passenger ships

Port of Muuga now has ferry connection with Finland

The Estonian terminal operator HHLA TK Estonia is trying to strengthen its position as a RoRo hub in the Baltic region. Namely, Finnish ferry company Eckerö Line recently started connecting the port of Muuga, where HHLA TK Estonia operates a multi-function terminal, with Vuosaari in Finland.

Twice a day, the RoPax ferry Finbo Cargo enters the port of Muuga, which is about 20 kilometres east of the Estonian capital, Tallinn. On the Finnish side, Vuosaari is served. The focus of the new ferry...

https://safety4sea.com/port-of-muuga-now-has-ferry-connection-with-finland/

Port of Helsinki: Passenger numbers up, bulk traffic declined

Sharing figures for the first half of 2019, Finland’s Port of Helsinki informed that its passenger numbers have bounced back to last year’s level, but the amount of cargo transported via the Port during the first half of the year did not reach last year’s level.

The total number of passengers recorded between January and June was 5.5 million, approximately the same as last year.

Regular liner traffic vessels recorded a total of 5.3 million passengers, which represents a decrease of 0.9%.

Traffic...

https://safety4sea.com/port-of-helsinki-passenger-numbers-up-bulk-traffic-declined/

Passengers evacuated after ferry runs aground off Indonesia

The passenger ship Indera Bupala ran aground on July 15 about 1.5 nautical miles, off Mengkilo, Bintan, Indonesia. The ship was carrying 40 passengers on board, and was heading from Singapore to Lobam Port, western Bintan.

Namely, the Singapore passenger ferry ‘Indera Bupala’ ran aground off Bintan, while carrying 40 passengers, who were evacuated.

According to sources, ‘Indera Bupala’ had left from Singapore, heading to Indonesia, when it was hit by bad weather and heavy rain.

What is more,...

https://safety4sea.com/passengers-evacuated-after-ferry-runs-aground-off-indonesia/

India signs MoU with Maldives for passenger and cargo lines

The Union Council of Ministers of India has given approval for the MoU between India and Maldives for the establishment of passenger and cargo services by sea, which was signed on June 8, 2019 during the visit of Prime Minister of India to Maldives.

Specifically, under the deal the parties will explore a proposed ferry service with an idea to harness the potential opportunity that exists in passenger and cargo transportation by sea between the two countries.

According to India

(the service would...

https://safety4sea.com/india-signs-mou-with-maldives-for-passenger-and-cargo-lines/

USCG: Findings of Concern on high speed craft operations

The US Coast Guard released Findings of Concern on ‘High Speed Craft Operations Manuals,’ regarding an incident where a high speed catamaran passenger ferry allided with a rock jetty at over 30 knots, injuring 15 passengers.

Findings of Concern are issued to disseminate information related to unsafe conditions that were identified as causal concerns in a casualty and could contribute to future incidents.

They are intended to educate the public and state/ local agencies about the conditions...

https://safety4sea.com/uscg-findings-of-concern-on-high-speed-craft-operations/

Addressing cyber risks on passenger vessels

In collaboration with Secure State Cyber, the Shipowners Club identifies common cyber risks on board and what actions operators can take to protect their vessels. Namely, a series of FAQs focuses on passenger ships and the cyber risks regarding on board Wi-Fi and passenger devices.

Should passenger vessel owners and operators allow availability of Wi-Fi to all passengers?

As Secure State Cyber and the Shipowners Club suggest, passengers should be offered a guest Wi-Fi network, with client...

https://safety4sea.com/addressing-cyber-risks-on-passenger-vessels/

USCG: Unlicensed charters fines can reach $94,219 for each day

In a new official statement, the US Coast Guard reiterated that hiring an unlicensed charter is illegal and dangerous, because the charter may not have the proper emergency safety gear, navigation and communication gear, and may not have undergone the proper license exams and inspections which are put in place to ensure passenger and crew safety.

Legal passenger vessel operations fall into one of these three categories:

  • Uninspected Passenger Vessel: Can carry up to six passengers and must be...

https://safety4sea.com/uscg-unlicensed-charters-fines-can-reach-94219-for-each-day/

Crew sustain serious burn injuries on passenger vessel

The Bahamas Maritime Authority issued a new Safety Alert to inform of an incident involving serious crew injuries onboard a passenger vessel. In this regard, BMA seeks to bring attention to crew members undertaking maintenance of any system under pressure or with potential of exposure to high-temperature liquid/gas.

The incident

A leak was observed in the area around the insulated hot potable water pipe in the Engine room on deck 2.

In the vicinity of the leak, the Hot Potable Water pipeline...

https://safety4sea.com/crew-sustain-serious-burn-injuries-on-passenger-vessel/

Infographic: Cruise industry in numbers for Asia in 2018

The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) released its annual Asia Cruise Industry Ocean Source Market Report, which analyzes the growth, demographics and trends of the top source markets in Asia. The report noted a record-breaking 4.24 million ocean-going cruise passengers in 2018.

While China continues to dominate the passenger share of Asia, cruise passengers from Taiwan and Singapore have been steadily growing in numbers.

Multiple source markets, many of which registered double-digit...

https://safety4sea.com/infographic-cruise-industry-in-numbers-for-asia-in-2018/

USCG halts illegal charter after advertising on social media

The US Coast Guard terminated the voyage of a 42-foot pleasure craft with eight people aboard Sunday in Boca Ciega Bay. USCG investigating officers initially discovered the vessel advertising on social media and determined the vessel was not operating in accordance with regulations governing passenger vessels.

A Coast Guard Station Saint Petersburg 29-foot Response Boat-Small law enforcement boat crew and investigating officers, boarded the pleasure craft and discovered the vessel was operating...

https://safety4sea.com/uscg-halts-illegal-charter-after-advertising-on-social-media/

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