


‘Vessel crew needs to be extra prudent after dry dock maintenance’
The Nautical Institute warns vessel crews to be extra vigilant after a ship has been in dry dock. A recent Mars Report discusses a lifeboat close call after a lifeboat davit’s wire had been incorrectly...Read more
Tanker hits buoy after bridge team loses situational awareness
One bridge team member should be tasked with overall situational awareness at all times, but especially when in congested waters and under close manoeuvring. The Nautical Institute gives this advice after a tanker crew lost...Read more
‘External teams working on board ships need to be supervised’
External teams working on board should be supervised by experienced crew to prevent potential unsafe acts. The Nautical Institute issues this warning in a recent Mars Report in which a member of a security team...Read more
‘Crew needs to realise gantry crane operators are mostly driving blind’
The Nautical Institute describes an accident in which a crew member was crushed by a moving gantry crane in its latest Mars Report. The organisation warns crew should realise gantry crane operators often cannot see...Read more
‘Maritime industry needs to recognise and address the risk of mobile phones’
The potential for mobile phones to cause distraction in onboard workspaces has yet to be fully recognised and addressed by the marine industry, says The Nautical Institute after a fatal accident on board a ro/ro...Read more
Unclear pilotage root cause for ship collision in Scheldt area
On 21 January 2018, the Dutch pilot vessel Pollux and the Panamanian bulk carrier Nord Taurus collided off the coast of Zeeland, the Netherlands. The Dutch Safety Board now concludes the cause of the accident...Read more
‘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
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
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
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
Smart fishing nets are hailing ships by call sign
The Automatic Identification Systems-equipped fishing net problem seems to be increasing exponentially and constitutes ‘an accident waiting to happen’, according to The Nautical Institute. The picture above was taken on a recent trip from Shanghai...Read more