On November 27, 2024, approximately 100 nautical miles off the coast of Virginia, a bulk carrier shipping a type of coal called “Bailey High Vol Coking Coal” experienced consecutive explosions in the two forward cargo holds. While still under investigation, the explosions are likely a result of the accumulation of methane gas that created an explosive atmosphere and resulted in significant damage to the two associated cargo holds. It was soon discovered that the other five cargo holds also had highly elevated levels of methane that were Continue reading “USCG Safety Alert: Understanding the explosion hazards of shipping coal”
Health & Safety
Norway reports increase in commercial vessel incidents
The Norwegian Maritime Authority has reported an increase in the number of commercial vessel incidents in the past year. A total of 1,154 incidents were registered on commercial vessels in 2024. Half of these were accidents and the other half were near misses. This represents an increase of about six percent in incidents compared to 2023, according to Vegar Berntsen, Section Manager, Risk Management and Analysis, Norwegian Maritime Directorate. According to Berntsen, smaller vessels are primarily the ones that sink, with the majority being fishing vessels.
Additionally, four cargo ships have also sunk. Continue reading “Norway reports increase in commercial vessel incidents”
Key considerations for safety inspections of ships
Safety inspections of ships are a crucial and mandatory part of maritime operations, ensuring compliance with international regulations and safeguarding crew, cargo, vessels and the environment. Understanding how the process of safety inspections of ships is undertaken and maintaining readiness is essential to avoid deficiencies and ensure smooth operations. A well-prepared master plays a vital role in ensuring successful safety inspections. Masters should conduct regular self-inspections to identify and rectify potential deficiencies, maintain an updated checklist covering all inspection areas, and train crew members on emergency procedures and regulatory Continue reading “Key considerations for safety inspections of ships”
The importance of bulk cargo trimming
In one of its recent Risk Watch bulletins, Britannia P&I Club explained that proper trimming of bulk cargo is essential for ensuring ship stability, regulatory compliance, and efficient loading and discharging operations.
The IMSBC Code provides mandatory guidelines for trimming procedures. Section 5 of the code specifies that all bulk cargoes should be trimmed ‘reasonably level’ to reduce risks such as cargo shifting and instability. For non-cohesive cargoes, trimming standards are determined by the calculated angle of repose. Consideration should also be given to the charter party, as this may stipulate the required method of trimming, especially for cargoes that require specific handling.
Section 5.1.3 of the IMSBC Code states: “The master has the right to require that the cargo be trimmed level, where there is any concern regarding stability based upon the information available, taking into account the characteristics of the ship and the intended voyage.” Continue reading “The importance of bulk cargo trimming”
ATSB says ambiguous procedures led to vessel steering failure
CMA CGM is revising its steering guidance across the fleet after ambiguous procedures contributed to one of its ships colliding with a navigational beacon in the Yarra River, according to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB).
Departing the Port of Melbourne on 25 May 2023 under the conduct of a harbour pilot, containership CMA CGM Puccini contacted the navigational beacon after swinging wide in a turn when its rudder began responding erratically to helm orders. The ship was slowed and returned towards the middle of the channel, before being stabilised with tug assistance and then conducted to nearby Webb Dock. While the ship sustained minor hull paint damage, the beacon was significantly damaged. Continue reading “ATSB says ambiguous procedures led to vessel steering failure”
MAIB safety bulletin into safety issues on Red Sea liveaboard dive boats
The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch is aware that 16 Red Sea liveaboard dive boats have been lost over the last 5 years. Seven of these losses happened in the last 21 months, and three of these resulted in numerous fatalities including UK nationals.
In line with the principles of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Casualty Investigation Code, the UK has been registered as a substantially interested state in the Egyptian safety investigations into these accidents. Continue reading “MAIB safety bulletin into safety issues on Red Sea liveaboard dive boats”
Scrap metal fires and the IMSBC Code
Gard P&I Club has highlighted the issue of serious scrap metal fires and questions if the IMSBC Code is adequately addressing the risks. According to Gard, most of its cases and those reported in accident investigations appear to concern scrap metal declared by shippers as Group C, which under the IMSBC Code is cargo which is neither liable to liquefy (Group A) nor to possess chemical hazards (Group B).
Images and accounts of scrap metal fires associated with such non-hazardous declarations paint a more concerning risk picture. Accident investigation reports speak of rapidly developing fires with intense heat and heavy smoke threatening harm to the crew, shore fire fighters as well as local residents. Continue reading “Scrap metal fires and the IMSBC Code”
Transport Malta: crewmember death after steam valve failure onboard Chemical Hunter
On 28 January 2024, an able bodied seafarer (AB) on board Chemical Hunter was severely scalded by steam. The accident happened during cargo tank washing and steaming operations. Chemical Hunter had just left the port of Altamira, Mexico when the accident occurred. The vessel returned to port where the injured crew member was transferred to a hospital. Despite the first aid given on board, and the more specialised treatment in hospital, the injured crew member succumbed to his injuries about two weeks after the accident.
The safety investigation determined that the failure mechanism of the steam inlet valve to the cargo tank cleaning water heater was most Continue reading “Transport Malta: crewmember death after steam valve failure onboard Chemical Hunter”
Liberia Maritime Authority advice on ships using low-flashpoint fuels
The Liberia Maritime Authority has published guidance on compliance with the requirements for ships using low-flashpoint fuel.
Marine notice SAF-017 Rev. 1/25 applies to ships using low-flashpoint fuels:
• for which the building contract is placed on or after 1 January 2017;
• in the absence of a building contract, the keels of which are laid or which are at a similar stage of construction on or after 1 July 2017; or
• the delivery of which is on or after 1 January 2021.
It also applies to a ship, irrespective of the date of construction, which converts to using low-flashpoint fuels on or after 1 January 2017, or to a ship using low-flashpoint fuels, which, on or after 1 January 2017, undertakes to use low-flashpoint fuels different from those which it was originally approved to use before 1 January 2017. Continue reading “Liberia Maritime Authority advice on ships using low-flashpoint fuels”
Special campaign in China on illegal enclosed space entry
P&I club Britannia has highlighted a Huatai Marine circular announcing the start of a special campaign against illegal enclosed space entry onboard ships.
The nine-month campaign, launched by the China Maritime Safety Administration (China MSA), began on 15 January and is intended to run until 14 October 2025. The campaign appears to target areas such as:
• The crew awareness of the dangers of enclosed spaces
• The identification and marking of enclosed spaces onboard
• The efficient and safe control of entry to enclosed spaces by permit Continue reading “Special campaign in China on illegal enclosed space entry”
IMCA publishes summary of safety incidents in 2024
The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has released a review of all the safety incidents and events reported last year.
The 24 Safety Flashes covered 88 individual incidents or events shared by IMCA members. A further 33 incidents or events from information already in the public domain, from different trade bodies and/or regulators, were shared as being of interest. It should be noted that Safety Flashes are intended to be read by IMCA’s members’ offshore crews, and by office-based safety professionals. Continue reading “IMCA publishes summary of safety incidents in 2024”
IACS releases new guidelines on safety standards for surveyors
The International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) has introduced new recommendations to enhance safety standards for surveyors.
The new guidelines, Rec. 184, recognise that surveyors continue to face significant occupational health and safety (OHS) risks at work.
There is growing recognition that some of the safety challenges that surveyors’ face would benefit from improved collaboration and sharing of experience to establish a more consistent approach.
Designed to creating safer working conditions for surveyors and all personnel engaged in maritime operations, these guidelines outline critical measures to mitigate risks and addresses key areas such as risk assessments and situational awareness, ensuring that they are equipped to handle the hazards they may encounter. Continue reading “IACS releases new guidelines on safety standards for surveyors”
