Officer of the Watch

Palletised Reefer Cargo Gear Failure – Investigation Report

April 22, 2013 by Officer of the Watch 1 Comment

At approximately 1140 hours New Zealand Daylight Time (NZDT) on 15 October 2004, vehicles were being discharged from a reefer vessel. Two gangs from the stevedoring company were operating on board at the time. At about 1140 hours, a 0.5 tonne lifting frame was lifting an approximate 1.0 vehicle from No. 3 hold. The stevedore operating the winch observed the starboard runner wire was starting to unravel. The winch driver immediately lowered the port runner allowing the vehicle to drop onto the starboard deck, as the wire on the yardarm of the union purchase parted.

Ghost Ships Photo Collection

April 21, 2013 by Officer of the Watch Leave a Comment

Filed Under: VIDEOS Tagged With: accident, ghost ship

FOB SWATH 2 Offshore Wind Vessel

April 20, 2013 by Officer of the Watch Leave a Comment

Filed Under: VIDEOS Tagged With: FOB SWATH 2, Offshore Wind Vessel

Explosion During Tank Cleaning Operation

April 19, 2013 by Officer of the Watch 1 Comment

A vessel was in ballast condition and undertaking tank cleaning prior to entering loading port. The crew was cleaning the No. 2 port cargo tank by spraying toluene from the top of the tank cleaning hatch opening into the tank. During the cleaning operation a flashback explosion occurred, killing one crew member and injuring another. This incident took place on a chemicals tanker in 1996.

Counterfeit Nautical Charts Warning by UKHO

April 18, 2013 by Officer of the Watch 1 Comment

The United Kingdom Hydrographic Office has issued a warning over the dangers posed to the safety of vessels, crews and cargoes by counterfeit nautical charts and publications and has produced a simple guide to help identify genuine Admiralty products.

ITF Releases Mobile Apps

April 17, 2013 by Officer of the Watch Leave a Comment

The ITF launched the previous month a series of free apps for seafarers. The Look up a Ship app will enable seafarers and charterers to look at basic information about the vessel they are sailing on, intend to sail on or are considering chartering. It will show the ship name, International Maritime Organization (IMO) number, where it is flagged, and whether or not it has an ITF agreement, and the status of any agreement. It will also show the latest crew list summary and ITF Inspection details.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: OOW FOCUS Tagged With: ITF, ITF agreement, Look up a Ship, Look up an Inspector, mobile apps, Shore Leave

Subsea Companies Across the UK Set to Grow in 2013

April 16, 2013 by Officer of the Watch Leave a Comment

Subsea companies across the UK are set to grow by 20% or more in 2013, with some companies anticipating more than 50% growth. During last February a survey of Subsea UK members revealed that 100% of firms are predicting significant growth in the next 12 months. Almost half expect to grow by 30% and a third by more than 50%. Almost 90% of those surveyed saw turnover and profits rise in 2012 with over half reporting growth of 20% and a fifth reporting more than 50% growth.

Offshore Well Blowout – Investigation Report

April 15, 2013 by Officer of the Watch Leave a Comment

A blowout occurred on a Well during the period from May 9 to May 18, 2001, after the 13⅜–inch surface casing was cemented. The mobile offshore drilling unit (MODU) was cantilevered over “Platform A.” The plan called for the well to be directionally drilled with a drift angle of approximately 55 degrees. On May 8, 2001, after the 13⅜-inch surface casing was cemented, a slight flow was noted coming from the annulus between the surface casing and the 18⅝-inch conductor casing. The diverter was closed and pressure started increasing on the annulus. Valves and piping were rigged up to the 18⅝-inch A section to permit monitoring of pressure and transport of fluids to and from the annulus. Throughout the night of May 8 and through 0730 hrs on May 10, unsuccessful attempts were made to bleed off the annular pressure.