Crush incident report involving a falling hatch cover on SMN Explorer published

The accident was the result of procedural inadequacies and a lapse of supervision.
The accident was the result of procedural inadequacies and a lapse of supervision.

A crewman from the Liberian registered general cargo vessel, SMN Explorer, died when he was crushed by a falling hatch cover. The crewman was part of a working party stowing cargo slings used for the discharge of the ship’s cargo. The accident occurred when the crewman climbed up the inside of the open hatch cover after its locking pins had been removed.

The accident was the result of procedural inadequacies and a lapse of supervision. The investigation identified that the vessel’s safety management system was immature and the safety culture on board the vessel was weak. Risk assessments had not been conducted for routine tasks and a safe system of work had not been developed for opening and closing the forecastle (fo’c’s’le) stowage space hatch cover.

Safety issues
– the crewman walked under, and climbed up an unsecured hatch cover;
– the accident occurred because the Continue reading “Crush incident report involving a falling hatch cover on SMN Explorer published”

AMSA has revoked its certificate for an unstable livestock carrier

AMSA expects the vessel will be subject to a detailed examination by the operator and classification society.
AMSA expects the vessel will be subject to a detailed examination by the operator and classification society.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has revoked the Australian Certificate for the Carriage of Livestock (ACCL) for the Panamanian flagged livestock carrier, MV Jawan, because the vessel’s approved stability data cannot be relied upon when the vessel is loaded.

The Jawan was (again) scheduled to depart from Portland on a journey from Australia to Pakistan on Monday after the vessel’s classification society Bureau Veritas, on behalf of the flag state, provided their assessment of the ship’s stability.

However, when moved from berth, the ship demonstrated a motion that suggested the ship lacked stability. The master of the vessel requested the vessel Continue reading “AMSA has revoked its certificate for an unstable livestock carrier”

Lack of communication led to serious main engine problems is key finding

Photo credit: Swedish P&I Club
Photo credit: Swedish P&I Club

The Swedish P&I Club has published a case study following serious damage caused to a ship’s main engine. As a consequence of poor communication water contaminated the lubrication oil causing severe damage to the engine.

Engineers on a bulk carrier were conducting scheduled maintenance on one of the ballast pumps. They had closed all the isolating valves to the ballast pump and put up notices about the job in the engine room and engine control room, but not on the bridge. They didn’t finish the job on the first day, so continued the next day.

The next day the Master asked an officer to print out the alarm list for the ballast water management system, prior to arriving at the next port as a port state inspection would take place. To get the list the officer had to start the ballast water management system, which he did.

The bilge high level alarm was activated in the engine room. An oiler checked the bilges and could see Continue reading “Lack of communication led to serious main engine problems is key finding”

Renault eyes wind powered ships to cut supply chain carbon

Neoline's plans to develop industrial-scale wind-powered freight services have led to the design of a commercial demo
Neoline’s plans to develop industrial-scale wind-powered freight services have led to the design of a commercial demo

Major French vehicle manufacturer, Groupe Renault, has signed a three year agreement with Neoline, a start up that says it aims to become the first modern shipowner to fully embrace energy efficiency by relying on wind power as its primary energy source. Nearly 60% of Renault’s parts and vehicles are transported by sea.

“Groupe Renault’s objective is to reduce the environmental impact of each vehicle throughout its entire life cycle, from parts transportation up to delivery and end-of-life processing,” says Jean-Philippe Hermine, Vice President, Strategic Environmental Planning Groupe Renault. “In the context of our strategy to explore new sustainable mobility solutions and to continue along the road to reducing our carbon footprint, the solution designed by Neoline, which combines energy efficiency and operational relevance, has truly captured our attention”.

Jean Zanuttini, CEO of Neoline, declared: Continue reading “Renault eyes wind powered ships to cut supply chain carbon”

The impact of IMSBC Code changes from 1 January 2019 on coal cargoes

The classification of coal has been amended so that it will be treated as both Group A and B, unless otherwise tested.
The classification of coal has been amended so that it will be treated as both Group A and B, unless otherwise tested.

On 1 January 2019 amendments to the IMSBC Code will apply. In an article to Gard Club, Penelope Cooke of Brookes Bell LLP, explains the impact of these changes on vessels carrying coal cargoes.

The amendments to the IMSBC Code regard the criteria under which coal cargoes are considered Group A, namely liable to liquefy, in addition to Group B chemical hazards which apply to all coal cargoes. Thus, coal cargoes may need the same TML and moisture certification as other Group A cargoes, such as concentrates, nickel ore and iron ore fines.

Continue reading “The impact of IMSBC Code changes from 1 January 2019 on coal cargoes”

UK MCA releases a notice on the transport of dangerous goods and marine pollutants

The IMO has adopted the amendment 39-18 to the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code
The IMO has adopted the amendment 39-18 to the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code

The UK MCA has released a Merchant Shipping Notice regarding the transport of dangerous goods and marine pollutants in packaged form by sea on ships within UK waters and on UK ships.

The IMO has adopted the amendment 39-18 to the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code. It will enter into force globally on 1 January 2019, with a twelve month “transitional period” until 31 December 2019.

From 1 January 2019, until 31 December 2019 dangerous goods and marine pollutants in packaged form shall be Continue reading “UK MCA releases a notice on the transport of dangerous goods and marine pollutants”

Dynamic loading contributed to deck slewing crane failure says report

Two crew members, who were inside the deck slewing crane’s cabin, were seriously injured.
Two crew members, who were inside the deck slewing crane’s cabin, were seriously injured.

Transport Malta’s MSIU has published its investigation report on the slewing deck crane failure onboard the Maltese-flagged product tanker ‘Bozdag’, while the ship was in the port of Tallinn on 28 November 2017.

The report revealed that the dynamic loading and the sudden halt of the free falling loads were two major contributing factors to the failure of the deck slewing crane.

Details of the incident
A regular, five-yearly compulsory test on the ship’s deck slewing crane was planned for 28 November 2017. Given that the safe working Continue reading “Dynamic loading contributed to deck slewing crane failure says report”

BMA alerts to the use new ISO standard shipping safety signs and equipment location markings from January 2019

The Bahamas Maritime Authority has published an alert regarding new escape route signs and equipment location markings. They remind all relevant parties that all new vessels built from the 01 January 2019 should be provided with new ISO standard safety signs as described in Resolution A.1116(30).

All ships built on or after 01 January 2019, and current ships which undergo repairs, changes, modifications and outfitting within the scope of SOLAS Chapters II-2 and/or III, on or after 01 January 2019, will need to make sure that they comply with the signs listed in Tables 1, 2 and 3 in the Annex to A.1116(30).

The resolution includes updated signs and graphical symbols that should be used to mark the location of:
Continue reading “BMA alerts to the use new ISO standard shipping safety signs and equipment location markings from January 2019”

Gas monitoring and ventilation recommendations to limit coal cargo risks published in new guidance document

Photo credit: London P&I Club
Photo credit: London P&I Club

The London P&I Club together with Paul Willis Senior Associate at Hawkins have published a loss prevention guide regarding the risks of carrying coal cargoes. The report gives special consideration to the issues surrounding gas monitoring and ventilation.

The guide mentions that the management of coal cargoes and the proper use of gas detection equipment are vital to prevent coal fire claims. It also details the basic requirements regarding the installation, use and maintenance of gas detection devices and the different types of sensors involved in their operation.

According to the report, the gas detection and monitoring equipment on board ships can vary from large units such as the Riken Keiki Continue reading “Gas monitoring and ventilation recommendations to limit coal cargo risks published in new guidance document”

CIMAC unable to explain marine fuel incidents that occurred earlier this year

The International Council on Combustion Engines (CIMAC) has released a statement on marine fuel incidents that have occurred this year highlighting that it is unable to draw any firm conclusions about the cause of the problems.

CIMAC Working Group Fuels – WG7 – made the statement after the unusually large number of ships that experienced fuel-related problems with seemingly on-spec fuels earlier this year. The statement confirms much of what the International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) has already said on the issue.

In March 2018, a number of ships experienced operational problems using residual fuels bunkered in Houston. The analyzed fuels met the Continue reading “CIMAC unable to explain marine fuel incidents that occurred earlier this year”

Cargo hold cleaning robots undergo testing

Cargo hold cleaning is a critical aspect of the complex bulk carrier operations that require careful preparation to maintain cargo quality and to avoid any delays. A conventional bulk carrier may transport coal this week and soya beans the next week, which requires thorough wash-downs and cleaning in between. Danish shipping company Norden has said it has tested a cargo hold robot which can be remotely operated to prevent risk and delays, also leading to enhanced safety for crew and others who are required to enter holds.

The prototype, developed by Danish company CLIIN with assistance from the Market Development Fund, is a new belt-driven robot which can be operated remotely to go up and down along the sides of the holds while pressure cleaning them. The robot is driven forward by Continue reading “Cargo hold cleaning robots undergo testing”

AMSA has reported seven serious marine incidents in October

AMSA has published a list of the most serious incidents that occurred during October
AMSA has published a list of the most serious incidents that occurred during October

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) informed that a total of forty five domestic commercial vessel incidents were reported in the month of October. Of these, seven were categorised as serious.

AMSA has published a list of the most serious incidents that occurred during October:
– A deck hand was bitten by sea snake while bringing in the nets. He could not be revived by emergency services.
– Vessel anchor rope become entangled in the propeller, damaging the rudder and seizing the motor, leaving the vessel disabled.
– A 10m yacht sank with 400 litres of diesel on-board. Joint Rescue Coordination Centre Australia assisted in the rescue of the crew.
– Vessel grounded causing damage to chain locker. A hull inspection revealed damage to the hull and bow stem.
– Collision between two vessels causing damage to Continue reading “AMSA has reported seven serious marine incidents in October”

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