Fire onboard stresses need for continuous monitoring of inactive vessels

Fire onboard stresses need for continuous monitoring of inactive vessels
Fire onboard stresses need for continuous monitoring of inactive vessels

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has published an investigation report on the fire onboard the dive support vessel Iron Maiden, whilst docked at a shipyard in Louisiana, in April 2020. The investigation identified an electrical short from an unidentified source as the main reasons for the incident.

On April 16, 2020, about 0110 local time, a fire onboard the dive support vessel Iron Maiden occurred while the vessel was docked at the Allied Shipyard in Larose, Louisiana. Local firefighters extinguished the fire at 0225. There was no one aboard the vessel at the time of the fire.

Continue reading “Fire onboard stresses need for continuous monitoring of inactive vessels”

Lubrication oil failure the most common cause of main engine damage

Lubrication oil failure the most common cause of main engine damage
Lubrication oil failure the most common cause of main engine damage

According to the Swedish Club reveals, lubrication oil failure is the most common cause of main engine damage and a major contributing factor to auxiliary engine breakdowns. The Club has released a new 12 page Engine Damage publication, featuring three case studies, which can be downloaded below.

Main engine damage is an expensive category of claims that occurs far too frequently. Statistically, a vessel will suffer between one and two incidences of main engine damage during its lifetime. The Swedish Club publication contains quick facts and case studies from real-life situations showcasing some of the most common causes of engine damage.

Quick facts Continue reading “Lubrication oil failure the most common cause of main engine damage”

Revised UK Hire Boat Code for the design, construction and operation published

Revised UK Hire Boat Code for the design, construction and operation published
Revised UK Hire Boat Code for the design, construction and operation published

British Marine and the Association of Inland Navigation Authorities (AINA) are pleased to announce the launch of a revised Hire Boat Code to ensure the continued safe operation of hire boats for all.

The Hire Boat Code outlines the standards for boats let for hire on UK inland waterways and carrying 12 people or less. Developed by British Marine and AINA, it provides the framework for continued safe business operations of hire boats on inland waterways, and clarifies the responsibilities of operators, navigation authorities and users. It also helps businesses by the consistent application of licensing and registration requirements through inland navigation authority waterways in the UK. Importantly, the Maritime & Coastguard Agency has been actively involved throughout the development of the Hire Boat Code and is supportive of its purpose and Continue reading “Revised UK Hire Boat Code for the design, construction and operation published”

DNV awards AIP for new LNG fuel tank insulation with leak detection system

DNV awards AIP for new LNG fuel tank insulation with leak detection system
DNV awards AIP for new LNG fuel tank insulation with leak detection system

DNV has granted an Approval In Principle (AIP) to PASSER Marine for the development of a new LNG fuel tank insulation system. The new concept is designed for prismatic ‘type B’ LNG tanks – which according to IMO rules require a partial secondary barrier – and includes a leakage detection system capable of safely managing and containing fuel leaks.

“The system we have developed is cost-effective and production-friendly,” said Svein Konradsen, COO of PASSER Marine AS. “The pandemic has been challenging for many companies and for the development of this particular design. The required testing has been Continue reading “DNV awards AIP for new LNG fuel tank insulation with leak detection system”

New gate rudder technology claims to make a fuel saving of save up to 30%

New gate rudder technology claims to make a fuel saving of save up to 30%
New gate rudder technology claims to make a fuel saving of save up to 30%

A more efficient gate rudder system, designed at the University of Strathclyde, will be demonstrated as part of a €6 million EU-funded research project. The GATERS project led by the University of Strathclyde under the Horizon 2020 Fund, will see the gate rudder – a novel propulsion and steering system – retro-fitted to a commercial vessel as part of a trial.

Unlike a traditional rudder which sits behind a ship’s propellers to steer the vessel, the U-shaped gate rudder – essentially two separate rudders – sits astride the propeller which, as a result, acts like a nozzle around the propeller and generates additional thrust.

Both rudders can be independently controlled to provide better steering as well as providing additional crabbing ability when docking.

Continue reading “New gate rudder technology claims to make a fuel saving of save up to 30%”

Choose wisely: A deep dive into domestic passenger vessels Safety Management System proposed rulemaking

Safety Management System proposed - Photo credit: Lora Ratliff / U.S. Coast Guard
Safety Management System proposed – Photo credit: Lora Ratliff / U.S. Coast Guard

On January 15, 2021, the U.S. Coast Guard issued an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) for Safety Management System (SMS) requirements in the domestic passenger vessel industry. This requirement will have the largest implications on the domestic passenger vessel industry since the revisions of 46 CFR Subchapter T & K in the mid-90s. However, the question remains, is it necessary? Richard J. Paine, Jr. looks at the pros and the cons.

Over the last three decades, the effectiveness and need for Safety Management Systems (SMS) have been at the forefront of discussion by operators and regulators in all maritime sectors, both domestically and internationally. The most recent domestic regulatory requirement Continue reading “Choose wisely: A deep dive into domestic passenger vessels Safety Management System proposed rulemaking”

Lithium batteries withdrawn following boating fires in France

Lithium batteries withdrawn following boating fires in France
Lithium batteries withdrawn following boating fires in France

Reports in France say that after a series of explosions and fires, the Prefecture of Pyrénées-Orientales in the south-west of the country has ordered the suspension of sales and recall of all lithium batteries of the ‘Energy Cases’ brand, marketed by SAS P.C.E, based in Perpignan.

The batteries were suspected of causing several explosions and fires that occurred over the past 10 months throughout France.

To date, the Departmental Directorate for the Protection of Populations (DDTM) of the Pyrénées-Orientales has identified at least six incidents involving the batteries. Included in this list was a fire that ravaged three 8m boats in the port of Lavandou in July 2020. Continue reading “Lithium batteries withdrawn following boating fires in France”

Crew must be familiar with cargo safety information says new note

Crew must be familiar with cargo safety information says new note
Crew must be familiar with cargo safety information says new note

Hong Kong Marine Department has published a safety note regarding cargo safety following an incident where a cargo hold explosion was caused by hot work on the hatch coaming. A Hong Kong registered bulk carrier fully loaded with coal departed for its discharging port with all hatch covers of the cargo holds and ventilation flaps closed.

On the voyage, the crew carried out hot work in an attempt to dismantle the connection of a leaky hydraulic ram which was attached to the cargo hold forward hatch coaming. During the repair, an explosion in the cargo hold took place, injuring three crew members, who were later taken to the hospital by a helicopter. Amongst the three injured crew members, one of them was the fitter who died two days later. Continue reading “Crew must be familiar with cargo safety information says new note”

New Australian national guidelines for complex maritime emergencies

New Australian national guidelines for complex maritime emergencies
New Australian national guidelines for complex maritime emergencies

The Australian Marine Safety Safety Authority has published new guidelines for complex maritime emergencies. As they stress, complex maritime emergencies are a persistent threat to the global maritime environment, and those who work on and by the sea.

We are periodically reminded of this threat by seemingly-random, catastrophic events ranging from collisions to offshore spills and even the loss of aircraft in remote areas.

AMSA recognises that in order to be truly effective in the management of complex maritime emergencies, we must work in a coordinated and collaborative fashion with numerous partners and stakeholders—many who bring advanced understanding of the operational environment, and many who do not.

This handbook has been designed to provide leaders with cross-jurisdictional, multi-cross-sectoral framework and conceptual guidance for managing complex maritime Continue reading “New Australian national guidelines for complex maritime emergencies”

109 years after Titanic sank: What if she sank today?

109 years after Titanic sank: What if she sank today?
109 years after Titanic sank: What if she sank today?

At a recent webinar hosted by Navigate Response with speakers including David Jardine-Smith (International Maritime Rescue Federation), Dustin Eno, (Navigate Response), Georgios Hatzimanolis (MarineTraffic), Richard Turner (International Union of Marine Insurance) and Genevieve Holloway (UK P&I Club), discussion focused on what has been changed 109 years on from the Titanic disaster and how the situation would have been handled in the modern world.

The records are unclear on the number of Titanic fatalities, but it is widely thought that more than 1,500 souls were lost from a total crew Continue reading “109 years after Titanic sank: What if she sank today?”

Loss prevention app developed by marine insurance company

Loss prevention app developed by marine insurance company
Loss prevention app developed by marine insurance company

The Alandia Loss Prevention mobile application, designed by Alandia’s superior Loss Prevention experts, offers an innovative hands-on solution for professional mariners for transforming everyday routines into truly proactive safety management.

Proactive maritime safety management requires efficient communication, regular reporting, and up-to-date safety know-how. Alandia, known for offering superior  prevention to its customers, has developed a mobile application to help foresee and prevent any accidents that might involve a vessel, its crew, or any damage to the marine environment.

“The main purpose of the Alandia Loss Prevention application is to minimize losses and keep operations accident-free by enhancing communication and integrating safety observation reports into daily routines,” says Martti Simojoki, Senior Loss Prevention Manager at Alandia.

Continue reading “Loss prevention app developed by marine insurance company”

Composites and recreational boating industry team up to make headway on circular economy

European Boating Industry (EBI) and the European Composites Industry Association (EuCIA), representing respectively the Recreational Boating and Composites industries at European level, have agreed on a new partnership. The aim is to jointly tackle the key challenges around circularity of composites used in the recreational boating industry and promote sustainable recycling solutions to the supply chain for end-of-life boats. Composites are the main material for manufacturing of recreational boats.

Following a common understanding of the importance of the circular economy and aiming to find solutions for end-of-life composites, EBI and EuCIA agreed a formal partnership. The aim will be to find common approaches to the key issues of dismantling, recycling, and the Continue reading “Composites and recreational boating industry team up to make headway on circular economy”

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