MAIB issues an essential Safety Digest featuring 25 cases

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) examines and investigates all types of marine accidents to, or on board UK vessels worldwide and other vessels in UK territorial waters. This Safety Digest (02/17) draws the attention of the marine community to some of the lessons arising from investigations into recent accidents and incidents. It contains information which has been determined up to the time of issue.

In his introduction to the Safety Digest, Steve Clinch, Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents for the MAIB says, “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. After reading one of the cases while editing this edition of the Safety Digest, I found myself thinking about the recent fire that engulfed Grenfell Tower, a west London residential tower block. This was an horrific Continue reading “MAIB issues an essential Safety Digest featuring 25 cases”

Beware of fuel oil quick closing valve deficiencies

A fuel oil quick closing valveThe Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA) has published a technical alert aimed at highlighting some major deficiencies related to fuel oil quick closing valves, which it has observed during Port State Control inspections. These deficiencies are considered of importance and often lead to detention.

Quick closing valves are fitted to oil tanks so that in the event of a fire they can be safely closed from a remote location to stop the supply of fuel to the fire. These valves may be operated remotely by pull wires, hydraulics, compressed air, etc.

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Wire failure results in fatality during routine cargo maintenance

The Marine Safety Investigation Unit has issued an investigation report on the fatality of a crew member on board the Maltese registered container ship, Sydney Trader, off Port Limits Anchorage, Hong Kong that occurred in September 2016. The report, (which can be downloaded below), provides a description of what happened and the safety conclusions and recommendations.

The incident
The Maltese registered container vessel Sydney Trader had been anchored OPL at Hong Kong, China since 19 June 2016, awaiting orders Continue reading “Wire failure results in fatality during routine cargo maintenance”

Concerns about the hazards of bauxite as ship cargo highlighted by IMO

Picture credit IMO
Picture credit IMO

According to a new warning issued by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), it says that bauxite could become unstable when carried in bulk onboard a ship, potentially resulting in the vessel capsizing.

Bauxite is one of the world’s major sources of aluminium with around 100 million tonnes transported annually by sea. In 2015, a bulk carrier sank while transporting bauxite, with the loss of 18 seafarers. Research presented this week to an IMO Sub-Committee found that certain forms of bauxite with a large proportion of smaller particles could be subject to a newly-identified phenomenon of “dynamic separation” when there is excess moisture in the cargo.

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MCA releases a bulletin about a quality issue with fire doors

The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has released a bulletin to notify vessel operators and surveyors that a quality issue has been discovered relating to fire doors manufactured by COSMO Co Ltd.

The MCA makes reference to an advice letter issued by the manufacturer, which urges particular attention of doors rated A-60, A-0 and B-15. Following an internal investigation, it was found that some delivered and installed doors have some insulation missing from part of the door fitment. As a result of the missing missing insulation, the doors do not comply with their type approval certification.

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IMO updates guidelines for abandon ship drills using lifeboats

Photo credit: Riley Huntley/wikipedia.org
Photo credit: Riley Huntley/wikipedia.org

At the 98th Session of its Maritime Safety Committee earlier this year, IMO plans to enshrine a range of amendments in to the guidelines relating to abandon ship drills using lifeboats with the aim of reducing related accidents.

The Committee approved the Guidelines on safety during abandon ship drills using lifeboats, following the amalgamation of annex 1 to the Measures to prevent accidents with lifeboats and the Interim Recommendation on conditions for authorization of service providers for lifeboats, launching appliances and on-load release gear in the Requirements for maintenance, thorough examination, operational testing, overhaul and repair of lifeboats and rescue boats, launching appliances and release gear.

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MAIB publishes its report into carbon monoxide poisoning on motor cruiser Vasquez

The MAIB has published its report and findings into a carbon monoxide poisoning incident onboard motor cruiser Vasquez moored in Cardiff Bay, which led to loss of life.

At approximately 1200 (UTC) on 12 November 2016, the owner of the 7.75m motor cruiser Vasquez fell unconscious after being overcome by carbon monoxide (CO) that had been emitted from failed rubber bellows that formed part of the inboard engine’s wet-exhaust system. Although rescuers came to his aid, it was not possible to save his life. The boat’s engine had not been regularly serviced and there was Continue reading “MAIB publishes its report into carbon monoxide poisoning on motor cruiser Vasquez”

New Ocean Safety liferafts set to save weight and enhance boat performance

The Ocean Ultralite SOLAS compact from Ocean Safety uses carbon composite technology to reduce the weight by 23%.

They have been developed for yachts taking part in the Volvo Ocean Race (VOR) and are the result of a ‘close technical partnership’ between race organisers and Ocean Safety.

“Weight saving in ocean racing is the holy grail,” said Ocean Continue reading “New Ocean Safety liferafts set to save weight and enhance boat performance”

The Standard Club P&I Club publishes a guide to enclosed space entry

The Standard P&I Club says that investigation into enclosed space related casualties has shown that most are caused by poor training and knowledge of the correct entry procedures, or a total disregard for them. As a consequence, the Club has published a comprehensive guide to address all key issues and to help anyone to enter enclosed spaces safely. The Standard P&I Club guide highlights shortfalls in individual company procedures in equipment, training and onboard practices.

Firstly, Standard Club enlists incidents related to enclosed spaces which have been already reported to the Club, illustrating different ways in which a seafarer can put himself in danger in these areas onboard. Analysis of these incidents have helped the Club to address key factors that contribute to enclosed space incidents as follows:
• poor training
• failure to follow proper procedures for enclosed space entry
• failure to recognise the danger of an enclosed space
• tendency to trust physical senses and forego testing or checks
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Recent meeting of Fishing Industry Safety Group proposes development of a voluntary safety management system

New SMS proposed by the Fishing Industry Safety Group
New SMS proposed by the Fishing Industry Safety Group

At a recent meeting of the Fishing Industry Safety Group in York, the group has proposed the development of a voluntary safety management system (SMS) to help co-ordinate the preparation of the ILO C188 Work in Fishing Convention due early in 2018.

The Convention will apply to every fisherman and vessel owner in the UK with requirements for the first time on items such as medicals, crew agreements and safety management.

David Dickens, Chief Executive at the Fishermen’s Mission stated: “The Fishermen’s Mission welcomes ILO C188 particularly for the focus Continue reading “Recent meeting of Fishing Industry Safety Group proposes development of a voluntary safety management system”

Effectiveness of lifejackets called into question by MAIB report on the foundering of fishing vessel Louisa

Photograph of Louisa recovery
Photograph of Louisa recovery

Early on 9 April 2016, the fishing vessel Louisa foundered, with the loss of three lives, while anchored close to the shore in Mingulay Bay in the Outer Hebrides.

The skipper and crew, who had been working long hours before anchoring late the previous evening, had woken suddenly as the vessel was sinking rapidly by the bow. They were able to escape to the aft deck, activate the emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB), and to don lifejackets. However, they were unable to inflate the liferaft as they abandoned the vessel.

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Improperly tightened bolts on fuel inlet flange the probable cause of fire on Carnival Liberty

The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has determined the probable cause of the engine room fire on the Carnival Liberty as improperly tightened bolts on a fuel inlet flange.

On the morning of September 7, 2015, the Liberty was alongside at the Charlotte Amalie cruise terminal on St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands. At 1133 hours, fuel pressure alarms and fire alarms went off for the Liberty’s #4 diesel generator, located in the aft engine room. The third engineer activated the space’s HI-FOG fire suppression system within one minute of the alarm, and the second engineer switched the ship’s electrical load over to the #2 generator, which is located in the ship’s forward engine room. Shortly thereafter, the chief engineer arrived at the control room and authorized the closure of fuel and lube oil shutoff valves for generators #4-6. By 1137, the engineering team had also closed off fans and dampers to the aft compartment.

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