Small islands with a lengthy maritime history
A unique conditional loan, secured by the ship itself
Viswa Lab reveals several peculiarities that lead to marine claims being wrongly settled
The new syndicate, Skuld 1897 at Lloyds’ is set to make a significant difference to the Indian maritime industry
Mistakes cause accidents. That is the inevitable sequence of events and we humans are the people making the mistakes, but why? What are the reasons that people make mistakes? NK’s guidelines covers how to prevent them, it focused mainly on design of equipment and operator training. Why people make mistakes? - some opinions and answers were given during the June 2010 Members Day of the marine insurance organization Swedish Club. Firstly the world crew shortage estimated at 50,000 seafarers isn’t helping the industry. Good relations, communication and training are conducive to people making the right decisions yet having the confidence to challenge questionable decisions. Capt Gustav Groenberg of Star Cruises, Malaysia pointed out the importance of recruiting the right people, offering them good working conditions to motivate and retain them. Peter Groenwoldt, MD of Harren & Partner Ship Management, Bremen’s opinion is that the reason for a mistake is always, without exception, human error caused by: lack of or poor training, ignorance or an over estimation of their skill and experience. Martin Hernqvist, MD of the Swedish Club Academy touched on the sensitive issue of culture on the individual’s ability to challenge mistakes and unsafe acts quoting the Power Distance Index as a measure of different cultures and their behavior.
Last month a briefing to underwriters in London covered the increasing incidence of severe engine damage. The drive towards low sulfur fuels is causing fuel refining processes to change, some of which result in below standard HFO being delivered to ships. A higher presence of particles called catalyst fines is precipitating very costly engine damage. Cat fines have always been present in bunker oils and standard ISO 8217 (2005) permits up to 80 ppm, but the problem is that more than 15 – 20 ppm already causes damage to engine parts. The components most at risk to accelerated wear are: the fuel pump, piston rings and cylinder liners. Sadly the prognosis is that with the increasing demand for low sulfur fuel, engine failures are going to increase. Until fuel standards improve a 100 per cent fuel management policy to purify the fuel is the only guarantee to avoid these problems.
Mathematician, astronomer, and author of the “New American Practical Navigator”
Fall is here, and winter is fast approaching. You know what that means; time to start winterizing your boat! Winter weather wreaks havoc on a boat not adequately prepared for hibernation.