USCG Launches Titan Submersible Investigation
The U.S. Coast Guard convened a Marine Board of Investigation (MBI) -- the highest level of investigation in the Coast Guard -- into the loss of the Titan submersible and the five people on board. The crew of the Polar Prince research vessel lost contact with the Titan submersible 1 hour and 45 minutes into its dive on Sunday, June 18, 2023. After an extensive search and rescue effort, wreckage of the Titan submersible was located on the ocean floor approximately 500 meters off the bow of the Titanic.
Tug Everlast anchors in Portland Harbor
The Canadian tug Everlast was anchored in Portland Harbor, Maine, for inspection on Friday after a pump room on the barge it was pushing caught fire Thursday night. While anchored, the 400-foot double-hulled barge was evaluated by a Coast Guard marine inspector and Portland Fire Department officials to determine the extent of the damage caused by the fire. Steps were taken to move the tug and barge to the Portland Ocean Gateway terminal for additional repairs to the installed firefighting systems late Friday evening. “The Portland Fire Department was outstanding in accurately assessing the potential for the fire reflashing and helping to craft an appropriate response strategy to this casualty,” said Capt. Jim Rendon, commander of CG Sector Northern New England.
Bridge Mismanagment Cited in Collision
The Canadian Transportation Safety Board (TSB) issued its report of the investigation into the collision between the bulk carrier CANADIAN PROSPECTOR and the heavy lift ship STELLANOVA in the St. Lawrence Seaway on 12 October 2002. As the two ships approached each other in the narrow seaway, the STELLANOVA began to experience bank effect. In an attempt to avoid being sucked into the bank, the pitch of the controllable pitch propeller was first decreased and then increased. The result was that the ship lost maneuverability and swung into the passing CANADIAN PROSPECTOR. The TSB determined that the primary cause of the collision was the failure of the pilot and master of the STELLANOVA to exercise proper bridge resource management principles. Report Number M02C0064 (HK Law).
Canada Finding on Cruise Ship Switchboard Fire
The Canadian Transportation Safety Board (TSB) issued its report of the investigation into the switchboard fire on the cruiseship STATENDAM in the Strait of Georgia on 4 August 2002. The main circuit breaker for one of the diesel generators suffered a catastrophic failure that started fires in the main switchboard room and the adjacent engine control room. The crew extinguished the fires. The TSB determined that the current international structural fire protection standards around main switchboard rooms do not reflect the fire risk inherent in electrical systems that transmit high levels of power. Report Number M02W0135 (HK Law)
