What caught my eye: December 2024

Fishing is world’s most dangerous occupation, says global survey

When I read this story, it did not shock me, but it certainly saddened me. I guess we all know the inherent dangers that fishers the world over face. So, I read that a global safety charity is calling for urgent change and investment after its latest report named fishing as the world’s most dangerous occupation.

A quarter of fishers (26 per cent) have been harmed on the job in the last two years, according to Lloyd’s Register Foundation’s latest World Risk Poll report. Continue reading “What caught my eye: December 2024”

What caught my eye: October 2024

Major new artwork unveiled on Sheffield & Tinsley Canal

The first artwork on water by Alex Chinneck, the sculpture celebrates Sheffield’s historic waterways and industrial heritage. It takes the form of a full-size canal boat, whose body behaves in an extraordinary way, performing a six metre-high, gravity-defying, loop-the-loop.

An artist renowned for the ambition and scale of his public artworks, Chinneck has previously made multi-storey buildings bend, melt, Continue reading “What caught my eye: October 2024”

Pair trawlers collision results in flooding and sinking of vessel

Pair trawlers collision during routine fish transfer
Pair trawlers have a collision during routine fish transfer

At 1149 on 6 October 2022, the pair trawlers Guiding Light and Guiding Star have a collision during a routine fish transfer. Guiding Star’s stern was breached, and flooded. The crew unsuccessfully attempted to pump out the floodwater, and the vessel foundered about an hour later. The eight crew evacuated to a liferaft, which capsized during the accident; five were recovered to Guiding Light and the remaining three were winched to a coastguard rescue helicopter. All crew survived unharmed.

Safety issues
• The fish transfer had not been risk assessed and, during the operation, Guiding Light’s wheelhouse was left unattended, which meant the skipper was not at the navigational controls to prevent the collision. Continue reading “Pair trawlers collision results in flooding and sinking of vessel”

UK MAIB Safety Digest 2nd edition 2024

MAIB has issued its second Safety Digest of 2024
MAIB has issued its second Safety Digest of 2024

Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has issued its second Safety Digest of 2024 featuring a collection of lessons learned from a variety of the latest marine accidents involving vessels from the merchant, fishing and recreational sectors.

The sole purpose of the Safety Digest is to prevent similar accidents from happening again. The publication examines and investigates all types of marine accidents to or on board UK vessels worldwide, and other vessels in UK territorial waters. It aims to draw the attention of the marine community to some of the lessons arising from investigations into recent accidents and incidents. Continue reading “UK MAIB Safety Digest 2nd edition 2024”

What caught my eye: September 2024

Commercial sail power is back with a bang – who would have thought it?

It seems we have gone full circle. Cargo ships powered by sail were lost to us a century or more ago, and to the current generation such vessels are regarded as outmoded transportation from a bygone era. But now they are back, more sophisticated and sustainable than ever. Recently I read about the Anemos, which has claimed the title of the world’s largest sailing cargo ship as she made her inaugural voyage from Concarneau, South Brittany, France. Continue reading “What caught my eye: September 2024”

ICS Maritime Barometer Report 2023-2024 published

Maritime Barometer Report 2023-2024 published
Maritime Barometer Report 2023-2024 published

The ICS Maritime Barometer Report 2023-2024, identifies that the maritime industry’s future, hinges on navigating political instability, cyber threats, and evolving decarbonization demands, with clear regulations and strong collaboration between industry, governments, and regulators being critical to maintaining progress amid growing complexity and uncertainty. Continue reading “ICS Maritime Barometer Report 2023-2024 published”

Enclosed space deaths spark calls for change

Enclosed space deaths spark calls for change
Enclosed space deaths spark calls for change

Appalled that deaths in enclosed spaces continue to be all too frequent occurrences in the shipping industry, the Maritime Professional Council of the United Kingdom (MPC) has announced its support for fundamental changes to ship operation and design.

MPC member InterManager has been at the forefront of raising this issue where, it says, seemingly innocuous compartments, cargo holds and fuel tanks, vital for storage and operation on board any vessel, have become graveyards for far too many seafarers due to a lack of attention, regulation, and understanding. Continue reading “Enclosed space deaths spark calls for change”

The Hague Rules – 100 years old and still standing

The Hague Rules – 100 years old and still standing
The Hague Rules – 100 years old and still standing

Is simplicity a reason for the success of the Hague Rules? In this opinion piece, Mark Russell, Head of Cargo Claims in Gard, outlines the history – and looks to the future – in a world of competing cargo carriage regimes.

The Hague Rules came into being 100 years ago this year, becoming the first international convention governing the rights and obligations under bills of lading for the carriage of goods by sea. As the volume of internationally traded goods grew, the Hague Rules were born out of a need for uniformity in the allocation of risk between shipowners and cargo interests. Continue reading “The Hague Rules – 100 years old and still standing”

How to choose the right marine surveying professional development course for you (and guidance on what to watch out for)

Take time to assess marine surveying professional development course providers before jumping in is the advice
Take time to assess marine surveying professional development course providers before jumping in is the advice

Has your chosen education provider achieved an internationally recognised standard? Today, it seems easy to get duped by seductive marketing and one International Institute of Marine Surveying (IIMS) member is urging others to do their due diligence when signing up for a marine surveying professional development course.

A few years ago, the member in question decided to add another specialisation to their skillset at significant expense. Once they had Continue reading “How to choose the right marine surveying professional development course for you (and guidance on what to watch out for)”

What caught my eye: August 2024

Iconic Greek island shipwreck at risk of disappearing

Image credit Wikipedia
Image credit Wikipedia

Like most other people, I hanker after a bit of nostalgia and this story took me back in time to a memorable holiday in the Greek islands. I was fortunate enough to visit the island of Zakynthos about 30 years ago. We took a boat trip out to Navagio Beach to view the iconic, badly rusted wreck of MV Panagiotis. My overwhelming memory was jumping from the side of the boat into the clear blue Ionian waters to swim the 50 metres to the shore fighting against a strong tide – and all to see a rusted, decaying hulk! The MV Panagiotis, which ran Continue reading “What caught my eye: August 2024”

IIMS Marine Surveyor Search app turns 5

Back in 2019 the International Institute of Marine Surveying (IIMS) saw the need for a modern solution in searching for a marine surveyor. Five years later and finding a qualified and experienced marine surveyor is still as easy as ever with the Marine Surveyor Search app, the only one of its kind in the world.

Whether you need a survey for a heritage, wooden boat or an LNG carrier, the app gives you access to 950+ accredited surveyors based in Continue reading “IIMS Marine Surveyor Search app turns 5”

IIMS marine surveying training receives international seal of approval

IIMS marine surveying training receives international seal of approval
IIMS marine surveying training receives international seal of approval

The International Institute of Marine Surveying (IIMS) has been awarded the globally recognised ISO 9001 standard for quality management of its training services.

ISO 9001 is the most widely used quality management standard with more than one million certificates issued to organisations around the world.

There are seven guiding principles of ISO 9001, which are customer focus, leadership, engagement of people, process approach, improvement, evidence-based decision making and relationship management. Continue reading “IIMS marine surveying training receives international seal of approval”

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