Maritime Accident Casebook

Video By Fishermen Says “Wear A Lifejacket”

mac@maritimeaccident.org (Bob Couttie) — Sun, 03 Mar 2013 00:41:41 +0000

Two Bridlington fishermen have made a short film to encourage their fellow fishermen to wear lifejackets whilst at sea. The two minute film, entitled "Lifejacket: a fisherman's friend"

Publications of Note: Norway’s PSA Remembers Piper Alpha

mac@maritimeaccident.org (Bob Couttie) — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 01:42:40 +0000

Norway's Petroleum Safety Authority looks at the 25 anniversary of the Piper Alpha tragedy this year in the latest issue of its annual Status and Signals publication. In all its gruesomeness, Piper Alpha contributed insights and an understanding of risk to the international industry.

Corrosion Dropped Thomson Majesty Lifeboat – Malta

mac@maritimeaccident.org (Bob Couttie) — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 15:32:44 +0000

Malta's Maritime Safety Investigation Unit has issued a safety alert following the discovery of significant corrosion on inner strands of a fall wire involved in the falling of of a lifeboat on 10 February 2013. Five seafarers died in the incident which occurred aboard Thomson Majesty while berthed alongside in Santa Crux de La Palma.

Pirate Queen Grounding – Defective Nav Light, Defective Procedures

mac@maritimeaccident.org (Bob Couttie) — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 03:24:50 +0000

Eire's Marine Casualty Investigation Board says that failure of the leading lights at Roonagh Pier were the main cause of the grounding of the passenger ferry Pirate Queen but further investigations revealed serious weaknesses in the navigational procedures and practices on the company vessels. There appeared to be an over reliance on visual aids to navigation and a neglect to practice and use the electronic aids on board.

Is Your Bridge Prepared For Bad Weather?

mac@maritimeaccident.org (Bob Couttie) — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 03:06:10 +0000

Heavy weather does not have to be extreme to lead to injuries on the bridge - it's enough to lack handrails and have improperly stowed equipment. The latest example comes from Marine Safety Forum, MSF, in a safety alert.

EUNAVFOR Grabs Nine – “Somali Piracy Has Not Gone Away”

mac@maritimeaccident.org (Bob Couttie) — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 02:45:16 +0000

On 19 February HNLMS De Ruyter stopped the activities of a group of suspected pirates approximately 200 nautical miles north east of Eyl off the coast of Somalia. Nine suspected pirates were apprehended and taken on board the De Ruyter for further investigations. The Dutch frigate that is deployed with the European Union Naval Force [...]

Did Wet Stuff Sink Harita Bauxite?

mac@maritimeaccident.org (Bob Couttie) — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 04:25:31 +0000

While a full investigation will take some time to complete, if it ever is completed and released, the sinking of the Harita Bauxite off Cape Bolinao, North West Luzon, Philippines bear many of the familiar signatures of a liquefaction casualty. Her cargo of 47,450mt nickel ore from Indonesia bound for China, the speed of her sinking and the high level of casualties have characterised the loss of several vessels in the same area over the past few years.

Beware Counterfeit Charts – UKHO

mac@maritimeaccident.org (Bob Couttie) — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 06:50:15 +0000

Counterfeits are everywhere. The UK Hydrographic Office, UKHO, has issued a warning that fake Admiralty charts are in circulation which, because they are not official publications, do not meet carriage requirements of the International Convention on the Safety of Life at Sea (see Chapter V, Regulations 2.2 and 19.2.1.4 of the Convention). Likewise their carriage [...]