Ferry companies, which carry both large and varied numbers of vehicles and a multitude of passengers, could be particularly at risk from fires breaking out on board. This is likely to grow as more and more EVs, powered by lithium-ion batteries, are adopted for private and commercial use. The large numbers of passengers carried on […]
Lightning strikes may not get the attention bestowed on fire safety at sea, but they can inflict equally devastating damage upon vessels, personnel and offshore structures. An estimated 3-8 million+ lightning strikes occur globally each day, equating to a frequency of 44-100 strikes per second (these can be viewed in real time at the site […]
Hull stress monitoring has been a feature of commercial shipping since the 1990s, but according to Terje Sannerud from marine structural monitoring specialist Light Structures, it is today finding applications for improving ship design, insightful maintenance and potentially extending the period between dry-dockings allowing for cost savings without compromising ship safety. Ships can become damaged, […]
A report released by Intercargo has found that the biggest contributor to loss of life among mariners in the dry bulk sector is cargo liquefaction. The recently published Bulk Carrier Casualty Report 2013-2022, which was submitted to the International Maritime Organization in May, has just been made public. The document demonstrates that while overall […]
By Rob Gehling, FRINA Background As a naval architecture student, I was taught that the metacentre was applicable only at zero angle of heel, irrespective of its role in determining the initial slope of the righting lever curve. But it can be easily proven that the metacentre moves around at small angles of heel and […]
Fires onboard ships are a major problem facing the maritime industry. A small blaze can quickly spread out of control and engulf a whole vessel without proper firefighting and detection. For shipping enterprises, a fire has the potential to destroy large quantities of cargo in a short space of time, leading to huge insurance costs. […]
Emil Jonze, Docksta Varvet, Sweden and Dr Ronald Pelot / John Dalziel MRINA, Dalhousie University, Canada explain why the Docksta Loitering, Optionally Crewed, High Speed Rescue Vessel concept was deemed necessary, and run though the features of this innovative life-saver The following article is a slightly truncated version of presentations delivered at the World Maritime […]
UK life-saving appliance manufacturer Seago has launched a new version of its Cruiser Plus life raft for leisure boats and uncoded vessels, updated to comply with the new ISO 9650-2 standard. The Cruiser Plus comes packaged in either a fibreglass canister or a durable valise bag, and is available in four different sizes, to accommodate […]
EODEX, a UXO disposal specialist based in Aberdeen, UK, reports that it can offer “low order deflagration” techniques to neutralise mines and other munitions around developing European offshore wind sites, and is hoping to score more contracts within this sector. The group’s disposal solution differs significantly from ‘high order’ techniques, which typically involve using large […]
Maritime safety systems supplier Survitec has introduced a new pre-inspection service designed to help ship owners and managers optimise and expedite drydocking schedules, covering the servicing and inspection of onboard safety and lifesaving equipment. Under the terms of the scheme, a qualified service technician boards the ship during normal port operations to assess and verify […]
Total losses in global commercial shipping hit a record low in 2022, according to the annual safety and shipping review published by insurance provider Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS). Worldwide, 38 ships were lost last year, 35.6% fewer than the 59 vessels lost in 2021. This is the lowest level of loss in 12 […]
The Viking LifeCraft system is due to be installed on its first series of newbuild vessels. The system will serve as the main evacuation solution onboard the new diesel electric hybrid Interislander ferry fleet operated by KiwiRail to connect the two main islands of New Zealand KiwiRail ferries has provided a connection for 800,000 annual […]