Editor's Pick
USCG: Lessons learned from El Faro tragedy
In the aftermath of El Faro casualty, Rear Admiral John P. Nadeau, Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy, US Coast Guard, highlights that the adoption of a proactive safety culture, remains the number one priority. Lessons learned from this tragedy shed light to the importance of incorporating contingency planning into SMS, including also heavy weather conditions.
Watch: NTSB investigation video on El Faro disaster
This 15 minute video summarizes the NTSB investigation of one of the greatest marine disasters in US waters. The film examines the cause of the accident and discusses associated recommendations to improve marine safety. o highlights the three missions undertaken to retrieve the voyage data recorder and document the wreckage at a depth of 15,000 feet beneath the ocean surface.
USCG: Changes to Alternate Compliance Program
The US Coast Guard released a new Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular (02-95, Change 3) on “The Alternate Compliance Program (ACP).” This change incorporates various policies and related provisions consistent with the Commandant’s Final Action Memo (FAM) on the sinking of the 'El Faro'.
Loss Prevention
ABS, CINS to develop best practices for carriage of dangerous goods
ABS and actors representing the Cargo Incident Notification System (CINS) are collaborating to develop actionable recommendations to help mitigate risks arising from the stowage of dangerous goods on container ships.
Maritime Knowledge
MT Haven: The worst oil spill ever in the Mediterranean
Last week marked 18 years since the explosion and sinking of the VLCC ‘MT Haven’ off the coast of Genoa, Italy. To date, Haven is not only known as the world's largest shipwrecks, but also the largest oil spill in the history of the Mediterranean Sea.
Lessons learned: Crew injury while securing a tow
In the latest publication of its 'Lessons Learned' series, the UK P&I Club described a serious eye injury of a crew member while securing a tow. The Club noted that three crew members were probably not enough to safely manage an operation of this nature.
Update on Yemen ports situation
The North of England P&I Club correspondent has confirmed the situation with regard port status in Yemen, as of 17 April. The Club advised Masters to remain in close contact with the appointed agent and have all cargo documentation ready when requested by officials.
Marijuana use incompatible with sea service despite legalization
Despite the fact that marijuana has become at least partially legal in 35 US states, the US Coast Guard says that dangerous drug use disrupts or destroys the careers of hundreds of professional mariners. This threatens safety throughout the maritime transportation system at the same time.
Chinese iron ore is close to the end, Bimco says
BIMCO's Chief Shipping Analyst, Peter Sand, launched the analysis 'It's the steel production, stupid!', announcing the end of China iron ore cape run. The analysis focuses on the fact that Chinese imports of iron ore are continuously decreasing, whereas the nation’s crude steel production keeps growing.
Alerts
Tankers must cool decks while transiting Panama Canal
Standard Club informed that tankers have been issued with new deck-cooling orders by the Panama Canal Authority (ACP). The orders take effect from this month and regard all crude, product and chemical tankers carrying cargoes with flashpoints of less than 18 degrees.
Addressing the Passive Aggressive Behaviours in the workplace
We all have had a coworker who on the surface appears to be agreeable and supportive, but behind the scenes sabotages others. This hidden anger which comes out indirectly and results in spoiling relationships, often characterized as the “cancer of organizations” and it has a name; Passive Aggressive Behaviour.
How to build a larger brain
Perfection is not defining success and development. People don’t always have to be the top of everything or the richest and the most famous; possessing fancy titles and/or climbing the corporate ladder. Most of the times in order to rise and shine, you need to build a larger brain, ignore self-defeating mindsets and focus on your willingness to step forward a different you.
Dos and Don’ts for mentally strong people
“Kick your bad mental habits and toughen yourself up!” This is Amy Morin’s motto, author of “13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do.” In this SAFETY4SEA article we narrow them down in 10 dos and don’ts after having already broached the matter of difficult co-workers and how they drain us of the mental strength we need, in previous Opinion Article.
USCG: Few days left to schedule inspections under Subchapter M
The US Coast Guard reminded owners and operators of towing vessels to ensure that 25% of their fleet has received a Certificate of Inspection (COI) before 22 July 2019, under Subchapter M. They must also schedule a vessel’s inspection before 22 April 2019 if the COI is expected to be received in the first year.
EU votes on improving recognition of seafarers maritime education and certification systems
The European Parliament voted on April 4 regarding the revision of Directive 2008/106/EC on the minimum level of training for seafarers. The revision gives emphasis on the level of transparency that should prevail in processing demands for the recognition of seafarers’ certificates of new third countries.
Singapore: Updates on Fourth and Fifth schedules of Strategic Goods Regulations
The Singapore Customs has updated the Fourth and Fifth Schedules of the Strategic Goods (Control) Regulations (SGCR). The changes affect the list of items needing mandatory transhipment and transit permits. The changes will apply from 1 May 2019.
Remote inspection techniques on the rise
New technologies - such as drones, climbers and robot arms - are rapidly entering the inspection era, adhering to the contextually digital transformation trends. And, in turn, major classification societies are embracing the so-called Remote Inspection Techniques (RIT) for their class surveys prosecution. For those wondering the reasons why, safer and less intrusive surveys is the answer!
ECSA, ETF welcome European Maritime Single Window
ECSA and ETF welcomed the adoption by Members of the European Parliament of the proposal for a Regulation establishing a European Maritime Single Window environment. They stated that they look forward to the formal adoption by the Council in order for the Regulation to apply and deliver on the much-awaited administrative simplification for shipping.
USCG uses drone to inspect new ATON structures
US Coast Guard Civil Engineering Unit Providence, Rhode Island, tested a short range Unmanned Aerial System to inspect the construction of new Aids to Navigation structures. Lt. Kieron D. McCarthy carried out the inspections by piloting the UAS from a small boat assigned to the New Haven, Connecticut-based US Coast Guard Cutter Bollard.
Most Read
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SeafarersUnions from Latin America launch new network in favour of seafarers
Unions from Latin America partnered to provide help and solidarity to seafarers in distress in Central and South American ports. The meeting in Cartagena culminated with the launch of the ITF Latin American Contact Network, extending the ITF’s commitment to providing support to seafarers in the region.
SeafarersSailor's society launches 'Not on my watch' campaign
Maritime charity Sailors’ Society is petitioning the International Labour Organization (ILO) to make wellness training for seafarers mandatory in the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC). The petition is an important part of the charity’s Not On My Watch campaign to combat suicide and depression at sea.
SeafarersIceland, Ethiopia ratify MLC 2006
Iceland and Ethiopia have become the latest member states of the International Labour Organization (ILO) to ratify the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006, as amended (MLC 2006), which sets out minimum international working and living conditions for seafarers on board ships.
FuelsBunker sales in Panama Canal fall by 20%
The bunker sales in the Panama Canal decreased by 20.1% in comparison to the same period last year. Specifically, an overall of 723.894 metric tonnes of marine fuel was sold, on the contrary to the 905.444 mt that was sold in 2018.
TechnologyDenmark launches first new-build hybrid ferry on key passenger route
Danfoss Editron, an engineer company, provided the hybrid electric drivetrain system powering a new ferry that is to connect communities of Thyborøn and Agger in north west Denmark. The ferry was ordered to replace the previous one that had been running for over 40 years and reached the end of its operational lifetime.
ShippingIran - Oman to launch new shipping line
Iran's Ambassador announced on Wednesday, April 17, that Iran and Oman are to launch a new shipping line between their ports in the Persian Gulf in a move to help boost economic interactions between the two countries.
