Fatal Accident
MAIB – Investigation of Fatal Accident
The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) issued its report of the investigation of the fatal accident on board the UK combi-coaster NORDSTRAND in Seville, Spain on 20 September 2004. A crewmember was killed and the chief officer was injured when a portable hold bulkhead fell while being relocated. Investigation revealed the bulkhead fell because the locking pins were not properly secured. There was no established procedure for checking to determine whether the locking pins were secure. The safety management risk assessment for movement of the bulkheads was vague and unrealistic. Report No. 8/2005 Source: HK Law
Submersible Retrieves Data, Takes Video from Sunken Ferry
An underwater video released Tuesday by B.C.'s Transportation Safety Board shows images from inside the sunken Queen of the North ferry during a dive by a remote-controlled submersible last month. The video shows the submersible's manipulator arms clearing the ferry deck of debris, breaking a bridge window to gain access and taking images of the controls. It also shows the submersible retrieving bridge computerized electronic systems that could shed light on what led to the fatal
New Engineering Course at GMATS
GMATS has recently added a new course in Marine High Voltage Safety. This course meets the unique demands in the maritime field for training concerning high voltage electrical situations. It has been written in cooperation with current industry leaders who are using high voltage equipment daily. The special needs in the marine environment for high voltage training are addressed in this class as they pertain to propulsion, maintenance and repair.
Australia: Crew Member has Fatal Heart Attack
The Australian Transport Safety Board (ATSB) issued its report of the investigation of the death of an electrician on board a bulk carrier while the ship was anchored off Gladstone in Queensland on 11 May 2005. The crew member was working alone in the engineroom. It appears that he received an electric shock that knocked him off balance, causing him to fall between the deep frame and an adjacent pipe. He then suffered a fatal heart attack
Investigation Begins on Fatal Ferry Crash
Photo Credit: Don Sutherland Investigation begins on yesterday's ferry accident that has seriously injured several passengers and killed 10. A Staten Island Ferry crashed as it was docking Wednesday afternoon, severely injuring several passengers and killing at least 10. As New York City rush hour began to peak, the incident occurred at about 3:20 p.m., as the vessel was en route to dock at the St. George Terminal on the Staten Island end of its Manhattan commuter route
Dive Planned at B.C. Ferry Wreck Site
Canadian investigators, trying to determine the cause of last month's fatal ferry sinking on the Pacific coast, will launch another probe of the underwater wreck site. The dive operation will examine the wheelhouse of the sunken ferry Queen of the North, which is located in about 400 meters of water in British Columbia's Inside Passage, the Transportation Safety Board said. The ocean-going ferry, carrying 101 passengers and crew, sank in the early morning darkness of March 22
Coast Guard Officers Attend NTSB Hearing
Officers from the Coast Guard’s office of investigations and casualty analysis attended a hearing of the National Transportation Safety Board which outlined findings and recommendations related to recent accidents involving Coast Guard vessels, including the fatal collision with a recreational boat in San Diego, December 2009, killing 8-year-old Anthony DeWeese. “We want to thank the NTSB for its thorough investigation and insight on this accident
Navy Hearing Pushed To March 5
The U.S. Navy bowed to a request from the captain of the Greeneville and set a March 5 hearing date for an official inquiry into the disaster in which the nuclear sub slammed into a Japanese fishing trawler, leaving nine people missing, presumed dead. Lawyers for Cmdr. Scott Waddle had asked the Navy to delay a court of inquiry, originally due to begin on Thursday, into the fatal collision to give them more time to prepare.
Videotel and Mines Rescue Marine Launch New Training Series
Accidents in enclosed spaces are frequent, often fatal – but crucially, also avoidable. Today, Videotel Marine International joins forces with Mines Rescue Marine to launch a brand new training series, Entry into Enclosed Spaces. The programme delivers a hard hitting message to both ship board and shore based personnel that will ensure that when working in enclosed spaces the correct equipment is used and good safety procedures become second nature.
Totem Support Tool Helps Avoid Collisions
Totem ECDIS provides Decision Support tools for collision avoidance. The decision support tool gives the OOW a concrete advice on required course change or speed reduction needed to be at a safe distance from all targets. In this circular we want to show another unique feature of Totem ECDIS, intended to prevent “ECDIS assisted” accidents. Concrete warning on this subject was given in BIMCO report, https://www.bimco.org/en/News/2011/11/30_Feature_Week_48
Sailor Injured on HMAS Warramunga
A sailor onboard Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Warramunga sustained a non-life-threatening injury in a training exercise this morning, May 23, 2013. The ship’s medical staff provided initial treatment to the sailor, and the decision was made to divert the ship to Exmouth, WA
Managing Jones Act Personal Injury Litigation
Preparation, Preservation of Resources Sets the Table for a Successful Trial Verdict Even the safest, most careful marine operator will, at some point in time, have an accident aboard one of their vessels. And, despite the best of intentions, sometimes employees gets hurt
Costa Concordia: Board Members Under Investigation
Five board members of owners, Costa Crociere, have been placed under investigation in connection with the January 2012 cruise ship accident. The executives are reportedly being probed for possible collusion in the crimes of dereliction of duty and manslaughter that the ship's Captain
By the Numbers: Subchapter M Statistics
The Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2004 (Aug. 9, 2004), established new authorities for towing vessels. Out of that came a proposed regulatory scheme requiring towing vessels to become inspected vessels and obtain a Certificate of Inspection (COI)
Boating in US Getting Safer: Coast Guard Report
U.S. Coast Guard releases 2012 Recreational Boating Statistics Report showing the lowest number of fatalities on record, overall drop in accidents & injuries. From 2011 to 2012, deaths in boating-related accidents decreased from 758 to 651, a 14
Chinese Cargo Ship Hits Yangtze Bridge Pier, Sinks
18 crew members of the ship were rescued shortly before their vessel sank in the Yangtze River after hitting a bridge pier. Damage was visible on a pier of the Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province after the cargo vessel, loaded with 12
Container Ship Strikes Genoa Control Tower; Seven Reported Dead
Officials said seven are dead and two missing after the containership Jolly Nero crashed into a control tower in the Italian port of Genoa late Tuesday night. Rescue workers continue to search the rubble for survivors while divers scour the surrounding waters.
DNV Calls for Better Safety Barrier Management
To avoid major accidents, safety barriers are critical to stop accident pathways before they become serious, and they need to be treated accordingly. This has to be reflected in operations and ideally in regulations. If not, safety barriers which often address rare events might lose the everyday
Seaspan, Walter Gretzky Celebrate NAOSH Week
With North American Occupational Health and Safety (NAOSH) week well underway across the continent, Seaspan welcomed Walter Gretzky to its Vancouver Shipyards to underscore the importance of health and safety in the workplace. Hockey’s most famous father addressed Seaspan employees with
Container Ship Crashes into Genoa Port Control Tower
At least 3 people dead and up to 6 missing after the container ship 'Jolly Nero' hit the tower in the hours of darkness. Part of the tower, in which about 14 people were present at the time of the accident at around half past midnight local time, crashed into the water
Absence of IMO Shipping Casualty Reports a Matter of Concern
The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) joins with International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) submit a complaint to IMO. The joint submission to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) comments on the apparent failure of some flag states to submit maritime casualty reports
SRI Survey: Seafarers and Criminal Law
Seafarers’ suggestions on how to improve their situation when facing criminal charges were presented at the landmark 100th session of the Legal Committee of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) which met in London from April 15-19, 2013.
Maersk Deepwater Rig's Incident Free Year
The crew of the 'Maersk Deliverer' has achieved a ‘One-Year Free of Accidents’ award during operations offshore West Africa. Maersk Deliverer has been operating in six different countries in West Africa for eight different clients over the past two years and is currently on a two year
Shipowners, Unions Raise Casualty Report Concerns
Shipowners and seafarers' unions joined forces to express concern at flag states’ failure to submit maritime casualty reports as required under international Conventions. The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), which represents 80% of the world merchant fleet
Coastal Riverine Sailors Injured in U.S. Navy Training Mishap
Three U.S. Navy Sailors assigned to Coastal Riverine Squadron (CRS) 10 were injured in a training accident when their 34-foot patrol boat ran aground near Charleston Harbor April 13. The injured Sailors were transiting the boat into the Charleston Harbor as part of routine training when the