‘Use high visibility paint markings for tripping hazards on ships’
Tripping hazards are often overlooked. Use of high visibility paint markings could improve safety on board a ship. The Nautical Institute illustrates this in a recent Mars Report in which a crew member tripped over...Read more
Ignoring the gangway proves fatal for vessel visitor
The Nautical Institute warns that embarkation/disembarkation needs to controlled rigorously after a recent incident in which someone fell into the water between ship and quay and subsequently drowned. The incident is discussed in a recent...Read more
Assumptions lead to ships colliding
Every time you assume an action will be taken by another party without verifying directly with them, the door to a potential accident is opened, says The Nautical Institute. A recent Mars Report illustrates the...Read more
Terminal pressures vessel crew to resume transfer despite safety issues
Despite a supporting rope on one of the four fenders breaking, a terminal still wanted a ship-to-ship transfer to continue. The Nautical Institute discusses the situation in a recent Mars Report and stresses safety should...Read more
Master with the con and steering in darkness, vessel scrapes channel side
An overload of work processes can contribute to losing situational awareness. The Nautical Institute emphasises this point in a recent Mars Report. In it, a ferry ended up with a ten-metre tear in its hull...Read more
Stay clear of the lifting danger zone during ship loading operations
Two crew members standing in the lifting danger zone suffered injuries during loading of wind turbine tower sections after being struck by a parting sling. The incident is discussed by The Nautical Institute, which stresses...Read more
Don’t rely on anchors to keep your ship in place during a storm
Time and again groundings from storm anchorages occur because too much time was lost before lifting anchor and putting to the open sea. The Nautical Institute warns about such practices in a recent Mars Report,...Read more
Never rush into a space that has a collapsed crew member inside
Some spaces, although not officially an enclosed space, can still act as one. In a recent Mars Report, a crew member died after entering a bow thruster compartment alone. The Nautical Institute stresses rescue operations...Read more
Pay attention to hydrodynamics when meeting a ship in restricted waters
When two ships tried to steer clear of each other near a curve in a narrow channel, one of them made bottom contact. The Nautical Institute discusses this incident in a recent Mars Report and...Read more
Ship hits mooring dolphins resulting in millions worth of damage
A master and pilot need to have a mutually understood docking plan. The Nautical Institute discusses a case in which master and pilot were not “on the same page” resulting in USD 3.7 million in...Read more
Lifting close call underlines need for visual contact during ship operations
A loose wire sling nearly caused a crew member to fall off a gangway. The Nautical Institute discusses this incident in one of its latest Mars Reports to draw attention to hidden hazards and the...Read more
Do you manually correct your vessel’s AIS data when needed?
The automatic identification system (AIS) is a valuable tool that shares critical vessel information with other vessel operators. However, its usefulness depends on accurate data entry. In a recent Mars Report, not entering the vessel’s...Read more
Disoriented master leads to ferry colliding with sailing yacht
Blind pilotage cannot be improvised and best results come only if these skills are constantly practised before they are needed. This is the advice given by The Nautical Institute after a ferry in fog collided...Read more
Do you check container crane cabins for corrosion?
Crane cabins are often high up in the air and should therefore be inspected regularly to check their safety, says The Nautical Institute. A recent Mars Report describes a crew member falling to his death...Read more
Crew member crushed by tween deck pontoon
The Nautical Institute discusses a crew member dying after getting stuck between a pontoon and a bulkhead in a recent Mars Report. According to the Institute, the operation lacked good communication, co-ordination, and control.Read more
Nautical Institute: Use fall prevention even if the height seems small
Slips, trips, and falls are one of the leading causes of injuries for shipboard personnel, according to The Nautical Institute. This is highlighted in a recent Mars Report in which a hazard in plain sight...Read more
RoRo vessel rolls heavily and tips trucks
Passage plans need to be revised according to weather according to The Nautical Institute. The organisation gives this warning after a RoRo had its cargo topple over in heavy weather.Read more
‘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