An independent commission has released its report into the loss of the ferry Butiraoi in the South Pacific off the coast of Kiribati last year, finding that the vessel was “unsafe” and could reasonably be “expected” to sink in the conditions it experienced. 95 passengers and crew lost their lives when she broke up and sank off the atoll of Nonouti.
On January 18, 2018, the wooden catamaran ferry Butiraoi took aboard 89 passengers, 13 crew and about 30 tonnes of cargo at Nonouti. She had recently gone aground three times without any immediate follow-up or repairs, and two weeks earlier, a local marine surveyor had ordered her not to carry passengers due to an insufficient number of lifejackets. Even if Butiraoi had been licensed to carry passengers on the accident voyage, the number on board was in excess of permitted limits.
Continue reading “Report into deadly Butiraoi ferry sinking says the vessel was unsafe”
The amendments to SOLAS regulations III/3 and III/20, introducing mandatory new requirements for the maintenance and inspection of lifeboats and rescue boats, are entering into force on 1 January 2020, to ensure safety of life-saving appliances and equipment.
Since the introduction of the first diesel-powered ships in the early 20th century, technology developments in shipping have been steady and incremental. This continuity will end as the industry approaches the year 2050. Decarbonization requirements and the opportunities offered by digitalization will bring about major change. The challenge for a ship built today is that this change will take place within its lifespan. Failure to account for foreseeable regulatory and technology developments may render a ship built today uncompetitive at best; in the worst case it may end up being prohibited from operating altogether. The technology choices made when building a new ship will therefore decide whether it will be future-proof.
