SAFETY FIRST!
from the SQE Department
MESSAGE from the DPA:
The ship should be the safest place in the world! Dear seafarers, The above title came to me as an inspiration and an aspiration at the same time. When I realized how much I liked this title, I did have contradictory feelings. I instantly regretted how it was a common realization for all of us that: “The working environment of a ship can hide many hazards”, but
“Between 2019 and 2020, the figures indicate a reduction in occurrences for almost all ship types, with the greatest reduction for cargo ships (15%)” Elli Moretti
• what if we stop taking this for granted? It will be because all hazards are met with a timely response! • what if we commit to “failing safely”? It will be because you can make the potential impact of these hazards insignificant! • what if we switch our mindset to a “safety mode”? You will get home safely! I do believe we can change a “fixed mindset” to a “learning mindset” and learn how to prevent accidents so that they rarely occur onboard, or are as minor as possible, until our Goal Zero is achieved! As EMSA highlighted in their yearly accident analysis, which is shown in the graph:
Our Company‘s results for the year 2020 show the same trend. There have been 11 incidents in a fleet of 32 vessels. So, we can say that 2 out of 3 fleet vessels remained accident free. Seven (7) of these accidents were, thankfully, of Severity 1-2. In addition, the number of Personnel Injuries decreased compared to the previous years’, and there was no serious injury. Let’s hope we are getting there! Keep it up and… Let’s make your ship the safest place in the world! I wish you safe voyages and a safe return home. Elli Moretti
New Health & Safety Campaign Nr.02/2021 from Technical Dept:
Engine Room Fires & Hot Spots A fire onboard may happen to any vessel and has to be managed not only successfully, but also quickly, in order to prevent greater damage or even the loss of vessel and crew, which could happen if the fire spreads. Fire on board is one of the most dangerous emergencies for a vessel. The above mentioned campaign stressed the increased danger of fire in machinery spaces originating from flammable oil leaks coming into contact with hot surfaces. Oil leakage hitting hot spots on engines is the most common cause of engine room fires on board ships. According to DNV casualty statistics, more than 60% of all engine room fires have been initiated by a hot spot. Primary sources of ignition (hot spots) in the engine room include: • Indicator Valves • Cut-outs for pressure/temperature sensors • Turbochargers, in particular flanges • Exhaust pipes from each cylinder • Exhaust piping after turbocharger • Cylinder covers • Transitions into exhaust manifolds
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Issue 76-June 2021
• Exhaust manifolds, in particular overlaps between steel and lagging • Foundation and lifting lugs on exhaust ducts and manifolds • Boilers and especially: • Steam turbines • Incinerators Effective drills are a vital element of • Purifiers accident prevention: Above we see a Fire Drill on board M/T SERENO
Fire Drill onboard M/T YANNIS P
