bit es REPOR T
Cryostar and KC LNG have been awarded a contract to build an LNG ship bunkering and fuelling facility at the Port of Antwerp. They are set to commission the LNG facility in the first quarter of 2020.
In a recent visit, the former UK Maritime Minister, Nusrat Ghani, hailed the Port of Blyth as one of the leading lights in the British maritime industry’s push for a greener, cleaner future. She said, “The Port of Blyth is not only one of our key ports as a global trading nation, but also a fantastic example of the thriving offshore wind sector that is boosting renewable energy across the UK.”
USCG WARNS OF POTENTIAL CRUSHING HAZARD UNDERNEATH RETRACTABLE PILOTHOUSES
The U.S. Coast Guard has issued an alert to towboat operators about safety hazards associated with retractable pilothouses. These specialized hydraulic systems are sometimes used on towing vessels designed for low air draft restrictions.
Retractable pilothouses give towboat operators on waterways with fixed bridges the ability to lower the house and pass underneath, then raise the house to get a clearer view over their barge tows. While useful, when a pilothouse is being lowered, it presents a crushing hazard to personnel below. Some retractable pilothouses may also be operated in an “emergency mode” that increases the rate of descent and provides less time for workers to recognize the situation and get clear of the danger zone.
At present, there is no explicit requirement for the hydraulics systems operating these retractable pilothouses to be fitted with fail-safe features. Absent a fail-safe device, the failure of the hydraulic cylinder or other system component may not provide enough time for a crew member to recognize the hazard, exit the danger zone and avoid a catastrophe. Some retractable pilothouses may also lack any alarms that would warn of emergency mode operation, increasing the risk to personnel.
The Coast Guard strongly recommends that towing vessel operators who use retractable pilothouse towboats should take the following safety measures:
- Ensure pilothouses are installed with mechanisms capable of returning the pilothouse to a fail-safe locked condition in case of a failure or malfunction;
- Ensure the pilothouses are equipped to sound an audible and visual alarm during all modes of pilothouse hydraulic movement;
ICS has released new Guidelines for Shipowners to Avoid Age Discrimination On Board Ships. “Age discrimination is a form of unfair treatment and the age gap between employees in the workplace can now be as much as 50 years,” says Natalie Shaw, Director of Employment Affairs at ICS. “We are seeing a changing global workforce that is continuing to work longer, yet there are still many stereotypes associated with age that can play out on board ship.”
Research in the UK reveals many don’t know to dial 999 for coastal emergencies. Last year, countless lives were saved because someone knew to call 999 in an emergency at the coast and ask for the Coastguard. But shockingly, research carried out by the MCA shows in some parts of the UK more than half still don’t know who to call.
A Spanish banker has been sentenced to 18 months in jail and fined €51.7 million (approx. £44m) for attempting to smuggle a famous Picasso painting out of the country aboard a sailing yacht.
- Instruct operators to confirm personnel are clear of the danger zone before moving the pilothouse;
- Instruct all personnel to never position themselves under the retractable pilothouse, even temporarily;
- Clearly mark and place physical barriers around the perimeter of the pilothouse danger zone and discourage unauthorized personnel movement under the pilothouse;
- Incorporate the potential dangers, audible and visual alarms, and safety considerations about pilothouse hydraulics into the SMS; and
- Ensure new crew members receive proper safety training and that all personnel receive annual refresher training.
18 | The Report • March 2020 • Issue 91
There is soon be a change in French laws affecting where yachts over 24 metres will be able to anchor. This is in order to protect endangered marine species, especially the Posidonia. As of 3rd June, regulations will ensure that wildlife must not be damaged due to boating activities.
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