The US Coast Guard is calling ice fishermen and the public to be very careful and be prepared while on Lake Champlain. Ice can be very dangerous, making people or heavy objects susceptible to falling through. In case this happens, every minute will count. For this reason, preparation may be crucial and be the difference between life and death.
As part of its work to make ships mooring safer, IMO’s Sub-Committee on Ship Design and Construction (SDC 6), which took place on 4-8 February 2019, introduced new requirements for appropriate and safe-to-use designs of mooring arrangements, a maintenance and inspection regime, as well as proper documentation.
ATSB published its final report into the cargo ship ‘Madang Coast’ impacting a wharf at the Port of Townsville. The risk management processes were not sufficiently mature nor resilient enough to identify and mitigate risks in pilotage services. The incident has led to the updating and full implementation of a safety management system, in order to better identify risks and how to mitigate them.
Maritime Safety Victoria has partnered with AMSA to urge boaters and paddlers to carry a distress beacon. Carrying a means of calling for help when out on the water is standard for most boaters and many paddlers, however many believe that a mobile phone and/or hand-held radio are enough. One of the greatest risks to boaters and paddlers is unexpectedly entering the water, and then not being able to get back onto their vessel or call for help.
RIMS BV have received two certifications from DNV GL and the Indian Class Register, to use Remote Inspection Techniques (drones) during surveys of enclosed spaces. New regulations that IACS issued, want to ensure a certain quality standard to service suppliers who want to use drone technology during close surveys. RIMS can showcase that drone technology with skilled pilots, is able to reduce the safety risks.
In the latest revision of the Nordic Marine Insurance Plan, it was agreed to restrict the war risk cover to politically motivated interventions, with state interventions falling outside the war risk cover included in the marine insurance cover. The 2019 revision of the NMIP was approved by all parties and the document was published for use by insurance practitioners. The amendments in the 2019 version vary from small clarifications in clauses to more substantial re-writing of individual clauses.
Hong Kong Marine Department issued a shipping note informing of ten pieces of amended and two pieces of new Hong Kong legislation, which implements the latest technical requirements in relation to the construction and survey of ships and the fire safety requirements of ships stipulated in Chapter II-1 and II-2 of SOLAS.
According to the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency, the boating year 2018 continued until late autumn and claimed the lives of 51 boaters. The accidents followed a pattern of a small boat, older man and cottage shore. The renewed Water Transport Act now gives more emphasis on life vests and other floating equipment.
12th February marks 36 years after a major marine casualty in US waters, which changed USCG marine safety procedures. On the aftermath of the tragedy, which claimed lives of 31 crewmen, the US Coast Guard tightened its inspections of 20-year or older ships and initiated the rescue swimmer program, among others.
The Swedish Club informs about a controllable pitch propeller failure caused heavy contact with lock gate. Namely, a vessel was waiting to proceed through a lock to another berth. The OOW had not checked the CPP as the vessel was alongside for twelve hours. He was also stressed to prepare everything for departure in a short time.
