There have been a number of reports of battery explosions onboard vessels, with potential for human injury and fire. Shipbuilding consultant Narayana Prakash explains how they can happen and what to do to prevent them.

There have been numerous incidents of so-called “maintenance free” batteries catching fire and exploding on board ships.

The purpose of this Safety Alert is to emphasize the importance of properly installed and maintained listed or certified safe electrical equipment in hazardous areas in order to reduce the risk of fire or
explosion onboard vessels. The Coast Guard has seen a number of instances where there was a lack of knowledge in the marine industry as it relates to the installation, training, maintenance and inspection of these certified systems.

This edition of our newsletter includes the following topics;

- Pumproom Communication
- Lifejackets with Tie cords
- Lifeboat Markings
- Management of Inert Gas Tank Valves
- Carbon Monoxide detected inside Ballast Water Treatment plant room
- Covid-19 further OCIMF Guidance
- Critical Equipment

A recent collision on the Mississippi River serves as an important reminder that accurate AIS data entry and display is essential to safe navigation as one of the many important tools used in providing vessel operators with a clear picture of potential upcoming vessel passing situations, especially on waterways with bends, bridges, or other visual obstructions.

USCG officers have pointed out that spare charges of powder fire extinguishers were expired.
Further, it has been also reported that the manufacture or product of spare powder differed from those of actual fire extinguishers onboard.