The National Transportation Safety Board has released its annual Safer Seas Digest for 2019. The publication examines marine accidents investigated by the NTSB in the previous year, looking at causes and drawing lessons learned for professional mariners and other professionals concerned with safety in the marine transportation industries.
The NTSB investigates accidents, "involving vessels that result in one or more of the following:
The loss of six or more lives.
The loss of a mechanically propelled vessel of 100 or more gross tons.
Property damage initially estimated as $500,000 or more.
Serious threat, as determined by the USCG commandant and concurred with by the NTSB chairman, to life, property, or the environment by hazardous materials."
This year's edition examines 30 marine accidents involving vessels as varied as commercial fishing boats, tow boats, barges, cruise ships, cargo vessels, and even a U.S. Navy destroyer. The safety issues examined include:
Organizational Oversight
Fatigue
Master/Pilot Exchange
Proper Navigation
Dynamic Risk Assessment
Proper Lookout
Early Communication Prior to and During Emergency Situations
Heavy Weather Conditions
Seafloor Hazards in Undersea Operations
Effective Hull and Structural Component Inspection & Maintenance
Watertight Integrity and Subdivision
Fire Protection During Hot Work
Securing Ventilation and Openings During a Fire
Remote Fuel Oil and Lube Oil Cut-Off Valves
Labeling of Alarms
Examining your own vessel's operation in light of the misfortunes of others can be instructive. Given the common hazards of the marine environment, the Safer Sears Digest contains lessons for every mariner. You can download a PDF copy of the Safer Seas Digest 2019 here.
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