When entering ECAs and other designated areas, ship crews should conduct a fully changeover procedure to a compliant fuel oil with reduced emissions of Sulfur Oxides (SOx), preventing air pollution caused by maritime activity. So what is the best practice for a safe Fuel Oil Changeover?
A healthy food program provides seafarers with the required energy to perform their duties and fight any fatigue symptoms. On the other hand, if not handled properly, food onboard can be a significant cause of diseases. So how crews can ensure the food hygiene onboard?
Fumigants are chemicals which, under certain conditions, will enter a gaseous state and, in sufficient concentration, will be lethal to pest organisms that are considered detrimental for the condition of most grain cargoes. But under which circumstances can fumigation take place?
The management of shipboard maintenance is often regarded as an entirely technical matter, somehow unrelated to safety and pollution prevention, and the exclusive responsibility of the technical staff.
A vessel contains several spaces which can be considered dangerous, such as tanks, holds, isolated compartments (e.g. bosun store), specific compartments (e.g. paint store) and others. So, how may a seafarer be suspicious that a space he/she is about to enter is dangerous, if no relevant poster or sign exists?
Mooring and unmooring operations provide the circumstances for potentially serious accidents. There is no doubt that, this duty requires a good technique initially in lifting the heavy eye of the rope, followed by a good pulling technique. Care must be taken, therefore with the laying out of heavy mooring ropes and wire ropes/hawsers.
A ship equipment contains many items that could be defined as ‘critical’. Normally, criteria for choosing a critical equipment or operation lie as its potential to carry on to a hazardous situation. When trying to decide which equipment items are ‘critical’, consideration is given to human safety and pollution prevention.
Engine room crew perform their duties in an extremely demanding working environment; high temperatures and pressure systems. Despite of taking all the precautions and safety measures, while handling engine room machinery systems, accidents do happen!
The work of tugboat pilots and crews is important but also challenging enough. Which are, therefore, the necessary preventive actions to be followed, in case of towing?
Oil pollution is considered one of the most significant damages to the marine environment, mostly due to the nature and composition of oil. Oil pollution can result from oil used to power a ship, as well as from oil carried as cargo. But how can the industry respond to mitigate this risk?
