New crewing joint venture in China
06 Dec 2024 - News
Published on 20 Jun 2023
The ship’s digital rate of turn indicator at the bridge front was lagging considerably behind the ship’s true rate of turn. The digital RoT indicator would show the correct RoT once the ordered RoT became steady for a period. However, the RoT indicator at the helmsman’s position showed the correct RoT throughout.
The bridge team was aware that the digital RoT indicator was lagging but did not highlight it in the Master Pilot Information Exchange (MPIE). The Pilot ordered the helmsman to maintain a certain RoT, however, he could not see it on the defective RoT indicator. This caused some anxiety for the Pilot and also raised a question in his mind about the operating condition of other equipment. Suspicions like that could easily trigger the Pilot to request a Port State Control inspection.
The Master quickly pointed out that the helmsman’s RoT indicator was working correctly and the required RoT was already on. This pacified the Pilot and he did not raise any further questions about any other equipment.
At the debriefing after the ship was berthed, the Staff Captain emphasized the importance of correct IMPE. The bridge team must inform malfunction of any bridge equipment to the Pilot through the MPIE. Report such malfunction to the company and arrange for repairs as soon as possible.
During the takeover period, the Master noticed that the echo sounder on ship had two transducers, one forward and one aft. There was a single display and forward or aft transducer could be selected. After taking over, during familiarization with the bridge team he checked awareness regarding the presence of two transducers. He gave a scenario to all OOW. “Ship has to drift awaiting orders with the forward draft 5m and aft draft 8m, the depth under the keel is 3m, was it safe?” All OOWs replied it was safe, and none pointed out that it depends upon which transducer was in use.
All members of the bridge team must undergo proper familiarization before they assume responsibility for their roles. The lack of knowledge about the location or number of Echo sounder transducers can lead to a serious incident, especially while navigating in shallow waters. All OOW must also be well aware of the company’s under keel clearance requirements.
This near miss clearly demonstrates the importance of good familiarization with bridge equipment and how assumptions can be dangerous.
A bulk carrier was loading at a major iron ore terminal. After completing loading of #2 hold, the loader was relocated to hold #6. The shore operator confirmed readiness with the Chief officer to start loading in hold #6. A few seconds before resumption of loading, the operator observed a crew member in the bottom of hold #6. He suspended the circuit immediately and informed the duty officer (DO). The DO ordered the crew member to exit the hold immediately.
Hold #6 was in ballast condition, it was de-ballasted and mopped before loading. Two crew members entered for hold wiping. Ship staff had carried out RA and had issued work permit before hold entry. Bosun supervised the entry. The DO was attending to the cargo operations whilst maintaining contact with the C/O and the terminal.
The work activities of the crew in the cargo hold were completed and they started exiting the hold. Whilst exiting, the AB noticed his cabin keys had fallen in the hold and turned back to pick them up. Fortunately, the loader operator noticed the AB in the hold and suspended the loading.
There were various checks and precautions either in place or available which should have made this potential accident impossible. One by one they failed because assumptions were made or possible checks were not followed through. The final lapse was by the AB who returned into the hold to recover his cabin key without thinking of the potential consequences. Luckily, the operator of the shore loader noticed the crew member before starting to load the hold.
If the ship had kept covers of hatch #6 partially closed, this would have given a clear signal to the loader not to commence the loading.
06 Dec 2024 - News
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29 Nov 2024 - News
The BSM Smart Academy has gained two more universities for its programme: the King Abdulaziz University in Saudi Arabia and the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport in Egypt. This brings the partner network of the BSM Smart Academy, which was only launched by the BSM in April 2024, to six maritime institutions. BSM is also in cooperation talks with other universities.
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Our commitment to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) is embedded in every decision, process, and strategy. We aim to align our operations with long-term environmental and societal impact, gradually fostering sustainability thinking among our employees, local communities, suppliers, and partners. We address all material topics ensuring our approach is both thorough and inclusive.
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18 Apr 2024 - News | BSM Highlights
On 1 January 2024, shipping officially joined the European Union’s Emission Trading System (EU ETS). With it emerged a comprehensive set of responsibilities, accompanied by significant financial implications for shipping companies who, for the first time, are included in a market-based measure such as EU ETS. The increased level of interaction between the European Commission and the shipping industry means a novelty for both parties - and an ongoing learning process.
18 Apr 2024 - News | BSM Highlights | Articles
Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM) introduces a new educational programme for future seafarers. BSM Smart Academy is a collaboration with selected maritime universities worldwide with the goal of closing the gap between academic knowledge and practical training.
18 Apr 2024 - News | BSM Highlights
The superyacht industry has been developing significantly over the recent years, especially since 2020. Today, the total fleet worldwide is at 12,500 yachts over 24m seeing explorer yachts and multihulls growing in popularity and the attractiveness of very large yachts unbroken, despite other predictions. BSM Yachting has entered this market with an innovative approach.