Safety alert – Professional Mariner

04 Jun

Safety alert: NRTL-approved fire detection systems

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime Newscasualties, Safety alert, U.S. Coast Guard

(WASHINGTON) — Under Title 46 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 142.330 in Subchapter M, inspected towing vessels have the option of having a Coast Guard type-approved fire detection system, or they can choose a fire detection system listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory (NRTL), provided the installation is certified to meet the requirements of 46 CFR§ 142.330(a)(1) through…

13 May

Safety alert: Fixed gas fire extinguishing systems

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsSafety alert, U.S. Coast Guard

06 May

Safety alert: Marlin Australia life jacket snap hooks

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsSafety alert, U.S. Coast Guard

(WASHINGTON) — While conducting a life jacket inspection on a small passenger vessel regulated under Title 46 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Subchapter K, U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) inspectors discovered malfunctioning snap hooks on approximately 1,500 Type I adult and child life jackets. This alert aims to raise awareness of the manufacturer defect and provide contact information for individuals to…

22 Apr

Safety alert: Combustible insulation panels on passenger vessels

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime Newscasualties, Safety alert, U.S. Coast Guard

(WASHINGTON) — U.S. Coast Guard marine inspectors discovered a serious structural fire protection deficiency while conducting an inspection of a certificated small passenger vessel (SPV) that had been converted from recreational service. This led to the discovery of similar deficiencies on other SPVs around the United States and a multi-year project that brought 46 certificated vessels into compliance with the…

21 Mar

Safety alert: Donning of Viking PS2006 immersion suits

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime Newscasualties, Safety alert, U.S. Coast Guard

(WASHINGTON) — The U.S. Coast Guard was recently notified of several vessels whose mariners were unable to properly don their Viking PS2006 immersion suits. This issue was encountered across crewmembers of various sizes, all sizes of the PS2006 immersion suit (small, universal and jumbo), and multiple manufacturing lots. Therefore, manufacturing date and/or body type alone should not be used to…

10 Mar

Safety alert: Recalled defective mechanical heat detectors

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsSafety alert, Tugboats and towing, U.S. Coast Guard

(WASHINGTON) — The U.S. Coast Guard recently investigated an engine room fire on an inspected towing vessel which led to the discovery of issues with the maintenance and installation of fire detection systems on multiple towing vessels. During the investigation, several towing vessels were discovered to have defective heat detectors installed in their engine rooms. These detectors had been recalled…

18 Feb

Safety alert: Know the explosion hazards of coal

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime Newscasualties, Safety alert, shipping, U.S. Coast Guard

(WASHINGTON) — A recent explosion on a foreign-flagged bulk carrier highlighted critical safety concerns associated with the shipment of coal. On Nov. 27, approximately 100 nautical miles off the coast of Virginia, a bulk carrier shipping a type of coal called “Bailey high vol coking coal” experienced consecutive explosions in the two forward cargo holds. While still under investigation, the…

21 Jan

Safety alert: LNG hot work, lockout/tagout procedures

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime Newscasualties, LNG, Safety alert, U.S. Coast Guard

(WASHINGTON) — A recent marine casualty, resulting in a fire and severe injuries to two crewmembers, highlights the risks associated with liquefied natural gas (LNG), performing hot work in hazardous zones, and the necessity of maintaining a robust lockout/tagout program. The U.S. Coast Guard's investigation revealed that two crewmembers were conducting hot work in a known hazardous zone on the…

15 Jan

Safety alert: Awareness and marking of onboard hazardous zones

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime Newscasualties, Safety alert, U.S. Coast Guard

(WASHINGTON) — A recent marine incident involving a tri-fueled vessel (liquefied natural gas, diesel, battery) that resulted in a fire and severe injuries to crewmembers highlights the dangers of working in hazardous zones. Despite being aware of nearby crankcase and LNG purge vents in their work area, the crew did not know that the vessel was actively using methane as…

08 Jan

Safety alert: Configuration of vessel control systems

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsSafety alert, U.S. Coast Guard

(WASHINGTON) — A high-speed passenger ferry struck a pier in New York while docking. Numerous passengers sustained minor injuries, and the combined repairs to the vessel and pier exceeded $500,000. The U.S. Coast Guard’s subsequent investigation of the major marine casualty, which was conducted in parallel with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), revealed numerous safety issues, including concerns with…