Loss Prevention Advice
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This circular is to draw attention to incidents of concern regarding shipments of coal from North-East Coast USA. Incidents have involved explosions resulting in the displacement/removal of hatch covers.
The US Coast Guard issued a Marine Safety Alert in February 2025 highlighting some of the issues: (https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Portals/9/DCO%20Documents/5p/CG-5PC/INV/Alerts/USCGSA_0725.pdf)
The issues are complex, and incidents remain under investigation. This circular is not therefore intended to provide views or guidance on issues arising in the USCG alert. The purpose of this circular is to raise awareness given the potential for harm to people and the environment. It is also to recommend that members contact their Clubs if they plan to fix or charter a ship to load coal from the North-East Coast USA, or where under an existing fixture a ship is ordered to load such cargo.
This will enable the Underwriters to provide Members with relevant information to understand and manage the risks. Given the complexities this may involve a recommendation that members seek expert advice.
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Key recommendations regarding the identification, management, and mitigation of both temporary and permanent hazards onboard ships to prevent slips, trips, and falls.
There is a distinction between temporary or operational hazards, and those that are permanent or exist by nature of the ship’s structures or arrangements. However, for both, early identification and subsequent action to make these hazards safe are key.
Temporary hazards – mitigate and remove promptly
Temporary hazards should ideally be identified during the work planning and risk assessment processes. Constant vigilance from all personnel, along with adequate work equipment and safe work procedures are also required to reduce the risk. This is particularly important during periods such as dry dock, when many hazards may be present simultaneously.
Slipping hazards are generally the results of leakage, spillage or poor housekeeping. Effective preventative measures include adequate maintenance, good operational practices and regular cleaning. Ongoing cleaning (not just upon completion of a task) during maintenance and other work can be overlooked but is vitally important to keep the workplace safe. No one should enter a machinery space without proper personal protective equipment, regardless of the task being carried out or the length of time inside.
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It has been an increased number of damaged underwater pipelines, cables and their protective structures in Turkish waters.
Anchors and chains can sever or damage pipelines, power or fiber optic cables and protective mattresses which can lead to costly claims. Even suspected damage incidents (where no actual damage is ultimately ascertained) often trigger administrative investigations, leading to costly underwater inspections, standby tugboat deployments, administrative fines imposed by local authorities and operational delays or detentions on the vessels.
Consequently, shipowners are required to carry out diver inspections using remotely operated vehicles (ROV) and ultra-short baseline (USBL) acoustic positioning systems. In cases where the anchors have entangled the submarine cables, apart from the damage, removal of the anchors is extremely costly. In such cases, the appointment of a diver company would also be subject to the approval of the company that owns the underwater pipeline, cable or structure.
Recommendations
Shipowners are reminded to ensure that charts covering anchorage areas are up to date. Masters should plan the anchoring operation considering swinging circles, location of other vessels in their vicinity, water depth and presence of any cables and pipelines in their company anchoring checklists and procedures.
Once anchored, an anchor watch should be maintained and detailed logbook entries kept. Records of all VTS and port control instructions and warnings should be maintained as they may be scrutinized in the event of a claim.
Shipowners should take note of this information and be guided accordingly. The Managers would like to thank our correspondent Metropole Maritime & Trading Co., Ltd., Istanbul for their assistance on this topic and for providing the information upon which this Alert has been based.
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A significant rise in Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) interference incidents affecting vessels in Middle Eastern regions between October 3 and 7, 2025.
According to UKMTO, the number of interference reports has notably increased compared with the same period last week. The affected areas include the Strait of Hormuz, Bandar-e-Pars, Port Sudan, and stretches of the Gulf and Suez Canal. Visual mapping bellow shows the positions of reporting vessels, with red and white pins marking their locations.
