Editor's Pick
Bridge Procedures: Actions to be taken for ship navigation under heavy weather
Both heavy weather and tropical storms demand of crew’s preparation and immediate response, in order to ensure vessel’s safe passage with no or less harms on vessel’s cargo or even vessel’s personnel. The term “heavy weather” is defined as combination of strong winds of Beaufort scale 7 or more and waves with height of 4 meters or more. A tropical storm is developed over tropical oceans and is a very intense low-pressure wind system with winds of hurricane force. Tropical storms consist of rotating masses of warm and humid air and create thunderstorms with high waves, flooding rain and strong winds.
Bridge Procedures: The importance of passage planning
This is another article in our Bridge Procedure Series, aiming to give bridge crews and shore based staff a greater understanding of an efficient passage planning across the busiest trade routes and new route additions. A passage plan aims to develop a comprehensive berth to berth navigation plan in order to ensure safe voyage as it determines a route to be followed by: Recognizing the hazards, and assessing associated risks and decision points. Checking the available depth of water and the sufficient sea room. Fixing opportunities according to the appropriate position. Reporting the relevant requirements and taking routing measures for ships. Acting with respect to the anticipated traffic and weather conditions.
Key points for effective familiarization with bridge equipment
New equipment combined with the latest technologies on vessels have brought to the front the need for familiarization with ship specific arrangements.Good practice on the Bridge is the result of effective management but also of trained and familiarized bridge personnel, always aware of the dangers hiding in over reliance on particular equipment. Improper bridge procedures especially related to ECDIS, have many times led to near misses or serious accidents, underlining the importance of a well-trained and appropriately familiarized Bridge Team.
Safety
Do's and Dont's to ensure zero accidents onboard
As the shipping industry is striving to improve safety, major representatives from the sector agreed to the industry’s Golden Safety Rules, along with other ideas as well regarding how these measures can be applied. This is part of the ‘Together in Safety’ initiative, which aims to achieve a zero-incident industry, and the agreement took place during the Global Maritime Forum 2019 in Singapore.
Maritime Knowledge
Key points for effective familiarization with bridge equipment
New equipment combined with the latest technologies on vessels have brought to the front the need for familiarization with ship specific arrangements.Good practice on the Bridge is the result of effective management but also of trained and familiarized bridge personnel, always aware of the dangers hiding in over reliance on particular equipment. Improper bridge procedures especially related to ECDIS, have many times led to near misses or serious accidents, underlining the importance of a well-trained and appropriately familiarized Bridge Team.
EU invests in stronger European Border and Coast Guard
The EU Council officially adopted the Commission's proposal to reinforce the European Border and Coast Guard, in a bid to respond to the challenges facing Europe in managing migration and its external borders.
Fire takes place on seismic vessel's engine room off Senegal
A fire took place in the engine room of the seismic vessel Polar Marquis on November 11, off Senegal. No injuries were reported, with GC Rieber Shipping, who is managing the ship, informing that the fire has been put out.
Two injured after pirates attack Italian supply ship off Mexico
Up to eight pirates attacked the Italian supply vessel 'Remas' on November 11, in the Gulf of Mexico. Two crew members suffered injuries, which are not life threatening. The pirates approached the supply ship with two fast boats.
Barge grounded on Quadra Island, British Columbia
Officials are trying to refloat a barge that ran aground, damaging its hull on Quadra Island, British Columbia, on November 9. As Transport Canada informed, it is now considering a salvage plan, and when the barge is refloated, it will be towed to a facility near Campbell River for repairs.
Ballast
ABS issues amended guide on ballast water treatment
ABS launched its amended "Guide for Ballast Water Treatment" in order to include provisions from the Code for Approval of Ballast Water Management Systems (BWMS Code) (2018) and other supporting IMO documents.
Technology redefines seafarer’s role in the future
In an exclusive interview with SAFETY4SEA, Capt. Rajesh Unni Founder & Chief Executive Officer of Synergy Marine Group, discussed key issues surrounding life onboard as well as the existing and future challenges for seafarers.
The difference between being a leader and a self-aware leader
Lately, there have been many signs that leadership development is being flawed; an assumption rising from the fact that although people search what behaviors to change in order to become a better leader, they do not search how to change those behaviors.
Seven career paths to choose in oil and gas
Oil and gas industry offers an exciting variety of career opportunities both offshore and in technical disciplines on land. While working in this sector may be associated with intense shifts and hard working conditions, it is also known for high salaries, chances to travel the world, as well as working with cutting-edge technologies.
Indonesia commences nickel ore exports for limited number of exporters
Following the recent developments that a ban on nickel ore exports from Indonesia would commence on the 1st of January 2020, Indonesian authorities gave the green light to a specific number of nickel ore exporters to trade, after ensuring that they were in compliance with the country's export rules to resume nickel ore shipments. In the meantime, Indonesia is working on permitting two more companies, PT Tonia Mitra Sejahtera and PT Toshida Indonesia;
Norway considers tightening rules for sewage discharges along the coast
Norway is working on a new regulation, to prevent the discharge of sewage, and contribute to less sewage discharge along the Norwegian coast. The government aspires to have the new rules in place by March 1, 2020. The purpose of the law is to prevent the discharge of sewage, and contribute to less sewage discharge along the Norwegian coast, especially in inland waters with less electricity and less water exchange.
SOLAS 2020 Amendments: An overview
Several amendments of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) agreed in 2016, 2017 and 2018 are entering into force in less than three months, marking reforms to SOLAS and to international codes made mandatory under the SOLAS Convention. IMO adopted a set of amendments to SOLAS chapter II-1 relating to subdivision and damage stability, following a substantive review of SOLAS chapter II-1 focusing particularly on new passenger ships.
IMO launches new tool to streamline reporting procedures
IMO is currently focusing on streamlining the many administrative procedures necessary when ships enter or leave port, which it considers as an important element. For this reason, IMO made available an important tool used by software developers, in order to create systems for exchanging the relevant data electronically.
The pros of an open simulation platform in shipping industry
The shipping industry is now able to test advanced and integrated systems before installing them through the Open Simulation Platform, launched in 2018 by DNV GL, Kongsberg Maritime, the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and SINTEF Ocean.
Cyber security guidance for equipment manufacturers
Given cyber risks pose a great challenge to the shipping industry and the supply chain, ABS issued a Guide for suppliers to be able to manage cyber risks within their products, while also presents the requirements for equipment compliance, based on ABS's ABS CyberSafety® program.
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OpinionsEffective Crew Project: Stable vs fluid crews within shipping
Started in April 2019 and led by Solent University, the ‘Effective Crew Project’ examined the implementation of either a stable or a fluid crewing strategy on board merchant vessels.
CasualtiesRetired cruise ship sinks, added to artificial reef
The Delaware State Division of Fish and Wildlife sunk the retired cruise ship 'American Glory' 16.5 nautical miles off Indian River Inlet, adding another sunken vessel in their artificial reef program. The 200-foot ship got lifted by Norfolk,Virginia-based marine contractor Coleen Marine, which also prepared it for the reef.
Maritime KnowledgeUnderstanding Fatigue: Why good sleep is important
The amount of sleep we need each day will change over the course of our life. On average an adult aged 18 years or older needs 7–8 hours a day, however, sleep needs vary from person to person.
EmissionsSøren Skou leads Climate Partnership in line with Blue Denmark initiatives
Søren Skou, AP Møller - Maersk's CEO will lead the climate partnership with the Blue Denmark, in attempts to achieve a 70% reduction of GHG emissions by 2030, in comparison to 1990; The Climate Partnership has to propose ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from shipping both in domestic waters and globally.
ArcticAECO to apply self-imposed ban on HFO in the Arctic
After the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators’ Annual Meeting, the association announced several decisions, aiming to strengthen responsible industry practices. Among these, is a ban on the use and carriage of heavy fuel oil (HFO) in the Arctic. AECO agreed on a self-imposed ban on the use and carriage of heavy fuel oil (HFO) by AECO members operating in the Arctic.
TechnologyRotterdam considers e-trucks for container transport
In attempts of a more sustainable environment, the port of Rotterdam Authority along with Transport en Logistiek Nederland (TLN) have begun an exploratory study to get a better insight into turning the container transport by road more sustainable in the port area.
