Sleepless in St. Louis
MOPS Marine License Insurance Blog
by Kim Ochs
1y ago
A little over a year after a fire broke out on the Mary Lynn on the Mississippi River, the internet is abuzz with the findings of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation into the incident. Overpressurization of the fuel system led to the fire aboard the towing vessel, federal investigators said. However, the NTSB probe also determined that fatigue almost certainly played a role in the fire near St. Louis that resulted in over $700,000 in damages. According to the agency’s press release, investigators “concluded the chief engineer was likely affected by acute fatigue as he ..read more
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Who Needs the Jones Act?
MOPS Marine License Insurance Blog
by Kim Ochs
2y ago
You may be surprised to find that you might.  Whoever could have predicted that a federal law enacted in 1920 would be stirring up so much controversy more than a full century later? Well, that’s precisely what’s happened in recent weeks with the Jones Act, which regulates maritime commerce in the United States. The statute, among other things, requires that ships carrying cargo between the nation’s ports must be U.S.-owned, -built, -crewed, and -registered. Enemies of the Jones Act claim that, due to its restrictions to protect U.S. industries from foreign competition, the law is ac ..read more
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Thank You Seafarers!
MOPS Marine License Insurance Blog
by Kim Ochs
2y ago
World Maritime Day, celebrated this year on September 30th, is an annual observance created by the United Nations to recognize the maritime industry’s contribution to the global economy. The International Maritime Organization chose “seafarers at the core of shipping’s future” as the theme to celebrate this year’s special day. And rightly so, as approximately 90% of global trade is carried on ships. As IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim succinctly put it, “Shipping drives world trade and that trade simply does not happen without seafarers.” Around the world, there are over 1 ..read more
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Batten Down the Hatches!
MOPS Marine License Insurance Blog
by Kim Ochs
2y ago
A Shortage of Merchant Mariners is on the Horizon Not surprising, in the wake of COVID-19, the world of merchant seafarers is projected to be less populated in the not-so-distant future. Short staffed and overworked crews—stranded on extended shifts during the pandemic—seem reason enough to ward off future professional mariners. However, the dwindling workforce of certified officers has been long in the making. According to Reuters journalist Jonathan Saul’s gCaptain article, The Pool of Ship Officers is Running Dry: The shipping industry is already struggling with crewing shortfalls due to th ..read more
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A Moment of Chaos, A Lifetime of Grief
MOPS Marine License Insurance Blog
by Kim Ochs
2y ago
Infamy is not a term anyone wants to be associated with. But, in the case of a maritime incident gone viral, some of the world’s best and most experienced mariners have unwittingly become infamous. Just like James E. Mercante, Esq., a partner and maritime attorney at Rubin, Fiorella, Friedman & Mercante LLP, states in his recent article “The ‘Ever Given’ Will Ruin More Than Just a Muddy Canal,” “any type of major marine casualty will not only ruin a captain or pilot’s entire day, but can be agonizing and costly for years.” As Mercante revisits several past and, sadly, still “infamous ..read more
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Fatigue Barges in on Another Incident
MOPS Marine License Insurance Blog
by Kim Ochs
3y ago
Recently, while under tow by the towing vessel Island Chief, an unmanned barge crashed into a private waterfront home and several privately-owned docks in Gig Harbor, Washington. At the time of the incident, the barge was not carrying any cargo, and it was pulled free by the tug without any injuries, pollution or significant vessel damage. Unfortunately, however, the damages to the affected property are estimated to be over $250,000 and the Investigating Officer has determined this to be a Serious Marine Incident. According to gCaptain's Barge Crashes Into Home in Washington article: “The Coas ..read more
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Pandemic Stress Weighs on Mariners
MOPS Marine License Insurance Blog
by Kim Ochs
3y ago
Professional mariners are exposed to a number of stressors due to their demanding work environment, such as grueling schedules, separation from family and friends, lack of quality sleep, and time pressures. However, over the past year, the COVID-19 pandemic and the uncertainties associated with it (e.g., struggling economy, health of vulnerable loved ones, vaccinations, remote work/school for family members) have given rise to unprecedented levels of stress. This can be particularly troublesome for professional mariners since the consequences of stress can be disastrous. In addition to taking ..read more
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Mask-Wearing Now Required for All Passenger Vessels
MOPS Marine License Insurance Blog
by Kim Ochs
3y ago
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued an Order that requires all persons to wear face masks when boarding, disembarking, and for the duration of travel on conveyances and at transportation hubs within the U.S. to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The Order, which went into effect at 11:59 p.m. ET on Feb. 1, also requires conveyance operators to make best efforts to ensure compliance. The new guidance applies to all travelers and conveyance operators and crew members aboard airplanes, ships, ferries, trains, subways, buses, taxis, and ride-shar ..read more
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USCG Warns Mariners Against Disabling AIS
MOPS Marine License Insurance Blog
by Kim Ochs
3y ago
The USCG has issued a warning to mariners to not disable their vessel's Automated Identification System (AIS) due to the potential for danger and the legal consequences they could face. As US Coast Guard Sector Columbia River boarding team supervisor Lt. Collin Gruin states, "AIS is a vital tool in a host of Coast Guard missions including search and rescue and port security. It's not only illegal to turn it off but also incredibly dangerous." AIS is a maritime navigation safety communications system that automatically transmits vessel information to shore stations, other ships, and aircraft. V ..read more
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Grounding Launches Runaway Barges
MOPS Marine License Insurance Blog
by Kim Ochs
3y ago
It was a beautiful mid-summer afternoon in the nation’s heartland. The skies were clear, the sun was shining and the variable southwest breeze barely caused a ripple on the muddy water of the winding river. Hopeful fishermen lined the riverbanks, and a few recreational boats were cruising close to the floating docks lining both shores. This tranquil scene on this busy waterway was about to change…and quickly. A Parting of the Ways About a half mile upriver, a tug was proceeding southbound on a slow bell with two barges made up end-to-end along her starboard side. The slow-moving tow was procee ..read more
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