Deck water spray failure highlighted as one of the main deficiencies on LNG carriers

Deck water spray failure highlighted as one of the main deficiencies on LNG carriers
Deck water spray failure highlighted as one of the main deficiencies on LNG carriers

The US Coast Guard has published an information bulletin about the ongoing issue regarding inadequate deck water spray systems on LNG carriers. US Coast Guard has noted that inadequate coverage of the required areas by a deck water spray system is one of the main deficiencies identified when certificate of compliance inspections are undertaken on these vessels.

The Deck Water Spray system is required by the IGC Code 1993, Regulation 11.3. This requirement text has remained nearly identical back through the GC Code 1983 and to the EGC Code. The new 2016 edition of the IGC Code incorporates the amendments adopted by the IMO MSC at its ninety-third session (May 2014) by resolution MSC.370(93).

These amendments, which entered into force on 1 Jan 2016, consist of a complete replacement text of the IGC Code and will apply to ships whose keels are laid or are at a similar stage of construction, on or after 1 July 2016.

Across the industry, vessel operators and crews have struggled to keep these simple systems operating properly. Ineffective operation of the deck water spray appears easily managed by periodic removal of the Continue reading “Deck water spray failure highlighted as one of the main deficiencies on LNG carriers”

MAIB report into Windfarm 8 catastrophic damage and resulting fire published

Photo credit: Image copyright 't schippertje
Photo credit: Image copyright ‘t schippertje

On 7 September 2017, the 15.87m crew transfer vessel, Windcat 8, was on passage to Grimsby, UK, from the Lynn Wind Farm in the North Sea with two crew and eight windfarm technicians on board. Shortly after setting off, the vessel’s port engine suffered catastrophic damage and caught fire.

The passengers were quickly transferred on to Windcat 31 and the fire was contained within the port engine space and soon extinguished. Windcat 8’s port engine was badly damaged and the vessel was towed to Grimsby by Windcat 30. There was no pollution and no injuries.

Continue reading “MAIB report into Windfarm 8 catastrophic damage and resulting fire published”

Fleet of battery powered zero emissions barges set for French waterways

Fleet of battery powered zero emissions barges set for French waterways
Fleet of battery powered zero emissions barges set for French waterways

A fleet of zero emissions 100t barges that operate solely on battery power are being built for canal trips in France.

UK company Backwater Cruising is currently constructing the first of 21 38m long vessels barges that will have a 300kWh battery bank powered by purpose-built canalside charging points to achieve zero carbon operation.

Isle of Wight-based Hybrid Marine will provide hybrid systems for the vessels, which Graeme Hawksley, founder and managing director, explained can ‘operate in serial hybrid mode, parallel hybrid mode and for five hours propulsion under battery alone along with air-conditioning’.

The hybrid system comprises twin Beta 105 parallel hybrid engines and a 49kVA generator. If an overnight charging point is not available then Continue reading “Fleet of battery powered zero emissions barges set for French waterways”

Guidelines for ensuring the safe carriage of cocoa butter in freight containers

Guidelines for ensuring the safe carriage of cocoa butter in freight containers
Guidelines for ensuring the safe carriage of cocoa butter in freight containers

Members of the CINS Organisation (the Cargo Incident Notification System) have issued guidance and guidelines for the carriage of cocoa butter in freight containers, under the principles set out in the IMO/ILO/UNECE Code of Practice for Packing of Cargo Transport Units (CTU Code).

Nature of cocoa nutter cargo
Cocoa butter is derived from whole cocoa beans which are fermented, roasted, and then separated. About 54–58% of the residue is cocoa butter, containing 57-64% of saturated fats and 43-36% unsaturated fats. Cocoa butter becomes soft and malleable at 30-32°C and can melt at 37°C. Having become warm or molten, it can retain the latent heat and remain in such a condition down to as low as 17°C.

Upon heating, cocoa butter expands and may cause it to Continue reading “Guidelines for ensuring the safe carriage of cocoa butter in freight containers”

Operators and surveyors urged to test cargo hold’s bilge system to minimise claims

Operators and surveyors urged to test cargo hold bilge systems to minimise claims
Operators and surveyors urged to test cargo hold bilge systems to minimise claims

The UK P&I Club has reminded those working in the marine industry that significant insurance damage claims can result if a bulk cargo is damaged due to the leakage of the bilge system into a loaded bulk cargo hold.

To reduce the chance of such cargo damage, operators and surveyors are advised to inspect and test the cargo hold bilge system as part of the routine pre-loading checks of the cargo holds.

Inspection and testing of cargo hold bilge system non-return valves should be included in routine pre-loading checks of the holds. These non-return valves may not be seated tightly, because of the Continue reading “Operators and surveyors urged to test cargo hold’s bilge system to minimise claims”

Rolls-Royce to provide tug sector with its first Hybrid System

Photo credit: Rolls-Royce
Photo credit: Rolls-Royce

Rolls-Royce will supply the tug boat sector with its first hybrid propulsion arrangement for installation to a multi-purpose tractor tug undergoing construction for Baydelta Maritime LLC. The vessel is being built at Nichols Brothers Boat Builders, in Washington State, U.S.A.

The order represents the first hybrid tug using proven Rolls-Royce hybrid technology, the first installation of a hybrid system for Nichols Brothers and the first hybrid tug designed by Jensen Maritime, Crowley Maritime Corp’s Seattle-based naval architecture and engineering firm.

The 100-foot long tug will feature the same ship assist and tanker escort capabilities of existing Delta Class harbour tugs but with greatly improved towing performance. The Rolls-Royce hybrid system enhances the Continue reading “Rolls-Royce to provide tug sector with its first Hybrid System”

Revolutionary ultraviolet light-emitting diodes fouling prevention technology under development

Revolutionary ultraviolet light-emitting diodes fouling prevention technology under development
Revolutionary ultraviolet light-emitting diodes fouling prevention technology under development

AkzoNobel has teamed up with Netherlands based healthcare company Royal Philips to develop ultraviolet light-emitting diodes fouling prevention technology.

The system will use technology developed by Royal Philips with the aim of combining experience from both companies to produce an economically viable solution for underwater fouling prevention.

The system will integrate UV light-emitting diodes in a protective coating, which AkzoNobel says will allow for the UV light to be emitted from the coating surface, preventing biofouling from accumulating.

“In our sustainable fouling control initiative, we actively explore and develop alternatives to Continue reading “Revolutionary ultraviolet light-emitting diodes fouling prevention technology under development”

Autonomous vessels – the challenges and opportunities in design

Autonomous vessels – the challenges and opportunities in design
Autonomous vessels – the challenges and opportunities in design

Automation presents a set of unique challenges to designers, insurers and operators of ships. In this article, reprinted from the Shipowners P&I Club website Keir Gravil, a naval architect at Frazer-Nash Consultancy in Bristol, UK discusses some of the key issues that could face automated ships of the future from a design perspective.

It is a truth recognised by many industries that the future of transportation lies with greater automation. Over the last 50 years we have seen huge changes not only in shipping, but in every form of transportation and vehicle. Aircraft now incorporate automation routinely on flights around the world, cars are being developed to drive themselves and many railways have been totally automated for some time. As each step in the evolution of transportation progresses, the human element of control is reduced or eliminated altogether. But what of shipping? Surely an industry the size and scope of international shipping faces unique challenges in the realm of automation?

The background
It is often the job of ship designers, especially those in the naval defence industry, to think ahead and anticipate future technological changes. One could argue that Continue reading “Autonomous vessels – the challenges and opportunities in design”

Remotely operated fireboat set to tackle fires in ports

Remotely operated fireboat set to tackle fires in ports
Remotely operated fireboat set to tackle fires in ports

To address the evolving safety and security needs of modern ports, Vancouver based naval architects and marine engineers Robert Allan Ltd., and international marine technology specialist Kongsberg Maritime are collaborating on the development of a radically new remotely-operated fireboat that will allow first responders to attack dangerous port fires more aggressively and safer than ever before.

The un-crewed RALamander fireboat will offer in-close firefighting and ‘eye in the fire’ capability that keeps marine firefighting professionals out of harm’s way. Fires involving containers, petrochemicals, shore-side structures or vessels can be attacked more quickly Continue reading “Remotely operated fireboat set to tackle fires in ports”

Teak compliance issues in the UK to be discussed

Teak compliance issues in the UK to be discussed
Teak compliance issues in the UK to be discussed

British Marine and environmental charity, the Environment Investigation Agency (EIA), are to meet to discuss teak compliance issues.

The EIA alleges that some UK boat builders are using Burmese teak that has been imported illegally in breach of the European Union Timber Regulation.

However Howard Pridding, British Marine CEO says it is a very complex issue and the boatbuilders are not contravening any regulations. In addition, focusing on the boatbuilders is damaging the marine industry.

Continue reading “Teak compliance issues in the UK to be discussed”

Improper maintenance could have cost the lives of two surveyors says UK P&I Club case study

Photo credit: UK P&I Club
Photo credit: UK P&I Club

In UK P&I Club’s latest ‘Lessons Learned’ series of case studies, Captain David Nichol presents the case regarding improper ventilation after a maintenance operation, which could have led to the deaths of two surveyors during a third party survey on the emergency fire pump.

About the incident
During a third party survey, the surveyor made a request to test the emergency fire pump, which was arranged with the assistance of the chief engineer. The emergency fire pump was located in a recessed well in the steering gear compartment, approximately 3 metres deep and accessed by an inclined stairway. At the start of the test, the surveyor asked to observe the pump being started locally and operating before proceeding on deck to check the hoses rigged fore and aft.

Shortly after descending into the fire pump well, the chief engineer urgently ordered the surveyors to get out and by the time both men reached the steering compartment deck, they were Continue reading “Improper maintenance could have cost the lives of two surveyors says UK P&I Club case study”

Increased liquefaction risk in the Indonesian wet season is highlighted

Risk of increased liquefaction risk in the Indonesian wet season is highlighted
Risk of increased liquefaction risk in the Indonesian wet season is highlighted

INTERCARGO have issued a reminder on liquefaction during the wet season in Indonesia, which runs from October to April, warning that this year there has been unusually heavy rainfall in the region resulting in significant congestion at both loading and unloading ports in Asia.

The heavy rainfall increases the risk of Nickle Ore and other Group A cargoes (i.e. cargoes that may liquefy) being shipped with a Moisture Content (MC) above its Transportable Moisture Limit (TML). The transportation of Group A cargoes with a MC above its TML can lead to cargo failure (liquefaction/dynamic separation) with catastrophic results. In addition, the INTERCARGO Secretariat has released details of a case in Indonesia where nickel ore has been mis-declared as iron ore.

In view of this, the association reminds those trading in the area to be especially cautious when Continue reading “Increased liquefaction risk in the Indonesian wet season is highlighted”

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