by Nick Ford (Reuters) - A fire in the hold of a bulker ship on Monday briefly closed Australia’s Port Kembla, the second-largest coal export port in New South Wales state, stopping shipping for eight hours. The port was shut soon after the blaze began before dawn on the MV Iron Chieftain as it unloaded dolomite, a mineral used in steelmaking which was destined for BlueScope … [Read more...]
Marine Insurers Demand Better Fire Protection for Large Containerships
By Mike Wackett (The Loadstar) - The International Union of Marine Insurance (IUMI) has warned that Solas firefighting regulations for container vessels are “inadequate” – particularly as ships have grown in recent years. IUMI said the regulations were developed for general cargo vessels, where freight is stored openly in holds, and are “not suitable for a modern … [Read more...]
Windoc Incident – Story Behind YouTube’s Most Chilling Video
In August 2001 the Bulk Carrier Windoc was lined up on the Welland Canal's Bridge 11 in Ontario Canada. After receiving the flashing amber approach light indicating that the bridge operator was aware of the vessel, the captain lined up on the centerline and maintained a speed of 5 knots. Minutes later while the vessel was half way through the bridge started descending. The … [Read more...]
Ferry Fire – Hundreds Plucked From Burning Puerto Rico Ferry
The Coast Guard responded Wednesday morning to a fire aboard the 561-foot passenger/cargo vessel Caribbean Fantasy, approximately 2 nautical miles north of San Juan Harbor in Puerto Rico. The vessel later ran about half a nautical mile offshore of Punta Salinas. All 511 passengers and crew were evacuated and taken to Pier 6 in San Juan … [Read more...]
Six Rescued After Fire Damages American Tug Off Florida
An American tugboat has been badly damaged after suffering a fire Friday while towing a barge approximately 8 miles east of Matanzas off Florida's Atlantic Coast. All six crew members aboard donned life jackets and abandoned ship into a life raft. All six were later recovered by a good samaritan vessel and taken to Coast Guard Station Ponce De Leon. The Coast … [Read more...]