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Vessel Safety News

26 Feb 2024

Many Different Vessels but One Goal – Passenger Safety

© Olivier / Adobe Stock

Because there are so many different kinds of passenger vessels, the critical topic of passenger safety can sometimes appear as a set of niche topics, each one just distantly connected to another. After all, passengers aboard a cruise ship in the Caribbean face safety issues that are much different than a commuter going from Jersey City to Manhattan or a tourist crossing from the Mukilteo, Wash. ferry terminal to Whidbey Island or a family on a fishing vessel in Miami.Importantly, though, for passenger vessel operators, a commitment to safety is not siloed.

09 Jan 2024

Viking Strengthens Marine Evacuation Portfolio with Undertun Acquisition

(Credit: Viking Life-Saving Equipment)

Danish maritime safety solutions company Viking Life-Saving Equipment has acquired rights to manufacture and supply Undertun marine evacuation systems (MES).The Viking acquisition has been agreed with Sverre Undertun, whose Norway-based company offers solutions which include its well-known Undertun ship gangways.The solution is suitable for the small ferry market due to its easy installation and use.Catering for up to 150 persons, Undertun MES are especially convenient when installation heights and crew numbers are low…

08 Nov 2023

Weathernews and Dataloy Systems Launch Solution to Refine Vessel Voyage Management

Voyage Management System integration: Accessing alternative route suggestions with unique weather data (Screenshot: Dataloy Systems)

Weathernews Inc. and Dataloy Systems AS said Wednesday they had introduced an integrated solution to refine vessel voyage management based on unique weather data. The integration combines Weathernews' historical seasonal routes and sea margins with Dataloy Systems’ Voyage Management System (VMS), which, the companies say, provides "streamlined access to critical data, error reduction, increased efficiency, and a focus on enhancing voyage quality and profitability. "In the context of the companies’ strategic partnership…

07 Nov 2023

US-flagged Laker Grounds in the St. Clair River

(Photo: U.S. Coast Guard)

A U.S. registered laker ran aground in the St. Clair River near Marine City, Mich. on Tuesday, the U.S. Coast Guard said.The Coast Guard said it was notified at 7:21 a.m. that the 617-foot-long vessel American Courage grounded with a cargo of 20,000 tons of stone on board. No injuries or pollution have been reported.The river remains open to navigation, though a marine safety broadcast has been issued urging mariners to use caution while transiting the area.The Coast Guard said it is coordinating with the vessel's owner—Traverse City…

11 Oct 2023

Birdon Delivers 12th USCG Motor Lifeboat

(Photo: Birdon)

On September 22, Birdon completed work on the 12th Motor Lifeboat (MLB) and delivered it to the U.S. Coast Guard. This is the third and final boat to be delivered to Station Umpqua River, located along the Central Oregon Coast.“We’re proud to play a role in equipping the U.S. Coast Guard with state-of-the-art equipment it needs to perform lifesaving rescue missions,” said Patrick Kinser, West Coast MLB Program Manager.The 12th vessel was refurbished in Birdon’s Bellingham, Wash.

31 Aug 2023

NTSB Renews Call for US Coast Guard to Strengthen Passenger Vessel Safety

The fire-stricken Conception shortly before it sank off Santa Cruz Island in September 2019. All 33 passengers and one of six crewmembers died of smoke inhalation after they were trapped in the berthing area while a fire raged on the deck above. (Photo: Ventura County Fire Department)

Four years after the fire aboard the Conception dive boat claimed 34 lives, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) renewed its call for the U.S. Coast Guard to require safety management systems (SMS) for passenger vessels. The recommendation, which the NTSB reissued following its investigation of the September 2, 2019, fire aboard the Conception, remains open.NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy sent a letter to the Coast Guard Commandant today emphasizing the need to issue the…

03 May 2023

A New Generation of WTIVs

Crane lifting foundation ready for installation. (Photo by Ulrich Wirrwa; Image Source Cadeler)

WTIVs have always been fuel-hungry. Now they are being tasked with installations that are further, deeper and heavier.Offshore wind farms continue their march into deeper water, further from shore, with turbines that can now reach more than 270 meters high with blades 120 meters long. Designers and OEMs are pushing efficiency to new levels to contain OPEX on the new-generation jack-up WTIVs taking them up there.Danish ship design firm Knud E. Hansen has chosen specialization for its Atlas A-class WTIV, a smaller derivation of its massive C-class design.

27 Apr 2023

Ladder Accident Attributed to Weak Safety Culture

Source: TAIC

The New Zealand Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) has released its report on the injury of a crew member during ladder operations on the container ship Moana Chief, citing weak safety culture on the part of the vessel’s operator.The incident occurred in the Port of Auckland on December 10, 2021 when the container ship Moana Chief was preparing to leave port. The crew had started to retrieve its telescopic accommodation ladder for stowing. A crew member’s leg was…

09 Mar 2023

Orca AI Lands Deals with ARC and Liberty

Maritime technology company Orca AI announced it has secured deals with U.S. Ro-Ro operators Liberty Maritime Corporation and American Roll-On Roll-Off Carrier (ARC) to deploy its automated situational awareness platform across their respective fleets. Liberty was one of the early collaborators with Orca AI, deploying the first Orca AI unit on a US flag Ro-Ro vessel (Liberty Pride) in 2019.The platform, which is installed on Liberty’s ro-ro vessels and on ARC’s entire fleet, acts as a fully automatic watch-keeper, powered by computer vision and deep learning algorithms that detect, track and classify navigation-applicable targets that may pose a risk to the vessel.It is operational 24/7, prioritizes risk and presents it in a user-friendly interface.

21 Feb 2023

Shipping Industry Grapples with Ways to Cut Cargo Fires at Sea

The Singapore-registered MV X-Press Pearl, carrying 1,486 containers, including 25 tonnes of nitric acid along with other chemicals and cosmetics, was anchored off Sri Lanka's west coast when a fire erupted onboard after an explosion on May 20, 2021. (Photo: Sri Lanka Coast Guard)

Global shipping companies are exploring ways to boost safety in transporting cargoes as risks grow from fires erupting inside containers or in cars at sea, officials said on Wednesday.Shipping transports around 90% of world trade onboard different vessels including container and Ro-Ro ships with trade routes getting busier.In a new initiative, leading carriers Evergreen Line of Taiwan, South Korea's HMM, Denmark's Maersk, Germany's Offen Group, Singapore's ONE (Ocean Network Express)…

19 Jan 2023

GTT Gets LR AIP for Tank Maintenance Solution

(Image: GTT)

French engineering frim GTT said it has obtained approval in principle (AIP) from classification society Lloyd’s Register for its maintenance optimization solution for liquefied natural gas (LNG) membrane tanks.The AIP has been granted, in the Framework of Class Survey, for the use of an innovative digital solution for sloshing activity assessment, in order to optimize the LNG membrane tank maintenance. The approval project was conducted in close collaboration with Shell International…

13 Jan 2023

Coast Guard Cutter Alex Haley Repairs Completed

The Coast Guard Alex Haley sits dry docked for repairs and maintenance in Seattle, Washington, Dec. 13, 2022. While in dry dock, the crew and contractors successfully completed more than $6 million worth of repairs. (Photo: U.S. Coast Guard)

The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Alex Haley returned to homeport at Coast Guard Base Kodiak, Alaska, on Thursday, following an extended seven-month dry dock maintenance period in Seattle.While in dry dock, the crew and contractors successfully completed more than $6 million worth of repairs.The engineering department oversaw 76 work items including major overhauls on the cutter’s controllable pitch propeller system, speed reducers, rudders, and boilers, along with inspections of fuel, sewage, and water tanks.

07 Nov 2022

USCG Needs to Do More to Improve Fishing Vessel Safety - GAO

© David J. Shuler / Adobe Stock

The U.S. Coast Guard must do more to improve safety in the extremely dangerous commercial fishing industry, according to a new report from watchdog agency the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO).Commercial fishing has one of the highest industry death rates in the U.S., according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Since fiscal year 2011, multiple commercial fishing vessel safety requirements have been enacted. As the principal federal agency for ensuring marine safety, the U.S.

20 Sep 2022

Maersk Product Tankers Names Gronborg CEO

Claus Gronborg (Photo: maersk Product Tankers)

Claus Gronborg has been appointed CEO of Maersk Product Tankers – one of the largest product tanker owners in the world.Gronborg takes over the leadership of Maersk Product Tankers on October 1 from Christian M. Ingerslev. Gronborg will remain Chief Investment Officer of Maersk Tankers and a member of the executive team.Ingerslev will continue as CEO of Maersk Tankers and become a member of the Maersk Product Tankers board of directors.As CEO of Maersk Product Tankers, Gronborg will be responsible for delivering the company’s fleet strategy…

16 Sep 2022

Post-pandemic world brings heightened risks for shipping

Copyright Reinhard/AdobeStock

While the Covid-19 pandemic resulted in few direct claims for the marine insurance sector, the impact on the welfare of crews and the boom in shipping and port congestion, exacerbated by the Ukraine invasion, raises potential safety concerns.Demand for crew is currently high with the shipping boom, yet following the Covid-19 pandemic many skilled and experienced crew are leaving the industry, having endured many months, and in some cases, years, stuck on vessels. For those that choose to remain…

13 Sep 2022

ABS Grants AiP for Autonomous System on Harbor Tug

Harbor tug Rachael Allen - Credit: Foss

The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) said Tuesday it has collaborated with Sea Machines and Foss Maritime to advance the adoption of autonomous operations at sea by issuing approval in principle (AIP) to their vessel autonomy system, the SM300, that provides autonomous navigation and collision detection and collision avoidance (CDCA).Foss is to install Sea Machines’ SM300 system on board its harbor tug Rachael Allen to enhance safety and efficiency of operations. Overall, the…

24 Aug 2022

Sperry Launches Digital Navigation, Voyage Planning Service

Image courtesy Sperry Marine

The new Sperry Marine Digital service, powered by NAVTOR, aims to help reduce fuel costs, support regulatory compliance and reduce administrative workload for crew and shore teams. Sperry Marine partnered with NAVTOR to launch Sperry Marine Navigation Charts and Voyage Planning. Designed to optimize vessel safety and efficiency, the service provides an integrated e-navigation solution that reduces administration associated with chart updates and route planning and improves cyber security.Navigation Charts and Voyage Planning is a service on the SperrySphere platform…

23 Aug 2022

Sea Machines’ SM300 System On Board Foss Tug Earns ABS Approval

Rachael Allen (Photo: Sea Machines)

A Foss Maritime harbor tug outfitted with the Sea Machines SM300 autonomy system has been verified by the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS). The tug, Rachael Allen, is deployed in California, where it provides tanker escort and ship assists for Foss’ customers. The vessel will first leverage the Sea Machines’ autonomy system for routine transit and stand-by operations, and then trial remote piloting from a shore-based command center. The SM300 transit autonomy and station keeping…

19 Jul 2022

Subchapter M Phase-in Period Draws to a Close

© Drew / Adobe Stock

The U.S. Coast Guard on Tuesday marked the end of the four-year Subchapter M certificate of inspection (COI) phase-in period for U.S.-registered towing vessels. Subchapter M, the United States regulatory code dealing with towing vessels and requirements for towing vessel safety, has officially been in place since July 2016, when the U.S. Coast Guard finalized the long-awaited Sub M rulemaking. The first COIs were issued in 2018, and all of the more than 5,000 U.S. domestic towing vessels must have valid COIs on board by July 19…

08 Jul 2022

Korean Partners Developing Autonomous Navigation Systems

YEON Kyujin, KR’s Head of Plan Approval Center (right), KWON Ohgil, KLCSM’s Managing Director (center), and KIM Hyunjo, SHI’s Director of Marine Shipbuilding Research Center (left) at the MOU signing ceremony at this year’s Korea Ocean Expo in Incheon, Korea. (Photo: KR)

Korean Register (KR) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with ship management company KLCSM and shipbuilder Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) to jointly research and approve the application of autonomous navigation systems for mid- to large-sized vessels.The agreement, which was signed on June 23 at this year’s Korea Ocean Expo in Incheon, Korea, aims to accelerate the commercialization and international competitiveness of domestic autonomous ship equipment and technology…

27 Jun 2022

Thordon Wins Shaft Seals Order

The Judilily is now fitted with TG100 shaft seals (Photo: Thordon Bearings)

Thordon Bearings’ authorized distributor in Mexico, TZ Industrias, has secured an order to supply the Canadian company’s TG100 shaft seals, equipped with a safe return to port (SRTP) emergency seal, to a quartet of shrimpers operated by Pesquera Axel, one of the country’s leading fishing vessel operators.TZ Industrias will deliver four 127mm (5in) diameter mechanical seals to the Mazatlán-based repair yard Constructora y Reparadora de Buques for installation this June to the 7m (23ft) long fishing vessels Kukulkan…

07 Jun 2022

Marine Insurance: Cargo Fires are a Burning Issue for Shipping

Copyright burnstuff2003/AdobeStock

Commercial insurer Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty released its Safety & Shipping Review, an annual analysis of shipping losses and accidents worldwide. The 2022 report reveals that the maritime sector continues its long-term positive safety trend over the past year with 54 total losses of vessels reported globally, compared with 65 a year earlier. This represents a 57% decline over 10 years (127 in 2012); while during the early 1990s the global fleet was losing 200+ vessels a year.The 2021 loss total is made more impressive by the fact that there are an estimated 130…

07 Jun 2022

Vessel Incidents on the Rise, Inmarsat Report Finds

Image courtesy Inmarsat

Tankers, fishing vessels and bulk carriers were the three highest sectors for sending distress signals between 2018-2021, Inmarsat's The Future of Maritime Safety Report 2022 reveals.Among the findings from the Inmarsat data was an abrupt spike in GMDSS calls in 2020 at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, which, according to the report, is likely to have been caused by “issues with crew change, rapid turnaround in ports and fatigue on board”.Peter Broadhurst, Senior Vice President of Safety and Security…

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