“Of all the systems on board a vessel, a human being is the most complex, and perhaps the most difficult one to integrate into a system of safer transportation.” -Tracy Murrell, Director, Office of Marine Safety, National Transportation Safety Board. For the last few decades, the maritime industry has greatly improved the reliability and user interface design of ship systems … [Read more...]
Five Interesting Facts About Maritime Losses and Casualties in 2013
Global marine insurance provider Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty has released its second annual Safety and Shipping Review 2014, analyzing trends of reported shipping losses for vessels over 100 gross tons during 2013. Among other elements, the report digs into vessel losses and casualties over the past year and provides a good comparison of how 2013 stacked up … [Read more...]
New Study Identifies World’s Most Dangerous Ship Accident Hotspots
The South China Sea and East Indies, east Mediterranean and Black Sea, North Sea and British Isles are the world's most dangerous hotspots for accidents involving ships, according to a recently released study on maritime shipping accidents conducted by the World Wildlife Fund, one of the world's largest independent conservation organizations. The study focuses on factors … [Read more...]
11 Killed as Containership Sinks Off Eastern China
A containership identified as the MV GUANG YANG XIN GANG capsized and sank off the eastern coast of China on Monday, killing as many as 13 crewmembers. The Associated Press reports the MV GUANG YANG XIN GANG capsized in strong winds off the coast of Longkou in the Shandong province of China. As noted by our Unofficial Weatherman, there was no evidence of strong winds in the … [Read more...]
Ship Drops Anchor, Severs Internet Connection to East Africa
About 10 years ago, the ship I was assigned to was leaving San Diego when all of a sudden we heard a rather loud, and unexpected rumbling. We were passing by North Island at about 16 knots when, to the great surprise of our captain and the rest of the bridge team, one of our 9,000 pound anchors let go in the channel. Shockingly, there was no damage to our ship, sonar dome, or … [Read more...]