Fire presents a serious threat aboard vessels. It can spread quickly and cause extensive damage, putting the lives of crew members at risk. That's why it's essential for ships to have adequate fire fighting equipment on board. The type of extinguishing equipment...
Safety Articles
10 Worst Maritime Disasters in 2022
Maritime disasters have been a tragic reality throughout history. In 2022, the world witnessed several devastating incidents on the seas and rivers, resulting in a significant loss of lives and damage to property. Most of these accidents are a result of negligence and...
Emergency Generator on Ships – What No One Tells You
Having power and electricity is vital for ships to function at sea. It does not matter if it is a small yacht or a huge supertanker. They need energy to run and reach their destination safely. Hence, seafarers perform maintenance schedules for all the machinery and...
What are the Types of Ship’s Emergency Alarm Signals?
Would you rather have a healthy, restful sleep and wake up in a pool of water, or be disturbed by a menacing alarm during your sweetest dreams? If you are on board, you don't really have a choice. Like it or not, emergency alarms are the number one priority to respond...
SIRE 2.0 Will Upgrade Your Vetting Experience. Are You Ready?
A new inspection regime, called SIRE 2.0, will be served to all tanker vessels in the 4th quarter of 2022. According to OCIMF, this modern approach to vetting inspection will have significant improvements compared to the current version of SIRE. But we still don't...
How to Prevent Accidents Involving Combination Ladders
A ship's combination ladder is a setup where a pilot ladder is used in conjunction with an accommodation ladder to facilitate the embarkation and disembarkation of marine pilots. Since ladders are the only means of access on board, their proper rigging is always an...
There’s Only One Correct Way To Rig a Pilot Ladder and It’s This
You might be rigging pilot ladders for many years already without knowing that your methods may not be correct. As a matter of fact, the International Maritime Pilots’ Association (IMPA) studied 3,322 pilot boarding arrangements and discovered that 13.43% of them are...
Different Ladders Intended for Use on Ship’s Side
If you think that using a ladder in a breathtaking setting only happens in movies, think again. The shipping sector also has this kind of struggle especially because the only access to a ship is by means of a ladder! Whether alongside, in the anchorage, or at sea,...
Types of Lifeboats and Their Launching Mechanisms
There are many different types of lifeboats that merchant vessels use today. It is a vital safety appliance on board that it is mandatory to have them. That said, ships with no lifeboats, or have defective ones, are unseaworthy. Your ship may have the perfect...
Different Types of Line-Throwing Apparatus Used On Ships
A line-throwing apparatus (LTA) is a self-contained device that shoots a rocket projectile to a considerable distance while attached to a line. It is mostly used during rescue operations but sometimes on a ship-to-ship transfer where normal methods of contact using...
What are Fire Wires Or Emergency Towing-Off Pennants
Emergency towing-off pennant or commonly known as “fire wire” is a long wire deployed on the side of a tanker ship. One end is firmly secured on the bitts while its eye on the other end is hanging one to two meters above the water line. Ships use fire wires...
The IALA Buoyage Systems – Best Easy-to-Understand Guide
Like traffic lights, road signs, markings, retro-reflectors, and early warning devices, seafarers also use similar arrangements in waterways aimed at the safety of navigation. We call them the IALA Buoyage Systems or the International Association of Marine Aids to...
What is a Hydrostatic Release Unit & How Does it Work?
If you watched many ship-sinking movies before, you might have already indirectly seen a hydrostatic release unit in action. Movies or news about a sinking vessel sometimes mention liferafts, fully inflated but without anyone inside. You may already hear of...
How to Get Your International Certificate of Vaccination (ICV)
An International Certificate of Vaccination (ICV) is a document that contains the record of your vaccination history. On a positive note, member states of the World Health Organization recognize this certificate. Before the outbreak of COVID-19, seafarers and...
Want to Become an Officer? Bridge Standing Orders You Must Familiarize
The Bridge Standing Orders are a set of rules that anyone on the bridge team must follow. It consists of guidelines aiding the Officer of the Watch in his decision-making during navigation. Navigation looks pretty easy on the surface. However, going into the details...
10 Common Mistakes of a Helmsman & How to Avoid Them
A Helmsman is a very important member of the bridge team. Even with today’s modern technology, Captains still prefer helmsmen for steering the ship during channeling and pilotage. With this inclination, the room for human error remains which is basically 75% to 96% of...
46-Year-Old FPSO Trinity Spirit Explodes with 10 Crew On Board
Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel Trinity Spirit exploded and sunk off the coast of Ukpokiti Terminal, around Excravos, Warri South-west, Delta State, Nigeria on Wednesday (Feb. 2, 2022) early morning. It is unknown how much she is carrying but...
Bulk Carrier Julietta D Abandoned, Collides With Tanker & Platforms
Maltese flag bulk carrier Julietta D collided with tanker vessel Pechora Star off the coast of Ijmuiden, Netherlands on January 31, 2022, at around 0940H UTC. Storm Corrie was battering the area. Around the anchorage area are wind farms. This looks like a recipe for...
How Do P/V Valves Work? Everything You Need To Know
Pressure/vacuum (P/V) valves are essential safety devices on tanker ships. They are very important that no tanker vessel can operate without them installed. When I was undergoing a basic tanker training course before coming on board, our instructor hammered into us...
Inert Gas System: The Secret Weapon of Tanker Ship Safety
The inert gas system is one of the most critical components of a tanker vessel. Vessels using inert gas in their tanks are enjoying the benefits of safe operation against fire and explosion. No smoking on deck, no naked lights, intrinsically safe equipment only, and...
Seafarers Sailing in Europe Gets Free COVID-19 Vaccine
Recognizing the importance of seafarers in keeping the global economy running, some European ports are now offering free COVID-19 vaccines to seafarers. The first COVID-19 vaccine in the European Union started in Belgium last June 1. Around 2,200 seamen got their jabs...
Safe Anchoring Techniques – How to Drop the Ship’s Anchor Properly
Anchoring is an operation on board that involves dropping a metallic object with “claws” called the anchor. It is attached to a chain connected to the ship and held at the bottom of the sea. Safe and proper anchoring maintains the ship’s anchor and its fittings in...
Private Maritime Security Companies Protecting Vessels Against Piracy
Using the services of private maritime security companies became well-considered during the height of pirate infestations in the years 2009 to 2011. Since vessels are vulnerable to boarding on the high seas, the use of armed guards was an option for preventing...
Shipboard Organization: Seafarers’ Ranks, Duties, and Salaries
A shipboard organization is similar to the government structure we have in our countries. Vessels have worlds of their own. They are like mini kingdoms having a very small population with each person holding specific duties. The duties vary depending on the crew’s...
SOLAS Convention of 1974: Chapters & Regulations in Summary
SOLAS 1974 Convention or the Safety Of Life At Sea is an international agreement between flag states that sets standards on different aspects of maritime safety. By far, it is the most important of all international conventions related to shipping. Its complete...
ISPS Code – Basic Elements & Guide to Maritime Security
What is the ISPS Code? ISPS Code or the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code is a collection of guidelines for the security of the ship her crew, cargo, and the port facility. It is part of SOLAS and you can find more about it in Chapter XI-2 of that...