Tag: best practices

GMS issued its latest Green Briefing that focuses on the vital role of emergency mock drills in ship recycling yards, from managing fire risks to handling confined space emergencies. 

The UK P&I Club has been aware of a number of incidents, involving coal cargoes from the East coast of the USA, which were emitting dangerously high levels of methane.

New guidance by DNV on achieving stable lifting operations dives into the key considerations to help ensure these operations are performed safely.

This Human & Organizational Performance (HOP) principle emphasizes that context drives behavior. Dr. Conklin, who inspired HOP’s five principles, asserts that individual behavior is shaped by an organization’s systems, processes, culture, and complexity. He claims the behavior and choices of a worker are influenced constantly and powerfully by the context of the workplace.

Britannia P&I Club highlighted common problems and best practices for masters regarding bills of lading (B/L) and letters of indemnity in a recent article. The bill of lading (B/L) plays a vital part in shipping goods by sea and serves the following functions: A document of title, providing evidence of ownership of the goods described in the B/L. A receipt for goods received by the carrier. Evidence of the contract of carriage between shipper and carrier. The correct completion and handling of the B/L is imperative to reduce the carrier’s risk of liability for cargo related claims. Common issues 'Clean' bills of lading A master may be requested to sign only ‘clean’ B/L, usually because this is required by a bank in order to extend credit to the buyers of the cargo. Difficulties arise when the goods supplied for carriage are not in the condition described in the B/L. The master should only sign B/Ls that contain an accurate description of the goods and their condition. Issuing an inaccurate B/L may amount to a misrepresentation, possibly rendering the carrier liable for cargo related claims and may prejudice the carriers’ P&I cover. Carriers may consider accepting a letter of indemnity (LOI) ...

Hearing loss is a common issue faced by seafarers, particularly those working in the engine room. In 2023, the UK Club reported that hearing defects accounted for 11% of the Club’s PEME unfitness statistics.

The Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) has published an advisory to address concerns about potential evasion of the UK’s ban on maritime transportation of Russian oil, oil products, and associated services under the Oil Price Cap (OPC).

The latest IMPA Safety Campaign on pilot ladders raises awareness of the need for pilot transfer arrangements to be procured, inspected, maintained and rigged in compliance with SOLAS regulation V/23, taking complete account of the ISO 799 standards. IMPA highlights that Pilot ladders remain the leading source of non-compliant observations.

Accident reports submitted to the Norwegian Maritime Authority have revealed instances of work equipment being used for purposes other than its intended function. In two separate cases, companies had developed a practice of using a net cleaner to lift fish farming cages. This misuse resulted in injuries to crew members who were on the equipment to carry out repair work.

The Palau Ship Registry has issued a notice that provides guidelines on food handling, storage and preparation to ensure the health of all persons on board a vessel and addresses the Maritime Labor Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006) requirements that foods meet minimum standards for quality and be prepared and served in hygienic conditions.