Defective Tightening Nut Makes Lifeboat Launch Impossible
A system is only as good as its weakest link. A recent Mars Report describes an incident in which a lifeboat could not be lowered during a drill due to one small, defective tightening nut. A...Read more
Consider Weather Conditions Before Opening Side Shell Port Hatches
If the side shell door is close to the height of the seas, there can be significant risks to persons in the boarding area. In a recent Mars Report, a crew member was swept out...Read more
One Dead and Five Sick During Heavy Transport with Boka Vanguard [Update]
The world’s largest heavy cargo vessel, Boskalis’ Boka Vanguard, has interrupted its voyage from China to Brazil in South Africa to land five seriously ill seafarers. The dead man remains on board at the captain’s...Read more
Knowing Where Circuit Breakers Are Is Crucial for Onboard Fire Fighting
For quick and effective firefighting, it is important that all crew members know where electrical breakers are located for each area. A recent Mars Report describes a fire on board a vessel after the capacitor...Read more
Vessel Turning Manoeuvre Nearly Results in Grounding
Close monitoring of a vessel’s position during port manoeuvring is always important, but doubly so in darkness. A recent Mars Report describes an incident in which the vessel’s position was not monitored, nearly resulting in...Read more
Shipping Company Alcohol Policy Should Protect Whistleblower
If a crew member smells alcohol on the breath of a relieving officer, the watch should not be handed over. Many crew members are afraid to voice their concerns, however, especially when a higher ranking...Read more
Over-tightening Leads to Oil Release Onboard LNG Vessel
An LNG vessel was recently found to be leaking oil at a terminal due to a deformed and broken bottom cover gasket. Cause of the defect was over-tightening of the bottom cover securing bolts during...Read more
Dangerous Disembarking Due to Incorrect Pilot Ladder Arrangement
A pilot recently encountered an unsafe situation concerning the pilot boarding combination arrangement. The Nautical Institute’s Mars Report featured the incident and provided lessons to be learned from it. A summary of what happened: A pilot was...Read more