Outline: This report was a referral from ISWAN (International Seafarers Welfare Assistance Network). What the reporter told us: A seafarer asked us to report to you some issues related to their engine which he thinks compromises the vessel’s navigation safety. According to him, they are unable to navigate at full speed because of the engine […]
Outline: The crew attempted to carry out repairs to the speed log unit, which was in the forward cofferdam, while the vessel was underway. What the reporter told us: The repair team consisted of the Chief Engineer who was to supervise the job, the 3rd Engineer, and the Electrician, none of whom had carried out […]
In this edition of Feedback, (Edition 63), we have gathered a further selection of reports dealing with different aspects of engine issues encountered by the pilots who reported them. Was it an engine issue or a communication issue? What the reporter told us (1): On departure from the berth, the container ship exhibited main engine […]
Outline: A report which outlines another example of mariners putting themselves at risk by following unsafe practices. What the reporter told us: A cruise ship was moored on the pier opposite my ship. I noticed a stage which was rigged on the port shoulder being relocated laterally whilst a crew member was standing on it. […]
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 […]
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: […]
Outline: A captain reports a disconcerting discovery while approaching the berth. What the reporter told us: My vessel was arriving at a regularly visited port at which we take a pilot and two tugs for manoeuvring when berthing in a cargo basin with a narrow entrance channel. My ship was proceeding at less than 2kts […]
Three reports illustrating different aspects of an ongoing problem. Outline (1): A report received detailing a lucky escape What the reporter told us: While boarding the vessel at the pilot exchange station, one of the side ropes snapped. No other pilot ladders were available. Further dialogue: Luckily, the pilot had only climbed two steps when […]
On many vessels I have sailed on we have the same situation – the bosun tightens the bolts and chief officers and masters do not pay any attention to this problem. But the consequences of this wrong adjustment are slow speed of winch, damage to the brake liner, slackening of ropes and anchor and possibly […]
Several years ago, I was reading an article about a rescue boat that parted the fall wire and fell into the dock during a practice drill because it was overweight due to water entering the buoyancy spaces – one person was killed and two others badly injured. The next day I checked our own rescue […]