Importance of emergency beacons reminder after AMSA rescue three from sinking boat

emergency beacons reminder issued by AMSA
emergency beacons reminder issued by AMSA

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) have issued an emergency beacons reminder after they coordinated the rescue of three people after their recreational vessel sank near Block Reef, nearly 90km north-east of Airlie Beach.

​At 10.15pm (local time), 25 July 2024, AMSA detected the vessel’s emergency beacon, tasking the Cairns-based Challenger rescue aircraft and two rescue helicopters – CQ Rescue helicopter from Mackay and QG Air Rescue helicopter from Townsville – to the scene. Continue reading “Importance of emergency beacons reminder after AMSA rescue three from sinking boat”

MCA releases MGN 548 (M+F) Amendment 1 – Servicing Requirements for SOLAS Inflatable Life-Saving Appliances

MCA releases MGN 548 (M+F) Amendment 1
MCA releases MGN 548 (M+F) Amendment 1

The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has published an amended MGN 548 that details how SOLAS-certificated life-saving appliance servicing stations can gain the necessary approval from the UK Secretary of State to act as a UK Approved Service Station. It also provides some essential considerations for vessel owners.

Before submitting a SOLAS-certificated inflatable life-saving appliance (LSA) to a service station, owners, masters, or skippers of Continue reading “MCA releases MGN 548 (M+F) Amendment 1 – Servicing Requirements for SOLAS Inflatable Life-Saving Appliances”

UK MCA issues MIN 709 (M) with 2024 amendments to the ESP Code for bulk carriers and oil tankers

The MCA have published MIN 709 (M) with the 2024 Amendments to the ESP Code
The MCA have published MIN 709 (M) with the 2024 Amendments to the ESP Code

The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency has published MIN 709 (M) with the 2024 Amendments to the ESP Code. The document details significant updates to the Enhanced Survey Programme (ESP) Code for bulk carriers and oil tankers. These amendments, effective from 1 July 2024, were established through the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) resolution MSC.525(106) in November 2022.

The updates focus on improving safety and inspection standards to ensure the structural integrity Continue reading “UK MCA issues MIN 709 (M) with 2024 amendments to the ESP Code for bulk carriers and oil tankers”

AMSA fines hire and drive operator for illegal charter

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has fined a ‘hire and drive’ operator $3,756 for the illegal charter of a domestic commercial vessel (DCV) on Sydney Harbour.

The vessel was chartered out as a class 2 (non-passenger) vessel, with a skipper, when it only held certification as a class 4 (hire and drive) vessel.

The operator advertised the vessel ‘for hire’ through an online third-party agency, which exclusively advertises class 1 (passenger) and class 2 vessels. Continue reading “AMSA fines hire and drive operator for illegal charter”

Be aware of the risks of fumigated cargo

Be aware of the risks of fumigated cargo
Be aware of the risks of fumigated cargo

Hong Kong Merchant Shipping has issued an information note to draw lessons learned from a fatal accident which happened on board a Hong Kong registered general dry cargo ship during discharging a fumigated cargo of logs at Zhangzhou, China.

The incident
A Hong Kong registered general dry cargo ship berthed at the port of Zhangzhou, China to discharge the fumigated logs. In the morning of the day of the accident, a stevedore entered the spiral ladder space of the almost fully loaded No.1 cargo hold from the access entrance on the main deck to unhook the lifting slings of an excavator which was transported from No.2 cargo hold to the hold by the shore crane. Continue reading “Be aware of the risks of fumigated cargo”

Crane incidents

Crane incidents are the latest topic be addressed and assessed by Britannia Club
Crane incidents are the latest topic be addressed and assessed by Britannia Club

Crane incidents are the latest topic be addressed and assessed by Britannia Club in a special eight page guidance and advice document. The Club emphasizes the indispensable role of cranes in shipboard activities, facilitating efficient cargo handling and supporting diverse maritime functions.

Cranes play a vital role in shipboard operations, facilitating the efficient loading and unloading of cargo, and supporting various maritime activities. They are essential for lifting heavy loads, and their inspection, maintenance, and certification are crucial for ensuring the safety of personnel and the protection of valuable cargo. Continue reading “Crane incidents”

Leisure boaters move closer to using subsidised biofuel in battle to decarbonise waterways

Leisure boaters move closer to using subsidised biofuel
Leisure boaters move closer to using subsidised biofuel

A subsidised biofuel, which will help decarbonise the waterways, has been given the green light for more widespread use on leisure boats by the UK Government. DfT provided written clarification over the Renewable Transport Fuel Certificates (RTFC’s) subsidy after the HVO Joint Working Party – representing Inland Waterways Association (IWA), RYA and the Cruising Association – met with officials from the DfT in Westminster, London, UK.

Leisure boaters looking to reduce their carbon footprint while cruising will be able to take greater advantage of a government managed Continue reading “Leisure boaters move closer to using subsidised biofuel in battle to decarbonise waterways”

Battery Energy Storage Systems: Safety guidance published by EMSA

Battery Energy Storage Systems: Safety guidance published by EMSA
Battery Energy Storage Systems: Safety guidance published by EMSA

EMSA battery guidance is the subject of a new publication about the Safety of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) on-board ships. The guidance aims at supporting maritime administrations and the industry by promoting a uniform implementation of the essential safety requirements for battery systems on-board of ships.

According to the EMSA battery guidance, BESS installations on board ships have been increasing in number. There are more than 800 battery ships in operation across the world, 60% of which are known to be operating in Europe, using batteries onboard for propulsion either in pure electric or hybrid functions. Continue reading “Battery Energy Storage Systems: Safety guidance published by EMSA”

Maltese authorities issue commercial yacht manning advisory

A commercial yachting notice has been issued by the Maltese Merchant Shipping Directorate (MMSD) to remind all yacht owners about manning responsibilities.

Under Section 17 of the Malta Commercial Yacht Code (CYC), all yachts of 24m and above in length have to carry a valid Minimum Safe Manning Certificate, while yachts uner 24m must follow the minimum safe manning requirements as detailed in Section 17.

The Minimum Safe Manning Certificate (for yachts > 24m) and the Safe Manning Scales (for yachts < 24m) are applicable for all international and domestic voyages. As detailed in Section 17 of the CYC, the number of crew may be reduced when a yacht is not operational and is laid-up and/or wintering at berth. Continue reading “Maltese authorities issue commercial yacht manning advisory”

MGN 651 (M) Bilge alarms on cargo ships 24m or more in length and under 500GT

Applicable from 28 July 2023, this Marine Guidance Note explains the new legal requirement for cargo ships that are 24m or more in length and less than 500GT to be fitted with bilge water level detectors and alarms. This mandatory requirement has been introduced following several incidents in which ships have become flooded due to an undetected ingress of water occurring in bilge spaces and implements a recommendation of the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) following the flooding and sinking of a grab hopper dredger Abigail H. The fitting of bilge alarms in the prescribed manner is intended to improve the safety of affected ships, their crews and the marine environments in which they operate. Continue reading “MGN 651 (M) Bilge alarms on cargo ships 24m or more in length and under 500GT”

UN adopts the historic new BBNJ agreement

UN adopts the historic new BBNJ agreement
UN adopts the historic new BBNJ agreement

On 19 June, the United Nations (UN) adopted the new oceans treaty on sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ). The UN’s 193 Member States adopted a landmark legally binding marine biodiversity agreement following nearly two decades of fierce negotiations over forging a common wave of conservation and sustainability in the high seas beyond national boundaries covering two-thirds of the planet’s oceans. Continue reading “UN adopts the historic new BBNJ agreement”

Angry response voiced at Seawork over proposed new MCA Workboat Code 3

The proposed MCAs Workboat Code 3 has drawn angry responses
The proposed MCAs Workboat Code 3 has drawn angry responses

Anger erupted and spilled over at the MCAs handling of the Workboat Code 3 consultation process at the Seawork conference. Accusations were made that the MCA (Maritime & Coastguard Agency) is not communicating new coding regulations that could have disastrous consequences for small workboats.

There was standing room only at the UK’s Maritime & Coastguard Authority Workboat Code 3 update presentation at Seawork as the Workboat Association teetered close to expressing a vote of no confidence in the UK’s statutory body. Something of a showdown with Continue reading “Angry response voiced at Seawork over proposed new MCA Workboat Code 3”

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