Category Archives: Local Practices

Colregs Rule 10 Incident

Outline: A report highlighting a close quarters situation between a commercial fishing vessel and a container ship. What the reporter told us: A fishing vessel was engaged in fishing within the central separation zone of a major TSS following a basic loop pattern of courses, northwards on 330° then turning to port to follow the […]

Accommodation fire – two fatalities

Outline: Even tragic accidents have learning potential providing the root causes are identified during the subsequent investigation. CHIRP Maritime has a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the International Seafarers Welfare Assistance Network (ISWAN) whereby CHIRP will refer any specific welfare reports to ISWAN, whilst ISWAN will refer any safety-specific reports to CHIRP. The following report […]

Alleged MARPOL contravention and MLC non-compliance

Outline: A report concerning alleged blatant contraventions of both the MARPOL and MLC international conventions. Under the MOU that exists between CHIRP Maritime and ISWAN, the following was another safety related referral by ISWAN. What ISWAN told us: We have been contacted by a seafarer having safety related issues on board. Oil from the vessel […]

Engine fails to start upon sailing

Outline: A report highlighting a main engine failure and demonstrating the reason that pre-departure checks are carried out. What the reporter told us: The main engine failed to start on departure from the berth. The ship’s electrician had somehow disabled the main engine after repairing the bow thruster which had failed on arrival. Further dialogue: […]

Pilots Corner – Why do we get so many pilot ladder reports?

Most seafarers will join and leave different ships two or three times a year and on most occasions via a gangway whilst the vessel is tied up alongside in port. Spare a thought for the marine pilots who guide your ship safely in and out of ports, who regularly embark or disembark from 2 or […]

Pilots Corner – Changes can be made

The following information was passed to CHIRP by a pilotage authority to illustrate the extent of the problem and the success that can be achieved. Regarding trap door pilot boarding arrangements and combination arrangements, over the past few months we have had some success in non-compliant unsafe arrangements being adapted to comply with the regulations […]

Correspondence received (2) – Regarding accident prevention

Regarding accident prevention. To enhance safety on board and as a proactive action against wilful disregard, sabotage and recklessness caused on a ship I am looking for an organization to report some events where the local flag did not show a positive reaction toward some actions that could cause a fatal accident in the future. […]

Is it safe?

Extract from the CHIRP Editorial from Maritime FEEDBACK edition 62. Our cover photograph is a dramatic shot of damage to the stem and bulbous bow of an ocean-going ship. Our correspondent asked how the ship can determine whether it is safe to continue the voyage, or whether the crew should attempt to make temporary repairs. Our reply […]

Distraction results in allision

Outline: Distractions can lead to serious, potentially fatal, consequences. What the reporter told us: CHIRP received a report concerning the allision of a vessel with an offshore wind turbine tower. We attempted to clarify some points and gain more information, but the reporter declined to engage further. However, during our own investigation, the basic details […]

Mooring incident on an LPG tanker

Outline: This reporter sent details of an incident that occurred on his ship, a medium sized LPG tanker only 2 years old, which raises some questions about mooring arrangements. What the reporter told us: The ship was moored alongside engaged in loading operations, with the deck watchman standing by the manifolds monitoring the ships position. […]