(Join our newsfeed at: http://www.MaritimeCyprus.com) The “Letter of regret” is a classic piece of dry humor that has been kicking around the maritime community for a long time. We could all use a little more humor in our lives. Consider this contribution from Dennis L. Bryant. Letter of regret Dear Sirs: It is with regret and haste…
(Join our newsfeed at http://www.MaritimeCyprus.com) On 18 August 1990, the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90) was enacted into law in the USA. On March 24, 1989, the Exxon Valdez spilled over 11 million gallons of Alaskan crude into the water of Prince William Sound. There were many lessons learned the aftermath of the Valdez oil spill. Two…
(Join our newsfeed at http://www.MaritimeCyprus.com) On 11 August 2001, the motor vessel Windoc and the Allanburg Bridge suffered a collision. Ship-bridge collisions are rare, because a true collision requires that both objects be in motion at the time of impact. The Allanburg Bridge (also referred to as Bridge 11) is a lift bridge over the…
The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has published its Annual Report for 2016 highlighting the work of the branch during the year and includes: PART 1: 2016 OVERVIEW PART 2: INVESTIGATIONS, RECOMMENDATIONS AND PUBLICATIONS PART 3: STATISTICS In 2016 1 190 accidents (casualties and incidents) to UK vessels or in UK coastal waters were reported…
The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) determines the probable cause of the accidents and issues safety recommendations aimed at preventing future accidents. In addition, the NTSB carries out special studies concerning transportation safety and coordinates the resources of the federal government and other organizations to provide assistance to victims and their family members impacted by major transportation disasters. …
The “Black Tom Island” incident occurred on Sunday, 30 July 1916. German saboteurs ignited a fire at the munitions-loading facility in Jersey City, across from Manhattan. The ensuing explosions destroyed the waterfront facility and largely obliterated the island, killing four persons and causing over $40 million in property damage. It was the first state-sponsored terrorist attack in…
Stockholm The Swedish passenger ship Stockholm and the Italian passenger ship Andrea Doria collided on the edge of a heavy fog bank off Nantucket on 25 July 1956. The Andrea Doria sank several hours after the collision, but not before 1,660 passengers and crew were rescued. There were 46 deaths. While the exact cause of the casualty has never been determined,…
