International News

NTSB issues investigation report about the towing vessel Spence which sank in 2015

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Photo taken by a Spence crew member and provided by the Coast Guard of the listing vessel
Photo taken by a Spence crew member and provided by the Coast Guard of the listing vessel

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has concluded its investigation and has issued a full report about the incident on the towing vessel Spence, which caused it to list badly before finally sinking. The incident occurred on 14 December 2015 about 115 nm north of Cartagena, Colombia.

The NTSB report says that the list increased despite efforts by the crew to correct it. Consequently, the captain activated the vessel’s emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB), and the crew climbed onto the barge that the Spence was towing. The towing vessel sank shortly thereafter. US Coast Guard District 7 received the EPIRB alert and directed the Coast Guard cutter Decisive to the scene. On arrival, the Decisive rescued the four crew members from the drifting barge. Three crew members sustained non-life threatening injuries.

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New vessel contract for the iconic Staten Island run awarded to Eastern Shipbuilding

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Photo credit: Elliot Bay Design Group
Photo credit: Elliot Bay Design Group

One of the best known ferry routes in the USA, if not the world, the Staten Island run, is due to have three new ferries following the awarding of a contract to Florida based Eastern Shipbuilding.

The instantly recognisable bright orange Staten Island passenger ferries carry 70,000 people a day between St George and Whitehall Street, with sweeping views of the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn, Governor’s Island and the Manhattan skyline. The free boarding at the conveniently located terminal near Wall Street makes the short route a major tourist attraction.

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New biofouling requirements poised to enter force in New Zealand from May 2018

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The New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has issued a notice announcing that all vessels arriving in New Zealand must have clean hulls from May 2018 as new biofouling regulations are set to become law. The Craft Risk Management Standard (CRMS) has been developed to provide guidance regarding compliance.

From May 2018, vessels must arrive in New Zealand with a clean hull. Vessels staying up to 20 days and only visiting designated ports (places of first arrival) will be allowed a slight amount of biofouling. Vessels staying longer and visiting other places will only be allowed a slime layer and goose barnacles.

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MAIB releases a Safety Digest featuring 25 case studies and recommendations

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Upturned hull of the Cemfjord
Upturned hull of the Cemfjord

The UK MAIB has released a seventy page document, which is free to read regarding twenty five cases it has investigated in recent times.

This Safety Digest 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.

The sole purpose of the Safety Digest is to prevent similar accidents happening again. The content must necessarily be regarded as tentative and subject to alteration or Continue reading “MAIB releases a Safety Digest featuring 25 case studies and recommendations”

Offshore wind power sector is set for exponential growth reveals new report

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The offshore wind power industry is set to experience rapid growth in the next few years
The offshore wind power industry is set to experience rapid growth in the next few years

Offshore wind power is on the cusp of exponential growth, with installed capacity set to nearly triple between 2015 to 2020 reveals a new joint industry report.

This growth is being accompanied by marked cost reduction, with recent auction tenders suggesting that costs have fallen by 60 percent compared to 2010 levels. As a result, a new International Energy Agency’s Renewable Energy Technology Deployment report REWind Offshore highlights that industry cost targets for 2025 have been surpasses eight years ahead of schedule.

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Unitisation of wind project cargo concept launched by DNV GL

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The unitisation of wind project cargo in the future looks bright thanks to a new concept by DNV GL
The unitisation of wind project cargo in the future looks bright thanks to a new concept by DNV GL

“Twisties” adopts industry standard 20-foot cargo container twist-lock centres, ensuring that wind project cargo can be transported on existing vessels arranged for containers and avoids the need to develop expensive new specialist transportation and installation vessels for next generation (10 MW+) offshore turbines.

DNV GL, the world’s largest resource of independent energy experts and certification body, has launched a revolutionary new joint industry project (JIP) to develop a Recommended Practice intended to de-risk the adoption of “Twisties” and demonstrate the unitisation of wind project cargo. The innovative concept is called “Twisties” – a modular project-cargo transport frame system that is sea-fastened using container twist locks – and which gives the frames their name.

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Reducing the risk of liquefaction onboard

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The threat of liquefaction onboard remains as ominous as ever. This new guide will help.
The threat of liquefaction onboard remains as ominous as ever. This new guide will help.

London P&I Club has released a joint publication, in association with TMC Marine and Bureau Veritas. The aim of this excellent guide is to give operational guidance for vessels that carry cargoes which could be subject to liquefaction. The Club says that, although significant progress on the issue has been made so far, the liquefaction phenomenon continues to be as relevant today as it was years ago.

While the main requirements for the safe carriage of solid bulk cargoes are enshrined in the IMSBC Code, this booklet outlines the precautions operators should take before accepting cargoes for shipment and the procedures they should follow for the safe loading and carriage of the nominated cargo.

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First announcement of the IIMS London Conference 2017 released

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The splendid Regent's University in the heart of London awaits delegates for the IIMS London Conference 2017
The splendid Regent’s University in the heart of London awaits delegates for the IIMS London Conference 2017

The International Institute of Marine Surveying is delighted to announce that it will be returning to Regent’s University for its London Conference 2017. Organised specifically at the start of London Shipping week on 11 and 12 September, it gives delegates the chance to move on to participate in other events later that week.

Dinner will be held on Monday 11 September from 19.00 at the Churchill Cabinet War Rooms. IIMS has chosen what is a very special and iconic venue. The Churchill Cabinet War Rooms reveal the stories hidden beneath the streets of Westminster. Explore the underground bunker that protected the staff and secrets at the heart of Britain’s government during the Second World War as Churchill and his inner Continue reading “First announcement of the IIMS London Conference 2017 released”

Loss prevention briefing bulletin issued by North P&I Club

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North P&I's loss prevention briefing bulletin that offers free, helpful advice
North P&I’s loss prevention briefing bulletin that offers free, helpful advice

The North P&I Club has issued a loss prevention briefing bulletin, which details all the important and necessary actions and steps to take into consideration when conducting a proper and professional incident investigation. The Club reviews how to conduct an investigation; how to collect and preserve the evidence; how to examine data and how to look for and find probable causes and finally how to use data to identify trends.

In particular, it is noted that, fundamentally, the investigation should establish:
• who was involved
• what happened
• why did it happen

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A marine warranty surveyor should be engaged to reduce cargo shifting risk says London P&I Club

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London P&I Club is calling for a marine warranty surveyor to be engaged to reduce the risk of shifting deck cargoes
London P&I Club is calling for a marine warranty surveyor to be engaged to reduce the risk of shifting deck cargoes

Due to a recent increase in the incidence of deck cargoes shifting in heavy weather, the London P&I Club said it supports a recommendation to appoint a marine warranty surveyor to supervise high-risk marine construction and transportation project operations where appropriate.

“In the past year, LOC has seen many deck cargoes shifting in heavy weather,” Paul Walton, a director with international marine consultant LOC (Hong Kong), said.

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Martek Marine named on major €67M maritime drone contract

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Martek Marine are part of the disruptive technology coming to the maritime world through the deployment of drones
Martek Marine are part of the disruptive technology coming to the maritime world through the deployment of drones

Martek Marine has been awarded a ground breaking two year Remotely Piloted Aircraft Services (RPAS) contract from the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA). The services offered will fulfil part of the world’s largest ever maritime drone contract.

Part of a five year EMSA strategy of improving coastguard monitoring and surveillance of maritime activity valued at EUR 67 million, the service provision from Martek Marine not only includes the RPAS, commonly known as drones, but also the pilots, long-range antennae, mission control vehicles and ground crew. Video and drone sensor data will be streamed live to a control centre, to allow EU Member States to make prompt decisions on intervention actions. Continue reading “Martek Marine named on major €67M maritime drone contract”

Debunking the myths of the safety management system

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A key requirement of the ISM code is an effective safety management system
A key requirement of the ISM code is an effective safety management system

Article written by Nippin Anand PhD MSc Master Mariner FNI

In January 2015, the pure car and truck carrier (PCTC) Hoegh Osaka developed a severe list on departing from Southampton, and was left stranded outside the port for more than 19 days. The official investigation revealed how decision making became the victim of production pressures. The vessel sailed from port without determining accurately the stability conditions upon completion of cargo. It was a routine practice to leave this task to be carried out once the vessel was out at sea; a practice that appears to be common within the PCTC industry. The weights of the cargoes declared at the time of loading were significantly different from the actual weights; a practice that extends even beyond the PCTC industry. The port captain never felt the need to involve the chief officer in the preparation of the stowage plan. The chief officer, on the other hand, did not feel he had the authority to question the pre-stowage plan.

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