Correct Equipment News

Surveyors are usually engaged to investigate the cause, nature and extent of a claim, damage or incident. Their role in managing projects to salvage cargo is less known. Peer van Oosterhout and Ad de Klerk from BMT Surveys share their experiences in salvaging a cargo worth several million Euros from the seabed in the Mediterranean. Recently, BMT Surveys in Rotterdam was approached by a major European-based underwriter, to investigate the possibility of salvaging a high value cargo from a vessel that had sunk in about 100 meters depth of water in the Mediterranean.

UK's International Safety Products, manufacturer and supplier of marine safety products, says it launched a redesigned package of lifejackets at the recent Shipbuilding, Maritime and Machinery (SMM) trade show in Germany. The firm's Andy Scott said they unveiled new be-spoke versions of the Challenger Flexi-wing 150N, Challenger Interlock 275N and Challenger Worksafe Pro 170N lifejackets. The lifejackets now have additional design options to provide even greater comfort, particularly for people working across the maritime sector. Mr Scott said many manufacturers are highlighting 275N SOLAS/MED (Safety Of Life At Sea Maritime Equipment Directive) lifejackets as being better for working personnel than 150N SOLAS/MED lifejackets, whereas the opposite is true in many situations.

In the very near future, the new scientific Research Vessel Investigator will enter service for the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), an agency of the Federal Government of Australia. Investigator went to sea for her initial sea trials in December 2013. Once deployed, Investigator will be among the quietest and most capable research vessels in the world, serving multiple, diverse scientific roles in a geographical areas spanning one-third the circumference of the globe.

World crude production may rise and fall, but the historical trend shows a steady increase in the price of a barrel of oil, and with it, the price of a ton of fuel. Add the demands of shareholders and charterers to increase operational efficiency and profitability, as well as increasing international pressure to reduce fuel consumption and associated greenhouse gas emissions. It is no wonder that ship owners have seen a steady rise, as well, in the availability of technologies — from ship design to propulsion and HVAC systems to hull coatings — that are purported to reduce fuel consumption.

The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement’s (BSEE) Director James Watson released the Bureau’s final Safety Culture Policy Statement. The non-regulatory statement defines nine characteristics that are indicative of a robust safety culture. The policy statement will inform BSEE’s regulatory approach to lead the offshore oil and gas industry beyond a checklist-inspection approach toward a systemic, comprehensive approach to compliance. "The human factor is the critical element in offshore safety,” Director Watson said. “Prescriptive regulations can reduce risks to worker safety and the environment, but they alone are not enough.

The galley is the heart of every vessel. A well-functioning galley keeps crews healthy and productive. A poorly ran galley causes lost man-hours due to food borne illnesses and injuries, costing companies millions, and in some cases, costing crewmembers their lives. Galley Safety: Health and Hazards (http://www.maritimetraining.com/Product/Galley-Safety-Health-Hazards) is a new training video from Maritime Training Services (www.maritimetraining.com) that responds to these issues by providing training on proper hygiene…

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. “There is no excuse for the unacceptable casualties we have seen recently,” says Stephen Bond, Deputy Chairman, Videotel.

Deaths caused by entering enclosed spaces on ships with unbreathable or toxic atmospheres continue to occur with 'relentless regularity', according to the North of England P&I club. The 50 million GT mutual has thus published a special supplement to highlight the problem yet again in the latest issue of its loss-prevention newsletter 'Signals'. 'Few aspects of personal safety on ships have received more attention than the importance of following correct procedures before entering an enclosed space,' says loss-prevention executive Tony Baker. The North of England has repeatedly reminded its members of the dangers, including a special issue of 'Signals', three 'Signals Experiences' accident case studies and two safety posters.