In SwedishSwedish Transport Agency, Maritime Department
Low energy lamps may cause interference
There have been warnings about electromagnetic radiation from mobile phones, since it can interfere with sensitive instruments. It now appears that the new type of low-energy lamps may have a similar interference effect as they also operate at high frequencies.
From Insjö
In the marine reporting system for accidents and near-accidents, Insjö, there are currently 2,366 reports. One particularly interesting event concerns the CO2 system on a ship. It may be noted that the arrangement as described in the report does not fulfil approved standards.
Faulty depth data and other deficiencies in electronic sea charts
Some of Garmin’s sea charts contain errors and have been recalled by the manufacturer. The fault lies mainly in the position of the depth contours. More information from Garmin can be found at www.garmin.se/bluechart2009.
Faulty valves in the CO2 high-pressure system
The Swedish Transport Agency has received a warning regarding valves in the high-pressure CO2 system from the US Coast Guard. The valves may self-release unintentionally and put personnel in the vicinity at great risk. The valves are in use on Swedish vessels.
New shipping company network discusses work environment
Closer cooperation with the Swedish Transport Agency and exchange of experience. This is what the person taking the initiative to start a new network for shipping companies is hoping for.
Building out risks
In SAN NEWS 1 2009 a serious accident was described in which a pilot crushed his leg between the pilot boat and the ship which was to be boarded. After the event, the shipping company has tried to build out the risk.
Interesting observations after fire
To extinguish the fire the ship’s engineer was going to activate the local fire extinguishing system, which covered all engines. However, he was not able to do this before the control room was so filled with smoke that it had to be evacuated.
Poor lookout resulted in fines
A Swedish ferry ran aground some time ago while entering an area of skerries and the case has now been tried in court. A mate, who was occupied with duties other than navigation, was given a fine of about 20,000 SEK, while the lookout was fined about 10,000 SEK.
Devastating mix-up of controls
The inspector realised that something was wrong when the CO2 alarm sounded and was able to leave the machine room in time. The situation could have become fatal since CO2 will exclude oxygen and suffocation may result.
From Insjö
By using simple clicks it will be possible to see factors that affected a particular event and what consequences they had.
Fake hydrostatic release units
The Maritime Department is sending out a warning for these counterfeits and encourages anybody in doubt to contact CM Hammar to verify the serial number and production date.
Pilot injured while boarding tugboat
A pilot was about to board a tugboat in the evening, but due to high winds and seas it was decided that the boarding should take place before the normal boarding position. On this occasion the usual pilot boat was not being used, which made conditions more difficult with poorer visibility from the bridge of the pilot boat.
Hawsers in propeller
During mooring work there were two tugboats giving help. The after boat was connected with a towing hawser which had a gantline in its end; it had been used to take onboard the tail rope on the ship’s poop deck. When the hawser was to be released, the gantline fell in the water and was sucked down and got tangled in the propeller.
Poor scuppers cause serious danger
On many ships with RORO decks there are above-deck valves known as scuppers for drainage. The aim is that any water flowing onto the deck, for example when extinguishing a fire, is able to drain off. Scuppers can be closed using maneuverable valves, but in the event that these are not closed in time there are also non-return valves to prevent water from entering from the outside.
Grounding with pilots onboard
During the last section of the journey the ship was sailing slow ahead. She was guided along a transit line between an illuminated quay corner and a strong light on land behind the quay corner. The transit line was the pilot’s own construction and was not marked on the chart. When the ship was about 740 metres from the quay it stopped softly. On the bridge this was thought to be a result of the prevailing ice conditions, but soon it was realised that the ship had grounded.
Hand injured in work with angle grinder
A member of the crew was doing some hobby work in his spare time in the ship’s workshop, grinding a piece of steel. Since he did not view the work as particularly difficult, he just held the piece of steel with one hand and the angle grinder with the other hand.
Lack of attention caused grounding
After the ship had passed through a narrow sound, it was approaching its destination. The captain, who was alone on the bridge apart from a guide, set the ship on course at the same time as he spoke to the passengers via the PA system to inform them about their impending arrival. The investigation showed that the captain yawed a minute or two too early and the ship grounded.
From Insjö
There are eleven reports on FRBs (fast rescue-boats) at Insjö. Five of these are the result of engine problems. Several can be categorised under poor service and maintenance, such as one where the engine compartment was filled with water due to a defective seal, and several others that needed fuel filters changing, amongst other things. Two had manoeuvring problems (one had a broken control line to the scoop so the boat could not reverse, another was difficult to steer).
Dangerous start of inert gas generator
The chief mate was going to start an inert gas generator when making preparations for arrival. The generator room was located close to a room where some of the crew were asleep. To avoid waking any of them, the chief mate closed the door. However, he had forgotten to open the ventilation hatch and realised that there was a partial vacuum when his ears started hurting.
Fire in machine room
When a small passenger ship was going to moor at a pier the main engine stalled. The ship steered towards the beach next to the pier to make the grounding softer. It slid up the beach and back into the water without causing any real damage. A fire was then discovered in the machine room.
