IIMS July 2024 News Bulletin
Welcome to the July News Bulletin highlights compiled by IIMS. For the full News Bulletin, click here to download it in pdf format , OR click to read it in eReader magazine format .
Two 'Lite' podcasts are also available to listen to. Click here for the version for small craft surveyors (run time 19 minutes). The edition for commercial ship surveyors is available to listen to here (run time 23 minutes).
IIMS announces the appointment of two new Fellows
At last month’s AGM held on 4 June at the Axis Centre near Southampton, IIMS announced two new Fellowships.
Based in Hong Kong, Zennon Cheng, a long-standing member of the Institute, is a name that will be known by many. He has performed as Regional Director for IIMS in Hong Kong and China for many years, but recently confirmed his intention to retire at the end of June. The Institute wanted to express its gratitude to Zennon for all he has done for the benefit of the organisation by appointing him as an Honorary Fellow.
Rory Marshall has also been a member of IIMS for a number of years. He has been appointed as a Fellow of the Institute in recognition of his extensive experience and specialist knowledge of the superyacht coatings industry. As a leading player in this sector, he has been of great assistance to IIMS in developing and delivering the Registered Marine Coatings Inspector standard and course over recent years and, more recently the new Yacht Coatings Technical Insight programme in Europe.
The perils of palm kernel shells: Two workers asphyxiated onboard cargo ship
Recently two male workers were found unconscious on a cargo ship moored at Ishinomaki Port in Miyagi Prefecture, with one of them in critical condition. Employees of a moored cargo ship flying the Panamanian flag reported to the fire department that “two people had collapsed on board the ship.” According to the Ishinomaki Coast Guard, the collapsed individuals were a 57-year-old male worker from Ishinomaki City and a 53-year-old male worker from Osaki City. They were both transported to the hospital due to carbon dioxide poisoning, with the 57-year-old worker in critical condition.
It is believed that the two collapsed while entering the ship’s warehouse to load cargo and suffered from oxygen deficiency. Although it was reported that palm kernel shells, used as biomass fuel, were stored in the warehouse, the causal relationship is not yet established.
What are Palm Kernel Shells?
Palm kernel shells are a natural by-product of palm oil processing. Due to its high calorific value and low ash content, it is now commonly shipped in bulk as natural biomass resource products.
As for the hazards of the cargo, it is liable to self-heat and if wet, or if containing a certain proportion of unoxidized oil, it can ignite spontaneously. When the cargo undergoes self-heating by oxidization via the unoxidized oil residues, resulting in depletion of oxygen and production of high carbon monoxide levels in cargo spaces, this can pose a serious risk to the safety of the crew or anyone entering the cargo spaces as well as adjacent areas, BIMCO explains.
Towing is a complex operation
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has released investigation findings about a towing incident. A volunteer marine rescue vessel was towing a recreational yacht when changing weather conditions caused the bowsprit of the yacht to smash through the starboard window of the rescue vessel causing serious injuries to the master. The volunteer marine rescue vessel was undertaking routine operations along a bayside coast when the passengers of a grounded recreational yacht requested assistance.
The rescue vessel crew set up a tow line to the bow of the yacht. The rescue vessel moved upwind, in front of the yacht. A gust of wind then pushed the rescue vessel sideways onto the bowsprit of the yacht. The master of the rescue vessel was seated on the side impacted by the yacht. He attempted to fend the yacht off with his arm causing serious injuries to his arm. The tow was abandoned, and the rescue vessel headed to the nearest pier, where an ambulance attended to the injured master.
Investigation findings
While the crew acted with good intentions, the yacht crew was not in any imminent danger when they sought a tow. As such, the rescue vessel was attempting to salvage the yacht rather than perform a search and rescue service. The towage operation was not conducted in accordance with the Safety Management System procedures. The master of the rescue vessel did not ensure that the Safety Management System procedures were implemented and did not have adequate situational awareness of the sea and weather conditions when the decision was made to tow the yacht. Inadequate account of the prevailing wind and weather conditions resulted in the collision and injury.
Safety message
Towing is a complex operation, and crew involved in towing operations must be appropriately qualified and trained. Owners and masters must ensure the safety of crew, vessels and the operation of the vessel as part of their General Safety Duties. It is critical that towage is conducted in accordance with the procedures and risk assessments, both before and during the operation. The risk assessment must ensure all aspects of the tow are considered. Monitoring the tow and the environment for changing conditions ensures situational awareness. Effective situational awareness will indicate if and when it is no longer safe to continue towing operations.
Australia announces ban on live sheep exports by sea from May 2028
Australia plans to prohibit the live export of sheep by sea starting in May 2028. The government’s official response, issued on 11th May, follows an independent report it commissioned regarding the phased cessation of this controversial practice. Minister Watt emphasized the importance of providing certainty by setting a specific end date for the trade.
To support affected businesses, the government will allocate A$107 million ($70.7 million) transition package. Until the specified end date, trade will continue without additional restrictions like caps or quotas. This ban will not extend to other livestock export sectors or live sheep exports conducted by air. The sheep export industry has already been scaling back. Australian government data reveals a significant decrease, with approximately 652,000 sheep exported by sea in 2022-23 compared to 5.92 million twenty years ago.
Despite this, the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) expressed concern that the four-year transition period will have devastating effects on farmers and accused the government of bowing to activist pressure.
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ABS Port State Control Q1 Report 2024
ABS has published its Quarterly Report on Port State Control (PSC), providing information to owners on deficiencies identified on ABS vessels during inspections carried out by the various PSC regimes globally during the First Quarter of 2024. Four hundred and eighty-eight (488) were detained vessels in the first quarter per Paris MoU, Tokyo MoU and United States Coast Guard (USCG). Of those detained, only thirty-one (31) vessels were ABS classed vessels.
Major increase in UK river rescues in 2024
Unprecedented rainfall levels, water surges and numerous flood warnings resulted in River Canal Rescue (RCR) responding to more major incidents in the first three months of this year, than it did for the whole of 2023. Between January and March 2024, its teams responded to 155 major incidents (emergency situations either involving submerged, partially sunken or grounded craft, plus salvage work); in 2023 the figure for the year was 121. The extreme weather conditions, which included various named storms - Agnes, Babet, Ciaran, Debi, Elin, Fergus, Gerrit, Henk, Isha and Jocelyn - hitting the UK over the winter months, tested RCR recovery teams who were unable to raise submerged boats and free land-locked vessels until water levels reduced and the rivers/canals were safe to enter.
Cargo Integrity Group highlights cargoes that can compromise supply chain safety
The industry bodies of the Cargo Integrity Group continue in their mission to improve safety in the global supply chain. The Group has identified a number of cargoes, commonly carried in containers, that under certain conditions can cause dangerous incidents. They urge everyone handling these goods to follow all applicable regulations, the CTU Code and industry best practices.
In addition to promoting sound packing and shipping practices, the Cargo Integrity Group aims to increase awareness about the types of goods, often less obvious, that can compromise safety in the container supply chain under certain conditions.
The Group has identified fifteen such ‘Cargoes of Concern’ that are commonly transported by sea and intermodally. While these are usually transported safely when regulations and guidelines are followed, the Group has created this list to highlight cargoes that can become hazardous if handled incorrectly. They emphasize that cargoes that are mis-declared or have incomplete or incorrect information about their identity are more likely to be involved in incidents.
Sailing vessel sunk by orcas
A sailing vessel off Gibraltar has become the first this year to be sunk by orcas that have been targeting boats in the area since 2020. Crew members of the Alboran Cognac boat called rescue services for help saying that their boat had been damaged by orcas 14 miles from Cape Spartel, at the southern entrance to the Strait of Gibraltar, in Moroccan waters.
The sailors said they had felt hits on the hull before their rudder was damaged and they noticed a leak threatening to sink their 50ft boat, local outlet El Pais reports. The crew was swiftly rescued by a nearby oil tanker, but the yacht drifted off and sank following the orca attack.
MOU signed to use AI technologies to eliminate ship blind spots
At Posidonia 2024, ABS signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering Co., Ltd. (HD KSOE), HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. (HHI) and the Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry (LISCR) to collaborate on the application of artificial intelligence (AI) to eliminate ship safety blind spots.
The MOU aims to use advanced technologies to increase the situational awareness of seafarers. The techniques could ultimately support increased autonomy on board.
Christopher J. Wiernicki, ABS Chairman and CEO said: “Safety is at the heart of everything we do at ABS and this project holds significant potential for advancing the cause of safety at sea. Enabling AI support of seafarers for high fidelity, 360-degree visibility of an asset is potentially a gamechanger.”
Under the agreement, ABS will be able to support the project on design assessment, new technology qualification, approval in principle as well as the development of rule guidance to provide clear directives on technical requirements, safety standards and regulatory compliance.
Obituary: Christopher (Chris) Moody?
Somewhat belatedly, news has reached IIMS Head Office of the passing of Chris Moody late last year. It was known that Chris had been in failing health for some time.?
A highly experienced yacht and small craft surveyor, he played a key role as Deputy Chairman of the Institute’s Certifying Authority. As part of that role, he performed the vital function of an MCA coding and tonnage scrutineer.?
In 2016, Chris was given a ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ at the celebratory IIMS 25th Anniversary Conference & Awards, held at Regent’s University in London in recognition of his work as a marine surveyor and for his continuous contribution to the Institute over many years.?
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We will be back with more maritime industry news next month.