The Monthly Safety Scenario (MSS) is a Loss Prevention initiative to assist members in their efforts to comply with international safety regulations and to follow best practices.
The Club is publishing, every month, a new Monthly Safety Scenario (MSS) to assist owners in their efforts to comply with the above regulations. Alternative scenarios will be uploaded in SCOL. It is easy to download the MSS and enter the written conclusions from the meeting and send feedback to the shore-based organisation.
Right-click on the link below and select “Save target as...“ to save the pdf file on your computer.
MSS Case November: Main engine failure caused serious contact accident
It was night and the vessel was in ballast condition and heading to port. The pilot boarded and two tugs were connected: one on the bow and one on the stern. Prior to the pilot boarding, the engine had been tested and the prearrival checks had been completed. At the pilot brief the pilot was given the pilot card and he informed the Master that the plan was to berth on the starboard side. To be able to do this the vessel was required to carry out a 180° turn to port. The Master had lined up the vessel and started to turn when the main engine failed to respond. He ordered slow astern but there was no response. Several repeated orders, from slow astern to full astern, were commanded from the bridge telegraph but with no response.
The main engine was a medium speed four-stroke engine driving a fixed pitch propeller through a gearbox controlled via a Woodward governor and reversing effected by the main gearbox. Control was carried out via the electronic bridge control.
On this vessel, during manoeuvring the Chief Engineer was customarily on the bridge. He was operating the engine telegraph and attempted to transfer control to the engine control room. At the same time the pilot requested the two assisting tugs to attempt to turn the vessel away from danger. Just in front of the vessel were a tug and a moored barge, which the vessel hit at a speed of five knots.
Read more about this case in the latest Monthly Safety Scenario.
Under the ISM requirement, owners are obliged to carry out monthly safety meetings or safety committee meetings onboard their vessels. This obligation stems from Chapter 5 of the ISM Code: “Master’s responsibility and authority” and furthermore from “5.1.2, motivating the crew in the observation of that policy”.
The obligation can also be derived from the Code of “Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seamen”, where it is stated that the safety committee should meet regularly: “3.13.2, The frequency of meetings will be determined by circumstances but as a general guideline, the committee should meet about every 4-6 weeks”.
For more Loss Prevention information, please contact:
Scenarios archive (available in SCOL)
2023
- October - Fall into the cargo hold during cargo operation
- September - Loss of anchor in bad weather
- August - Blackout caused grounding
- July - Chief officer fell to his death duFring tank inspection
- June - Grounding in restricted visibility
- May - Leaking gasket caused cargo damage
- April - Injury in heavy weather
- March - Lost balance while washing down caused fatal injury
- February - Collision in river
- January - Cargo hold flooding
2022
- December - Collision in restricted visibility
- November - Faulty propeller caused the vessel to strike the quay and crane
- October - Injury while climbing
- September - Corroded pipe caused oil spill
- August - Pilot ladder in poor condition
- July - Lack of communication lead to serious main engine damage
- June - Injured during lifeboat drill
- May - AB fell to his death
- April - Fire in engine room
- March - Injured during cargo operation
- February - Stevedore injured by twistlock
- January - Serious injury during inspection
2021
- December - Severely burned in an onboard explosion
- November - Overflow while bunkering
- October - Indonesian coal self-ignited during discharge
- September - Broken davit wire on rescue boat
- August - Machinery failure caused collision with sea lock
- July - Tide caught pilot by surprise
- June - Swept away by large wave
- May - Pilot forgot about moved buoy
- April - Misdeclared container caused fire
- March - Engine failure caused grounding
- February - Lack of cooperation lead to grounding
2020
- December - Severely burned crew member dies
- November - Contact with a crane during berthing
- October - Machinery failure
- September - Cargo flooding from the ballast tank
- August - Injury by forklift
- July - Rescue boat drill injuries
- June - Grounding when not using bridge equipment effectively
- May - Oil spill while bunkering
- April - Collision in busy anchorage after grounding
- March - Unfinished arrival checklist lead to severe damage
- February - Heavy weather causes grounding in the archipelago
- January - Lack of cooperation led to grounding
