Incorrect oxygen welding gas hose led to fire

The hose had been recently replaced, but the replacement hose was a hydraulic oil service hose with oxygen fittings.
The hose had been recently replaced, but the replacement hose was a hydraulic oil service hose with oxygen fittings.

In its latest Safety Flashes, IMCA presents a case of a fire due to incorrectly selected oxygen welding gas hose, during a routine cutting job onboard a ship. There were no injuries or ship damage, but investigation later revealed that the hose had been recently replaced with one that did not comply with ISO 14113 specification.

The incident

The ship’s welder opened the Oxygen and Acetylene gas bottle valves in order to do a cutting job on deck. These gas bottles were attached to the vessel’s integrated welding gas system. Opening the valve on the Oxygen bottle caused an explosion to a short, high pressure hose delivering oxygen from the bottle to the oxygen gas regulator. The end of the hose caught fire and was quickly extinguished by turning off the oxygen bottle. Nobody was injured and the only damage was to the hose that completely separated.

Findings

The hose had been recently replaced, but the replacement hose was a hydraulic oil service hose with oxygen fittings. The replacement hose was not Continue reading “Incorrect oxygen welding gas hose led to fire”

Sinking raises safety issues on bilge alarms

The failure of engine cooling system pipework is one of the most common causes of flooding on small fishing vessels
The failure of engine cooling system pipework is one of the most common causes of flooding on small fishing vessels

In its latest Safety Digest, the UK MAIB provides learnings about an 8.13m fibreglass fishing vessel that was engaged in picking up its fleets of creels when it began to take on water and subsequently sank. The skipper, who was working alone, managed to deploy the boat’s liferaft and climb into it as the boat was sinking and was later rescued without injuries.

The incident

The skipper went out to sea shortly after daybreak to recover his two fleets of creels. The weather was good. As soon as he arrived at the fishing grounds, he hauled in the first fleet of creels and stowed it on the aft end of the deck. He then headed at speed toward the second fleet of creels.

Continue reading “Sinking raises safety issues on bilge alarms”

Are ‘Smart Bolts’ the thing of the future?

Intelligent wireless bolts in wind turbines or satellites may be able to let the operator know when something is wrong
Intelligent wireless bolts in wind turbines or satellites may be able to let the operator know when something is wrong

In the future, intelligent wireless bolts in wind turbines or satellites may be able to let the operator know when something is wrong. This could reduce the risk of human injuries and save cost.

A research team at NTNU in Gjøvik is working to create bolts that send an alert when something is not as it should be or when maintenance is needed. Each bolt must be able to contact a control center, which will receive messages from all intelligent bolts of this type in all installations around the world.

The team working on these wireless bolts includes Professor Michael Cheffena, two fellows and the manufacturer Dokka Fasteners. The vision of the research team is to develop wireless sensors to be installed inside the bolts. If the sensors detect that something is Continue reading “Are ‘Smart Bolts’ the thing of the future?”

Life Cell wins top boating magazine award

Life Cell wins top boating magazine award
New innovation wins top boating magazine award

Life Cell, which stores essential safety gear together in a buoyant, high-visibility floating case for quick and easy access in emergencies, has received a 2018 Top Product Award from Boating Industry magazine.

Designed by a survivor of a rapid sinking off the coast of Sydney, Australia, Life Cell is redefining how safety equipment is stored on boats and creating a new category of safety equipment in an attempt to save lives. It is like combining a life ring and a ditch kit in one device, two items that have undergone little innovation in recent history.

“Life Cell has had significant success in Continue reading “Life Cell wins top boating magazine award”

Wet damage the most costly claim for bulk carriers says The Swedish Club

Ship on the sea - Image Courtesy: Empros Lines
Image Courtesy: Empros Lines

The Swedish Club has published a report warning bulk carrier owners to pay extra attention to the basics. The Club has concluded that for bulk carrier operators, wet damage is the most costly claim type and the second most common claim that they experience.

The report is entitled Wet Damage on Bulk Carriers and has been prepared in cooperation with DNV GL, and MacGregor. It identifies heavy weather and leaking hatch covers as the most common and the most costly type of wet damage claim and the average cost for a wet damage cargo claim being almost $110,000.

Whilst weather routeing minimises the effects of Continue reading “Wet damage the most costly claim for bulk carriers says The Swedish Club”

Denmark cancels registration fee for Danish Register in attempt to boost fleet size

The aim of this amendment is to increase the attractiveness of the Danish Flag
The aim of this amendment is to increase the attractiveness of the Danish Flag

The Danish Parliament adopted a legislative amendment on 26 of April, which cancels the registration fee for vessels in the Danish Registers of Shipping. The aim of this amendment is to increase the attractiveness of the Danish Flag.

Denmark supports that this measure will indeed increase the attractiveness of the Danish Flag, as it now offers the same benefits as foreign Flags.

This amendment also provides increased economic activity and international influence, when the Danish Flag attracts more vessels from both national as foreign shipowners.

The amendment will enter into force on the Continue reading “Denmark cancels registration fee for Danish Register in attempt to boost fleet size”

Futuristic 110 metre superyacht concept Elyon by Expleo set to break the superyacht mould

Elyon by Expleo Design
Elyon by Expleo Design

Expleo Design has unveiled a futuristic 110-metre (360-foot) superyacht concept named Elyon, with on-board accommodation for up to 30 guests.

According to Expleo Design, the organic shapes of the yacht “combine elements inspired by nature [and] assembled in a futuristic and innovative approach”. The studio’s main inspiration was a calm ocean wave, which explains its curvaceous exterior lines, which are described as being calm and elegant, yet firm and strong at the same time.

Elyon’s unique bow; the blending between decks; wide-glass windows; and her structural elements are combined with clean design and wide-open spaces to give the feeling of space, freedom and power.

Key entertainment features are Continue reading “Futuristic 110 metre superyacht concept Elyon by Expleo set to break the superyacht mould”

Heinen & Hopman launches new CFD-analysis service to reduce HVAC costs

Heinen & Hopman have launched new CFD-analysis service to reduce HVAC costs
Heinen & Hopman have launched new CFD-analysis service to reduce HVAC costs

Marine HVAC supplier Heinen & Hopman has introduced a new service that can accurately predict where deficiencies in an HVAC system may occur before mounting a single piece of equipment on board a vessel.

According to Heinen & Hopman, computational-fluid dynamics (CFD) technology is used to analyse the HVAC-system design to validate whether the HVAC installation shall meet specific requirements.

In a recent press release, Heinen & Hopman outlined, “CFD is a well-established technology in many industries. With CFD technology, airflows can be realistically simulated to identify common HVAC problems, such as drafts, high levels of turbulence, high-pressure drop[s] and poor air-distribution. CFD considers everything from Continue reading “Heinen & Hopman launches new CFD-analysis service to reduce HVAC costs”

Former Cunard flagship Queen Elizabeth 2 opens as a hotel in Dubai

The Queen Elizabeth 2The legendary former Cunard flagship Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2) is set to finally open its doors to the public as a hotel in Dubai tomorrow, April 18, almost 50 years after her completion by the John Brown shipyard in Scotland and more than nine years after her retirement from active Cunard service in November 2008.

Initial plans by Dubai World to convert the vessel to a hotel were disrupted by the 2008 financial crisis, but now PCFC Hotels – part of the Dubai government’s Ports, Customs and Free Zones Corporation – says it has “reinvented the legendary vessel as the latest must-see tourism destination, in a city renowned for its world-class attractions.”

The ship is now docked permanently at Mina Rashid, where her dining, accommodations and entertainment attractions will be unveiled.

Continue reading “Former Cunard flagship Queen Elizabeth 2 opens as a hotel in Dubai”

Liquid nitrogen and heat system could meet new rules on emissions

Liquid nitrogen and heat system diagramPerryman Technologies is developing what it believes is the marine power source of the future – a source of powering marine engines that do not rely on combustion and does not result in any harmful emissions. Instead, steam, gas turbine can be powered by heat and diesel engines can be powered thermal energy, heat, stored as molten metal, combined with liquid nitrogen or highly compressed air.

Spokesman Shiva Vencat says the Perryman battery system is timely, considering the IMO has just agreed to cut emissions by at least 50 percent by 2050. He also cites Wood Mackenzie’s prediction that global shipping fuel costs are likely to rise by a quarter in 2020 when the global sulfur cap takes effect.

Continue reading “Liquid nitrogen and heat system could meet new rules on emissions”

IMO adopts climate change strategy for shipping

Nations met at the United Nations International Maritime Organization (IMO) in London recently
Nations met at the United Nations International Maritime Organization (IMO) in London recently

Nations meeting at the United Nations International Maritime Organization (IMO) in London recently have adopted an initial strategy on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from ships, setting out a vision to reduce GHG emissions from international shipping and phase them out, as soon as possible in this century.

The vision confirms IMO’s commitment to reducing GHG emissions from international shipping and, as a matter of urgency, to phasing them out as soon as possible.

Continue reading “IMO adopts climate change strategy for shipping”

Wind Propulsion is an Essential Tool in Shipping’s Decarbonisation Efforts says the International Windship Association

 Wind Propulsion is an Essential Tool in Shipping’s Decarbonisation Efforts
Wind Propulsion is an Essential Tool in Shipping’s Decarbonisation Efforts

The International Windship Association, along with its 40-plus member companies and organisations is positioned to help the shipping industry meet urgent and ambitious carbon reduction targets to be set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) at MEPC72.

There is a wide range of wind-assist and primary wind propulsion technology solutions that offer between 10-30% savings for retrofits, and up to 50% on smaller new built fully optimised vessels. Wind is a primary renewable energy that is free at point of use, abundant and exclusively available giving the vessel better commercial and operational autonomy.

Continue reading “Wind Propulsion is an Essential Tool in Shipping’s Decarbonisation Efforts says the International Windship Association”

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