Cargo must be stowed according to approved arrangements

All cargo, whether carried on or under deck, should be stowed and secured in accordance with the vessel’s Cargo Securing Manual as approved under Regulation 5.6 of Chapter VI of the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention.
All cargo, whether carried on or under deck, should be stowed and secured in accordance with the vessel’s Cargo Securing Manual as approved under Regulation 5.6 of Chapter VI of the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority has published a marine notice, reminding vessel owners, operators, masters and surveyors of the importance of stowing cargo in accordance with the approved Cargo Securing Manual arrangements and regulations.

All cargo, whether carried on or under deck, should be stowed and secured in accordance with the vessel’s Cargo Securing Manual as approved under Regulation 5.6 of Chapter VI of the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention. This includes the way in which cargo is secured and the weight distribution of cargo within the stow.

In Australia, Chapter VI of the SOLAS Convention is given effect through Marine Order 42 (Carriage, stowage and securing of cargoes and containers) 2016.

AMSA has experienced incidents in recent years in which the Continue reading “Cargo must be stowed according to approved arrangements”

Gale force winds caused container losses from YM Efficiency, says report

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has released its preliminary investigation report into the loss of containers overboard from the container ship YM Efficiency, off Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia last month.

The 4,300-TEU Liberian-flagged ship operated by Yang Ming Marine Transport lost 81 containers overboard in gale-force weather conditions on June 1, 2018. Another 62 containers were damaged, and there was structural damage to the ship’s gangway, superstructure and lashing bridges. The ship was on a regular service, calling at ports in China, Taiwan and Australia.

At about 0034 on June 1, the ship experienced a period of quick, heavy rolling for about 60 to 90 seconds. The rolling was estimated by the ship’s master as having reached angles of up to 30º to port and starboard. Shortly after the start of the rolling, several engineering alarms sounded and the main engine shut down. By about 0036, the rolling had reduced and the ship’s motion had calmed. The engine was restarted, and the YM Efficiency eventually berthed in Port Botany on June 6. Continue reading “Gale force winds caused container losses from YM Efficiency, says report”

New method to assess structure durability of aged ships announced by Ship Structure Committee

The method developed utilizes a ship specific 3-D hydrodynamic model to simulate the ship’s rigid body dynamic response to wave conditions, measuring the resulting ship motions and pressure distribution on the hull.
The method developed utilizes a ship specific 3-D hydrodynamic model to simulate the ship’s rigid body dynamic response to wave conditions, measuring the resulting ship motions and pressure distribution on the hull.

The Ship Structure Committee is pleased to announce the publication of a new report, SSC-474, titled Structural Assessment of Aged Ships, authored by Mr. Gregory Walker, Mr. Brendan Connell and Mr. Sean Kery of CSRA. The detailed 75 page report is available for free using the link at the end of the article below.

The report describes the development of an assessment process to accurately predict the survivability of a corrosion-degraded ship in specific wave conditions. The method developed utilizes a ship specific 3-D hydrodynamic model to simulate the ship’s rigid body dynamic response to wave conditions, measuring the resulting ship motions and pressure distribution on the hull. Pressure and acceleration data from the hydrodynamic model is then input into a Continue reading “New method to assess structure durability of aged ships announced by Ship Structure Committee”

Flexible mobdock repair method for underwater shaft seal repairs developed by Hydrex

Diver/technician re-welding the rope guard after shaft seal replacement
Diver/technician re-welding the rope guard after shaft seal replacement

Hydrex has developed a flexible mobdock repair method that enables the underwater replacement of all types and sizes of shaft seals. This technology has been successfully used by Hydrex diver/technicians for over a decade. It allows ship owners to keep their vessel sailing, saving precious time and money.

Damaged stern tube seals will cause an increasing amount of oil leaking or water ingress as the damage worsens. By replacing the seals when the damage is first discovered, Hydrex keeps the down time low. The ship can keep its schedule as seal repairs can be performed during cargo operations. This is done by creating a dry underwater working environment around the shaft.

It is not always straightforward to replace seals, because there can be quite a bit of variation in the configurations of the stern tube itself. There can also be complications with the liners, which can be worn down and show ruts. All this is routinely handled by Hydrex teams on the jobs.

In this article you can find a short summary of some of the recent Continue reading “Flexible mobdock repair method for underwater shaft seal repairs developed by Hydrex”

ABS delivers fuel advisory ahead of impending 2020 global sulfur cap offering practical guidance

In a recent informal poll of shipowners and operators conducted by ABS, 53 percent said their fleets were not yet ready to meet upcoming sulfur cap requirements.
In a recent informal poll of shipowners and operators conducted by ABS, 53 percent said their fleets were not yet ready to meet upcoming sulfur cap requirements.

ABS has issued the ABS Advisory on Marine Fuel Oil to help industry prepare for IMO’s 2020 global sulfur cap. The Advisory provides owners and operators with industry-leading guidance on the considerations and challenges with marine fuels which are likely to be used in addressing the 2020 global sulfur cap requirements.

“The IMO 2020 sulfur cap requirement will introduce a significant demand change from heavy fuel to low sulfur fuel almost overnight. The industry currently is debating how to prepare as the consequences of this shift are difficult to predict,“ said Dr. Kirsi Tikka, ABS Executive Vice President and Senior Maritime Advisor. “The ABS Advisory addresses concerns about the safety impacts and quality of the Continue reading “ABS delivers fuel advisory ahead of impending 2020 global sulfur cap offering practical guidance”

A study by Maersk and ABS finds hazards affecting the safety on containerships

Photo credit: Maersk

Hazards associated with dangerous goods stowage on containerships were identified on a range of boxship designs, a study conducted by Maersk Line and ABS has revealed.

The Danish shipping major giant selected ABS to lead a comprehensive Hazard Identification (HAZID) study in the aftermath of the Maersk Honam fire on March 6, 2018.

The workshop, which was launched in an effort to identify and evaluate potential hazards from dangerous cargoes stowage, identified hazards on a range of containership designs, many which are not fully addressed by the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code.

Continue reading “A study by Maersk and ABS finds hazards affecting the safety on containerships”

A culture of poor maintenance practices led to Caribbean Fantasy fire says report

The fire could not be contained, so the master ordered the ship to be abandoned.
The fire could not be contained, so the master ordered the ship to be abandoned.

A poor safety culture and the ineffective implementation of a safety management system were identified as the most likely causes of the 2016 fire aboard the RoRo vessel Caribbean Fantasy.

The vessel’s main engine room was hit by fire in the morning hours of 17 August 2016, when fuel spraying from a leaking flange came in contact with a hot surface on the port main propulsion engine, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said in a report.

The fire could not be contained, so the master ordered the ship to be abandoned. At the time of the incident, the Baja Ferries-operated vessel was 2 miles northwest of San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Continue reading “A culture of poor maintenance practices led to Caribbean Fantasy fire says report”

German authority report suggests containers on two ships caught fire probably from self-heating

The German Federal Bureau of Maritime Casualty Investigation has released its reports about two non-connected fires on container ships. The MSC Katrina was in the Elbe estuary when the fire was detected on 20 November 2015. The second ship, the Ludwigshafen Express was in the Red Sea when fire was noticed during an inspection in February 2016.

The first incident
The MSC Katrina was located in the Elbe estuary when its smoke detection system discovered fire. As a result, the Central Command for Maritime Emergencies had the ability to deploy specially trained firefighters.

Continue reading “German authority report suggests containers on two ships caught fire probably from self-heating”

DNVGL issues three free to read publications on tankers, bulk and gas carriers

DNVGL has released a series of publications with updates on the tanker, bulk carrier and gas carrier industry sectors.

Tanker Update 2018
Articles on: market development, alternative fuels and technologies, cybersecurity and TMSA3, tail shaft notation, batteries on small tankers, environmental regulations, eco …
DNV GL Tanker Update 2018

Bulk Carrier Update 2018
Continue reading “DNVGL issues three free to read publications on tankers, bulk and gas carriers”

Key errors leading to inaccuracies in draught surveys

The West of England P&I Club has said that it regularly receives claims arising from alleged shortages of solid bulk cargoes as a result of discrepancies between draught survey results. Draught surveys by their very nature are not an exact science and the accuracy of the calculated cargo figure may vary typically by between 0.5% and 1.0%. However, there are occasions when considerable differences in the cargo figures derived from the draught surveys have been obtained.

The commonly forgotten weights are:
– Bilge water present in the cargo holds, machinery spaces, duct keel, void spaces and the chain lockers.
Continue reading “Key errors leading to inaccuracies in draught surveys”

Recent marine bollard failures give USCG cause for concern

There have been a number of shore side marine bollard failures whereby moored vessels were cast adrift
There have been a number of shore side marine bollard failures whereby moored vessels were cast adrift

The USCG issued an alert informing that recently, there have been a number of shore side marine bollard failures whereby moored vessels were cast adrift. In some cases, this resulted in damage to the involved vessel, as well as other nearby vessels and shore side structures, the USCG warned.

Neither the USCG nor the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has regulatory oversight over these items. In several cases, the underlying deficient material condition of the bollards was unknown until the failures occurred.

Key causes include:
– the rotting of organic bollards made of marine pilings,
– the undetected fracture of bollard castings due to manufacturer defects,
damage from previous overloads, or
– the degradation of bollard foundations and fasteners.

Typically, the failures are associated with abnormal dynamic loads transferred to the bollard from a vessel. The abnormal loads are oftentimes caused by Continue reading “Recent marine bollard failures give USCG cause for concern”

Ethylene vapors activate carbon monoxide alarm says safety alert

A certified marine chemist traced the source of the vapors to an eight inch crack on a cargo vapor line
A certified marine chemist traced the source of the vapors to an eight inch crack on a cargo vapor line

The USCG has published a safety alert informing marine inspectors that ethylene vapors on LNG carriers can activate Carbon Monoxide alarms. Specifically, during an examination of a LNG carrier whose cargo tanks contained ethylene vapors, PSC Officers (PSCOs) received alarms on their portable four gas meters giving a reading of 60 to 100 parts per-million (PPM) Carbon Monoxide (CO).

A certified marine chemist traced the source of the vapors to an eight inch crack on a cargo vapor line. PSCOs initially thought the alarm was related to a combustion event and did not suspect the ethylene vapors were the source, because they did not get a Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) reading on their monitors.

The chemist indicated that the LEL most likely never alarmed because of high winds on deck. He further explained that the molecular weight of Ethylene (28 g/mol) was identical to the molecular weight of CO which accounted for the CO PPM readings. USCG personnel contacted the manufacturer who confirmed that Continue reading “Ethylene vapors activate carbon monoxide alarm says safety alert”

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