Month: September 2020

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has published an investigation report on the explosion and subsequent sinking of barge Alaganik in the Canal Passage, off Alaska in July 2019, which resulted in one fatality. The investigation identified ignition of gasoline vapor from a fuel cargo tank as key cause of the accident.

On 7 July 7 2019 an explosion occurred on the barge Alaganik as it was moored port side to the end of the Delong Dock in Whittier, Alaska. The vessel was serving as a platform for pumping fish cargo ashore from fishing vessels and tenders that came alongside. It also provided diesel fuel and gasoline to the fishing vessels. No cargo operations were ongoing when the explosion occurred.

Despite the efforts of shore-based responders to fight the ensuing fire, the vessel eventually sank in 60–80 feet of water. The Continue reading “Ignition of gas vapor onboard barge Alaganik the cause of fatal explosion reveals NTSB Report”

The global maritime world has changed and four new White Papers by GMCG Global outline the realities and new ways of working following the COVID-19 pandemic.

As the world’s shipping industry comes to terms with the issues of post-pandemic operations, new health and safety operational parameters and the realities of the IMO’s global sulphur cap, there are still concerns about how the maritime world will cope with this accumulation of business pressures.

These White Papers by GCMG Global are freely available from the company’s website or can be downloaded from the individual links Continue reading “Four new White Papers by GMCG Global give a glimpse into the post-pandemic maritime world”

Shipping is the backbone of the global economy, responsible for about 90% of world trade. But it also accounts for almost 3% (and rising) of man-made carbon dioxide emissions. The industry’s regulator set a series of emission-cutting targets back in 2018 aimed at driving a transition away from high-polluting fossil fuels. If the more ambitious goals are to be hit, the world’s ships will need to start burning new, clean fuel by 2030; such as biofuels. The question is, which one?

1. What are the bio-bunker options for ships after 2030?
Ships burn about 5 million barrels of fossil fuel every day, pumping a constant stream of CO2 and other chemical nasties into the atmosphere. Yet figuring out the fuel of the future isn’t just about emissions. It’s got to have enough power to propel gigantic tankers around the globe, be storable and transportable, and, of course, not too costly. Here’s a list of the front- Continue reading “What types of biofuels could ships burn in 2030?”

Yves Vandenborn, of the Standard Club, asks why enclosed space entry fatalities are still happening on a regular basis. This article is reprinted from the July/August edition of Maritime Risk International.

Despite the well-known risks and the numerous publications and articles available on the topic, enclosed space entry fatalities continue to account for a significant proportion of deaths at sea to date. More drastic measures are required if the industry wishes to turn this tide.

The most recent in a long list of such incidents is the death of a chief officer who entered a fumigated hold to inspect the cargo condition. In this case, detailed instructions for the fumigation of the cargo were given to the vessel clearly stating that the fumigant was potentially Continue reading “Why oh why oh why are deaths still occurring in enclosed spaces?”

As the Institute has finally taken ownership in recent weeks of Murrills House as its new flagship headquarters, President, Geoff Waddington, arrived (pictured right) to perform the ribbon cutting duties and ceremony to officially mark the completion.

The work to restore this magnificent Grade II listed, 500-year-old building to its former glory will begin shortly. Completion on the deal took far longer than was anticipated, but the outcome marks something of a triumph for the Institute. IIMS is soon to make a significant financial investment in essential maintenance and repair work which will only add to the value of this new asset.

Discussions have taken place with a local construction firm and the scope of work has been drawn up and agreed. The building survey Continue reading “President Geoff Waddington cuts the ribbon at Murrills House official celebrations”

Maintenance related issues led to the engine room fire on board the container vessel MOL Prestige in Haida Gwaii, British Columbia (BC) in January 2018, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) are revealed in its investigation report, now published.

On 31 January 2018, a fire broke out in the engine room of the 6,350 TEU MOL Prestige while the vessel, managed by Japan’s Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) was at sea 146 nautical miles SSW of Haida Gwaii. There were 22 crew Continue reading “MOL Prestige engine room fire caused by poor maintenance reveals accident report”

The news has been so downbeat and tragic for so many people in recent months for the reasons we all know, so it is a good feeling to be able to share a rather more positive news story.

Back in 2018, IIMS members at the AGM voted and mandated me to find office accommodation to purchase as an asset for the Institute when our rental term expired. Little did I know that a little over two years on, we would complete the purchase of Murrills House (offices we had rented for the past 10 years) and which we now own. Yes, on Friday 31st July 2020, we formally completed the deal and are now the proud owners of a delightful Grade II Continue reading “Mid pandemic and IIMS finally secures its new flagship head office, Murrills House”