MAIB safety digest with analyses of 25 accidents volume 1 2019 published

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has published a digest and analyses of twenty five marine recent incidents and accidents with short descriptions about each involving vessels from the merchant, fishing and recreational sectors. The 70 page report can be accessed and downloaded here or at the foot of this page.

In his introduction to the Digest, Andrew Moll says, “I’d like to thank this edition’s introduction writers. I am delighted that Captain Nick Nash, Andrew Locker and Steve Gravells have agreed to write the introductions to the merchant, commercial fishing and recreational craft sections of this digest. All three have written from both their professional and own personal perspectives, and their words are very powerful. If you read nothing else in this issue, I would encourage you to read the section introductions.

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Poor maintenance the key cause leading to sinking of Ms Nancy C says report

Photo by Frank Kammerer, towboatgallery.com
Photo by Frank Kammerer, towboatgallery.com

The NTSB has published its investigation report into the flooding and sinking of the towing vessel ‘Nancy C’ on Lower Mississippi River, near Dyersville, Tennessee, in March 2018. The investigation has identified poor maintenance as the principle cause of the incident.

On 6 March 2018, about 1630 local time, the uninspected towing vessel Ms Nancy C was moving and positioning cargo barges while operating in Everett Lake, a tributary of the Mississippi River, when a deckhand discovered water in a void at the stern of the vessel. While the captain and deckhand attempted to dewater the vessel, it sank in 15 feet of water. Both crew members disembarked to a barge prior to the sinking without injury. Damage was estimated at $667,306.

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IMO introduces new safety signage standard

The ISO Committee on Graphical Symbols had been working to devise a consistent system for safety signage for both maritime and on-shore applications
The ISO Committee on Graphical Symbols had been working to devise a consistent system for safety signage for both maritime and on-shore applications

Since 1st January 2019, hundreds of new International Maritime Organisation (IMO) compliant signs entered into force as part of the new IMO Resolution A.1116(30) Escape Route Signs and Equipment Location Markings. The assembly of the IMO recalls resolutions A760(18) as amended by resolution MSC82(70), and A952(23).

It has agreed to adopt the safety symbols of ISO 7010 and ISO 24409-2 and, subsequently, all escape route signs, equipment location markings and other safety signage aboard a vessel must be compliant and brought into line.

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Reducing the risk of incidents due to systemic failures booklet published

The guide ‘Reducing the risk of incidents due to systemic failures’ is based on the partnership between Bureau Veritas, TMC Marine and the London P&I Club. It offers guidance on decreasing onboard systemic failures and highlights the challenges in shipping with the aim of preventing injury, loss of life and damage to ships and cargo.

Essentially the booklet focuses on enhanced onboard systems so that they are in line with the requirements of the International Safety Management (ISM) Code’s Safety Management Systems to reduce risk and develop a culture of continual improvement.

The publication provides an insight into systemic failures on board ships in response to a global trend of increases in system deficiencies related to the requirements of the ISM code.

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UK MAIB issues amended guidance to MGN 564 on marine incident reporting

The MAIB investigates marine casualties involving UK vessels worldwide and vessels of any flag in UK territorial waters with the aim of preventing further avoidable accidents from recurring in the future. The UK MAIB has published amended guidance on marine incident reporting – what who and when an incident should be notified – with modifications made to MGN 564.

Who must report
The master/skipper, or senior surviving officer of a UK ship must notify the MAIB of any marine casualty or marine incident.

The master/skipper of any ship must notify the MAIB of any marine casualty or marine incident if:
– the ship is within UK waters and carrying passengers to / from the UK, or
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MCA safety bulletin issued for all mariners who use GPS equipment

Credit: Vic Drosso
Credit: Vic Drosso

The Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) has issued a special safety bulletin to all mariners that use GPS to prepare for a rollover event that will occur on 6 April 2019.

On April 6 navigation data from some older GPS systems might become inaccurate due to the ‘week number’ rollover event.

This could cause stand-alone GPS receivers and systems using GPS chips, to produce data that is 19.7 years either in the past or future, therefore generating errors in both the GPS position and time. However, if onboard equipment has been installed after August 1999, or has regular firmware updates from the manufacturer, there should be minimal Continue reading “MCA safety bulletin issued for all mariners who use GPS equipment”

Campaign for greater container safety must focus first on dangerous goods

Fire crews tackle a container blaze onboard Maersk Honam in 2018
Fire crews tackle a container blaze onboard Maersk Honam in 2018

The recent reports of container ship fires has once more focussed those in the container supply chain on safety issues related to the incorrect processing of dangerous goods. The nascent Cargo Integrity campaign initiated by the international transport and logistics insurer TT Club has, as a consequence, gained renewed impetus.

The recent fire aboard ‘Yantian Express’, details of the final judgment on the ‘MSC Flaminia’ explosion in July 2012, and the ongoing investigation of the ‘Maersk Honan’ fire are currently making headline news. Then just days ago news has come in of ‘Grande America’ sustaining a container fire in the Bay of Biscay and subsequently sinking. These perilous incidents not only frequently cost lives, millions Continue reading “Campaign for greater container safety must focus first on dangerous goods”

Danish Maritime Authority gives approval to innovative new survival craft

With four independent electric engines at its corners, each Survival Craft is highly manoeuvrable.
With four independent electric engines at its corners, each Survival Craft is highly manoeuvrable.

The Danish Maritime Authority (DMA) has officially approved the LifeCraft Survival Craft by Viking as a Novel Life-Saving Appliance.

The device now meets the requirements for replacing conventional lifeboats on passenger ships and advancing progress toward greater safety in large-scale ship evacuation emergencies.

The approval, awarded on March 8, 2019, is the culmination of a long development and approval process including heavy weather trials in November 2018. Viking claims that the DMA approval marks the first time a truly ‘Novel’ Lifesaving Appliance (LSA) has been approved anywhere in the world. Continue reading “Danish Maritime Authority gives approval to innovative new survival craft”

Wärtsilä moves towards remote guidance for vessel repair and maintenance

Wärtsilä’s remote guidance service also proved successful during a demonstration in the TT-Lines office
Wärtsilä’s remote guidance service also proved successful during a demonstration in the TT-Lines office

Wärtsilä has successfully tested its remote guidance service, so claiming to have created ‘an entirely new dimension in vessel repair and maintenance operations’.

Through real-time communication using voice-controlled Augmented Reality (AR) wearables and remote guidance software, ship crew members, field service engineers and shipyard personnel can communicate with shore-based experts anywhere in the world.

The tests were carried out onboard the Huckleberry Finn, a RoRo ferry operated by TT-Lines, while sailing between Trelleborg, Sweden and Travemünde, Germany.

Simulated remote guidance service situations were carried out on the ship’s navigation equipment on the bridge and on the shaft line seals and bearings in the engine room.

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IMO Sub-Committee finalises draft amendments to ventilation requirements for survival craft

During the meeting of the IMO Sub-Committee, a correspondence group was established.
During the meeting of the IMO Sub-Committee, a correspondence group was established.

The IMO Sub-Committee on Ship Systems and Equipment held its 6th Session from 4 to 8 March 2019. The meeting focused on improvements in ventilation conditions of survival craft that will be achieved by finalising draft amendments to the LSA Code on ventilation requirements for survival craft and draft amendments to the ‘Revised recommendation on testing of life-saving appliances’.

Mainly, the Sub-Committee discussed the draft amendments to the LSA Code, relating to ventilation requirements of totally enclosed lifeboats.

In the meantime, the meeting made progress in developing draft amendments to the revised recommendation on testing of life-saving appliances regarding the ventilation of survival craft, aiming to ensure a habitable environment is maintained in such survival craft.

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Safe loading practices highlighted in fishing vessel sinking

Around 0900 on 9 April, the mate, who was on watch, noticed that the vessel was not fully returning upright when it was heeled over by the swell
Around 0900 on 9 April, the mate, who was on watch, noticed that the vessel was not fully returning upright when it was heeled over by the swell

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) has published an investigation report on the sinking of the fishing vessel ‘Western Commander’ off Triple Islands, Dixon Entrance, British Columbia, in April 2018. The report highlighted issues related to safe loading practices and proper risk identification.

In April 2018, the vessel was under contract to sea urchin buyers to transport urchins for 11 different harvesters. From 4 April to the morning of 6 April, the vessel remained at anchor in Parry Passage due to inclement weather.

Around 0900 on 9 April, the mate, who was on watch, noticed that the vessel was not fully returning upright when it was heeled over by the swell. Water was coming over the port railing and remaining on deck, and the vessel developed a port list. At some point, water had entered the port forward fish hold. In an attempt to Continue reading “Safe loading practices highlighted in fishing vessel sinking”

Vessel stability compromised by weight creep says USCG advice note

Photo credit: A crewmember from Ocean Rover
Photo credit: A crewmember from Ocean Rover

The US Coast Guard has published its Findings of Concern with essential information it wishes to share about unsafe conditions that investigators have identified as causal factors in a casualty that could contribute to future incidents. The Findings of Concern follow the sinking of a fishing vessel in February 2017.

In February 2017, immediately after 27 days of cod fishing, a 98-foot commercial fishing vessel carrying 200 crab pots with a crew of six departed Dutch Harbor, Alaska, and proceeded towards St. Paul Island to drop off bait with the intent to transit to the Opilio crab fishing grounds.

The vessel got underway despite multiple National Weather Service (NWS) marine forecasts indicating areas of freezing spray throughout the vessel’s planned route.

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