Following fatal Platino accident new regulations are introduced

Photo credit: Maritime NZ
Photo credit: Maritime NZ

In the aftermath of the report published into the fatal Platino accident in which two crew members of the yacht Platino died back in June 2016, Maritime NZ has announced regulatory changes. These apply to safety requirements for recreational vessels leaving New Zealand ports and for other recreational vessels operating in New Zealand waters.

The incident
Platino is a 19.78 metre-long sailing yacht built in 1997-98 and extensively refitted in 2015. It was certified to Category 1 standard by Yachting NZ on 11 May 2016 and sailed from Auckland bound for Fiji on 11 June 2016 with five crew on board. Continue reading “Following fatal Platino accident new regulations are introduced”

What next as the International Safety Management Code turns 20?

Capt Yves Vandenborn, AFNI, Director of Loss Prevention at the Standard P&I Club, based in Singapore, writing in The Standard Club P&I’s bulletin addresses the International Safety Management Code on the occasion of its twentieth birthday. Twenty years and five amendments later after the Code came into effect in 1998, Mr Vandenborn examines its course so far and what, in his opinion, needs to be done in order to become more effective.

Background
The International Safety Management Code was born out of a series of serious shipping accidents in the 1980s, the worst of which was the roll-on roll-off ferry Herald of Free Enterprise which capsized at Zeebrugge in March 1987, killing 193 of its 539 passengers and crew. The cause of these accidents was a combination of human error on board and management failings on shore. The Herald of Free Enterprise public enquiry report concluded that ‘From top to bottom the body corporate was infected with the disease of sloppiness’.

What followed was a much needed change in maritime safety administration. In October 1989, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) adopted new Guidelines on Management for the Safe Operation of Ships and for Pollution Prevention giving operators a ‘framework for the proper development, implementation and assessment of safety and pollution prevention management in accordance with good practice’. Following industry feedback, the guidelines became the ISM code in November 1993 and were incorporated in a new chapter IX of the IMO’s 1974 International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) in May 1994, and became mandatory for companies operating certain types of ships from 1 July 1998. Continue reading “What next as the International Safety Management Code turns 20?”

London P&I Club, first to declare their strategy in the event of a hard Brexit

UK maritime insurer London P&I Club is taking out an insurance policy against the business risks of Brexit by opening a subsidiary in Cyprus. The European market accounts for nearly two-thirds of London P&I’s business, and a Cypriot entity would still be able to operate under EU rules with EU clients in the event that a “hard Brexit” impedes cross-channel transactions.

London P&I Club, which has been serving the UK’s maritime sector since the dawn of the steamship era, told Reuters that it is now obtaining the necessary licenses from Cypriot authorities and setting up its new operations in the island state. they are one of the first to openly declare their post Brexit strategy.

Continue reading “London P&I Club, first to declare their strategy in the event of a hard Brexit”

Gale force winds caused container losses from YM Efficiency, says report

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has released its preliminary investigation report into the loss of containers overboard from the container ship YM Efficiency, off Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia last month.

The 4,300-TEU Liberian-flagged ship operated by Yang Ming Marine Transport lost 81 containers overboard in gale-force weather conditions on June 1, 2018. Another 62 containers were damaged, and there was structural damage to the ship’s gangway, superstructure and lashing bridges. The ship was on a regular service, calling at ports in China, Taiwan and Australia.

At about 0034 on June 1, the ship experienced a period of quick, heavy rolling for about 60 to 90 seconds. The rolling was estimated by the ship’s master as having reached angles of up to 30º to port and starboard. Shortly after the start of the rolling, several engineering alarms sounded and the main engine shut down. By about 0036, the rolling had reduced and the ship’s motion had calmed. The engine was restarted, and the YM Efficiency eventually berthed in Port Botany on June 6. Continue reading “Gale force winds caused container losses from YM Efficiency, says report”

Surveyor raises questions about duck boat design following tragic accident

Following the appalling recent tragedy that led to multiple fatalities, a private contractor hired to inspect the fleet of “Ride the Ducks” tour boats in Branson, Missouri has raised questions about several duck boat design features that may have posed a potential safety hazard.

Steven Paul, an ex-Army diesel mechanic and private marine surveyor, told CNN that he conducted a pre-sale inspection of the Branson based Ride the Ducks fleet last year. He described a series of potential issues with the vessels and said that he had informed the new operator in a written report.

Continue reading “Surveyor raises questions about duck boat design following tragic accident”

RMBIDS unveils revamped online platform for marine equipment auctions

RMBIDS, the world’s first online platform for marine equipment auctions, has launched a new and improved website, expanding its services to promote a new era of fairer maritime trade.

RMBIDS has always prided itself on user discretion – both sellers and buyers have always had the option of being anonymous – and this has been further enhanced in the new site, with additional privacy features available to sellers. RMBIDS’ Private Room function will allow owners who want to auction off their goods confidentially, whilst knowing their potential buyers, to enter a virtual auction space with pre-agreed purchasers only, all of whom sign an NDA (non-disclosure agreement) to protect the owner’s identity.

Continue reading “RMBIDS unveils revamped online platform for marine equipment auctions”

Problems over the ‘vagaries’ of the standard mean some yachts still not adhering to MCA LY3 fire protocol

Yacht Protect Services Ltd has claimed that not all applicable yachts are adhering to the Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA) Marine Guidance practises relating to textile fire retardants such as MCA LY3 fire protocol.

In October 2012, the MCA issued Marine Guidance Notice 453 (MGN 453) – a protocol to approve service providers wishing to apply textile fire-retardant treatments.

The MCA wanted assurances that the fire retardant treatment process provided equivalence to inherently fire retardant materials used aboard vessels certified under the MCA Large Commercial Yacht Code (LY3), and the products used were tested to comply with the IMO Fire Test Procedures Code (FTP Code 2010). Continue reading “Problems over the ‘vagaries’ of the standard mean some yachts still not adhering to MCA LY3 fire protocol”

New method to assess structure durability of aged ships announced by Ship Structure Committee

The method developed utilizes a ship specific 3-D hydrodynamic model to simulate the ship’s rigid body dynamic response to wave conditions, measuring the resulting ship motions and pressure distribution on the hull.
The method developed utilizes a ship specific 3-D hydrodynamic model to simulate the ship’s rigid body dynamic response to wave conditions, measuring the resulting ship motions and pressure distribution on the hull.

The Ship Structure Committee is pleased to announce the publication of a new report, SSC-474, titled Structural Assessment of Aged Ships, authored by Mr. Gregory Walker, Mr. Brendan Connell and Mr. Sean Kery of CSRA. The detailed 75 page report is available for free using the link at the end of the article below.

The report describes the development of an assessment process to accurately predict the survivability of a corrosion-degraded ship in specific wave conditions. The method developed utilizes a ship specific 3-D hydrodynamic model to simulate the ship’s rigid body dynamic response to wave conditions, measuring the resulting ship motions and pressure distribution on the hull. Pressure and acceleration data from the hydrodynamic model is then input into a Continue reading “New method to assess structure durability of aged ships announced by Ship Structure Committee”

Broken valve causes oil spill while bunkering

The Swedish P&I Club has described a case of an oil spill during a vessel's bunkering operations which led to an oil spill, the cause of which was a broken valve.
The Swedish P&I Club has described a case of an oil spill during a vessel’s bunkering operations which led to an oil spill, the cause of which was a broken valve.

The Swedish P&I Club has described a case of an oil spill during a vessel’s bunkering operations which led to an oil spill, the cause of which was a broken valve. Following investigation, the Club recommended that all involved parties should be informed when tanks are switched and that the crew must always ensure the valves are completely shut and working.

The incident
The vessel was loading in port and had also planned to bunker fuel using shore trucks. The plan was to load the fuel into port tank 2 and fill it 96%, but the chief engineer changed this just before loading and instead wanted to load port and starboard 3 tanks. The plan was to fill these tanks 90%. The number 3 tanks were half the size of the port and starboard 2 tanks.

The bunker system was lined up to bunker the port 3 tank. Deck scuppers were put in place on deck. The chief engineer then met the truck driver to agree on basic hand signals before connecting the Continue reading “Broken valve causes oil spill while bunkering”

Shipowners P&I Club issues loss prevention and fishing vessel safety publication

There have been many studies carried out over the years showing that fatalities on fishing vessels remain a real threat.
There have been many studies carried out over the years showing that fatalities on fishing vessels remain a real threat.

On the occasion of the launch of Maritime Safety Week by the UK government running this week, the Shipowners Club issued its fishing vessel safety booklet, summarizing key safety tips for one of the most dangerous jobs in the world. There have been many studies carried out over the years showing that fatalities on fishing vessels remain a real threat.

It is essential that the vessel’s skipper and all crew are fully familiarised with the vessel and its equipment, including any vessel-specific quirks, prior to departing a berth. A pre-sailing checklist should be completed, including:

– The operation and maintenance of the fishing equipment.
– The location and operation of safety equipment, ensuring it is free from obstruction
– The onboard layout of the spaces such as void spaces, engine room and cargo spaces.
– The location and operation of key Continue reading “Shipowners P&I Club issues loss prevention and fishing vessel safety publication”

BPA calls for alcohol limits in UK recreational boating

Professional mariners and fishermen in charge of commercial ships are covered by alcohol limits but there is a loophole for those in the leisure sector.
Professional mariners and fishermen in charge of commercial ships are covered by alcohol limits but there is a loophole for those in the leisure sector.

The British Ports Association (BPA) has called for new legislation to introduce alcohol limits for non-professional mariners, replicating the rules that already exist for commercial ships in British waters.

Commenting on the anomaly, the BPA’s Chief Executive, Richard Ballantyne, said:
“As it is Maritime Safety Week its right that we revive the debate around the gap in legislation regarding alcohol limits for non-professional mariners. We understand there will be technical challenges to overcome and also that enforcement will not be easy but it cannot be right in this day and age that such a sizeable section of our maritime sector is exempt from drink-drive rules. There have been too many occasions when alcohol has endangered lives in the maritime environment, both within and outside ports and harbours.”

Professional mariners and fishermen in charge of commercial ships are covered by alcohol limits but there is a loophole for those in the leisure sector.

Laws to introduce drink driving offences for Continue reading “BPA calls for alcohol limits in UK recreational boating”

UK Government rolls out Maritime Safety Week

Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Nusrat Ghani MP is undertaking a series of visits and making a number of announcements.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Nusrat Ghani MP is undertaking a series of visits and making a number of announcements.

The Department for Transport is delighted to announce the inaugural Maritime Safety Week is taking place from Monday 9 July to Friday 13 July.

Nusrat Ghani, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, said, “Safety is absolutely critical to underpinning success at every level and I want to raise awareness and highlight the excellent work which is already being done in this space by a diverse range of organisations and individuals. Maritime Safety Week has been created to do precisely that and provide a focal point to recognise contributions and celebrate success”.

Maritime Safety Week will provide an opportunity to share the wealth of knowledge, experience and best practice which you have and to increase understanding of what the sector is already doing to respond to the safety challenges it faces as well as plans for the future.

“As an island nation we have always depended on the seafarers, shipping and the wider maritime industry for our prosperity but safety isn’t just a concern for Continue reading “UK Government rolls out Maritime Safety Week”

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