Special attention should be given to the mooring lines as they are coming off the dockThe USCG has issued Marine Safety Alert 12-15 on dockside safety issues to remind port authorities, marine terminal operators, line handlers, longshoreman and others associated with such activities to consider the associated risks.The maritime industry and specifically waterfront facilities can present some unusual hazards to those who perform the wide array and variety of work associated with the business of shipping.To illustrate that point, a pick-up truck was recently dragged into the harbor by a mooring line that was being hauled in by a ships mooring winch. The shore-side line handler that was using the truck to assist with the evolution narrowly escaped injury and possible death by quickly jumping out of the truck before it was dragged off the terminal.In this case, the ship was preparing to depart the port and the mooring line messenger was secured to the trucks tow hitch. It is a common shore gang line handling practice used in order to assist working with heavy mooring lines. When the line was thrown off the bollard, the ship began to haul it in with the messenger still attached to the truck.Line...

Although the threat from Somali pirates has declined, it still remains a matter of 'grave concern' The United Nations Security Council has renewed for another year its authorization for international naval forces to join in fighting piracy off the coast of Somalia, stressing that while the threat from Somali pirates has declined, it still remains a matter of grave concern.By adoptinga unanimous resolution, the 15-member body highlighted the important role played by ships from regional organizations such as the European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Operation (NATO) Ocean Shield, but noted that the primary responsibility lies with the Somalia, a country torn apart by 25 years of strife.While noting improvements in Somalia, recognizes that piracy exacerbates instability in Somalia by introducing large amounts of illicit cash that fuels additional crime and corruption, the resolution declared, stressing "the need for a comprehensive response to prevent and suppress piracy and tackle its underlying causes by the international community.It called on States and regional organizations to deploy naval vessels, arms, and military aircraft, and provide logistical support for counter-piracy forces.At its height piracy off Somalias coasts netted scores of vessels, from large container ships to small leisure yachts,...

Laundering safety issues - Dried not Fried The US Coast Guard has issued a Marine Safety Alert to warn of the potential hazards that large laundry operations and extra-large-capacity drying machines pose. USCG encourage owners and operators to be aware of and familiar with the equipment and all associated safety systems and to ensure these systems are properly maintained and operational.Recently a small fire developed in a dryer onboard a cruise ship. The fire was quickly extinguished by the vessels crew and caused no significant damage. Subsequently, it was discovered that a built-in fire suppression system, a component of the dryers designed to spray water into the drums in case of fire, had been disabled on all six of the vessels installed dryers. Initial investigation of the associated processes and procedures related to these suppression systems indicated they were not included in the vessels maintenance systems such as Infoship.Regular inspections and evaluations of this fire suppression equipment did not occur, despite other excellent laundry room risk reduction actions routinely undertaken by the crew. Another area of concern involved the shared responsibility for inspection and maintenance of the laundry equipment by two subdepartments: Galley Service Technicians and the Electrical Department. Their...

Japan P&I Club issues LP Bulletin on cranes operations and reasons for failures The Japan P&I Club has issued Loss Prevention Bulletin on cranes to provide guidance regarding their inspections, maintenance and operation in order to prevent incidents involving damage to a crane.Cargo handling cranes, commonly pedestal mounted jib cranes, are fitted on board most handy-size bulk carriers, most general cargo ships and some other smaller or larger bulk carriers. These cranes appear to be fairly robust units which will continue to work when only a minimum of maintenance is carried out, but, in fact, they are highly complex pieces of machinery which incorporate numerous components manufactured to very fine tolerances, all of which must function correctly throughout a working period for the crane, as a unit, to be operated as the manufacturers intended. The cranes should be properly maintained, and should be inspected at specified intervals to ensure that they operate correctly and safely. Additionally, all other equipment used in association with a crane should, likewise, be properly maintained and should be inspected as appropriate. If the equipment is not in the appropriate good condition, failures are likely to occur during cargo operations.Any failure of any part of the...

120 Somali pirates arrested by Mumbai Police in 2011 have told their Embassy officials that they want to plead guilty in the case

The IMB cautions against complacency in its latest report on piracy and armed robbery which covers the period from 1 January 2015 to 30 September 2015.

Nautilus has urged the UK government to take urgent action to address a growing crisis in seafarer employment and training.

The Panama Canal Authority has issued advisory to inform about high vessel backlog and additional reduction in the number of available booking slots to reduce transit waiting time.

The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has issued a Marine Guidance Note providing stakeholders with updated guidance on the five titles of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006 and the regulations applying to UK ships.

The port of Rotterdam announced that the tariffs which visiting sea-going vessels pay in Rotterdam will increase by 0.5% next year. That is half of the past years inflation rate.