Health & Safety

The hidden dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning afloat

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Warning Sign of carbon monoxide poisoning
Warning Sign of carbon monoxide poisoning

Carbon monoxide poisoning is sometimes called death by stealth and there have been some high profile marine cases that have made unpleasant media headlines in recent times. Victims are unaware that they are being poisoned and the symptoms are hard to spot. In this specially commissioned feature, Susan Stockwell, Director of Nereus Alarms Ltd, discusses how CO is produced and offers readers some background to this hidden killer. She also gives essential advice that surveyors will surely find invaluable.

Continue reading “The hidden dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning afloat”

US Coast Guard issues a safety bulletin about vapor pressure relief valve testing on pneumatic systems

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Pressure Relief Valve diagram
Pressure Relief Valve diagram

Due to a mishap from improper testing of a vapor pressure relief valve on a compressed air system, the Coast Guard Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance (CG-CVC) reminds all those concern of the risks and best practices in conducting or witnessing the testing of relief valves. While this information is based on testing compressed air systems using vapor relief valves, the guidance is also relevant to safety valves in other pressure systems, except boilers.

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Enclosed space deaths caused by semi-coke cargo says findings

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A man exiting an enclosed space
A man exiting an enclosed space

The Hong Kong Marine Department has issued an information note about a fatal accident that happened on a Hong Kong registered general cargo ship caused by semi-coke cargo. Two stevedores and one bulldozer operator were found collapsed inside the stair trunk after they entered the enclosed space without following the proper procedures. The cause of death was due to the oxygen depletion atmosphere inside the stair trunk.

This incident draws the attention of the shipping industry to the dangers associated with the characteristics of semi-coke cargo. Parties concerned should treat the space inside stair trunk to cargo hold as an enclosed space and take appropriate safety precautionary measures before entering such space.

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Peggotty was not sea ready revealed in MAIB report after she collided with Petunia Seaways

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The Pegotty before the Incident
The Pegotty before the Incident

At 0450 (UTC+11) on 19 May 2016 the Danish registered ro-ro freight ferry Petunia Seaways and the historic motor launch Peggotty collided on the River Humber while in dense fog. As a result of the collision the motor launch suffered severe structural damage and began to take on water. The crew of a local pilot launch responded to Peggotty’s skipper’s VHF2 “Mayday” call and were able to reach the motor launch and rescue the skipper and the one other person on board before it sank. There were no injuries and no significant pollution.

Petunia Seaways’ bridge team remained unaware that the two vessels had collided until after they had left the river, when they were informed by VTS Humber.

Continue reading “Peggotty was not sea ready revealed in MAIB report after she collided with Petunia Seaways”

Naval architects should adhere to accepted ergonomic bridge design

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City of Rotterdam at port
City of Rotterdam at port

On 3 December 2015, the Panama registered pure car carrier City of Rotterdam collided with the Danish registered ro-ro ferry Primula Seaways on the River Humber, UK. Both vessels were damaged but made their way to Immingham without assistance. There was no pollution and there were no serious injuries. It is now being advised architects should adhere to ergonomic bridge design.

The MAIB investigation identified that the outbound City of Rotterdam had been set to the northern side of the navigable channel and into the path of the inbound ferry, but this had not been corrected because the pilot on board had become disoriented after looking through an off-axis Continue reading “Naval architects should adhere to accepted ergonomic bridge design”

AkzoNobel is developing drones for enclosed space surveys

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Shot of a drone getting ready to conduct a enclosed space survey
Shot of a drone getting ready to conduct a enclosed space survey

Traditionally, enclosed space surveys have been carried out by crew, surveyors or independent inspectors. This acticity carries a significant risk and results in many casualties and fatal accidents annually. AkzoNobel, in conjunction with oil and gas tanker operator Barrier Group and DroneOps are developing a drone capable of remotely inspecting enclosed spaces, including ballast water tanks.

Michael Hindmarsh, Business Development Manager at AkzoNobel’s Marine Coatings business, explained: “Surveys of enclosed spaces and ballast water tanks are an essential part of routine maintenance and are increasingly critical for ship owners. Inspecting these areas thoroughly can require working at height, entering confined spaces and negotiating slippery surfaces that could be poorly lit, all of which are high-risk activities that the maritime industry is keen to address.”

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Transport Malta issues report into a fatal incident on ro-ro passenger ferry GALAXY

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Fatal incident on ro-ro passenger ferry GALAXY report published by Transport Malta
Fatal incident on ro-ro passenger ferry GALAXY report published by Transport Malta

Transport Malta has issued its safety investigation report into the mooring equipment failure and subsequent fatality of a shipyard worker on board the Cyprus registered ro-ro passenger ferry GALAXY in Valletta, Malta on 18 January 2016.

The incident
On 09 December 2015, MV Galaxy arrived in Malta under tow on a single, ballast, unmanned voyage from Piraeus, Greece to the Shipyard. Repairs commenced soon after, with the vessel afloat. On 08 January 2016, she was transferred to graving dock number 4 for underwater hull inspections and repairs. She was subsequently re-floated and pulled out of the dry-dock on the morning of 18 January 2016 at around 0900 to continue repairs afloat alongside Boat House Wharf.

Continue reading “Transport Malta issues report into a fatal incident on ro-ro passenger ferry GALAXY”

Failure of a Master Pear Link prompts BMA to issue a safety alert

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An example of the Master Pear Link that failed
An example of the Master Pear Link that failed

The Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA) has issued a safety alert regarding the catastrophic failure of an HN330 320 IND Master Pear Link supplied by Survival Systems International UK Limited and the subsequent tender boat fall from its stowed position.

The incident
A tender boat onboard a cruise ship registered in the Commonwealth of the Bahamas suddenly fell from its stowed position into the water. The immediate cause was a catastrophic failure of the link that connects the fall block to the release gear/hook.

Continue reading “Failure of a Master Pear Link prompts BMA to issue a safety alert”

DMAIB releases its report into the sinking of the Inuk II highlighting deficiencies

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The factors leading to the sinking of Inuk II in Greenland have been released in a report by the DMAIB
The factors leading to the sinking of Inuk II in Greenland have been released in a report by the DMAIB

On August 14, 2016, the tour boat, Inuk II, sank in the bay of Ilulissat, Greenland. The 23 passengers were safely evacuated, wet and cold, onto another tour boat. However, the accident highlighted issues with the design and emergency procedures of such vessels.

The accident investigation conducted by the Danish Maritime Accident Investigation Board determined that the incident occurred because a hose connecting the aft deck drain to the discharge pipe was removed and then not mounted again. On the day of the accident, Inuk II was transporting the maximum number of passengers which increased the draught to such an extent that the hull discharge pipe was submerged. Inuk II gradually lost all buoyancy as water flowed into the steering gear/storage compartment and subsequently into the engine room.

Continue reading “DMAIB releases its report into the sinking of the Inuk II highlighting deficiencies”

Voluntary compliance of amended IMDG Code ahead of implementation on January 2018

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Different hazard signs
Different hazard signs

In May 2016 the IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee adopted the amendments to the IMDG Code contained in Resolution MSC.406(96) Amendments to the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code. Contracting governments may apply the new requirements, in part or in whole, on a voluntary basis from 1st January 2017. However, be aware that mandatory compliance will be required from 1st January 2018.

Due to the large number of changes to the Code, IMO Resolution MSC.406(96) contains the revised full text of volumes 1 and 2 of the Code. Of the many changes, several are of particular interest:
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Most ship fires are engine room fires says UK P&I Club

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Engine room
Engine room

Engine room fires are one of the most common fires on ships owing to the presence of a wide range of sources of fuel, sources of ignition and running machinery. An extended period of time onboard a ship without a fire incident can lead to complacency and a failure to prioritise fire prevention measures and simulated fire incident practices.

The risk of a engine room fires can be substantially reduced by:
Maintaining a clean and tidy engine room.
Ensuring that machinery and emergency control equipment are installed and operating in accordance with SOLAS
Regulations and IMO Guidelines and they are routinely serviced and maintained in good working order, and subject to routine testing.
Continue reading “Most ship fires are engine room fires says UK P&I Club”

MAIB looks into carbon monoxide poisoning fatality

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Sailing dingy
Sailing dingy

MAIB is conducting a preliminary assessment of a fatal carbon monoxide poisoning accident that occurred on a privately owned cabin cruiser at Cardiff Yacht Club on Saturday 12 November 2016. Shortly after midday the boat’s owner was found collapsed on the boat and despite the efforts of fellow club members and emergency services he did not regain consciousness.

At the time of the accident the boat was secured to a club pontoon. The inboard petrol engine was running and the canvas cockpit canopy was fully closed except for one zip that was undone.

Continue reading “MAIB looks into carbon monoxide poisoning fatality”

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