UK P&I Club releases video on correctly securing fasteners after an overhaul

Labelled diagram of a fastener 
The Loss Prevention team at the UK P&I Club has produced its latest ‘Inside Ship’ animated training video, focused on correctly securing fasteners to prevent equipment failures during an overhaul.

The proper installation of fasteners is essential to avoiding preventable engine room incidents. Threaded studs have a variety of critical uses on board, including to secure engine fuel injectors, pumps and monitoring instruments in place. If these studs are incorrectly fastened, they can stretch beyond their elastic limit and shear. This can lead to engine room fires, potentially immobilising the vessel, causing significant damage and presenting a danger to crew. Continue reading “UK P&I Club releases video on correctly securing fasteners after an overhaul”

Safe handling and carriage of scrap metal in bulk

In recent years, Gard P&I Club has handled a number of claims involving the carriage of scrap metal in bulk and, from time to time, they get enquiries from Members for guidance on the handling and carriage of this cargo. Ship operators and masters should be aware of the risks related to scrap metal carriage and take risk mitigation actions accordingly.

There are two main categories of scrap metal covered in the IMSBC Code, namely scrap metal and ferrous materials in the form of iron metal borings, shavings, turnings or cuttings. Described in the IMSBC Code – “Scrap” iron or steel covers an enormous range Continue reading “Safe handling and carriage of scrap metal in bulk”

Risks of in-transit fumigation leading to phosphine gas explosions

Aluminium phosphide, the precursor compound from which phosphine gas is generated, is available in different forms and can be supplied in aluminium bottles as tablets of about 3g each or as pellets of about 1g. Alternatively it can be supplied in fabric ‘socks’ or strips of cojoined paper sachets which enable the fumigant residues to be easily removed in the situation where it is undesirable to have fumigation residue remaining in the cargo. Generally, and as a rule of thumb, Degesch state that one 3g tablet of aluminium phosphide formulation will generate about 1g of phosphine gas.

Usually, the quantity of aluminium phosphide applied per hold is calculated Continue reading “Risks of in-transit fumigation leading to phosphine gas explosions”

Lessons learned from wet damage steel product claims

Avoidable claims related to the carriage of finished and semi-finished steel products which continue to remain an issue.
Avoidable claims related to the carriage of finished and semi-finished steel products which continue to remain an issue.

John Southam, Loss Prevention Executive, and David Richards, Director (Claims), both from North P&I Club, offer lessons learned and discuss avoidable claims related to the carriage of finished and semi-finished steel products which continue to remain an issue.

The issues highlighted by North P&I include the importance of recording the preload condition and defending yourself against allegations of unseaworthiness with strong evidence.

In some recent cases it became apparent that the preload condition of the steel cargo was poor, whether it was physical damage through impact or corrosion damage from wetting. And when such damage to the cargo is noted at discharge, a high value claim can result. Continue reading “Lessons learned from wet damage steel product claims”

Great care should be taken when containers are loaded on vessels

container losses are the focus of a recent communiqué from the American Club
Container losses are the focus of a recent communiqué from the American Club

In a recent communiqué from the American Club, it focuses on container losses in general. This is a phenomenon that is much too common the Club says and needs addressing.

Containers are routinely being lost at sea from container ships, from barges, and from non-cellular vessels carrying containers. There are several causes including incorrect container weight declarations by shippers, improper weight distributions in the stow, cargo misdeclarations, inadequate packing of cargo inside the containers, inadequate stowage plans, and inadequate cargo securing. Continue reading “Great care should be taken when containers are loaded on vessels”

Water flood in cargo hold case study

There was a water flood into a cargo hold after crew washed the main deck
There was a water flood into a cargo hold after crew washed the main deck

According to the Swedish Club’s latest monthly safety scenario, water was flooding from the cargo hold, after the crew of a containership were washing down the main deck and cargo hatches. Here are the learnings.

It was morning and outside there was a light breeze and some drizzle. The crew of the container vessel was preparing to wash down the main deck and cargo hatches before arrival in port the same afternoon. They had the rare opportunity to do this as there were no containers on deck, only in the cargo hold. Continue reading “Water flood in cargo hold case study”

London P&I Club guidance regarding Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers and Dry Chemicals

The London Club published guidance regarding Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers (FIBCs) and Dry Chemicals. The guide presents common hazards, as well as lessons learned for a safe operation onboard.

FIBCs have a body of a flexible woven material (typically polypropylene) and is intended to ship solid material in powder, flake or granular form. It is designed to be handled from the top by permanently attached lifting loops/ slings which can be lifted by cranes, hoists or forklifts. They are frequently used to ship foodstuffs, agricultural product chemicals such as fertilisers, and pharmaceuticals.

As the London Club has noted, Continue reading “London P&I Club guidance regarding Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers and Dry Chemicals”

Britannia P&I Club issues warning about risks of olive margine carriage

Britannia P&I Club Logo
Britannia P&I Club Logo

Britannia P&I Club has warned operators and the shipping industry to be vigilant when carrying olive margine. It wanrs about the risks of liquefaction. According to Britannia, it has become aware that the olive margine, sometimes described as “Vegetable Residues” or “Olive Mill Waste Water (OMWW), is being offered for loading at ports in North Africa.

Olive Margine is not listed as a cargo in the IMSBC Code Britannia has been informed by cargo experts that it is prone to liquefaction and can, therefore, threaten ship stability. It also added that Continue reading “Britannia P&I Club issues warning about risks of olive margine carriage”

Guidance published for hold cleaning of bulk vessels

The Swedish Club in association with CWA International has produced a practical guide to help operators with the hold cleaning of bulk vessels. According to the guide, the preparation and cleaning of a vessel’s cargo holds for the next intended cargo is a vital part of bulk carrier operations. Hold cleaning requires clear planning, preparation and efficient execution.

Failure to carry out the proper hold preparation prior to loading can lead to cargo claims relating to cargo contamination, overflowing bilges, as well as contractual claims relating to delay, failed surveys, loss of hire and further charterparty disputes. Continue reading “Guidance published for hold cleaning of bulk vessels”

Fire due to misdeclaration of container: Case study

The recently published Casebook by The Swedish Club’s highlights an incident when the Master of a ship noticed smoke coming from the forward part of the vessel. At the same time the fire detection system for cargo hold 2 sounded on the bridge. The Master described the smoke as being white at first and then greyish. The Chief Officer, however, described the smoke as being “dark grey, almost black”.

The ventilation fans for the cargo holds were stopped. The fans for cargo hold 2 were not operating at that time but natural ventilation was being provided for the holds as the covers for the vents were open. Crew members closed the covers of the vents for cargo hold 2 and no crew member entered the cargo hold. Continue reading “Fire due to misdeclaration of container: Case study”

Cargo lights ignited cargo onboard bulker: Case study

In a recently published casebook featuring four case studies, The Swedish Club has shared information about an incident where floodlights caused a cargo fire on a bulk carrier.

A bulker had loaded sugar beet pellets in all three cargo holds with the operation taking 27 hours. When loading was completed the ventilation hatches and all other access points to the cargo holds were secured. In cargo hold 1 there were two metres of space between the cargo and the cargo hatch. In cargo holds 2 and 3 the cargo was almost up to the hatch coaming. Continue reading “Cargo lights ignited cargo onboard bulker: Case study”

IIMS 2022 Safety & Loss Prevention Briefings Compendium published

Following the surprise runaway success of the first edition of the Safety & Loss Prevention Briefings Compendium, published in January 2022 by the International Institute of Marine Surveying (IIMS), and subsequently downloaded many thousands of times, Edition II has been launched covering the period January to October 2022. It is now available to download and read in pdf or eReader formats.

Edition II builds on the success of the launch publication and extends to 160 pages. The simple aim is to highlight the dangers of working in the maritime industry, the ensuing accidents and some of the prevention measures available to mitigate disasters at sea. The publication blends a mix of incident and accident reports with essential loss prevention advice generated over the year. One significant new feature is a calendar, featuring some of the many accidents that have occurred during 2022, catalogued month by month. Continue reading “IIMS 2022 Safety & Loss Prevention Briefings Compendium published”

Instagram Posts from the IIMS @iimsmarine