Tag: best practices

A recent report by UN Environment, examining the state of plastic pollution in 2018, finds a surging momentum in global efforts to address plastic pollution. The first-of-its-kind accounting finds plastic bag bans, if properly enforced, can effectively counter one of the causes of plastic overuse.

Fatigue is a key aspect of human error-related maritime casualties and a main area of concern for seafarers who have to deal with shifts impacting their sleeping habits. In the latest edition of their seafarers health series, the Shipowners Club and ISWAN provided advice for seafarers working on shifts to tackle fatigue.

Low sulphur fuel oil has a higher content of catalytic fines (cat fines) when compared to high sulphur fuels. Margrete A. Nordahl, Claims Director, Master Mariner H&M at the Skuld P&I Club discussed best practice on preventing engine damage from catalytic fines in marine fuel oil. 

The UK National Cyber Security Centre has issued an industry cyber security guidance, outlining a multi-layered approach that can improve resilience against phishing, whilst minimising disruption to user productivity. Typical defences against phishing are reliant on users' abilities to detect phishing emails.

The UK P&I Club has reported several recent incidents involving crew at mooring stations, most of which have resulted in life-changing or even fatal injuries. Industry advice with respect to identifying and marking snap-back zones came under review in 2015, when a deck officer was seriously injured during a mooring operation.

The US Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure passed a bill to enhance maritime safety in response to the tragic loss of the El Faro in 2015. The Maritime Safety Act of 2018, implements the Commandant of the Coast Guard’s final action memo regarding the sinking of the El Faro. The bill includes provisions that require Voyage Data Recorders float free after an accident, among others.

Ahead of the IMO global sulphur cap, entering into force in 2020 and expected to dramatically change the fuel landscape in the maritime industry, American oil major ExxonMobil has published best practice tips to help operators switch to low sulphur fuels, while maintaining a vessel’s safe and reliable operation.

Skuld P&I Club issued best practice advice on storage of bunker samples, which provide vital evidence to support claims against suppliers and to provide protection when ships are facing PSC. Masters should retain the bunker samples onboard to determine the quality specification and to demonstrate compliance with Annex VI bunker sulphur limits.

The NTSB issued an illustrated digest report, summarizing key safety issues and recommendations, on the El Faro sinking, the deadliest shipping disaster involving a US-flagged vessel in more than 30 years. Earlier investigations have attributed the disaster to the captain’s failure, as well as to inefficient procedures compliance onboard. 

The Bahamas Maritime Authority issued a bulletin advising the actions to be taken when Bahamian ships are subject to Port State or Flag State detention. The guidance is applicable to all Bahamian ships that have been detained by PSC authorities, including “Administrative” or preventative detentions.