#SARyouOK? Initiative Launches Best Practice Framework
The International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF) has launched its #SARyouOK? Guidance and Best Practice Framework.The #SARyouOK? initiative is supported by the Trinity House DFT Maritime Safety Fund and aims to promote awareness of mental health and wellbeing issues and break down the attached stigma for those working in the maritime search and rescue (SAR) sector.This initiative provides comprehensive guidance on mental health and wellbeing for maritime SAR services. The aimā¦
Voyage Planning Tool Errors Contributed to Grounding
The use of a draft voyage planning tool which included waypoint data errors plus an ongoing technical fault with the vessel monitoring and surveillance system for the Great Barrier Reef contributed to a cargo shipās grounding on a shoal, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has concluded.The 81-meter general cargo ship Trinity Bay grounded on Harrington Shoal, a charted feature with a depth of 0.9 metres north-west of Harrington Reef, on the morning of January 19, 2021 while conducting a regular weekly passage from Thursday Island to Cairns.
London to Trial Shipping Light Freight on the River Thames
A group of partners aiming to boost efficiency and sustainability for transporting goods in and around London has come together to trial shipping light freight on the River Thames.The non-profit Cross River Partnership (CRP) recently launched the London Light Freight River Trial, Londonās first daily, multi-supplier, river freight trial, as part of the Defra-funded Clean Air Logistics for London project. The group has been working with the Port of London Authority (PLA), Lyreco UK & Irelandā¦
Interview: Brendan Smith, President, Seaward Services
Brendan Smith brings more than a decade of maritime experience to his role as president of Seaward Services, a marine services company specializing in the operation, maintenance and repair of government and privately owned vessels. The company is part of the Hornblower Group.During his 6.5 years with the U.S. Navy, he served aboard the nuclear-powered submarine USS Santa Fe, and his roles included chemistry and radiological controls assistant (CRA), quality assurance officer (QAO) and combat operations instructor.
Founded in 1806, SSH Continues Serving Retired Merchant Mariners
The Sailorsā Snug Harbor (SSH) is a charity based out of New York that provides assistance to retired merchant mariners. In 2022, SSH helped more than 400 mariners in 33 states and Puerto Rico. SSH helps mariners live more comfortably by assisting them with their living expenses such as rent, mortgages, and utilities. SSH also helps them find other assistance and local services. In recent years, SSH has expanded its eligibility criteria to include inland mariners as well as deep sea mariners.SSH was incorporated in 1806 as the result of a bequest made by Captain Robert Richard Randall.
Monjasa Acquires Secondhand Vessel for Middle East Operations
Oil and shipping group Monjasa said it has acquired a secondhand 9,600 dwt oil and chemical tanker for cargo and bunkering operations in the Arabian Gulf.Formerly known as Trinity Erk, the 2009-built, 117.6-meter-long vessel has been renamed Monjasa Shaker and is now onw of four tankers ranging between 4,000 and 10,000-dwt serving Monjasaās marine fuel operations across the Middle East.The Denmark-based company said it has seen increasing demand for its marine fuel solutions,ā¦
At Least Three Dead After Trinity Spirit FPSO Blast in Nigeria
At least three people died in Nigeria when the oil storage and production vessel, FPSO Trinity Spirit, exploded last week and four crew are still missing, the operating company said on Monday.The vessel had 10 crew on board when it exploded on Wednesday, Nigeria's Shebah Exploration & Production Company Ltd (SEPCOL) said, adding that three were found dead on Sunday after three people had been found alive last week."Our priority remains focused towards establishing the whereaboutsā¦
Exploded Nigerian FPSO was 'old, badly maintained' - Sources
An oil vessel used for storage that exploded off the coast of Nigeria last week had not been maintained for some time and had technical issues, two sources and an environmental group said on Friday, as its wreckage lay in the sea after the fire was put out.The 10 crew members who were on board at the time of the explosion early on Wednesday remained unaccounted for, according to witnesses, amid fears they may have been caught in the fire.A Reuters witness saw the burnt out remains of the Trinity Spirit floating productionā¦
Rystad on Nigerian FPSO Explosion: 'No Impact on Oil Price. Environmental Implications Still Hard to Quantify'
The Trinity Spirit FPSO, operated by Nigeria's SEPCOL, exploded Wednesday and started burning, and, according to videos shared on social media, sinking. However, according to Rystad Energy, the incident is not expected to have an impact on Nigerian production as the unit was not producing at the time of the explosion. Environmental implications, however, are yet to be quantified.According to a Reuters report on Wednesday, an industry source active in Nigeria's oil sector said the FPSO had about 50ā¦
FPSO Explodes Offshore Nigeria
An oil production and storage vessel exploded off the coast of Nigeria early on Wednesday with 10 crew members on board though it was not yet clear if there were any casualties or how much crude might have spilled into the sea.Nigeria's Shebah Exploration & Production Company Ltd (SEPCOL) said on Thursday that flames had engulfed the Trinity Spirit floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) vessel following the blast a day earlier."At this time there are no reported fatalitiesā¦
Profiles in Training: Marcus Cheesman, Founder, Seven Seas Preparatory Academy
Marcus Cheesman started his maritime training in 1987 at the early age of 13, attending Trinity House Navigation School, the UKās only Nautical school. Upon graduation he was selected for a deck cadet apprenticeship with P&O Cruises and continued to progress through the ranks with P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line (including Windstar Cruises) and Disney Cruise Line, ultimately obtaining his Master Mariners license in 2002. He has piloted vessels on the busy River Humber based in his home town Hullā¦
Sailors' Society Launches COVID-19 Helpline
International maritime welfare charity Sailors' Society has launched a dedicated helpline for seafarers and their families.The confidential, 24 hour service is there to offer support and welfare to those worried or adversely affected by the coronavirus pandemic.Sandra Welch, the charity's COO and director of program, said: āWeāve seen an increase in calls for help and advice of late and thereās a lot of uncertainty, so our new dedicated Covid-19 helpline is a welcome addition to our services.āMany seafarers donāt know when they will sign-off and return homeā¦
UK Lighthouse Authority Gets New Ship
The UKās Department for Transport is to acquire a new ship for the General Lighthouse Authority Trinity House to replace THV Patricia, which has been in service since 1982, to ensure other vessels continue safe and smooth operations in UK waters and overseas. The General Lighthouse Authority is responsible for providing more than 600 aids a year to navigation around UK waters, including ships, lighthouses and buoys. The as yet unnamed vessel will deliver critical navigation aids to ships in some of the most dangerous waters in the worldā¦
Futuristic Training Ship to be Built in Britain
Ambitious plans are being launched for a $184 million training and disaster relief ship with cutting-edge British technology.Britannia Maritime Aid (BMA), a registered charity, aims to build the futuristic vessel in Britain. It is officially launching its plans at the UK Chamber of Shipping on Monday September 9 during London International Shipping Week.Maritime professionals and training experts have joined forces for project with backing from former First Sea Lords, the Lord West of Spithead and Admiral Sir Nigel Essenhigh.Others supporters include members of the Houses of Lords and Commons, shipbuilder Cammell Laird, ship designers Leadshipā¦
SMS Group Wins Vessel Refit
UK-based ship repairers and marine engineering services provider SMS Group has secured two very important contracts with Trinity House."The culmination of many months work has seen the SMS team in Lowestoft secure both the refit of the Trinity House Vessel (THV) Alert and three publicly tendered āLotsā with regards to mechanical and electrical maintenance," said a press release from the firm.James Grala, the General Manager of SMS Lowestoft, said āWeāve won both the mechanical repair, maintenance and service contracts for vessels located on the East Coast and the West Coast.āWeāve also won the electrical repair, maintenance and service contract for vessels on the East Coast. The former contract covers Harwich and Swansea and the later just Harwich.
Princess Royal Addresses Maritime Safety Committee
Anne, Princess Royal, visited International Maritime Organization (IMO) Headquarters in London (5 December).The Princess Royal was received by IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim and addressed the 100th session of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) and took a keen interest in the proceedings, as the Committee discussed measures to enhance maritime security and piracy and armed robbery against ships.The Princess Royal, who is Master of Trinity House and President of the Mission to Seafarers, then met delegates from a number of Member States and non-governmental organizations. Photos here. The visit was organised as part of a series of events commemorating IMOās 70th anniversary and the World Maritime Day theme - āIMO 70: Our Heritage: Better Shipping for a Better Future".In March 1948ā¦
Marine Coatings: Polyflake Protects against Corrosion
Corrosion starts from the inside out. The alkali that neutralizes acid water - and the acid water produced in a gas scrubbing system - are corrosive. Containment surfaces resistant to both alkali, acid water and their combination provide a safer ship with less expensive maintenance. While selecting metal alloys as more resistant to either acid or to alkali, facing all conditions simultaneously is problematic, as temperature plays an important role in pitting corrosion.Ultimatelyā¦
Metal Shark Open for Business in Alabama
Metal Shark announced it has secured a contract to build three 120ā x 35ā river towboats for Florida Marine Transporters, Inc. (FMT), signalling the U.S. shipbuilderās entry into the towboat market.The four-decked, welded-steel, USCG Subchapter āMā-compliant towboats were designed by John W. Gilbert Associates, Inc. and will be powered by twin Cat 3512C Tier 3 marine diesel engines rated at 1,911 HP each. Construction is underway at Metal Shark Alabama, with deliveries commencing in 2019.With the FMT contractā¦
Damen RSD Tug Undertakes Towing Tests with Svitzer
Fresh from a European tour that has taken her to the shores of Malta, Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, Gibraltar, Great Britain, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany, Damenās new RSD Tug 2513 Innovation has taken part in towing tests in the Port of Felixstowe, U.K. The intention of the tests was to allow the Innovation to undertake a number of tows, in various positions, in a controlled and safe manner, gradually building up until she took on a powered indirect on ultra large container vessel (ULCC) the OOCL Hong Kongā¦
IMO to Use IBIAās Best Practice for Suppliers
The first edition of IBIAās āBest practice guidance for suppliers for assuring the quality of bunkers delivered to shipsā was welcomed by the 72nd session of the IMOās Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 72) last week, where it was agreed that it would be a good basis for the development of IMO guidance. For the past few years, an IMO Correspondence Group on Fuel oil quality (CG) has been working on developing draft guidance on best practice for assuring the quality of fuel oil delivered for use on board ships. The initial aim was to produce a trinity of such guidance documents: one for bunker purchasers/users; one for bunker suppliers; and one for Member States/coastal States.
Felixstowe Gets Remote Control STS Cranes
The Port of Felixstowe has taken delivery of its first two remote control ship-to-shore (STS) gantry cranes. The two new cranes, the 32nd and 33rd at the UK's largest container port, were delivered on the Zhen Hua 23 from ZPMC in Shanghai. "These new cranes are the latest acquisition in our ongoing investment programme to provide the best equipment, infrastructure and systems for our customers. They will further enhance our capability to work multiple mega-vessels simultaneously. "Remote control quay cranes have been pioneered at other Hutchison Ports terminals. In addition to the new cranes, the port is creating an additional 18,000 TEU of container storage capacityā¦
A History of Marine Aids to Navigation
Today many of us take aids to navigation for granted, and until they need to be replaced, we donāt realize how much we depend on them. Most marine navigation aids only require a routine inspection and maintenance after installation. Then they effectively continue their job so that mariners, harbor masters and other seafarers have one less thing to manage. However, it wasnāt always that way. The first marine aids to navigation were very different. Early mariners were guided into port by fires lit on hillsides to denote where the safe passage lay.
MV Ella Salvage Operations to Begin off England
Salvage operations are expected to commence shortly in order to remove the wreck of the MV Ella which sank in July off Lowestoft, England. MV Ella formerly served as a floating restaurant and was unmanned and under tow from Hartlepool to Rochester when she began to take on water. The tow was cut and the vessel sank approximately 3.5 nautical miles southeast off the Port of Lowestoft on July 6, 2017, resulting in a hazard to navigation and a danger to shipping. The Secretary of Stateās Representative for Maritime Salvage and Intervention (SOSREP), established a Temporary Exclusion Zone (TEZ) of 500 meters around the wreck, and Trinity House has marked the site with Emergency Wreck Marking Buoys.