MAIB releases its report into the ground of Muros on Haisborough Sand

At 0248 (UTC+1) on 3 December 2016, the bulk carrier Muros ran aground on Haisborough Sand on the east coast of the United Kingdom. Attempts to manoeuvre clear of the shallows were unsuccessful but the vessel was re-floated 6 days later with tug assistance. There were no injuries and no pollution, but damage to Muros’s rudder necessitated the vessel being towed to Rotterdam, Netherlands, for repair.

The MAIB investigation identified, inter alia:
Continue reading “MAIB releases its report into the ground of Muros on Haisborough Sand”

Batteries set to replace generator on offshore vessel Viking Princess

Offshore supply vessel Viking Princess
Offshore supply vessel Viking Princess

A hybrid energy system has been installed on board Viking Princess making it the first offshore supply vessel where batteries have reduced the number of generators on board. Viking Princess completed sea trials and the system was handed over to Eidesvik Offshore on October 9, 2017.

She provides supplies to oil rigs in the North Sea and Barents Sea. The five-year old vessel runs on LNG-powered Wärtsilä engines. Depending on the ongoing task and weather conditions, the engine load varies between 90 percent and 20 percent.

Continue reading “Batteries set to replace generator on offshore vessel Viking Princess”

New guide on how to carry charcoal and carbon cargoes in containers safely published

The International Group of P&I Clubs together with The Cargo Incident Notification System (CINS) has published a new guide with advise on the safe carriage of charcoal and carbon cargoes.

According to data, the local production of wood charcoal and carbon for domestic and export markets is about 53 million tonnes per year. These cargoes need to comply with the IMDG Code compliance and the aim of the guide is to highlight additional precautions to enhance their safe carriage.

Continue reading “New guide on how to carry charcoal and carbon cargoes in containers safely published”

Swedish P&I Club launches quick reference guide on cargo fires and explosions

A quick reference guide on cargo fires and explosions has been published by the Swedish P&I Club
A quick reference guide on cargo fires and explosions has been published by the Swedish P&I Club

The Swedish P&I Club has published an excellent quick reference guide about the causes and prevention of cargo fires and explosions onboard. The guide focuses on self-heating. It explains the principles of self-heating as well as investigating several types of cargo fires and explosions, including those in vessels such as bulk cargoes, containers and tankers.

When a fire breaks out on board a vessel there is no fire service ready to assist in extinguishing it. So it is up to the crew themselves to manage and deal with the issue. The consequences can be catastrophic. All those who have worked on board a vessel are aware of the difficulties involved with managing a fire and the crucial importance of fire prevention.

Continue reading “Swedish P&I Club launches quick reference guide on cargo fires and explosions”

Safety alert issued about vessel stability and watertight integrity following fatalities

Photo credit: USCG
Photo credit: USCG

The US Coast Guard has issued an interim safety alert to address its concerns regarding vessel stability and watertight integrity, especially in light of a recent marine casualty in the Bering Sea that resulted in multiple fatalities and the total loss of the fishing vessel involved.

Although the investigation is not complete, testimony and fact finding indicate that vessel owners, operators, and crews should give special consideration to vessel stability concerns.

As a result, USCG suggests that operators and crew should seek out opportunities to further their knowledge of stability via courses, training, workshops, and visits from Naval Architects. They should also take advantage of other various initiatives, both mandatory and Continue reading “Safety alert issued about vessel stability and watertight integrity following fatalities”

Cargo handling fatality report and recommendation issued by JTSB

Photo credit: vesseltracker.com
Photo credit: vesseltracker.com

The Japan Transport Safety Board (JTSB) has published its investigation report concerning the cargo handling fatality of two workers onboard the cargo vessel ‘BBC ASIA’. The incident happened in October 2016 at Hanshin Port. The report provides a description of what happened and provides important safety issues to prevent similar accidents in the future.

The incident
The accident occurred at around 11:31 on October 30, 2016, on the cargo ship BBC ASIA when, during work to load pipes with a crane at Shinko East Quay T Wharf, Kobe Section, Hanshin Port, three workers who were working in a cargo hold were caught between pipes being hoisted by the crane and a side wall. Two of the workers were killed and one was seriously injured.

Continue reading “Cargo handling fatality report and recommendation issued by JTSB”

Poor maintenance led to steering failure and grounding of the Bow Singapore

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has released its investigation report into the grounding of the tanker Bow Singapore in Port Phillip Bay, Victoria, in August 2016, highlighting both procedural and maintenance issues as contributing to the accident.

On August 19, 2016, a Port Phillip Sea Pilot boarded the vessel. The pilot was to conduct the ship through The Rip and the South Channel to an anchorage in the northern part of Port Phillip.

Continue reading “Poor maintenance led to steering failure and grounding of the Bow Singapore”

Final report into the loss of EL FARO is published by USCG

The US Coast Guard has published the SS EL FARO Marine Board of Investigation report, which includes a detailed account of the accident along with the MBI’s conclusions on contributing factors and recommendations. The loss of the US flagged cargo vessel EL FARO, along with its 33 member crew, ranks as one of the worst maritime disasters in US history, and resulted in the highest death toll from a US commercial vessel sinking in almost 40 years.

Continue reading “Final report into the loss of EL FARO is published by USCG”

Yara Birkeland autonomous and zero emission vessel test model design demonstrated

A six metre long model of the final design of the autonomous and zero emission container vessel “Yara Birkeland” was launched in SINTEF Ocean’s sea laboratory in Trondheim, Norway, on 28 September.

In May, Yara announced the partnership with technology company Kongsberg to build the world’s first electric container ship.

The vessel will be built and put to use late 2018, as part of Yara International’s logistics value chain at the plant in Porsgrunn, Norway. The project is a collaboration between Yara and KongsbergGruppen, a Norwegian technology company.

Continue reading “Yara Birkeland autonomous and zero emission vessel test model design demonstrated”

Seagull Maritime publishes a guide to ballast water management to coincide with convention changes

On the 8th September 2017 the International Convention of the Control and Management of Ship’s Ballast Water and Sediments (BWM Convention) entered into force. With a few exceptions, according to Seagull Maritime, it will apply to all ships in international trade beginning in 2017 and fully implemented in 2024.

Complex in parts, there are a number of conditions that officers must meet in order to avoid problems in relation to topics such as Port State inspections. In essence, existing ships MUST comply with the convention. This means that the ballast water must be exchanged on the journey if a treatment system is not installed.Vessels must also be equipped with a International Ballast Water Management Certificate (or statement of compliance) and an approved ship-specific Ballast Water Management Plan.

Continue reading “Seagull Maritime publishes a guide to ballast water management to coincide with convention changes”

Beware of fuel oil quick closing valve deficiencies

A fuel oil quick closing valveThe Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA) has published a technical alert aimed at highlighting some major deficiencies related to fuel oil quick closing valves, which it has observed during Port State Control inspections. These deficiencies are considered of importance and often lead to detention.

Quick closing valves are fitted to oil tanks so that in the event of a fire they can be safely closed from a remote location to stop the supply of fuel to the fire. These valves may be operated remotely by pull wires, hydraulics, compressed air, etc.

Continue reading “Beware of fuel oil quick closing valve deficiencies”

Wire failure results in fatality onboard Sydney Trader

The Marine Safety Investigation Unit has issued an investigation report on the fatality of a crew member on board the Maltese registered container ship, Sydney Trader, off Port Limits Anchorage, Hong Kong that occurred in September 2016. The report, (which can be downloaded below), provides a description of what happened and the safety conclusions and recommendations.

The incident
The Maltese registered container vessel Sydney Trader had been anchored OPL at Hong Kong, China since 19 June 2016, awaiting orders for the next charter. At 0730, on 02 September 2016, the chief mate instructed the bosun to continue routine maintenance work in cargo hold no. 2. The chief mate also confirmed that all the Safety Management System (SMS) risk assessments and Permit to Work forms had been completed and signed before the bosun left the bridge at 0750. Continue reading “Wire failure results in fatality onboard Sydney Trader”

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