Health & Safety

New publication from London P&I Club on deck crane inspections and maintenance

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The London P&I Club has published an article on deck crane inspections and maintenance in its newsletter LP Focus, which looks in detail at particular claims issues prompted by the Club’s experience and feedback from Members.

Deck cranes are an important item of a ship’s equipment and when they break down this can result in loss of hire claims. Furthermore, failure of a deck crane can result in serious injury or death. Depending on the trade of the ship, the cranes may be used in every port or they may be used infrequently.

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ABS assesses the issues associated with jackup safety

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The key to jackup safety operations is constant risk management
The key to jackup safety operations is constant risk management

The key to jackup safety operations is constant risk management and with this in mind, the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has released a white paper to present some of the challenges facing the global jackup fleet along with the research and development (R&D) efforts.

ABS highlights that reliable technology, a strong safety culture and effective operational procedures are critical to creating a safe work environment. As operating environments and operational expectations change, technologies are introduced, and new ways of doing things emerge. Today, the global jackup fleet comprises more than 650 units, and more than 50% of these units are more than 30 years old. Evolution in the sector is inevitable, but as operational expectations change, there has to be a clear understanding of how new challenges may be leaving these older assets behind and how lower-specification units could continue to perform safely on many challenging sites.

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Advice issued about the routine fumigation of agricultural products on ships

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Cargo-FumigationNorth P&I Club has published a new free-to-download loss prevention briefing warning its members of the hazards associated with routine fumigation of agricultural products on ships.

The warning follows an explosion of pesticide gases on a panamax vessel, loading corn at Paranagua, Brazil, at the end of December 2015. This resulted in significant structural damage and was one of number of similar incidents reported during the last five years in Brazil and the USA. According to North’s loss prevention director Tony Baker, ‘The application of fumigant on vessels carrying cargoes such as grains, seed cakes and logs is common practice. However, failure to disperse the fumigant pellets properly has led to self-heating problems.

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MAIB report on deck collapse on St Helen

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The report relates to the MAIB’s investigation of the collapse of a mezzanine deck on the Wightlink ferry St Helen, at Fishbourne ferry terminal, Isle of Wight, on 18 July 2014. The passengers and vehicles on board the cross Solent roll-on roll-off passenger ferry St Helen were in the process of disembarking at Fishbourne ferry terminal on the Isle of Wight when the vessel’s starboard forward mezzanine deck collapsed. The deck collapsed because one of its steel wire lifting ropes parted. The lifting rope parted because it had not been routinely lubricated and the mezzanine deck had not been properly maintained.

A crewman and 11 cars, with their seated passengers, were on the deck when it collapsed. The crewman suffered a minor head injury and was temporarily rendered unconscious; several passengers suffered minor impact related injuries. The mezzanine deck was structurally damaged and was later removed from the vessel.

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EU releases new operational guidelines for ships in need of assistance

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The European Union has released new operational guidelines for ships in need of assistance at the Seas, Rivers, Islands and Coastal Areas (SEARICA) Intergroup meeting in European Parliament.

The guidelines were developed by a committee comprising of Member States’ competent authorities with additional support from industry stakeholders.

It aims to promote better integration and coordination among the maritime authorities involved in response to an incident concerning a ship in need of assistance.

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New measures proposed following accident caused by leaking hatch covers

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Swedish P&I Club makes new proposals following an accident caused by leaking hatch covers
Swedish P&I Club makes new proposals following an accident caused by leaking hatch covers

The Swedish P&I Club has issued its Monthly Safety Scenario for February 2016 that relates to an accident caused by leaking hatch covers. As a result it recommends preventive measures.

About the accident
The vessel comprised loaded up wire coils. When loading was complete the crew taped across the transverse beams of all the cargo holds with Ram-Nek. During the vessel’s transit it sailed through heavy weather that lasted for about two days. During this time the vessel was pitching and rolling and the cargo hatches were covered in water.

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Measuring methane gas levels in cargo holds

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The West of England P&I Club has issued loss prevention bulletin to advise how to measure methane gas levels in cargo holds when uploading coal cargoes.

Some coal cargoes can produce methane (CH4). Since methane is a flammable gas, the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code requires vessels loaded with coal to monitor the concentration of methane inside the cargo holds via external sampling points. Portable gas detectors are carried for this purpose. However, in the Club’s recent experience it would appear that some crew members may not be aware that the readings for methane may be incorrect if the amount of oxygen inside the hold is low.

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North P&I Club publishes loss prevention guide on bulk cargoes

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North P&I Club has released a new loss prevention guide on bulk cargoes
North P&I Club has released a new loss prevention guide on bulk cargoes

The 175 million GT, ‘A’ rated North P&I Club has published a major new guide for the international shipping industry on how to reduce losses when carrying bulk cargoes by sea. The 280-page Bulk Cargoes: A Guide to Good Practice adds to North’s comprehensive portfolio of guidance provided about different cargo types and is the first to be made available in both print and e-book formats.

Bulk Cargoes explains the basic rules to be remembered on every occasion during loading, carriage and unloading of bulk cargoes. It describes where various regulations, recommendations and general guidance can be found, and discusses procedures, preparations and good seamanship practice for appropriate and safe carriage of cargoes in bulk. It also describes the problems and recommended procedures associated with particular types of bulk cargo and sets out the points to be remembered during passage planning and the voyage itself.

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AMSA issues Marine Notice on emergency towage capability

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amsaThe Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has issued a Marine Notice on emergency towage capability in an attempt to remind masters, owners and agents of ships of their responsibilities for reporting and resolving maritime incidents. AMSA may well seek to reclaim costs incurred in the event of an intervention by them in a maritime incident from the vessel’s owners.

The MERCOM is an AMSA officer responsible for coordinating and managing serious maritime incidents who is vested with powers under the Protection of the Sea (Powers of Intervention) Act 1981 (the Powers of Intervention Act).

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CASCADe project to improve bridge efficiency and prevent accidents ends

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An EU funded project that has been funded for three years called CASCADe is coming to a close this month. The project has developed new methodologies in which information is shared and displayed on a ship’s bridge, helping to improve efficiency on board and contribute towards the prevention of accidents at sea.

Drawing directly from the experience of seafarers, the CASCADe project has developed a new adaptive bridge design methodology that treats both human agents and electronic equipment as parts of a cooperative system. This allows for the sharing of information to be optimised.

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Out of water survival craft FAQ’s published by USCG ahead of new policy

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Out of water survival craft FAQ's have been released by USCG ahead of a new policy in February 2016
Out of water survival craft FAQ’s have been released by USCG ahead of a new policy in February 2016

The US Coast Guard has published a series of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about out of water survival craft to answer questions raised ahead of its new policy that takes effect from 26 February 2016.

Question: What laws require me to change my current survival craft?
Answer: Section 609 of the 2010 Coast Guard Authorization Act (Public Law No. 111-281 – OCT. 15, 2010), when it added section 3104 to Part B of 46 U.S. Code. This new section prohibited the approval of survival craft unless the craft “ensures that no part of an individual is immersed in water.”

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Marine Installation Safety Training: Diesel fuelled heating

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The safety of diesel fuelled heating systems in boats is challenged as never before
The safety of diesel fuelled heating systems in boats is challenged as never before

The history
For over 40 years diesel fuelled heating has enjoyed a faultless safety record within the marine industry. This has been achieved despite being largely ignored by most regulating bodies.

So why are we writing this? Heaters are safe right? Well, yes, if installed and maintained correctly, diesel fuelled heating is still one of the safest forms of heating you can use.

Unfortunately, in recent years a worrying trend has started to develop, fuelled by a glut of cheap second hand vehicle diesel heaters and dubious internet knowledge.

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