CHIRP

Tender Capsize When Towing Inflatable Places 4 in Lethal Danger

Credit: Ronan Furuta/Unsplash

A CHIRP release reports about a tender capsize.

Initial Report

A superyacht tender crewed by a driver and a spotter was towing two guests on an inflatable tow. As a ferry passed close by the tender, its wake caused both guests to be thrown off the inflatable. The spotter informed the driver, who turned the tender, but a combination of the fast turn and the ferry’s wake caused the tender to flip over. Neither the driver nor the spotter was wearing lifejackets, and the...

https://mfame.guru/tender-capsize-when-towing-inflatable-places-4-in-lethal-danger/

Drug-taking on fishing vessels is a major challenge

In the latest issue, CHIRP presents two reports they received about the use of drugs onboard commercial fishing vessels, highlighting the severe impact drug use has on seafarers.

According to the reporter, an increased drug abuse has been observed on several commercial fishing vessels operating in a specific area. According to reports, a number of crew members has been using cocaine, while some of them are being paid in cocaine.

It is added that the statement above has been supported by witnessed...

https://safety4sea.com/drug-taking-on-fishing-vessels-is-a-major-challenge/

Fatigue in the harbour towage sector reported

In its latest issue, CHIRP discusses the issue of fatigue, after receiving a report from a seafarer working in the harbour towage sector about the working and rest hours and the feeling of fatigue received from their co-workers.

According to the report, all crew work 7 days on and 7 days off. The main issue is that crews can and regularly work 14 hours in a 24-hour period, with 10 remaining hours of rest. Although the reporter comments that this is not unusual, twice a week the rest hours can be...

https://safety4sea.com/fatigue-in-the-harbour-towage-sector-reported/

GPS smoothing: How to remove discrepancies in received positions

Knowing exactly where we are at each time is a key component of safe navigation and the use of GPS and ECDIS provide this capability nowadays, but the continuing trend to rely solely on this means of navigation rather than to cross-check with other independent and reliable navigation techniques introduces a significant risk, CHIRP notes.

Several incidents reported by CHIRP related to the discrepancy due to settings of the GPS – specifically the smoothing.

In this regard, CHIRP provides a simple...

https://safety4sea.com/gps-smoothing-how-to-remove-discrepancies-in-received-positions/

Non compliance with COLREGs could lead to collision

In it’s latest issue, CHIRP focuses on two vessels’s crossing situation, while approaching a major port, as one of them didn’t follow the 15th rule of Collision Regulations. With a CPA of less than 0.25nm between the vessels, the report describes the whole procedure that each ship made and the actions taken, in order to avoid an incident.

In this report, CHIRP received a message about two powered-driven vessels passing through a crossing situation. Specifically, the vessel (A) was proceeding...

https://safety4sea.com/non-compliance-with-colregs-could-lead-to-collision/

Lessons Learned: Always be aware of H2S dangers during tank inspection

In its 57th issue, CHIRP Maritime discusses a H2S incident, during a tank inspection. While the Chief Officer, the cargo inspector and an Able Seaman were examining the tanks with a portable gauging tape, they unexpectedly put themselves in danger of H2S release.

Throughout an inspection of a tanker vessel on completion of discharge, the above mentioned personnel were testing tanks with the aid of a closed type gauging tape and a vapour lock arrangement. At 5P COT the AB forgot to check if the...

https://safety4sea.com/lessons-learned-always-be-aware-of-h2s-dangers-during-tank-inspection/

Chief Engineer refuses engine room rating, gets excluded from duty

In its 57th issue, CHIRP pays attention to an engine room rating operation that had to be conducted by the Chief Engineer, who declined to conduct the operation in the machinery spaces, due to the lack of safety measures, an act that in the beginning led to the Chief Engineer’s exclusion from engine room duties.

Specifically, it was when the engine room rating requested a permit for working at heights and asked for assistance, such as scaffolding, to be established to allow safe access, that the...

https://safety4sea.com/chief-engineer-refuses-engine-room-rating-gets-excluded-from-duty/

CHIRP mostly receives reports from pilots due to lack of safety measures

In its latest issue for November, CHIRP focuses on the reasons why receiving several reports from marine pilots is a constantly-seen phenomenon. Many of the received reports are based on pilot boarding arrangements or pilotage issues, while CHIRP highlights the facts of this usual situation.

In light of this situation, CHIRP provides a number of reasons why do pilots regularly send their reports in comparison with the other seafarers. In essence:

  • In comparison to the seafarers overall who join a...

https://safety4sea.com/chirp-mostly-receives-reports-from-pilots-due-to-lack-of-safety-measures/

Deliberate acts of pollution carried out on board vessel

In its 57th issue CHIRP pays attention to deliberate acts of pollution allegedly carried out on a nightly basis on board a vessel, as reported by a member of the engine room crew.

In fact, the reporter told CHIRP that has observed every MARPOL violation on the ship, adding that

At night, the crew throw overboard every kind of waste oil, sludge, bilges, used rags and other garbage including plastic and cans.

The reporter further says that the oily water separator and incinerator did not work and in...

https://safety4sea.com/deliberate-acts-of-pollution-carried-out-on-board-vessel/

Vessel hits channel buoy after pilot leaves bridge duties

In its latest issue, CHIRP focuses on an incident when a tanker in ballast had to rapidly disembark because of bad weather, but eventually collided with a channel buoy, after the pilot left the bridge.

The reporter informed CHIRP that:

As the vessel completed its cargo discharge, a pre-departure bridge team meeting was held, and navigation equipment was tested. The Master/Pilot exchange was carried out in line with company standing instructions.

The vessel began its journey, leaving the berth and...

https://safety4sea.com/vessel-hits-channel-buoy-after-pilot-leaves-bridge-duties/

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