Maritime Alerts news

VELERIA and EVAL Life buoys fill up with water and sink when deployed in water.

Based on information received from the Swedish Maritime Authorities and recent reports from Norwegian ship-owners, the Norwegian Maritime Directorate (NMD) hereby issues a safety alert concerning buoyancy issues on life buoys.

Read more: VELERIA and EVAL Life buoys fill up with water and sink when deployed in water.

Paris MoU Black, Grey and White Flag lists

Paris MoU Press release regarding their updated Black, Grey and White Flag lists which will take effect from 1st July 2010.

The Paris MoU Committee approved the 2009 inspection results and adopted new performance lists for flag States and Recognized Organizations.

Read more: Paris MoU Black, Grey and White Flag lists

Advise to help avoid collision with whales

Reducing risk of collisions with whales avoiding collisions prevents damage to ships, and injuries to passengers, crew and whales.

the International Maritime Organization (IMO) is developing detailed guidance in a leaflet, for minimizing the risk of collisions between ships and whales.

The leaflet gives a brief summary of some things to consider as described here bellow:

Read more: Advise to help avoid collision with whales

Dangers Associated Calling (DSC) Equipped VHF Marine Radios

The following is a Safety Alert issued by the U.S. Coast Guard:

Dangers Associated with Automatic Channel Switching on Digital Selective Calling (DSC) Equipped VHF Marine Radios

It has come to the Coast Guard's attention that an automatic channel switching feature found on certain models of Digital Selective Calling (DSC) equipped VHF marine radios may create an unintended hazard by automatically switching from a working channel that might be in use at the time to Channel 16 when the VHF marine radio receives a DSC distress alert, distress alert acknowledgment or other DSC call where a VHF channel number has been designated.

Read more: Dangers Associated Calling (DSC) Equipped VHF Marine Radios

Transas warning issued over ECDIS shoal display

Transas has recently drawn the attention of ECDIS users to a warning published by UKHO in its Notices to Mariners, concerning an issue with the use of electronic navigation charts.

The warning reads: “Mariners are advised of a potentially serious issue that has come to light relating to the way ECDIS displays and operates with some shoal soundings.

Read more: Transas warning issued over ECDIS shoal display

Beacon false alarms waste time and money: dispose of them responsibly

The Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter and Australian Maritime Safety Authority Rescue Coordination Centre – Australia (RCC) are urging the community to dispose of their old distress beacons responsibly and not throw them in the bin or activate them to flatten the battery.

Read more: Beacon false alarms waste time and money: dispose of them responsibly

NTSB: All commercial-vessel EPIRBs should broadcast position

The NTSB is convinced that if all EPIRBs transmitted position data, more lives could be saved. The NTSB therefore recommends that the Federal Communications Commission take the following action:  For commercial vessels required to carry 406-MHz emergency position-indicating radio beacons (EPIRBs), mandate that those EPIRBs broadcast vessel position data when activated. (M-10-1)

Read more: NTSB: All commercial-vessel EPIRBs should broadcast position

The Port of Trieste in contravention of EU Directive will prosecuted with fine

The Port of Trieste has advised that, with effect from 3 March 2010, vessels using fuels with a sulphur content exceeding 0.10% by mass (in contravention of EU Directive 2005/33/EC) will be prosecuted with fine of between Euros 15,000 and 150,000 (usually 30,000 for the first offence).

Read more: The Port of Trieste in contravention of EU Directive will prosecuted with fine