Safety and Security

MAY 9, 2013 — A GAO report to Congressional committees finds major problems with the the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC program), which requires maritime workers to complete background checks and obtain biometric identification cards to gain unescorted access to secure areas of Maritime Transportation Security Act ( ...

MAY 8, 2013 – Senator John D. "Jay" Rockefeller IV (D. W.Va.), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, is continuing his efforts to provide "robust oversight" of the cruise industry. He has just sent letters to the three largest cruise line companies requesting informat ...

MAY 8, 2013 — At least five people have died and four are missing after the RO/RO containership Jolly Nero crashed into a control tower in the port of Genoa, Italy, according to local media. Front page photo of Il Secolo XIX newspaper shows that all that remains of Genoa control tower is an external staircase ...

APRIL 30, 2013 — The U.S. Coast Guard Inspections and Compliance Directorate has issued Marine Safety Alert on the use of surge protective devices on board vessels that corrects an alert on this subject issued earlier this month and adds additional information. Following is the text of the new alert: DC Surge Protect ...

APRIL 25, 2013 — Mobile Bay has been rocked by a series of explosions on empty compressed natural gas barges undergoing cleaning at an Oil Recovery Co. of Alabama facility on the Mobile River's east bank. Coast Guard Sector Mobile watchstanders received the initial notification at 8:40 p.m. reporting the barge explosion between ...

APRIL 23, 2013—Safety Management Systems LLC, Portland, ME, recently inked an agreement with American River Transportation Company (ARTCO) to to establish a Towing Safety Management System (TSMS) for the company in accordance with pending U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Subchapter M regulations. ARTCO, a wholly owned subsidiary of Archer Daniels Mi ...

APRIL 18, 2013 — The Shipbuilders Council of America (SCA) announced the winners of its 2012 Safety Awards at its recent General Membership Meeting in Washington, D.C. which was attended by more than 90 representatives from the shipyard industrial base from across the U.S. SCA's safety awards enhance operations and improve safet ...

MARCH 13, 2013 — As the official investigation headed by the Bahamas Maritime Authority continues to probe the engine room fire that broke out aboard the cruise ship Carnival Triumph last month, Carnival Cruise Lines has turned its attention to lessons to be learned from the incident. It is also ...