safety culture

Brazil: All units in Brazilian waters are required to receive ISM Code certification

The Brazilian Maritime Authority – Directorate of Ports and Coasts (DPC) issued a new amendment concerning the units operating in Brazilian waters, which will have to require certificates under the International Safety Management (ISM) Code until December 31, 2020.

Specifically, the Authority highlights that vessels sailing in Brazilian waters are required to receive certification by the ISM. The units are:

  1. self-propelled mobile offshore units (MOUs);
  2. MOUs without propulsion; and
  3. fixed platforms.

https://safety4sea.com/brazil-all-units-in-brazilian-waters-are-required-to-receive-ism-code-certification/

Potential hazards when anchoring and mooring in Mississippi river

This time of the year, the Mississippi River may experience high water levels due to the melting snow in the upper Mississippi Valley. As a consequence of the meltwater, increased currents can be expected.

Therefore, the Independent Maritime Consulting launched a report explaining the challenges arising when anchoring and mooring in the river.

Typically peaking between February and May, but also occurring at other times during the year, the Mississippi River experiences high water levels and...

https://safety4sea.com/potential-hazards-when-anchoring-and-mooring-in-mississippi-river/

An electronic glitch can lead to large claims

Automation, digitalization and the use of ships’ data is today having a big impact on the maritime industry. While there is no doubt that cyber is a major growing risk in this area, Gard’s Jarle Fosen, Senior Loss Prevention Executive, Arendal, states that there is, however, still a more common, less hyped and maybe growing type of shipboard technology related risk that should not be forgotten – the reliability, breakdown and no fault found failure of electronics.

The digital data flow on...

https://safety4sea.com/an-electronic-glitch-can-lead-to-large-claims/

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/

Why the ISM Code is failing

During the 2020 SAFETY4SEA London Forum, Capt. Mark Bull, Principal, Trafalgar Navigation Limited, questioned if the ISM Code is failing, after more than 20 years since its implementation. Capt. Bull firstly provided a brief history of the ISM Code, as well as a description of the five main areas where he felt the Code has failed and went on to explain how such potential failures affect the crew. Since it was introduced; however, nobody has reviewed the Code to ensure its ongoing effectiveness,...

https://safety4sea.com/cm-why-the-ism-code-is-failing/

Isolated decision-making may lead to accidents

Teamwork and collaboration play a major role in the shipping industry, as Gard reports that the isolated decision-making style leads to a gap between the one taking the decision and the rest of the team that has to follow.

Several flag state reports on navigational incidents support that a complete breakdown of communication between the master or the pilot and their bridge team may result to an accident. The Club highlights that a breakdown in communication does not necessarily mean to...

https://safety4sea.com/isolated-decision-making-may-lead-to-accidents/

Risks related to in-transit cargo fumigation

The Bahamas Maritime Authority highlight the risks associated with in-transit cargo fumigation. The authority’s recommendations are based on the initial findings of an ongoing investigation into a very serious marine casualty.

More specifically, a Bahamas registered general cargo vessel was chartered to carry a cargo of corn on a short haul voyage in Europe.

Upon completion of loading, the cargo was fumigated with Aluminium Phosphide at a dose of 1g/m³.

During the voyage, the vessel experienced...

https://safety4sea.com/risks-related-to-in-transit-cargo-fumigation/

ICHCA International, HSE to develop health and safety management practices

ICHCA (International Cargo Handling Coordination Association) and HSE’s Science and Research Centre (Health and Safety Executive) will collaborate to develop a new industry-wide strategy to provide improvements to safety across the port sector.

A workshop on 7 April will gather practitioners, legislators, consultants and other interested parties from across industry to debate and develop good practice in cargo handling worldwide.

HSE’s Science and Research Centre will work with ICHCA to improve...

https://safety4sea.com/ichca-international-hse-to-develop-health-and-safety-management-practices/

AMSA to boost fishing operations’ safety

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority recently announced its collaboration with the industry education, which aims to advance the safety of commercial fishing operations at the Far North Queensland’s remote areas.

In fact, AMSA along with Queensland Water Police and Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol conducted joint marine safety patrols in Torres Strait and the Gulf of Carpentaria.

Specifically, those patrols targeted targeted riverine and shoreline commercial fishing ahead of the 2020...

https://safety4sea.com/amsa-to-boost-fishing-operations-safety/

BIMCO restructures committees balancing safety and environment

BIMCO announced that it is making changes to its structure to represent the importance of the environment, while in the meantime maintaining the debate on safety matters.

As decided by the BIMCO Board of Directors in December, the Association will have a Marine Environment Committee and a Maritime Safety and Security Committee.

The existing committee structure included the safety and environment agendas which were covered by the Marine Committee. The new structure will include shipping’s trends,...

https://safety4sea.com/bimco-restructures-committees-balancing-safety-and-environment/

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