Safety Briefings
A collection of useful links that include Ship Safety Briefings, Offshore Safety Briefings and Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) Safety Digest Briefings.
- Commercial Ship Safety Briefings
- Yacht & Small Craft Safety Briefings
- Workboat Safety Briefings
- Offshore Safety Briefings
- Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) Safety Digest Briefings
Commercial Ship Safety Briefings
Click to download the central IIMS Safety Briefings Database in Excel Format, a compilation of hundreds of safety reports: Main Safety Briefing Database
Canadian transport investigation report into fire on board fishing vessel Elite Navigator
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has published the results into an investigation into the fire and sinking of fishing vessel Elite Navigator.
MAIB investigation into fatalities on board Berge Mawson
The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has published a report into the deaths of three stevedores in a cargo hold access space on board the bulk carrier Berge Mawson
NTSB investigation after incorrect valve starts fatal fire
The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board have released the results of a report after the installation of an incorrect valve in a pipe to a diesel oil tank led to a fatal fire aboard a cargo vessel docked in LaPorte, Texas.
USCG safety Alert: Understanding the explosion hazards of shipping coal
On November 27, 2024, approximately 100 nautical miles off the coast of Virginia, a bulk carrier shipping a type of coal called “Bailey High Vol Coking Coal” experienced consecutive explosions in the two forward cargo holds.
ATSB says ambigous procedures led to vessel steering failure
CMA CGM is revising its steering guidance across the fleet after ambiguous procedures contributed to one of its ships colliding with a navigational beacon in the Yarra River, according to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB)
Structural failure of drain lines in fuel oil tanks
West P&I Club has issued an alert following a pollution incident regarding the issue of structural failure of drain lines passing through fuel oil tanks.
NTSB reveals cargo on President Eisenhower lost due incorrect cargo weight data
The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board has published a report after cargo was lost and damaged off containership President Eisenhower.
Transport Malta crewmember death after steam valve failure onboard chemical hunter
On 28 January 2024, an able bodied seafarer (AB) on board Chemical Hunter was severely scalded by steam. The accident happened during cargo tank washing and steaming operations. Chemical Hunter had just left the port of Altamira, Mexico when the accident occurred.
Transport Malta investigation into boiler explosion death
Transport Malta has released an investigation report into the boiler explosion on board oil/chemical tanker Torc, resulting in the death of a crewmember.
Marshall Islands publishes Blue Cecil report after enclosed space entry deaths
The Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administrator has released its report into the deaths of three crewmembers on bulk carrier Blue Cecil in 2023.
The vessel’s C/E, ETO and Fitter died after they were found unconscious inside of Cargo Hold No. 1.
NTSB report on dinner cruise vessel Spirit of Boston
An improperly extinguished chafing fuel heating canister, canned heat used to keep food and beverages warm, led to a fire on the passenger vessel Spirit of Boston last year while moored at the Commonwealth Pier in Boston Harbor.
Golden Ray NTSB report reveals inaccurate stability calculations as the cause of the capsizing
Inaccurate stability calculations caused the capsizing of the vehicle carrier Golden Ray that resulted in $200 million worth of damages, the National Transportation Safety Board reveals in its marine accident report.
Read the report
Cargo tank explosion and fire on chemical tanker Stolt Groenland report published
On 28 September 2019, a cargo tank containing styrene monomer on board the MAIC (Maritime Authority of the Cayman Islands) registered chemical tanker Stolt Groenland ruptured due to runaway polymerisation.
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Fatality of crew member after head trapped in hatch cover panel report published
JTSB has published its report into the death of a boatswain while the cargo vessel FIRST AI was mooring off Kyoto in September 2019 when his head was trapped in a hatch cover panel while performing hatch cover closing duty.
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Report published on the a fatality due to improper crane lifting
Belgium’s FEBIMA has published an investigation report into the fatality of a crew member onboard the general cargo ship ATLANTIC PROJECT II while in the Port of Antwerp in February 2021.
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Lube oil contamination due to forgotten rubber membrane seals
In a recent publication, the Swedish Club describes a case of lube oil contamination caused by forgotten rubber membrane seals in the engine room of a chemical/oil tanker.
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MPV Everest: Overflowing tank shortly before fire is revealed in preliminary ATSB report
ATSB has issued a preliminary report from its ongoing investigation into a fire onboard the MPV Everest while on charter to the Australian Antarctic Division, last April.
Read the report
Report into fire onboard a bulk carrier at Port Kembla published
ATSB has published an investigation report surrounding a fire onboard a bulk carrier, Iron Chieftan, that took five days to contain and extinguish. The report highlights the lack of adequate regulatory requirements and standards to address the known risk of fire on-board self-unloading ships.
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Ferry bottom contact linked to safety management deficiencies
TSB has published an investigation report about the bottom contact of the passenger ferry ‘Deer Island Princess II’ near Letete, New Brunswick, in February 2018. It has determined that common safety hazards, such as extremely low tides, had not been identified and mitigated by the operator of the vessel.
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Yacht & Small Craft Safety Briefings
Click to download the central IIMS Safety Briefings Database in Excel Format, a compilation of hundreds of safety reports: Main Safety Briefing Database
MAIB investigation into death onboard yacht Baton Rouge
On the morning of 23 February 2024, the chief engineer on the Isle of Man registered motor yacht Baton Rouge was electrocuted while working on the engine room ventilation system. The chief engineer was replacing a damper actuator, which was situated in a ventilation overpressure duct compartment. The chief engineer’s heart could not be restarted, and he was pronounced dead later that morning.
Maritime New Zealand report highlights recreational boating accidents between 2015 and 2020
This report is intended to give an overview of fatal recreational boating accidents between the beginning of 2015 and the end of 2020, and to provide additional insight into a number of key characteristics and identified patterns.
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MAIB: Lack of boating experience was a factor when the Norma G boat capsized leading to fatality
MAIB have issued a report on the incident involving Norma G. On 25 May 2020, a family were enjoying a day out on the water in the Camel Estuary, Cornwall, on their 5.4m motor cruiser Norma G. The boat was capsized by a large wave close to the Doom Bar.
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Report on fatal carbon monoxide poisoning aboard motor cruiser Diversion published by MAIB
The MAIB has released a report on fatal carbon monoxide poisoning aboard the motor cruiser Diversion. At about 2000 on 4 December 2019, the bodies of two men were discovered in the cabin of the privately owned motor cruiser Diversion, which was moored to a quay in the centre of York, England.
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Investigation report into collision between motor yachts Minx and Vision published by MAIB
MAIB has published a report on the investigation into collision between motor yachts Minx and Vision. In the evening on 25 May 2019, the Gibraltar registered motor yacht Vision collided with the UK registered motor yacht Minx, which was anchored at Île Sainte-Marguerite, near Cannes, France.
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MAIB report published about capsize and full inversion of self-righting keelboat RS Venture Connect
MAIB has published a report about the capsize and full inversion of self-righting keelboat RS Venture Connect. On 12 June 2019, Blackwell Sailing’s self-righting RS Venture Connect keelboat sail number 307 (RSVC 307) suffered a capsize and full inversion while sailing on Windermere, England. The boat was crewed by an experienced disabled sailor at the helm and a local sailing instructor who was acting as crewman.
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Capsize of liftboat linked to inadequate preload procedure reveals NTSB report
NTSB issued An accident report has been issues by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) on the overturning of lift-boat Kristin Faye while working alongside a platform in the Gulf of Mexico, in September 2019. The report identified the company’s inadequate preload procedure as key cause of the incident.
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Dixie Delight: Report published into Alabama boat and marina fire which killed eight people
NTSB has published its investigation report on the fire and explosion aboard houseboat Dixie Delight which spread through Jackson County Park Marina, Alabama, in January 2020, killing eight people
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Red Falcon: Report on collision between ro-ro passenger ferry moored yacht at Cowes published
MAIB release report on the ro-ro passenger ferry Red Falcon which lost orientation swinging out of control before colliding with the moored yacht Greylag.
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NTSB report calls USCG to follow its recommendations on duck boat sinking
NTSB publishes report after 17 of the 31 persons aboard the Stretch Duck 7 died when the amphibious passenger vessel (APV) sank during a high-wind storm that developed rapidly on Table Rock Lake near Branson, Missouri.
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MAIB report into keel failure and capsize of charter yacht Tyger of London
Tyger of London was being crewed by four paying passengers when they heard a loud bang. Tyger of London immediately heeled to starboard, capsized and inverted.
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MAIB report into the fatal sinking of Nancy Glen recommends a regular review of small fishing vessels’ stability
Nancy Glen was trawling at the time of the accident and the combined effect of a turn to starboard at the same time as the starboard net filling with mud caused the vessel to rapidly heel to starboard, then capsize. A safety recommendation has been made to the MCA to ensure that the stability of all fishing vessels under 15m is assessed and regularly reviewed.
Download the report
NTSB publishes its official report on Island Lady fire off Florida
The NTSB has released the official investigation report on the fire onboard the small passenger vessel ‘Island Lady’ on the Pithlachascotee River, near Port Richey, Florida. NTSB held a public meeting in mid-December where it identified insufficient preventative maintenance program and lack of guidance for responding to engine high-temperature conditions.
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MAIB report into carbon monoxide poisoning on motor cruiser Vasquez
At approximately 1200 on 12 November 2016, the owner of the 7.75m motor cruiser Vasquez fell unconscious after being overcome by carbon monoxide (CO) that had been emitted from failed rubber bellows that formed part of the inboard engine’s wet-exhaust system.
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Poor firefighting system and lack of crew training lead to PeeJay V sinking
In January 2016, the passenger vessel PeeJay V caught fire and sank. The reason was due to an ineffective main firefighting system and crew who did not fully understand how it should work. New Zealand’s TAIC has published its report on the incident highlighting that for a CO2 firefighting system to be useful, the space must be airtight and everyone involved should be fully trained and know how the system works.
Download the report
MAIB issues urgent safety bulletin after keel failure to a commercial yacht
The MAIB is investigating the keel failure and capsize of the UK registered commercial yacht Tyger of London while on passage from La Gomera to Tenerife, on 7 December 2017. The five persons on board were rescued from the water by the crew of a nearby yacht.
Download the safety bulletin
MAIB published its report on the Love for Lydia carbon monoxide deaths tragedy
Between 7 and 9 June 2016, the two occupants of the motor cruiser Love for Lydia died from carbon monoxide poisoning. The boat was moored alongside Wroxham Island, River Bure, Norfolk, and their bodies were found during the afternoon of 9 June in the boat’s forepeak cabin.
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MAIB safety bulletin on the use of safety harness tethers on sailing yachts
The hook at the end of the tether that was clipped to a jack-line, deformed and released resulting in him becoming separated from the yacht. Simon Speirs was recovered unconscious onto the yacht but sadly could not be resuscitated.
Read the story in full
MAIB report: Two wheelchair users died after wheelyboat capsized
On 8 June 2022, two wheelchair users lost their lives when a wheelyboat capsized on Roadford Lake, Devon, England.
Workboat Safety Briefings
Click to download the central IIMS Safety Briefings Database in Excel Format, a compilation of hundreds of safety reports: Main Safety Briefing Database
NTSB reccomends risk assessments after Key bridge collapse
The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recommended that 30 owners of 68 bridges across 19 states conduct a vulnerability assessment to determine the risk of bridge collapse from a vessel collision after the Key Bridge collapse.
NTSB investigation into fire on fishing vessel Three Girls
The failure of a component on the hydraulic system for on-deck fishing equipment likely led to a fire aboard a fishing vessel in the Gulf of Maine, according to the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board.
MAIB report into fire on board ro-ro ferry
At 21:15 on 11 February 2023, a fire broke out in the engine room of the roll-on/roll-off passenger ferry Stena Europe while on passage from Rosslare, Ireland, to Fishguard, Wales.
Failure of diesel generator caused engine room fire onboard Master Dylan
National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released an accident report focusing on the engine room fire aboard fishing vessel Master Dylan.
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MAIB report into immobilisation and flooding of dredger Shearwater following repeated collisions published
MAIB issue report on the UK registered dredger Shearwater – immobilised after its propeller shafts were fouled by a towline being used to tow the barge Agem One. The dredger and barge collided with each other repeatedly resulting in Shearwater being holed and flooded, before the towline parted and Agem One drifted away. There was no pollution or injury.
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Investigation makes seven safety recommendations after Scandies Rose sinking
NTSB has issued seven safety recommendations after the fatal sinking of the fishing vessel Scandies Rose in December 2019.
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Report issued by MAIB on fatal crush incident during transfer from workboat Beinn Na Caillich to a feed barge
The MAIB have issued a report into the fatal crush incident involving workboat Beinn Na Caillich. At about 1510 on 18 February 2020, the Ardintoul fish farm assistant manager drowned after falling into the water from a feed barge access ladder during a boat transfer. He stepped from the deck onto the ladder while Beinn Na Caillich was still moving forward and was crushed between the boat and the barge.
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Med Tuncer: Fire in enclosed lifeboat while testing batteries report issued
Transport Malta has published an investigation report on the fire on a lifeboat while carrying out tests onboard the Maltese-flagged tanker Med Tuncer in May 2020. The investigation identified a very high short circuit current within the batteries as a probable cause of the incident.
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Flooding and sinking of trawler Ocean Quest report published
MAIB have published their report on the flooding and sinking of trawler Ocean Quest. On 18 August 2019 and about 70 miles north-east of Fraserburgh, the UK registered trawler Ocean Quest, sank as a result of an engine room flood.
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Flooding of towing vessel caused by a lack of monitoring
NTSB has published an investigation report on the flooding of the towing vessel ‘Alton St Amant’ while moored in the Harvey Canal in New Orleans. The incident resulted in an oil discharge into the water. The investigation identified lack of pre-inspection and monitoring procedures for water transfer as a key cause of the incident.
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Report reveals fire on Finlandia Seaways ro-ro cargo vessel caused by catastrophic main engine failure
Ro-ro cargo vessel Finlandia Seaways suffered a catastrophic main engine failure that caused serious structural damage to the engine and a fire in the engine room. The vessel’s third engineer, who was on duty in the engine room at the time, suffered serious smoke-related lung, kidney and eye injuries during his escape.
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Engine failure caused fire on another towing vessel says NTSB report
NTSB has released an investigation report on the engine room fire aboard the towing vessel City of Cleveland on the Lower Mississippi River in February 2020. The investigation has identified that catastrophic engine failure caused fire along with crankcase breach of the port main engine.
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NTSB accident report concludes that incomplete safety procedures led to barge explosion
NTSB has published Marine Accident Report 20-34 detailing the findings of its investigation involving the explosion of a barge at the Illinois Marine Towing Heritage Slip on the Chicago Ship and Sanitary Canal, Illinois on the 4 November 2019.
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Crucial safety flaw is key finding of investigation into Bourbon Rhode sinking and fatalities
An accident investigation report by the Luxembourg authorities into the sinking of the vessel Bourbon Rhode with the tragic loss of four people on 26 September 2019 in the Atlantic Ocean has revealed a serious safety flaw of significance. The Luxembourg authorities have released an urgent safety bulletin as a consequence.
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Ignition of gas vapor onboard barge Alaganik the cause of fatal explosion reveals NTSB Report
NTSB has published an investigation report on the explosion and subsequent sinking of barge Alaganik in the Canal Passage, off Alaska in July 2019, which resulted in one fatality. The investigation identified ignition of gasoline vapor from a fuel cargo tank as key cause of the accident.
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Triple towboat sinking report published by NTSB
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has published its report on a towboat sinking incident in which three towboats and an unnamed deck barge sank in the Illinois River while moored at the Jersey County Grain Company facility in Hardin, Ill.
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NTSB investigation identifies lack of a towing safety management system
NTSB has published an investigation report into an incident when a crane barge U1510, pushed by the towing vessel Goose Creek, made contact with overhead powerlines on the Elizabeth River in June 2019. The report has highlighted poor company oversight and the lack of a towing safety management system.
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Ariel: Ignition of fuel leaking from the generator fuel supply line in the engine room caused sinking says report
NTSB has published its investigation report about the fire onboard and subsequent sinking of the fishing vessel Ariel, while in Sheep Bay, Alaska, in August 2019. It is believed the fire was caused by fuel leaking from the generator.
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Report issued by MAIB into the fatal capsize of fishing vessel Anna-Marie II
MAIB issue report on fatal capsizeing of Fishing vessel Anna-Marie II due to unusually high waves.
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Pacific 1: Poor decision to remain at sea during continuous flooding cited as main cause of sinking
The NTSB has published its investigation report on the flooding and sinking of the commercial fishing vessel Pacific 1 while in the Bering Sea, Alaska in February 2019. The report identified the master’s decision to remain at sea with continuous flooding as key cause of the sinking.
Download the report
Offshore Safety Briefings
Click to download the central IIMS Safety Briefings Database in Excel Format, a compilation of hundreds of safety reports: Main Safety Briefing Database
NTSB report: Liftboat overturns due to inadequate information about seafloor composition
US National Transportation Safety Board published its report on the liftboat Ram XVIII, that overturned in the Gulf of Mexico. The report revealed the overturn was due to inadequate information about seafloor composition.
Download the full report
USCG publishes a safety alert after three confined space fatalities on a MODU
The US Coast Guard (USCG) has issued an important Safety Alert on the dangers of confined space entry following a recent incident where three people were asphyxiated in a confined space on a drilling rig (MODU).
Read the safety alert
A safety alert issued by BSEE following inspections and findings from fired vessels
US Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) has issued a safety alert summarizing its findings and recommendations following a number of recent risk-based inspections. BSEE’s team of inspectors and engineers developed several recommendations from inspection findings to reduce the risks associated with fired vessels; hydrocarbon processing vessels on offshore oil and gas facilities with self-contained, natural or forced draft burners.
Download the safety alert
Stainless steel bolts at offshore facility fail due to corrosion cracking
The International Association of Oil & Gas Producers (IOGP) published an alert regarding an unexpected failure of certain kinds of strain-hardened Type 304 stainless steel bolts. The failure happened at an offshore facility during a pneumatic leak test of gas piping exiting a test separator.
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MAIB report: Man overboard from potting vessel Pioneer with loss of 1 life
Skipper accidentally entered the water with the deckhand unable to pull him back on board. After rescue by helicopter, he was unable to be revived
MAIB issues safety bulletin after fishing vessel Argos Georgia sinks leaving 13 dead
The vessel foundered while on passage from Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands to fishing grounds near the island of South Georgia. Of the 27 persons people on board, 13 perished
Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) Safety Digest Briefings
Click to download the central IIMS Safety Briefings Database in Excel Format, a compilation of hundreds of safety reports: Main Safety Briefing Database
MAIB publishes its latest safety digest 2/2021
Published October 2021
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Downloadable MAIB Spring 2021 Safety Digest of accident reports published
Published April 2021
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MAIB Safety Digest lessons from marine accident reports October 2020 published
Published October 2020
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MAIB publish latest Safety Digest
Published April 2020
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MAIB Safety Digest featuring the findings of 25 investigations and case studies
Published October 2019
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MAIB Safety Digest featuring the findings of 25 investigations and case studies
Published April 2019
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MAIB Safety Digest featuring the findings of 24 investigations and case studies
Published October 2018
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MAIB Safety Digest featuring the findings of 25 investigations and case studies
Published April 2018
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MAIB Safety Digest featuring the findings of 25 investigations and case studies
Published October 2017
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MAIB Safety Digest featuring the findings of 25 investigations and case studies
Published April 2017
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MAIB Safety Digest featuring the findings of 25 investigations and case studies
Published October 2016
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MAIB Safety Digest featuring the findings of 25 investigations and case studies
Published April 2016
Download the Safety Digest