OOW FOCUS – Officer of the Watch

EU and IMO on Maritime Emissions

September 23, 2012 by Officer of the Watch Leave a Comment

EU and IMO differences for maritime emissions came to surface on a relevant conference hosted by the European Policy Centre and supported by the Mission of Norway to the European Union. Definite rules on emissions regulations might have not been discussed in depth, but what has been clearly understood from the different opinions that have been expressed is that EU and IMO are not in convergence regarding ship emissions although they both aim at the same target, that is to reduce emissions produced by the maritime industry.

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Filed Under: OOW FOCUS Tagged With: EEDI, EEOI, Emissions, EU, European Policy Centre, I MO, Safety & Quality, SEEMP, shipping emissions

Shaft Jack Up Test

September 22, 2012 by Nikos Kairis Leave a Comment

Proper shaft alignment is a key issue on ships, especially on large vessels such as bulk carriers, tankers, container-ships and gas carriers. Any wrong alignment on the shaft can result in undesirable vibrations and higher operating costs. As a result there may be damages in stern tube bearings, propulsion system, M/E and eventually gear box.

Nigerian Marine Environment Protection Levy

September 21, 2012 by Officer of the Watch Leave a Comment

A new levy on all vessels calling at Nigerian ports came into force on September 1, 2012 according to the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

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Filed Under: OOW FOCUS Tagged With: levy, marine environment protection, Naira, NIMASA, Safety & Quality, tax

Rolls-Royce Permanent Magnet Tunnel Thruster

September 21, 2012 by Officer of the Watch 1 Comment

Rolls-Royce, the global power systems company, has delivered the first of its newly-developed permanent magnet tunnel thruster (TT-PM) to Norwegian company Olympic Shipping, who will operate the thruster on their vessel Olympic Octopus.

ECDIS Implementation

September 19, 2012 by Officer of the Watch Leave a Comment

Since 2002 Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) fitting has been available for vessels along with relevant backup arrangement as per SOLAS regulation V/19-2.1.4. This option has changed into a mandatory requirement (IMO Maritime Safety Committee in May / June 2009) since further amendments to SOLAS regulation V/19 made the carriage of ECDIS mandatory on vessels engaged in international voyages.

Pirate Attack Drowned by Overflowing Ballast Water

September 18, 2012 by Officer of the Watch Leave a Comment

According to Fairplay, Denmark’s TORM crew onboard the tanker Torm Gertrud used a novel method to repel a pirate attack off Nigeria over the weekend. Jakob Risom, press officer at TORM reported that the crew overflowed the ballast system meaning that water was poured over the side of the vessel.

MSC 90 Outcome

September 18, 2012 by Officer of the Watch Leave a Comment

MSC 90 was held in London from 16-25 May 2012 under the chairmanship of Deputy Director-General Christian Breinholt. At the ninetieth session of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 90) the following items have been discussed and relevant decisions have been taken: Piracy, Passenger ship safety, Navigation bridge visibility, Fishing vessel safety, The Polar Code, Development of new ship standards and the use of risk analyses.

Mysterious Cadet’s Death

September 17, 2012 by Officer of the Watch Leave a Comment

The ITF (International Transport Workers’ Federation) is calling for the Panamanian and Mexican authorities to reveal the results of their investigations into the death of the young engineering cadet Dayra Wood Pino (age 22) aboard the Panamanian flagged products tanker El Valencia – and to answer questions about:

her death
why her family weren’t informed about it for several days, and
why the ship was allowed to proceed for an incredible 17 days with her body onboard

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Filed Under: OOW FOCUS Tagged With: AMP, Crew, death, El Valencia, engineering cadet, fatal accident, ITF, tanker

Tug Workers on Hunger Strike

September 17, 2012 by Officer of the Watch Leave a Comment

Fifty contractual workers of a Shipping Company went on hunger strike on Saturday as their long-pending demands have not been met. The workers alleged that the company is not concerned about fulfilling their demands. The company has given the contract of operating tugs to a firm called SVS. Workers from captain to deck crew sat on dharna at the company’s jetty. At present, 10 tugs are being operated at Hazira and all their workers are on strike. The strike brought to a standstill all work at the company’s jetty.

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Filed Under: OOW FOCUS Tagged With: contractual workers, Crew, FUSI, hunger strike, Payment of gratuity, Tug Workers

Second Death Onboard Sage Sagittarius

September 16, 2012 by Officer of the Watch Leave a Comment

Almost a week ago a crewman onboard bulk carrier MV Sage Sagittarius was reported missing, possibly after a dispute about conditions on the ship. An investigation had been initiated by the Australian Federal Police. Now the police is investigating again a second suspicious death on the coal ship Sage Sagittarius. The police has set up a crime scene at the ship, where it is berthed at the Dyke wharves at Carrington in Newcastle.