Health & Safety

Parametric rolling responsible for Maersk Essen loss of containers says DMAIB report

Posted on by News Hound
Parametric rolling is the suspected cause of the loss of containers from Maersk Essen. Photo credit: DMAIB
Parametric rolling is the suspected cause of the loss of containers from Maersk Essen. Photo credit: DMAIB

The Danish Maritime Accident Investigation Board (DMAIB) has published its report on Maersk Essen, the ship that lost approximately 250 containers on 16 January 2021 while the ship was en route from China to Los Angeles. The number of lost containers was later adjusted to 750.

At approximately 0600, some of the crew were woken by the sound of cups and laptops sliding and falling off tables in their cabins as the ship took a few heavy, slow rolls. On the bridge, the chief officer saw from the inclinometer that the ship had rolled 15° to each side. The Continue reading “Parametric rolling responsible for Maersk Essen loss of containers says DMAIB report”

Interim investigation report resulted in loss of life reveals BSU report

Posted on by News Hound
Sling construction for evacuation via the access hatch (simulated on 19/10/2021). Photo credit: BSU
Sling construction for evacuation via the access hatch (simulated on 19/10/2021). Photo credit: BSU

The German Federal Bureau of Maritime Casualty Investigation published its interim investigation report (BSU report) about an accident with subsequent loss of life on board the Containership SEOUL EXPRESS, on 27 March 2021. On 27 March 2021, the container ship SEOUL EXPRESS was about 52 nm off the Mexican coast en route from Manzanillo, Mexico, to Long Beach, USA. The vessel was operating on a liner service between various ports in the Mediterranean, Central America and the west coast of North America. Continue reading “Interim investigation report resulted in loss of life reveals BSU report”

Annual 406Day campaign celebrating 10 years of raising awareness about life-saving beacons

Posted on by News Hound
Annual 406Day campaign notches up 10 years of raising awareness about life-saving beacons
Annual 406Day campaign notches up 10 years of raising awareness about life-saving beacons. Image: ACR Electronics

The annual 406Day campaign, a safety awareness day marked on 6 April, is celebrating a decade of bringing attention to the vital role of 406 MHz beacons.

The 10th 406Day campaign highlights how boaters and adventurers can benefit from the life-saving technology available in these emergency location devices and highlights the importance of EPIRBs (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons), PLBs (Personal Locator Beacons) and ELTs (Emergency Locator Transmitters). Continue reading “Annual 406Day campaign celebrating 10 years of raising awareness about life-saving beacons”

US House of Representatives passes new safety regulations for DUKW boats

Posted on by News Hound
DUKW boats subject to new regulations. Photo (USCG)
DUKW boats subject to new regulations. Photo (USCG)

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed legislation requiring new safety measures for DUKW boats, the amphibious landing craft commonly repurposed for tourist trips.

DUKW boats, also known as duck boats, were designed and built in WWII for military use. A number were later converted for commercial service, carrying tourists on brief land and water itineraries. DUKW boats have been implicated in several fatal accidents, including two tragic sinkings. Continue reading “US House of Representatives passes new safety regulations for DUKW boats”

USCG safety alert issues about dangerous gas build-up in fish holds

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

Following an incident, the US Coast Guard (USCG) had released a Safety Alert which addresses the importance of verifying atmospheric conditions in fish holds on commercial fishing vessels, that can lead to a dangerous build-up of gases.

Four crew members onboard a commercial fishing vessel noticed an unusual odor coming from the fish hold while conducting shrimping operations. While under the assumption that the odor was due to a leaking refrigerant line, the crew hauled in their nets and began transiting back to port to have their system inspected by a service technician. Continue reading “USCG safety alert issues about dangerous gas build-up in fish holds”

MAIB Safety Digest April 2022 published

Posted on by News Hound
MAIB Safety Digest April 2022 has been published
MAIB Safety Digest April 2022 has been published

The MAIB Safety Digest April 2022 features 25 case studies and draws the attention of the marine community to some of the lessons arising from investigations into recent accidents and incidents. It contains information that has been determined up to the time of issue.

This information is published to inform the merchant and fishing industries, the recreational craft community and the public of the general circumstances of marine accidents and to draw out the lessons to be learned. The sole purpose of the MAIB Continue reading “MAIB Safety Digest April 2022 published”

Findings of consultation for marine guidance on electric vehicles onboard passenger RO-RO ferries released by MCA

Posted on by News Hound
Guidance on electric vehicles onboard passenger RO-RO ferries released by MCA
Marine guidance on electric vehicles onboard passenger RO-RO ferries released by MCA

The UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) carried out a public consultation on its proposed draft Marine Guidance into electric vehicles (EVs) onboard passenger Ro-Ro ferries, which ran from 25 October to 20 December 2021.

The proposal contained guidance on what is seen as a minimum standard required for the provision of charging systems Continue reading “Findings of consultation for marine guidance on electric vehicles onboard passenger RO-RO ferries released by MCA”

Starter issue aboard tanker led to $7M in property damage

Posted on by News Hound
Start issue led to the contact between an oil tanker and a loading dock
Start issue led to the contact between an oil tanker and a loading dock

The National Transportation Safety Board published a report of an incident during which an incorrect solution to address a main engine start issue led to the contact between an oil tanker and a loading dock in the Port of Corpus Christi. Damage to the vessel was estimated at $550,000, while the estimated property damage to the facility was $7M.

On March 15, 2021, at 10:18, two pilots from Aransas-Corpus Christi Pilots boarded the Riverside to assist with maneuvering the vessel out of the port. Continue reading “Starter issue aboard tanker led to $7M in property damage”

CHIRP Maritime Feedback edition 66 published

Posted on by News Hound
Edition 66 of the CHIRP Maritime Feedback is available
Edition 66 of the CHIRP Maritime Feedback is available

CHIRP Maritime Feedback, an independent and confidential reporting system for the maritime industry, has published its latest ‘Feedback Maritime’ publication (February 2022) to provide lessons learned and raising awareness of safety issues. Among others in this edition, CHIRP Maritime Feedback highlights an accommodation ladder failure whilst the ladder was being recovered after a pilot had boarded and discusses important issues related to maintenance, design and human factors.

In addition, this issue of CHIRP Maritime Feedback demonstrates poor safety standards upon a floating armoury vessel – many issues, both regulatory and good practice are focused upon. There are also reports concerning a near-fatal fall from a quayside, unsafe lifting Continue reading “CHIRP Maritime Feedback edition 66 published”

Boat Safety Scheme launches public consultation into improved examination checking procedures

Posted on by News Hound

A public consultation by the Boat Safety Scheme (BSS) on proposals to a clarified and improved set of BSS examination checking procedures has opened. The consultation will run until 31 May 2022.

The revisions to the procedures Continue reading “Boat Safety Scheme launches public consultation into improved examination checking procedures”

RNLI Fowey finds over 50% of flotation devices faulty or condemned at a recent lifejacket clinic

Posted on by News Hound
A recent lifejacket clinic found 50% of the devices defective. Photo: RNLI
A recent lifejacket clinic found 50% of the devices defective. Photo: RNLI

This story, alarmingly, is not the first of its kind to reach IIMS. A similar lifejacket clinic at Eastbourne a couple of years ago also revealed a high level of defective flotation devices, some with serious flaws. But is seems the public is not listening and learning.

A recent lifejacket clinic organised by Fowey RNLI found an astonishing 50% were faulty or condemned. The lifejacket clinic invited a team from Ocean Safety Ltd in Plymouth to carry out vital safety checks on a total of 169 lifejackets.

Over 50 per cent needed a critical safety part replacing, Fowey RNLI says, meaning if they had been used in an emergency they may not Continue reading “RNLI Fowey finds over 50% of flotation devices faulty or condemned at a recent lifejacket clinic”

Error in maintenance led to diesel engine failure reveals NTSB report

Posted on by News Hound
Left: EMD 710 cylinder arrangement showing the affected area in red. Center: EMD 710 connecting rod arrangement. (Photo credit: Dynamark Engineering)
Left: EMD 710 cylinder arrangement showing the affected area in red. Center: EMD 710 connecting rod arrangement. (Photo credit: Dynamark Engineering)

An improperly tightened fastener led to a diesel engine failure on a Washington State Ferries passenger and car ferry near Bainbridge Island, Washington are the findings of a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) report.

Marine Investigation Report 22/06 details the NTSB’s investigation into the April 22, 2021, catastrophic failure of the no. 3 main engine aboard the Wenatchee during a sea trial in Puget Sound. The failure led to the ejection of components from the engine and resulted in a fire in the no. 2 engine room. No injuries or pollution were reported, while damages were estimated at nearly $3.8 million. Continue reading “Error in maintenance led to diesel engine failure reveals NTSB report”

Instagram Posts from the IIMS @iimsmarine