Bourbon Dolphin report cites stability and safety practices

  A Norwegian government inquiry on the Bourbon Dolphin disaster concluded that poor safety practices by the anchor-handling tug’s owner and by nearby oil-rig personnel were factors in the capsizing that killed eight mariners. In its report issued March 28, a special commission established by Norway’s justice ministry said design weaknesses also contributed to poor stability characteristics for Bourbon Dolphin.…
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Following deaths of sealers, Canada restricts towing by Coast Guard vessels

Maritime authorities in Canada have restricted their Coast Guard from towing certain vessels through ice after four sealers were killed while an icebreaker was pulling their fishing boat in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The fatalities happened on March 29, when the Coast Guard vessel Sir William Alexander was towing the disabled L’Acadien II north of Nova Scotia’s Cape Breton.…
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Crew saved through international effort

Crew from a 577-foot car carrier had to be rescued in the North Atlantic after an engine-room fire disabled the vessel. The fire aboard Sea Venus depleted the ship’s CO2 system, the Canadian Coast Guard said. When the flames reignited, the crew used hand-held fire extinguishers to battle the new blaze. Canadian Coast Guard, Navy ships and good-Samaritan vessels rushed…
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