach to the marine inspection program to prioritize marine inspection resources. Using various computational methods, machine learning-enabled software, and a database of deficiency and casualty information, the Coast Guard developed a model to categorize SPVs based on potential risk for an undesirable outcome.

The CVC-WI-028 “Small Passenger Vessel Risk Based Inspection Program” issued by the USCG Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance (CVC) on 14 June says:

Continue reading “Inspection guidance for small passenger vessels issued by USCG”

Industry consortium publishes Handbook for Hydrogen fuelled Vessels

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Industry consortium publishes Handbook for Hydrogen fuelled Vessels
Industry consortium publishes Handbook for Hydrogen fuelled Vessels

A consortium of 26 leading companies and associations, led by DNV, has launched the “Handbook for Hydrogen-fuelled Vessels” to address the uncertainties surrounding hydrogen as ship fuel. The MarHySafe joint development project (JDP) aims to create a knowledge base for safe hydrogen operations in shipping.

Green hydrogen could play a crucial role in the maritime industry’s journey towards decarbonization. Many in shipping recognize hydrogen’s potential as a fuel, but the barriers to realizing this potential are substantial. Led by DNV, a consortium of 26 partners and observers have come together in the MarHySafe JDP to examine these challenges. The Handbook for Hydrogen-fuelled Vessels offers a roadmap towards safe hydrogen operations using proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC). It details how to navigate the complex Continue reading “Industry consortium publishes Handbook for Hydrogen fuelled Vessels”

U.S. Coast Guard releases 2020 Boating Safety Statistics Report revealing a surge in fatalities during the pandemic

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The U.S. Coast Guard released its 2020 Recreational Boating Safety Statistics Report Wednesday, revealing that there were 767 boating fatalities nationwide in 2020, a 25.1 percent increase from 2019.

From 2019 to 2020, the total number of accidents increased 26.3 percent (4,168 to 5,265), and the number of non-fatal injured victims increased 24.7 percent (2,559 to 3,191). There is evidence that boating activity increased significantly during the pandemic, from reports of increased boat sales, insurance policies taken out, insurance claims, and calls for towing assistance. With the increased exposure (i.e., more boating hours), there was greater risk of deaths, injuries, and accidents. The Coast Guard is analyzing variables associated with boating activity to normalize this accident data. Continue reading “U.S. Coast Guard releases 2020 Boating Safety Statistics Report revealing a surge in fatalities during the pandemic”

Charges of culpable homicide to be brought against owner of tug lost in Tauktae Cyclone

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Divers at the scene of the sunken tug. Photo credit: Indian Ministry of Defence
Divers at the scene of the sunken tug. Photo credit: Indian Ministry of Defence

Indian authorities have confirmed that charges of culpable homicide are being brought against the owner of the ocean-going tugboat that sank during a powerful storm off the coast of India last month. The barge P305 and the tugboat Varaprada were two of the vessels that found themselves caught on May 17 as Cyclone Tauktae passed offshore near Mumbai.

Both vessels were working for the state-run oil company operating in the offshore oilfields near Mumbai. The barge sank with 261 people aboard with 186 survivors. It captured international attention during the search and rescue operation staged by the Indian Navy. The storm had intensified with the winds reaching 110-mph. Media reports said that the crews had initially believed the Tauktae Cyclone would be far weaker and that they would be able to handle winds expected to be in the range of 25-mph. Continue reading “Charges of culpable homicide to be brought against owner of tug lost in Tauktae Cyclone”

Investigation makes seven safety recommendations after Scandies Rose sinking

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Scandies Rose photographed August 15, 2019 at Ocean Beauty, Kodiak. (Photo by Bret Newbaker)
Scandies Rose photographed August 15, 2019 at Ocean Beauty, Kodiak. (Photo by Bret Newbaker)

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has issued seven safety recommendations after the fatal sinking of the fishing vessel Scandies Rose in December 2019. The Scandies Rose was en route from Kodiak, Alaska, to fishing grounds in the Bering Sea when it capsized and sank 2.5 miles south of Sutwik Island, Alaska. The Scandies Rose had seven crew members aboard, two were rescued by the US Coast Guard and five others were never found.

Findings
The added weight from ice accumulating asymmetrically on the vessel and the stacked crab pots on deck, raised the Scandies Rose’s center of gravity, reducing its stability and contributing to the capsizing. Continue reading “Investigation makes seven safety recommendations after Scandies Rose sinking”

First new shipyard for more than a century planned for London

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As part of the revival of water transportation, plans are underway to launch the first new shipyard in possibly a century or more on the River Thames in London. The Port of London Authority (PLA) is seeking written expressions of interest from shipyard operators with proven maritime repair, maintenance, and build capability to develop and operate a new facility on approximately 3.3 acres located at Albert Island Royal Docks London

According to the PLA, use of the Thames has been growing rapidly in recent years, with increasing passenger services, barge movements, and deep-sea trade. The planned shipyard forms part of Albert Island, London & Regional’s 25-acre, multimillion-pound industrial regeneration scheme in the Royal Docks. The whole area is undergoing significant transformation as London’s only Enterprise Zone and presents a unique opportunity for a skilled maritime operator to develop dedicated facilities and highly skilled jobs for local people, serving the UK’s busiest inland waterway. Continue reading “First new shipyard for more than a century planned for London”

Warning to inspect FRC lifeboat and workboat lifting frames

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Warning to inspect FRC lifeboat and workboat lifting frames
Warning to inspect FRC lifeboat and workboat lifting frames

IMCA has received information surrounding an incident in which a lifting frame became detached from a fast rescue craft (FRC) during operations.

The incident occurred when the FRC was attempting to come alongside a vessel in good weather with choppy seas. During recovery, the complete lifting frame detached from the boat. No one ended up in the water, but one member of the crew was pulled up with the lifting frame and fell down into the boat. The crew member sustained only minor injuries. An investigation and checkup of similar boats revealed cracks around the lifting frames.

Continue reading “Warning to inspect FRC lifeboat and workboat lifting frames”

500 miles of UK inland waterways uncovered

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New research from the Inland Waterways Association (IWA) has revealed a total of 7,000 miles of waterways in Great Britain; 5,000 of the miles identified are navigable today, with the other 2,000 miles either derelict or under restoration.

An additional 500 miles have been uncovered which come, in the main, from including more significant branches of the Grand Union Canal in the London area and further research in Scotland. IWA’s Waterways Directory is a waterways resource that details all the inland waterways ever brought into navigation and has been updated with detailed research by IWA experts and local volunteers. The research informs the charity’s local campaigning and sprung out of the need to know who was responsible for what waterway. The directory lists Continue reading “500 miles of UK inland waterways uncovered”

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