MAIB publishes its latest safety digest 2/2021

The MAIB has released its latest Safety Digest 2/202 featuring 25 essential case studies following maritime incidents and accidents. Introducing the MAIB Safety Digest 2/2021, Andrew Moll, Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents, says, “I would like to start by thanking Matthew Easton, John Clark and Iain Elliott for writing the introductions to the Merchant, Fishing and Recreational Craft sections of this digest. As always, their perspectives on maritime safety make compelling reading. There are many aspects to safe operations and, purely by coincidence, our three introduction writers have focused on different parts of the safety effort.

John Clark’s accident in 2013 was the trigger for him to focus on assessing risks and taking steps to reduce them. Continue reading “MAIB publishes its latest safety digest 2/2021”

MAIB report into immobilisation and flooding of dredger Shearwater following repeated collisions published

At about 2000 on 9 April 2020, the UK registered dredger Shearwater was immobilised after its propeller shafts were fouled by a towline being used to tow the barge Agem One. The dredger and barge collided with each other repeatedly resulting in Shearwater being holed and flooded, before the towline parted and Agem One drifted away. There was no pollution or injury.

Shearwater had been towing Agem One in an alongside configuration on a coastal passage when a significant swell was encountered. This made the alongside tow untenable, causing Shearwater’s crew to switch to an astern tow. Within minutes of
switching, the 80m towline failed. Shortly after reconnecting the towline, it failed again, and the decision was made to abort the planned Continue reading “MAIB report into immobilisation and flooding of dredger Shearwater following repeated collisions published”

Report published into the fatal sinking of the wooden hulled motorboat Globetrotter

At about 0800 on 31 May 2020, the 12m wooden-hulled recreational boat Globetrotter sank in 5m of water during a sea-angling trip off the coast of Fleetwood, England. Its owner made a Mayday call shortly before he, his son, and a friend all entered the water. None of the sea anglers were wearing lifejackets or buoyancy aids, but they were able to use Globetrotter’s two lifebuoys to help them remain afloat.

The legs of the owner’s son became entangled in Globetrotter’s anchor rope and despite the exhaustive rescue efforts of the crews of two nearby boats, he was dragged under the water and drowned. Continue reading “Report published into the fatal sinking of the wooden hulled motorboat Globetrotter”

UK Maritime Safety Week 2021 is underway

This year’s Maritime Safety Week 2021 from 5 to 9 July
This year’s Maritime Safety Week 2021 from 5 to 9 July

This year’s Maritime Safety Week 2021 from 5 to 9 July is an opportunity for all key organisations – including HM Coastguard, charities and port authorities – to share best safety practices and knowledge, and challenge each other to enhance their already rigorous standards.

With lockdown restrictions easing and more people than ever holidaying in the UK this year, keeping the public safe on our coast, lakes and waterways is paramount.

To mark the beginning of the fourth annual Maritime Safety Week, Maritime Minister Robert Courts visited the Port of London Authority (PLA) to see first-hand its maritime pilot training space and meet some of the pilots trained to board commercial vessels to ensure safe passage. The PLA manages 95 miles of the Thames and is the UK’s busiest waterway. Continue reading “UK Maritime Safety Week 2021 is underway”

MAIB confirms missing fishing boat Nicola Faith has been raised and recovered

The recovered Nicola Faith fishing boat
Photo credit: MAIB

Four months after the fishing vessel Nicola Faith went missing with all hands off the coast of Wales, the U.K.’s Marine Accident Investigation Branch confirmed that the vessel was recovered in a unique salvage operation. The effort was undertaken after the families of the three lost crew members arranged for a private search to confirm the identity of the vessel on the seafloor. The MAIB said recovery and analysis of the vessel would help to provide answers to the question of why the fishing vessel was lost.

The vessel departed from Conwy, on the north coast of Wales, on January 27 and was believed to be out to set lobster pots. The vessel was not heard from and the MAIB was alerted to an overdue vessel, prompting the SAR operations. Seven RNLI lifeboats and three HM Continue reading “MAIB confirms missing fishing boat Nicola Faith has been raised and recovered”

Interim MAIB report on fatal accident between Seadogz and a buoy plus urgent safety recommendation published

The Marine and Accident Branch has issued an interim report and safety recommendation on the investigation of the collision between the high-speed passenger craft Seadogz and a navigation buoy resulting in one fatality in Southampton Water on 22 August 2020.

Seadogz was designed and manufactured by Red Bay Ribs Ltd in 2012 with a high sheer bow, deep ‘v’-shaped hull, and inflatable tubes with seven buoyancy chambers. Seadogz was equipped with twin 300hp Yahama outboard engines that, when first fitted, could drive the RIB at speeds of up to 55kts.

Continue reading “Interim MAIB report on fatal accident between Seadogz and a buoy plus urgent safety recommendation published”

Downloadable MAIB Spring 2021 Safety Digest of accident reports published

The Spring 2021 Safety Digest has been published by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch. It features 25 case studies involving a range of vessels and accidents. The Safety Digest talks through each scenario and reveals the lessons that arise from each case.

Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents, Andrew Moll, writes in his welcome and introduction “I would like to start by thanking Fran Collins, David Fuller and Roger Brydges for writing the introductions to the merchant, fishing and leisure sections of this Digest. Their perspectives on maritime safety make compelling reading.

At the MAIB, we try to keep our safety messages fresh. Continue reading “Downloadable MAIB Spring 2021 Safety Digest of accident reports published”

MAIB initial assessment after the explosion onboard the potting fishing vessel Galwad-Y-Mor

Detail of shell plating damage to Galwad-Y-Mor showing coating loss and indentation between internal frames
Detail of shell plating damage to Galwad-Y-Mor showing coating loss and indentation between internal frames

A preliminary assessment of the explosion resulting in damage and abandonment of the potting fishing vessel Galwad-Y-Mor (BRD116) 22 nautical miles north of Cromer, Norfolk on 15 December 2020 has been released by the MAIB.

On 15 December 2020, Galwad-Y-Mor was operating in potting fishing grounds east of the Wash. At about 1120, the crew was in the process of hauling in a string of crab pots; the skipper was in the wheelhouse with other crew members below decks working the pots. The hauler was being used to heave in the back rope, and the crew had let Continue reading “MAIB initial assessment after the explosion onboard the potting fishing vessel Galwad-Y-Mor”

MAIB Chief Inspector, Capt Andrew Moll, makes a statement at the start of Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week 2020

Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week 2020 aims to keep this issue in the minds of surveyors and the public
Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week 2020 aims to keep this issue in the minds of surveyors and the public

MAIB recently published a safety bulletin about the tragic deaths of two sailors on board Diversion due to carbon monoxide poisoning. As we continue our investigation it is vital that we remain alert to the silent danger carbon monoxide poses to the maritime community and the steps we can take to protect ourselves.

Over the past ten years MAIB has investigated six incidents involving carbon monoxide poisoning resulting in the tragic loss of ten lives. The majority of these incidents occurred on board motor cruisers used for recreation. In this time safety action has been taken and MAIB has made 12 safety recommendations focussed on preventing further, needless loss of life.

Continue reading “MAIB Chief Inspector, Capt Andrew Moll, makes a statement at the start of Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week 2020”

MAIB issues urgent safety bulletin about the death of two men caused by carbon monoxide poisoning

On 4 December 2019 two men returned to 9.18m privately owned motor cruiser Diversion, which was moored on the river Ouse in York. The diesel fuelled heater had been leaking exhaust fumes into the boat’s cabin while they were ashore, and both men were overcome by a high level of carbon monoxide gas and died shortly after they entered the boat’s cabin.

Safety Issues
1) no carbon monoxide alarm was fitted;

2) the cabin heater had been installed by the vessel’s owner, Continue reading “MAIB issues urgent safety bulletin about the death of two men caused by carbon monoxide poisoning”

MAIB Safety Digest lessons from marine accident reports October 2020 published

In an extract from the introduction to the latest and second MAIB Safety Digest October 2020, Andrew Moll, Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents said, “This has been a challenging year for us all, and some sectors of the marine industry have been very hard hit by the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic.

It therefore pains me to say that overall this year there seems to be very little change in the overall rate at which accidents and incidents are occurring. Te need to improve safety is therefore very much with us.

Continue reading “MAIB Safety Digest lessons from marine accident reports October 2020 published”

MAIB to carry out investigations for Very Serious Marine Casualties for ships registered with the Reg Category 1 registries

This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is established between the MAIB and, collectively, the Category 1 REG Marine Administrations of Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, the Isle of Man and Gibraltar.

In order to discharge obligations under the Casualty Investigation Code (set out by the International Maritime Organization, adopted under resolution MSC.255(84)), MAIB has agreed that it will carry out investigations for Very Serious Marine Casualties involving ships registered with the Category 1 REG Marine Administrations. These Continue reading “MAIB to carry out investigations for Very Serious Marine Casualties for ships registered with the Reg Category 1 registries”

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