safety4sea.com Latest Articles

The transition period is closing and the South-West monsoon is coming

2013-05-22T16:40:39+03:00

Even with passing of the one year anniversary of the last piratedship in the High risk Area, the threat of piracy against merchantshipping is still there. Successful disruptions by naval forces overthe past weeks and months, in conjunction with masters'adherence and implementation of BMP4, have significantlyreduced the pirates' ability to capture vessels.

The SW monsoon system has established itself making conditions unfavourable for small boatoperations in the western part of the Indian Ocean. Since 2009 piracy activity has been low duringthe monsoon season, but pirates still maintain their intent and capability to mount attacks onmerchant vessels.

Naval forces are keeping a close eye on any suspicious vessels and continue to patrol the HRA. Any areas of concern will be posted to NSC's Known Pirate Activity map which is available on NATO Shipping Centre's web page.

Source: NATO Shipping Centre

Increases in Australian Carbon Tax

2013-05-20T16:45:21+03:00

Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS) the world's leading maritime services provider, is warning of an increase in Australian Carbon Tax on vessels from 1 July 2013.

Bunker duty and carbon tax is charged for all vessels who conduct a coastal voyage within Australian waters, and if a vessel purchases fuel and or oil within Australian waters for the purpose of a coastal voyage.

The Australian federal government first introduced its carbon pricing mechanism in July last year as part of the national clean energy measures. The carbon tax affects excise liabilities and fuel tax credit entitlements.

From 1 July 2013 the monetary rate of the Carbon Tax will increase as per Table A below. Duty on bunkers is paid in full at AUD 38.143 cents/litre and the rebate amount will be diminished by the Carbon Tax deduction as per Table B.

Table A: Carbon charge rates for diesel and other liquid fuels

Fuel Type 1st July 2012 1st July 2013 1st July 2014 Diesel and other liquid fuels (cents per litre) 6.21 6.521 6.858

Table B: Fuel Tax Credit (bunker duty rebate) rates after Carbon Tax rate deducted

Fuel Type 1st July 2012 1st July 2013 1st July 2014 Diesel and other liquid fuels (cents per litre)

31.933

(38.143 - 6.21)

31.622

(38.143 - 6.521)

31.285

(38.143 - 6.858)

Source: ISS

ONI issues Worldwide Threat to Shipping (WTS) Report

2013-05-17T16:02:19+03:00

The Office of Naval Intelligence issues Worldwide Threat to Shipping (WTS) Report for the period 14 April 2013 – 15 May 2013.

The Worldwide Threat to Shipping (WTS) message provides information on threats to, and criminal action against, merchant vessels worldwide in the last 30 days. This report is produced primarily to inform merchant mariners and naval forces.

To view the WTS Report, click here.

Source: ONI

ONI issues Piracy Analysis and Warning Weekly (PAWW) Report

2013-05-17T15:43:57+03:00

The Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) issues Piracy Analysis and Warning Weekly (PAWW) Report (Horn of Africa) for the period 9 – 15 May 2013.

The Piracy Analysis and Warning Weekly (PAWW) Report is a review of recent Somali piracy incidents and an outlook on threats around the Horn of Africa.

Somali pirate activity is at low levels. There were no reported vessel attacks during this one week period. There were no vessels reported as hijacked during this one week period.

For more information, please click here.

Source: ONI

Flooding of the Bow Thruster Room

2013-05-16T13:10:29+03:00

The Swedish Club has experienced a number of incidents where the bow thruster room is flooded and therefore making the bow thruster and emergency fire pump inoperable. In a majority of cases flooding has been caused by either corroded pipes or a failure in the suction strainer.

Please find a brief description of consequences and prevention below.

Consequences

When this type of incident occurs, the consequences include:

Electrical motor for bow thruster submerged/damaged Electrical motor for emergency fire pump submerged/damaged Hydraulic unit(s) submerged/damaged Bow thruster out of operation for a long time Possible damage to environment due to escape of pollutant

How to avoid a casualty

Emergency fire pump suction filter cover clampIt is our opinion that this type of strainer with a single clamp holding the cover in place is, despite being class approved, a substandard design. The only way to avoid these unnecessary and expensive incidents is to replace the existing strainer with a strainer where the cover is bolted to the housing.

Clamp design (Image Credit: Swedish Club)

Fit a high level alarm in the bow thruster room (if not fitted) and test the same on a weekly basis. It is recommended to connect the high level alarm to the engine control room as well as to the bridge.

For more information, be advised on the Swedish Club Alert Flooding of the Bow Thruster Room

Source: The Swedish P&I Club

ONI issues Piracy Analysis and Warning Weekly (PAWW) Report

2013-05-10T12:39:25+03:00

The Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) issues Piracy Analysis and Warning Weekly (PAWW) Report (Horn of Africa) for the period 2 -8 May 2013.

The Piracy Analysis and Warning Weekly (PAWW) Report is a review of recent Somali piracy incidents and an outlook on threats around the Horn of Africa.

Somali pirate activity is at low levels. There were no reported vessel attacks during this one week period. There were no vessels reported as hijacked during this one week period.

For more information, please click here.

Source: ONI

ONI issues Worldwide Threat to Shipping (WTS) Report

2013-05-10T12:33:19+03:00

The Office of Naval Intelligence issues Worldwide Threat to Shipping (WTS) Report for the period 07 April 2013 – 08 May 2013.

The Worldwide Threat to Shipping (WTS) message provides information on threats to, andcriminal action against, merchant vessels worldwide in the last 30 days. This report is produced primarily to inform merchant mariners and naval forces.

To view the WTS Report, click here.

Source: ONI

ONI issues Worldwide Threat to Shipping (WTS) Report

2013-05-08T16:06:36+03:00

The Office of Naval Intelligence issues Worldwide Threat to Shipping (WTS) Report for the period 31 March 2013 - 01 May 2013 .

The Worldwide Threat to Shipping (WTS) message provides information on threats to, andcriminal action against, merchant vessels worldwide in the last 30 days. This report is produced primarily to inform merchant mariners and naval forces.

To view the WTS Report, click here.

Source: ONI

ONI issues Piracy Analysis and Warning Weekly (PAWW) Report

2013-05-08T16:01:44+03:00

The Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) issues Piracy Analysis and Warning Weekly (PAWW) Report (Horn of Africa) for the period 25 April 2013 - 01 May 2013.

The Piracy Analysis and Warning Weekly (PAWW) Report is a review of recent Somali piracy incidents and an outlook on threats around the Horn of Africa.

Somali pirate activity is at low levels. There were no reported vessel attacks during this one week period. There were no vessels reported as hijacked during this one week period.

For more information please, click here.

Source: ONI

Gard issues alert re revised North Sea shipping routes

2013-05-02T17:33:27+03:00

Extensive changes have been announced to the routeing system in the Dutch North Sea. The North Sea is one of the world's most densely trafficked sea areas and the changes are made in order to ensure the future safety of shipping and improve access to the main Dutch ports. The changes will come into force on 1 August 2013 at 00:00 UTC (02:00 local time) and include:

Introduction of a new Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) in the approaches to Ijmuiden. Vessels sailing in opposite directions will have separate sea lanes. Routes are located further from the coast. Reduced number of route intersections. Relocation of anchorage areas. Areas around objects such as platforms have been reconfigured. Introduction of 'areas to be avoided' and 'precautionary areas'. Vessels will not be allowed to sail in 'areas to be avoided', while vessels sailing in 'precautionary areas' will be requested to navigate with care.

From April 2013 onwards, maritime traffic will regularly receive messages focusing on the revised routes and Members and clients are recommended to advise their Masters operating in the area to monitor the messages through the usual channels. Notices to Mariners will be published on the websites of the Netherlands Hydrographic Office and the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO).

Updated nautical charts must be available on board before the changes take effect. New nautical charts and ENC's are due to be released in mid-June 2013.

Source: Gard