Air Tightness Test, is a test to verify the tightness of the structure by means of air pressure difference.
Figure 1: U-Tube
Turbo Charger Overhauling
June 22, 2012 by Leave a Comment
A turbocharger is a very sensitive equipment onboard a ship and it should be carefully handled. A turbocharger has a turbine on one side and a compressor on other side. Dismantling should start from the compressor side measuring the critical clearance which must be kept between the compressor side end cover mounting face and the compressor side end shaft.
Left side: Air inlet blades – Right side: exhaust outlet blades
STCW Hours of Rest: Have you Done the Math Lesson?
June 21, 2012 by Leave a Comment
As you are well aware of IMO has amended the “fitness for duty – hours of rest” requirements to provide watchkeeping officers aboard ships with sufficient rest periods at the Diplomatic Conference to adopt amendments to the STCW Convention, (successfully completed in Manila on 25 June 2010).
Under the Manila Amendments to the STCW Convention, in full implementations since 1.1.2012 all persons who are assigned duty as officer in charge of a watch or as a rating forming part of a watch and those whose duties involve designated safety, prevention of pollution and security duties (including Masters and catering staff NOT affected by previous regulation referring ONLY to those with watch duties) shall be provided with a rest period of not less than:
1.a minimum of 10 hours of rest in any 24-hour period; and
2.77 hours in any 7-day period.
ECA Retrofit Study
June 20, 2012 by Leave a Comment
New International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations require that all vessels sailing in the Emission Control Areas (ECA) must reduce sulphur level in fuel oil to 0.1% or clean the exhaust gas to an equivalent level by 2015.
The Danish industry initiative, Green Ship of the Future, has concluded a study on comparing technologies that meet the International Maritime Organization’s emission levels for ships sailing in the Emission Controlled Areas (ECA).
The objective of the study was to compare the potential solutions able to meet the requirements of the IMO regulations regarding SOX in the ECA in 2015 and globally in 2020. Similarly in 2020, the global requirements will be a reduction of sulphur content in the fuel to 0.5% or alternatively the equivalent level measured in the exhaust gas.
Hyundai Starts Exporting Environmental Friendly Engine
June 18, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Korea’s Hyundai Heavy Industries today announced that it has begun exporting its Hyundai HiMSEN H35/40GV gas engine.
The new gas engine runs on liquefied natural gas rather than heavy crude oil and has a maximum power output of 13,000 bhp. The HiMSEN H35/40GV may be used to produce power for onshore power plants, commercial ships or offshore facilities.
Test Run of HiMSEN H35/40GV gas engine
Care of Wires & Ropes
June 18, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Loss prevention bulletin has been released by UK P&I regarding care of wires & ropes on-board ships. The bulletin draws attention on the general condition of a wire which should be monitored whenever it is in use and specific inspections should concentrate on signs of deterioration and damage.
Ballasting While Loading or Discharging From Barges
June 14, 2012 by Leave a Comment
West of England P&I issued an alert regarding ballasting while loading or discharging from barges in response to a number of cases recently where dry bulk products stowed inside barges made fast to the ship have been damaged by ballast water. Incidents of this type may lead to significant cargo claims and are almost always avoidable.
On two occasions the vessels concerned were discharging into barges and ballasting simultaneously. During the ballasting operation the double bottom tanks were flooded and water overflowed on to the main deck. The water then rained away via the overboard scuppers and into the open holds of barges moored alongside.
Somali Hostage Negotiator Found Guilty Of All Counts
June 14, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Mohammad Saaili Shibin, 50, of Somalia, was convicted on April by a federal jury in Norfolk, for his involvement in the pirating of an American yacht, the S/V Quest, and taking hostage four U.S. citizens, who were ultimately killed before their release could be secured. He was also convicted for the pirating of the M/V Marida Marguerite. Shibin is scheduled to be sentenced on August 13, 2012.
Beware of Monkey’s Fists
June 13, 2012 by Leave a Comment
It is not unusual for a seafarer to fit monkey’s fists with pieces containing additional weight in order to ensure that the heaving line will travel greater distance when thrown.
New Paris MoU Targeting Lists
June 12, 2012 by 1 Comment
The Paris MoU Committee approved the 2011 inspection results and adopted new performance lists for flag States and Recognized Organizations. These lists will take effect from 1 July 2012. The “White, Grey and Black (WGB) List” presents the full spectrum, from quality flags to flags with a poor performance that are considered high or very high risk. It is based on the total number of inspections and detentions over a 3-year rolling period for flags with at least 30 inspections in the period.
Officer of the Watch 