‘Questionable decisions’ during ship-to-ship transfer end in tragedy
The master of a supply boat has died after being knocked over board by a swinging load. The Nautical Institute discusses the incident in a Mars Report and points out some of the contributory ‘questionable...Read more
Oil leakage leeds to better storage of reducers on board tanker
A tanker was in port and discharging oil product. During the discharge, deck crew noticed a small leak coming from the manifold reducer. The incident resulted in a review of the way reduces are stored...Read more
‘Don’t assume other vessels will stay clear of you’
In the latest Mars Report, The Nautical Institute discusses a collision between a container vessel and a tanker. Despite the two being aware of each other’s presence, this did not help to prevent the collision.Read more
Do you know how unusual cargo may impact your ship’s stability?
A recent Mars Report describes a car carrier carrying timber instead of cars developing a severe list underway. This resulted in the crew having to be evacuated. The Nautical Institute’s advice: don’t sail without a...Read more
Premature brake release spills two crew into water
Unsafe practices can soon become the norm and deviating from established procedures can increase risk. This is the advice given by The Nautical Institute after two crew members of a Ro-Ro ferry fell into the...Read more
Disappearance of livestock carrier Gulf Livestock 1 raises questions
Why was the Gulf Livestock 1 heading straight for the heart of category 4 storm Maysak, the worst typhoon of the year to date in the East China Sea? That is what maritime experts are...Read more
Search operations livestock carrier halted, another two crew found
Another two crew members of the cargo ship that sank off the coast of Japan during a heavy storm were rescued on Friday 4 September. A day later, the Japanese authorities had to temporarily halt...Read more
Fatal fall from ladder on board bulk carrier
Seafarers can become desensitised to the hazards around them, which can have dramatic consequences. A recent Mars Report describes a fatal accident on board a bulk carrier, where it had become common practice to climb...Read more
Don’t use the anchor to keep your ship in place in heavy weather
Anchors and associated gear are for holding ships in light to moderate weather conditions. For more adverse weather, drifting or slow steaming (hove-to) would be the safer option. The Nautical Institute gives this advice after...Read more
Two dead after sudden vessel movement causes load to swing
Close attention should be given to mooring lines and ship-shore interfaces at all times, but especially while working cargo and when tides are present. It would not be unreasonable to undertake hourly rounds. This is...Read more
Make sure you understand your ship’s motion monitoring and forecast tools
Container ship CMA CGM G. Washington lost 137 containers overboard as a result of parametric roll. The Nautical Institute points out that a major contributing factor was that the crew was not fully conversant with...Read more
Do you check your ship’s air moving equipment before first use each day?
Before commencing gas freeing operations, air moving equipment has to be grounded. On a tank barge where this was not carried out properly, static electricity caused an explosion.Read more
Two tanker mooring lines caught in bow thruster
Due care must always be taken with lines near a working bow thruster. A recent Mars Report features an incident in which the mooring lines were drawn into the thruster tunnel fouling the propeller blades.Read more
Bulk carrier dragging anchor leads to grounding
Anchoring a ship on a lee shore with expected high winds is asking for trouble. In a recent Mars Report, a master did just that. Despite keeping the main engines ready, he could not get...Read more
Shipping ever safer, but fires are cause for concern
The number of shipping disasters involving the complete loss of a ship fell to its lowest level ever last year. On the other hand, the growing number of serious fires on container ships is giving...Read more
Inland container ship hits bridge in Rotterdam and loses three containers
A container barge has collided with the Willemsbrug in Rotterdam. The ship lost three containers, which ended up in the water, said a spokeswoman of the Dutch police. There were no casualties. There were no dangerous...Read more
Unsafe berth leads to fatal fall in water
Don’t tolerate an unsafe situation against your own better judgment is the advice given by The Nautical Institute after a crew member died when he fell into the water at an unsafe berth. Despite the...Read more
Crew member dies after fall during ramp hatch maintenance
A vessel’s safety procedures are always at risk of becoming routine, which may cause real hazards to be overlooked. A recent Mars Report serves as an example, in which a crew member fell from 4.5...Read more