This is a summary of the MCA collections of articles involving vessels from the merchant, fishing and small craft sectors to help the marine community to learn lessons arising from a variety of accidents.

During a sire inspection the Vetting inspector requested to test the emergency generator. When the generator was started by the crew, one of the two starting batteries exploded.

Port State Control (PSC) deficiencies are being issued by Paris Memorandum of Understanding
member states over fire-fighting outfits with the following indications:
• Not suitable for fire entry;
• Not a fire entry suit; or
• Outfit with buttons and or latches penetrating the suit and conducting heat to the wearer.

With effect from 1st January 2020, amendment 05-19 may be applied by Governments on a voluntary basis but with effect from 1st January 2021 it will enter into mandatory force. It is important to recognise that in the period 1st January 2020 – 31st December 2020 the 2018 edition of the IMSBC (including amendment 04-17) is the mandatory instrument in jurisdictions where the 2020 edition has not been voluntarily adopted. Members should also note the contents of circular CCC.1/Circ.2/Rev.1 dated 20 September 2017 in respect of the carriage of bauxite under the provisions of the 2018 edition of the IMSBC code.

This Safety Alert addresses the importance of checking for and replacing damaged control cables that operate between the release handle and hook in a lifeboat hook release system. The Coast Guard is currently investigating a casualty involving the unintended on-load release of a lifeboat hook from a davit fall wire. Prior to the incident, damage was noted to a control cable between the release handle
and one of the hooks. However, the damaged cable remained in service. The damage may have subsequently worsened over time and contributed to the unintentional release.