Excessive Oil News

The US Coast Guard’s Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance has released its U.S. Port State Control Annual Report for 2022, with Latvia noted as having the highest detention ratio, ahead of Bolivia.The report lists highest risk flag administrations based on their 2020-2022 detention ratio as: Latvia (57.14%), Bolivia (31.25%), Togo (7.69%), Curacao (4.88%), Italy (3.39%), Turkey (2.90%) and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (2.30%).Medium risk flag administrations were Cyprus…

ExxonMobil has announced it has added Mobilgard M420 to its range of advanced marine lubricants.Mobilgard M420 is a 20 BN oil that has been rigorously tested specifically for use in medium speed engines using fuels that comply with the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) global 0.50 percent sulphur cap. The lubricant has received No Objection Letters from leading engine builders, including MAN ES and Wartsila.With the marine fuel landscape changing in the lead up to 2020, Mobilgard M420 has been formulated for use on vessels running on 0.50 percent or 0.10 percent sulphur fuels.

The 685-foot Liberian-flagged containership Westwood Robson is being held in port after significant safety violations were discovered by Port State Control officers from U.S. Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound during an inspection at the Husky Terminal in the Port of Tacoma, Thursday. The inspection revealed excessive oil in the bilge holding area, oil-soaked lagging present throughout machinery spaces and clogged oil drains, creating a significant risk of fire, the Coast Guard said. Mechanical issues included deteriorated fittings that contributed to oil and coolant leaks as well as inoperable oil purifiers. The vessel and crew must are required to stay in port until the deficiencies have been corrected to the satisfaction of Coast Guard inspectors and the Classification Society.

The U.S. Coast Guard issued a marine safety alert while it conducts an ongoing investigation into a engine room fire that killed three aboard the Insignia cruise ship in St. Lucia in December. The USCG reminded shipowners to maintain machinery, establish escape routes, and conduct thorough engineering watches. The fire started after a bolted flange parted and a fuel oil spray under pressure developed from an operating engine’s fuel supply line. The fuel spray ignited when it contacted the engine’s exhaust piping or turbocharger components. The primary fire was extinguished when the vessel’s fine mist extinguishing system automatically activated and performed as designed. Fuel pumps and shutoff valves were also secured.

The U.S. Coast Guard detained motor vessel Stargold Trader to its berth in Portland, Ore., Wednesday, until the safety deficiencies found onboard are corrected by the vessel’s crew. Port State Control officers from Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Portland, discovered the discrepancies during a routine inspection of the 618-foot Panamanian flagged vessel. A majority of the safety discrepancies were related to fire hazards, which included excessive oil leaks within engine room machinery and disrepair of the vessel’s primary firefighting system.

The Coast Guard detained the motor vessel Great Success, Tuesday,  requiring the vessel remain in Longview, Wash., until numerous safety violations are corrected by the ship’s crew. Port State Control officers from Coast Guard Sector Columbia River’s Marine Safety Unit in Portland, Ore., discovered the discrepancies during routine inspections of the 553-foot Hong Kong-flagged vessel in Kalama, Wash., Monday and Longview on Tuesday. Most safety discrepancies were related to fire danger and included excessive oil and oily water mixture in the bilges…

The Coast Guard has since Sunday taken action in three unrelated marine safety cases, which has protected the environment, protected mariners and protected the maritime transportation system in the port of Portland, Oregon. Sector Columbia River’s recent activity began around 11 a.m. Sunday with notification from the 648-foot car carrier Morning Spruce of the vessel’s loss of engine power while 12 miles southwest of the Columbia River bar, leaving the vessel adrift in 12-foot seas. The Coast Guard Captain of the Port issued an order directing the owner of the Morning Spruce to immediately contract for tow vessels to hold the ship offshore. In addition to its cargo, the Morning Spruce was reportedly carrying a combined 543,000 gallons of heavy oil, diesel and lube oil.

Miami River Compnay Sen tenced to Five Years Probation and $1,000,000 Fine for Oil Pollution and Ballast Water Crimes. Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Rear Admiral William D. Baumgartner, Commander, 7th Coast Guard District, and John Sall, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, announced the sentencing of defendant Americas Marine Management Services, Inc., d/b/a Antillean Marine, a Florida corporation, for oil pollution and ballast water crimes.