safety measures

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/

USCG publishes Regulated Facility Compliance Program manual

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) published the “Coast Guard Regulated Facility Compliance Program Manual” to consolidate overarching guidance, policy, and doctrine for Coast Guard personnel responsible for the administration and performance of the regulated facility compliance program.

The manual is for all Coast Guard unit commanders, commanding officers, officers-in-charge, deputy/assistant commandants, and chiefs of headquarters staff elements, who must comply with the provisions of this...

https://safety4sea.com/uscg-publishes-regulated-facility-compliance-program-manual/

Several ports ban cruise calls amid COVID-19 outbreak

In light of the COVID-19 ongoing outbreak, several ports have banned cruise ships calls, to protect their region and avoid the spread of the virus.

Specifically, an increasing amount of local and national authorities are setting measures to restrict or even ban all cruises’ arrivals.

In fact, the Spanish government recently informed that banned all the cruises operations as a measure against the coronavirus.

Namely, the decision was approved by the Council of Ministers and will come into force...

https://safety4sea.com/several-ports-ban-cruise-calls-amid-covid-19-outbreak/

Celestyal Cruises stops cruises due to COVID-19

Following the COVID-19 outbreak, the Athens-based cruise company, Celestyal Cruises, informed that will cancel its cruise operations until 1st of May 2020 to avoid the spread of the disease.

In fact, this decision came following the Greek government’s restrictions and the increased amount of cruises’ cancellations.

The company is suspending sailings between 14th March and 30th April 2020 and plans to recommence from 1st May 2020, depending on the situation.

Every sector and every individual must...

https://safety4sea.com/celestyal-cruises-stops-cruises-due-to-covid-19/

Stay home: How we can all help slow down COVID-19 spread

In light of the COVID-19 situation, people are required to stay at home in order to avoid the spread of the disease. In fact, staying at home will help to protect your friend, colleagues and vulnerable groups.

Following this global outbreak, closing schools, canceling mass gatherings, working from home, self-quarantine, self-isolation, avoiding crowds among others will keep the virus from spreading fast.

Even if someone is young and healthy, self-quarantine will slow down the rate of the epidemic...

https://safety4sea.com/stay-home-how-we-can-all-help-slow-down-covid-19-spread/

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/

AMSA alerts on risks posed by marine fauna

AMSA issued a safety alert aims to raise awareness on the risks posed by dangerous marine fauna. Australian waters contain a range of dangerous fauna that secrete toxins, inject venom, release or contain poison, harbour dangerous bacteria, give electric shocks or just have sharp teeth. Some can become aggressive once disturbed.

An unwanted encounter with any of these dangerous fauna can happen without warning, so it is essential that you, your crew and passengers are prepared.

Dangerous fauna...

https://safety4sea.com/amsa-alerts-on-risks-posed-by-marine-fauna/

Femfi focuses on seafarers mental health issues

According to the Manila Times, Far East Maritime Foundation Inc. (Femfi) in Philippines, held a mental health awareness campaign for seafarers, so as to avoid suicide incidents. Specifically, the initiative addressed how to ensure seafarers’ ability to work productively while improve their mental health.

In light of the situation, Femfi President, Cielito Ferias informed that Far East has tend its focus on several campaigns and projects for a healthy mental lifestyle of seafarers through the...

https://safety4sea.com/femfi-focuses-on-seafarers-mental-health-issues/

Top management should be committed to SMS to ensure success

The Safety Management System (SMS) of a company plays a crucial role for the safety of the seafarers and the avoidance of any potential accidents; Yet, non-commitment from top management positions lead to seafarers doubting the SMS, often resulting to accidents.

Gard states that top management’s commitment when it comes to safety, should be more than signatures on policies and procedures. This means that top management parties must have the right attitude and motivation towards the company’s SMS.

https://safety4sea.com/top-management-should-be-committed-to-sms-to-ensure-success/

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/

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