Health & Safety

Standard P&I Club issues a guide to fire safety on ferries

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Standard P&I Club issues a guide to fire safety on ferries
Standard P&I Club issues a guide to fire safety on ferries

A fire is one of the most frightening things that can happen at sea. Often, seafarers have no ready access to the
emergency services when a fire breaks out and will need to rely on their own resources, courage and training to tackle and extinguish the blaze quickly to ensure the safety of the ship and everyone on board. To help Standard P&I Club has issued a guide to fire safety on ferries.

There are numerous causes of fire but the most relevant to ferries are:
– Electrical defects, such as overloaded electrical equipment, damaged cables and poorly formed connections. – Electrical faults in vehicles, especially when engines are hot/running. Reefer containers are major sources of fire.
– Mechanical failure, such as ignition from overheated bearings or a catastrophic engine failure.
– Uncontrolled release of oil or flammable liquid coming into contact with a hot surface, or the release of a low flashpoint fuel, such as petrol vapour, coming into contact with a source of ignition.
– Dry, readily combustible materials (such as wood, paper, textiles) coming into contact with an ignition source, such as a lighted cigarette, sparks or conducted heat from burning or cutting, highintensity lights or defective electrical equipment.

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DMS Holland to start developing stabilisers for fast-planing yachts

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DMS Holland to start developing stabilisers for fast-planing yachts
DMS Holland to start developing stabilisers for fast-planing yachts

Following the successful development and subsequent launch to market of the electric roll damping system for yachts up to 30 metres, the MagnusMaster, DMS Holland has now started, in cooperation with Brabant Engineering, the development of a roll damping system for fast-planing yachts up to 30 metres.

This new AntiRoll damping system, like the MagnusMaster, will be produced as a standard-series stabiliser. Until now, AntiRoll has only been developed as a ‘custom build’ for super- and mega yachts. DMS Holland will be taking this patented dual-axis fin stabiliser and using it to form the basis for their new system. The fundamental concept behind AntiRoll remains the same, namely high-aspect fins that rotate whilst sailing and flap whilst the yacht is at anchor. It is stabilisation at fast speed that will form the extra addition and make it a 3-in-1 stabiliser. “How this will actually be achieved we are keeping to ourselves for a little while longer yet,” says Patrick Noor, DMS Holland’s co-owner responsible for sales & marketing.

Arnold van Aken, inventor of the dual-axis fin stabilisation AntiRoll system and co-owner / Technical Director of DMS Holland explains: “For years we have been Continue reading “DMS Holland to start developing stabilisers for fast-planing yachts”

RNLI and Helly Hansen announce strategic partnership to help save lives

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RNLI and Helly Hansen announce strategic partnership to help save lives
RNLI and Helly Hansen announce strategic partnership to help save lives

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and Helly Hansen have announced a new strategic partnership that will support the lifesaving charity’s aim of defeating drowning.

Helly Hansen, the global technical sailing brand founded in Norway in 1877, has committed to supporting the RNLI for the next five years through a variety of life-saving activities. These include delivering drowning prevention messages to their customers, generating income, supporting fundraising and safety campaigns, product innovation and supplying the very best kit to the RNLI’s lifesavers.

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Improper securing arrangement of sea strainer cover leads to vessel capsizing

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Improper securing arrangement of sea strainer cover leads to vessel capsizing
Improper securing arrangement of sea strainer cover leads to vessel capsizing

Shipowners P&I Club has issued a case study about the capsizing of a vessel due to a loose port side sea strainer. Whilst double banked alongside another tug for four months awaiting a placement in dry dock, a harbour tug suddenly developed a list to port. Crew on board at the time quickly investigated to try and determine the point of water ingress, but struggled as the water level reached approximately 1 metre in height in the flooded engine room.

As the engine room crew tried to establish and stop the source of ingress, the deck crew were adjusting the mooring ropes to keep the vessel safely alongside as the vessel listed further to port. Eventually, the master took the decision to abandon the vessel as it was no longer safe to remain on board.

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Norway targets IMO to halve global shipping emissions by 2050

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Norway targets IMO to halve global shipping emissions by 2050
Norway targets IMO to halve global shipping emissions by 2050

Global shipping should set a goal of halving greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, Norway’s government and shipowners’ association said on Thursday before talks by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in London next week.

Norway’s fleet is worth about $45 billion, the fifth most valuable in the world behind Japan, Greece, China and the United States. Norway’s shipping includes offshore, gas, chemicals, car vessels, dry bulk, crude, crude products and containers.

The IMO, which says international shipping represents about 2.2 percent of world carbon dioxide emissions, will meet from April 9-13 to develop a strategy to combat climate change. Shipping was not included in the 2015 Paris climate agreement.

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DNV GL issues standard for the transport and installation of wind power plants

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DNV GL issues standard for the transport and installation of wind power plants
DNV GL issues standard for the transport and installation of wind power plants

DNV GL, the world’s largest independent energy advisory and certification body, has published its new Renewables Certification standard DNVGL-ST-0054 “Transport and installation of wind power plants” in co-operation with a wide number of industry players – wind turbine developers, wind park operators, investors, transportation companies and suppliers all of whom were contacted in the summer of 2017.

The main objective of it is to provide the approach ensuring the structural integrity of the main components of the wind power plant during the transport, installation and decommissioning works.

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New guidance on firefighting equipment standards

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New guidance on firefighting equipment standards
New guidance on firefighting equipment standards

The US Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance has published a new document entitled “Guidance on Implementation of New Standards for Fire Protection, Detection, and Extinguishing Equipment.”

This guidance covers changes to the regulatory requirements for fire protection, detection, and extinguishing equipment used on inspected and uninspected vessels, Outer Continental Shelf facilities, deepwater ports and mobile offshore drilling units.

The policy documentation points to changes after the US Coast Guard’s 2016 “Harmonization of Standards for Fire Protection, Detection, and Extinguishing Equipment” rulemaking.

This change affects all inspected and uninspected vessels. The most immediate change relates to portable and semi-portable fire extinguishers. Additionally, Continue reading “New guidance on firefighting equipment standards”

Lessons Learned from El Faro on main propulsion published by USCG

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Lessons Learned from El Faro on main propulsion published by USCG
Lessons Learned from El Faro on main propulsion published by USCG

The US Coast Guard has published a safety alert to inform operators and other interested parties of the role that the main propulsion lube oil system was found to have played in the El Faro incident. They have recommended that operators, especially ships’ engineers, review the operational procedures and limitations of vital propulsion machinery and verify compliance with SOLAS, Classification Societies and regulatory standards.

The El Faro sank along with its 33 crew onboard in October 2015, marking one of the worst maritime disasters in US history. The USCG official report on the sinking of the El Faro revealed that loss of propulsion during heavy weather was contributing to the sinking. The exact operational status of all vital El Faro engineering equipment prior to the casualty could not be determined, but bridge audio recordings indicate that the vessel lost lube oil pressure to the main propulsion turbine and reduction gear bearings, resulting in loss of propulsion.

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Trimble launches marine positioning GNSS receiver

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Trimble launches marine positioning GNSS receiver
Trimble launches marine positioning GNSS receiver

Trimble has announced the MPS865 marine positioning system multi-frequency and multi-application GNSS receiver.

The Trimble MPS865 is a versatile and rugged GNSS positioning and heading solution for a wide variety of real-time and post-processing applications for marine survey.

It features integrated communications options such as Wi-Fi, UHF radio, cellular modem for internet connectivity, Bluetooth and MSS satellite-based correction channels.

The patented GNSS-centric technology uses all available GNSS signals to deliver reliable positions in real time. The GNSS receiver provides for the connection of two GNSS antennas for precise heading.

With a modular form factor, the MPS865 is flexible and can be used as an integrated on-board rover receiver, a base station, or a continuously operating reference station. The built-in precise heading feature ensures the receiver is of minimal size, consumes less power, and has less cabling which are all benefits when on-board space it at a premium.

The MPS865 adds new features to improve usability in a Continue reading “Trimble launches marine positioning GNSS receiver”

OCIMF releases new information paper about the preparation of a safety management system

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OCIMF releases new information paper about the preparation of a safety management system
OCIMF releases new information paper about the preparation of a safety management system

Addressing the need for clear and consistently applied definitions of ‘critical spares’ and ‘critical equipment’ across the industry, this information paper provides guidance on the identification of safety critical spare parts for companies to consider when preparing a Safety Management System (SMS).

The paper, released on 29 March 2018, introduces some boundary conditions to consider and walks through several steps that may be required to identify safety critical spare parts. It is equally applicable to companies managing any type of vessel.

“The identification of safety critical equipment and the need for safety critical spare parts is a complicated subject”, says OCIMF Director Andrew Cassels. “This paper provides guidance on the challenges that may be encountered when considering safety critical spare parts so that a ship owner can strive to efficiently manage their risks.”

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Wärtsilä Aquarius EC Ballast Water Management System submitted for USCG Type Approval

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The Wärtsilä Aquarius Electro-Chlorination BWMS is now expected to receive USCG Type Approval.
The Wärtsilä Aquarius Electro-Chlorination BWMS is now expected to receive USCG Type Approval.

Wärtsilä has submitted its Aquarius Electro-Chlorination (EC) Ballast Water Management System (BWMS) for US Coast Guard (USCG) Type Approval (TA) after successfully completing all the testing procedures required.

Wärtsilä received type approval from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in 2013 for the Electro-Chlorination system and the same successful design was used for the USCG application. This current testing has again proven the consistent performance of the Wärtsilä solution, and demonstrates the high reliability, robustness and effectiveness of the system.

“Achieving this significant USCG testing milestone is a major step forward for the product. It provides customers with further assurance that this system efficiently addresses ballast water treatment compliance needs, with a reliable product and a partner committed to long-term global support,” says Joe Thomas, Director, Ballast Water Management Systems at Wärtsilä.

The Wärtsilä Aquarius EC BWMS utilises Continue reading “Wärtsilä Aquarius EC Ballast Water Management System submitted for USCG Type Approval”

MAIB releases its first safety digest of 2018 featuring 25 case studies

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The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has published a collection of 25 case studies in its first collection of case studies for 2018. The seventy-one page publication covers a variety of accidents reported and investigated in recent months across the commercial, fishing and recreational boating sectors.

The information in the safety digest is published to inform the shipping and fishing industries, the pleasure 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 safety digest is to prevent similar accidents happening again. The content must necessarily be regarded as tentative and subject to alteration or correction if additional evidence becomes available. The articles do not assign fault or blame nor do they determine liability. The lessons often extend beyond the events of the incidents themselves to ensure the maximum value can be achieved.

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