Tag: Shipowners Club

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.

In its Fishing Vessel Safety guide released in conjunction with UK's Maritime Safety Week, the Shipowners Club provides, among others, best practice advice on fishing vessels' protection from fire. Fatalities on fishing vessels remain a real threat, making it one of the most dangerous jobs globally. 

In the latest release of their seafarers health information series, the Shipowners Club and ISWAN focus on controlled breathing as a means of relaxation from stress. As mental health issues are rising as a key area of concern for seafarers, the guide notes that it is important to recognise stress and take measures to manage it.

Shipowners' Club in cooperation with ISWAN released an information booklet, aiming to support seafarers' mental health. Namely, as the report says, managing stress and sleeping well at sea is an integral part of positive health and well-being on board. The guide offers practical to recognise stress and cope effectively.

On the occasion of the Maritime Safety Week, the Shipowners Club issued its fishing vessel safety booklet, summarizing key safety tips for one of the most dangerous jobs in the world. There have been many studies carried out over the years showing that fatalities on fishing vessels remain a real threat. 

Lifting operations onboard ships can often lead to fatalities. During its Condition Survey Programme, the Shipowners Club noted an increased number of deficiencies related to the standard of lifting equipment onboard, particularly in relation to inadequate testing methods and lack of certification.

The Shipowners Club presented a case of a vessel capsizing due to poor general condition of the sea strainer cover. Significant listing made the crew onboard to abandon the vessel, but the release of mooring ropes from the neighbouring vessel prior to abandoning prevented further damage.

The marine transportation of containers is a complex operation, requiring close supervision from the moment the containers are taken until they are safely delivered to the receiver. As such, several claims are resulted from container trade, many of which could have been easily avoided had greater oversight and diligence been exercised.

A recent analysis of the Shipowners Club’s Condition Survey Programme highlighted that approximately 25% of the vessels surveyed reported contaminated engine room bilges. As such, the Club draw attention to the potential fire hazards associated with oily engine room bilges and the checks and steps that a ship’s crew should undertake to address this issue. 

Having to deal with press and social media can be a difficult proposition for shipping companies, while ignoring them or badly managing them can also have serious consequences. There needs to be a plan for handling media, developed proactively as a response to risk.