MARINERS UPDATE

Oil Spill Incident Off Changi Coast, Singapore On October 28, at 1740 LT, a bunkering operation off Changi Coast, Singapore, led to an oil spill involving the Bahamas-flagged bulk carrier Ines Corrado. Approximately five tonnes of oil overflowed during the operation, leading to immediate response actions. The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) swiftly deployed dispersants at 1750 LT to mitigate the spill and activated the Current Buster system to recover oil on the water's surface. The MPA is now working with Malaysian authorities to ensure thorough monitoring and prevent further environmental impact. 💡 Learning Points from this Incident 1. Strengthen Risk Assessments – Effective risk assessments during bunkering are essential to foresee and mitigate potential hazards. 2. Close Monitoring by Management – Real-time supervision by the Chief Engineer and the management team is critical in preventing incidents during fuel transfers. 3. Enhanced Knowledge of Tank Heads & Valves – Understanding tank head pressure and valve sequencing is crucial to prevent overflow during high-stakes operations. The MPA is investigating the incident and will continue collaborating with regional authorities to promote safer bunkering practices. #SingaporePort #MPA #MaritimeSafety #OilSpill #EnvironmentalResponsibility #Bunkering #INESCORRADO, #ines, #corrado

New Editions: Bridge procedure guide - 6th edition The sixth edition of the Guide features: a)Increased guidance on non-navigational procedures; b)New sections on the human element, Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) safety settings, category zone of confidence (CATZOC), weather routeing, communications with the engine control room, cargo operations, risk assessments and permits to work, ship stability, ballast water management, errors associated with Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), and characteristics of radar; c)More visual aids to improve understanding and support on board training; and d)Simplified language to reflect current best practice in writing guidelines and checklists. Guide to helicopter/ship operations - 6th editions New in the 6th edition: a)      Updated guidance on transferring marine pilots directly to the bridge wing by winch, including associated risk assessments. b)     A detailed list of abbreviations and definitions from the maritime and aviation industry. c)      Expanded information on the requirements specific to different ship types. d)     Revised layout and checklists to better reflect human factors. Mandatory code: BWMS code - 2018 editions amendments for this code: I)  In November 2020, MEPC adopted, through resolution MEPC.325(75), further amendments to the Convention, which entered into force in June 2022. The amendments were: a. amendments to regulation E-1 of the BWM Convention to make the commissioning testing of ballast water management systems mandatory; and b. amendments to appendix I of the BWM Convention, concerning the form of the International Ballast Water Management Certificate. II)At its eightieth and eighty-first sessions in July 2023 and March 2024, MEPC adopted, through resolutions MEPC.369(80) and MEPC.383(81), further amendments to the Convention, which are expected to enter into force in February and October 2025, respectively. a) These amendments were to appendix II of the BWM Convention, concerning the form of the Ballast Water Record Book, and to regulations A-1 and B-2 of the BWM Convention, concerning the use of electronic record books. download these MEPC amendments and attach with the BWMS code.

New IMO Fuel Oil Sampling Guidelines - Key Updates for the Maritime Industry Updates on fuel oil sampling requirements, aligning with MARPOL Annex VI and SOLAS. Key changes include: 1. Increased Sample Size: Minimum fuel oil sample size increased from 400ml to 600ml to ensure more accurate compliance testing. 2. Extended Use of Delivered Samples: The MARPOL Delivered Sample can now be used to verify flashpoint requirements under SOLAS II-2/4.2.1. 3. Clear Roles & Responsibilities: New guidelines emphasize the ship's personnel and supplier's role in witnessing and preparing samples. 4. Tracking Delivered Samples: Responsibility for tracking samples now falls on the company, rather than the ship’s master. 5. New Section on Flashpoint Checks: Procedures for checking the fuel oil's flashpoint have been added, though sulphur verification remains unchanged. Stay compliant and informed with these critical updates! #MaritimeCompliance #FuelOil #MARPOL #SOLAS #ShippingIndustry Credits:Lloyd's Register

Dear Mariners, It is disheartening to hear a judge label certain seafarers as ill-prepared and declare ships unseaworthy, despite the management's strong implementation of the Safety Management System (SMS). Having sailed under the same management for over 15 years before leaving in 2022, I can say we were driven by our own motivation to achieve zero observations during SIRE inspections. In those days, we often created TMSA-compliant documents directly from the vessel to support the management. However, times have changed. The management has grown significantly , offering more job opportunities for seafarers. But, the focus seems to have shifted to using makeshift solutions and shortcuts to address temporary issues, losing sight of the importance of competency. Even when significant issues like vibration problems were reported to the management, they were ignored. This neglect eventually led to a financial loss exceeding $100 million. Additionally, recent claims by port workers for their full salaries dating back to March are likely to escalate these costs even further. The increase in incidents suggests that the maritime industry is veering off course. Unqualified individuals are acquiring certain flag state Certificates of Competency without proper exams, and junior officers are often required to pay substantial bribes for placements. Even the most competent professionals are suffering from mental fatigue, which ultimately leads to disasters. Furthermore, management's indirect pressure is undermining the master's overriding authority, weakening their decision-making power. This practice is eroding the onboard culture and compromising safety standards. While our authorities are revising rules and regulations and supporting nations in improving training standards, the reality is that our negligence is hindering marine industry progress. We may be advancing technologically, but these oversights are causing setbacks in our growth. If there's anything I missed, please share your thoughts after watching the full video. Mariners Update Team. #Dali

Here are the key points extracted related to the IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) 82 session: 1. IMO Strategy on GHG Emissions:   - Focus on reducing Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions from ships.   - Development of a candidate basket of mid-term GHG reduction measures.   - Life Cycle GHG Assessment (LCA) framework for marine fuels. 2. Air Pollution and Energy Efficiency:   - Review of short-term GHG reduction measures.   - Focus on the robustness of Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) and its challenges.   - Amendments to improve the Data Collection System (DCS) and SEEMP (Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan). 3. Economic Mechanisms for Net-Zero Transition:   - Proposal for creating economic incentives to achieve net-zero emissions in shipping.   - Establishment of a central management fund for revenue collection and distribution. 4. Ballast Water Management and Marine Biosafety:   - Review of the Ballast Water Management Convention.   - Guidelines for ballast water record-keeping and reporting.   - Approval of new ballast water management systems like HiBallast 2.0. 5. Designation of Special Areas and Emission Control Areas (ECA):   - Adoption of the Canadian Arctic and Norwegian Sea as ECAs to reduce NOx, SOx, and particulate matter.   - Proposal to designate Nusa Penida Islands and Gili Matra Islands as Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas (PSSA). 6. Noise and Plastic Pollution Reduction:   - Guidelines on reducing underwater noise from shipping to protect marine life.   - Best practices for cleaning up plastic pellet spills from ship-source releases. 7. Regulatory Updates on Marine Fuel Standards:   - Development of a goal-based marine fuel standard for phased reduction of GHG intensity.   - Focus on compliance, certification, and data collection linked to MARPOL Annex VI amendments. 8. Certification and Engine Modifications:   - Revised guidelines for certifying engines that undergo substantial modifications.   - Amendments to the NOx Technical Code for multiple engine operational profiles. 9. Use of Biofuels and Alternative Fuels:   - Emphasis on the availability and use of biofuels in ports.   - Encouraging the transition to low and zero-emission technologies and alternative fuels. These key points cover significant environmental and regulatory topics discussed during the MEPC 82 session, which aim to advance sustainability and compliance in the maritime industry. Credits : American Bureau of Shipping (ABS)

The latest edition of the ICS Guide to Helicopter/Ship Operations offers comprehensive and updated guidance for shipping companies and their crew, reflecting the most recent best practices from both maritime and aviation professionals. Scheduled for release in January 2025, the print edition is now available for pre-order, while the e-book version is expected to be accessible from early December 2024. The sixth edition has been meticulously reorganized for enhanced usability, enabling crew members to quickly locate relevant information. It features newly developed content, including: An improved shipboard safety checklist for helicopter operations, structured in a step-by-step chronological order A new risk assessment process tailored for landing and winching operations An aide-memoire for the responsible officer overseeing helicopter operations A model toolbox talk template to be conducted prior to commencing helicopter operations Expanded clarifications on roles and responsibilities Updated terminology to align with current industry standards This guide is designed to serve as a practical resource for shipmasters, officers, and crew, while also being highly beneficial for helicopter operators and marine pilots. Credits: INTERNATION LIMITED

LPG tankers on FIRE Question arise that : 1. Why was the mooring operation poorly monitored during the STS transfer? 2. Was the STS operation approved and supervised by port authorities? 3. Why weren’t the lifeboats and life rafts used after the fire? 4. Was there a risk of hypothermia in the cold water, and were proper measures in place? 5. Were all crew and officer certifications genuine? 6. Did the training institutes comply with international standards? #lpg, #lpgsohpia, #nicholas, #bangladesh, #fire

Effective from 1 January 2025, new restrictions will be enforced on ships concerning the discharge of garbage, oil, and oily mixtures within the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden Special Areas. These measures are based on the following IMO Resolutions: Resolution MEPC.381(80): Sets out the discharge regulations under MARPOL Annex I, specifically regulations 15.3, 15.5, and 34.3 to 34.5, as they apply to the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden Special Areas, in accordance with Regulation 38.8.1 of Annex I. Resolution MEPC.382(80): Defines the discharge requirements under Regulation 6 of MARPOL Annex V for the Red Sea Special Area, as per Regulation 8.2 of Annex V.