One of the most unfortunate trends in the marine industry of recent years is undoubtedly the rise in the number of accidents at sea for which drug use has been a contributory factor.

Far from a matter of relevance solely to the drug user themselves, drug abuse can have a greatly detrimental effect on the safety of not only the user, but also everyone on board a vessel for which they are responsible. This makes drug use an issue that simply must be addressed by shipowners, operators and employers alike. Continue reading “Drug use: a look at the growing problem in the marine industry”

With gas leaks responsible for the deaths of 20 people a year according to British Gas, gas safety has long been a pressing issue in the UK, but it is easy to underestimate the danger that this literally invisible killer can pose in marine settings, too.

It may be easy to presume that the usual recommended measures for detecting gas leaks in your home – such as having a carbon monoxide alarm installed – would also suffice for a ship. However, the highly specialised nature of the marine industry and its associated use of oxygen and fuel gases for such shipbuilding and ship-repairing processes as welding, cutting, gouging, heating and brazing means that slightly more specific advice is needed when you are responsible for a ship. Continue reading “The Invisible Killer: How to Spot a Gas Leak On-Board”

There are various regulations to be mindful of when working in the shipping industry – and keeping in adherence to those regulations can be tricky. However, knowledge is power, so the saying goes – and, indeed, the more thoroughly that you educate yourself about these regulations and how they can differ, the better prepared you will be in the event that any of them are modified. Continue reading “A Quick Guide to Meeting Marine Regulations”

As a company concerned with helping to ensure the health and safety of workers on ships, we are eager for you to check that you are aware of the factors that can lead to a sudden cardiac arrest. Upon closer scrutiny of the facts, you could realise that many of your workers are at greater risk of sudden cardiac arrest than you currently believe or suspect. Continue reading “Sudden cardiac arrest: The risks you should be aware of”

Various regulations for ensuring safety on ships are outlined in the Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (Health and Safety at Work) Regulations 1997. You should heed the range of penalties that will be imposed should these regulations be violated. Continue reading “The Consequences of Not Complying with Ship Safety Regulations”