The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB), has pblished its report into the grounding of the 'Heemskerkgracht' on Aug 22, 2024, in the South Shore Canal of the St. Lawrence Seaway off Kahnawake, Quebec, after a sudden loss of propulsion. According to the Transportation Safety Board of Canada, the main engine shut down due to the activation of a false alarm on the oil mist detector (OMD). The vessel was anchored while awaiting assistance and was later refloated and towed to the Port of Côte-Sainte-Catherine. The vessel sustained minor hull damage. Oil mist detectors are designed to prevent catastrophic engine failures by shutting down the engine if oil mist is detected. However, these detectors cannot differentiate between oil mist, water vapour, or smoke, which can trigger false alarms. In this case, a maintenance oversight played a key role. During a scheduled maintenance, the OMD measuring head was replaced with a different model that required an external power source for its heater, unlike the original, which was self-powered. As a result, the heater was left unpowered, leaving the measuring head vulnerable to false alarms caused by water vapour. The investigation found that water vapour buildup triggered the false alarm, causing the automatic engine shutdown and subsequent grounding. Actionable insights for safety leaders The TSB report underscored that following the occurrence, the vessel operator replaced the OMD measuring head with a unit matching the original model. The new head was installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions and was properly calibrated and tested. Thecase demonstrates the need for rigorous oversight of equipment changes, thorough documentation, and regular verification that safety systems are fully functional. The TSB’s investigation serves as a reminder: even well-intentioned safety devices can introduce new risks if not properly managed.
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AITO NUI II
More than a year after the propellers of the 'Aito Nui II' were damaged when it struck a coral head in Hitiaa after accompanying the gas tanker delivering to the Moux Group's storage facility, the tug will enter the floating dock on Nov 20, 2025, for propeller repairs. The reason is the availability of the dock, which is in high demand. The operation is scheduled to last approximately one month, after which another month the ship will run trials. It should therefore be able to return to service around Jan 15, 2026. The Port Authority had chartered the tug 'Cyathea' from a New Caledonian shipowner. The six-month contract was renewed and runs until December to assist container ships arriving in Papeete, which need the assistance of two tugs.
SHENG LONG YU NO.61
The 'Sheng Ling Yu No.. 61' with a Taiwanese skipper and 10 Indonesian crew members on board, was hit by lightning near Guam on Sep 4, 2025, and was reported missing after losing contact. The ship has contacted the authorities and the crew was reportedly safe on the afternoon of Sep 6. The master reported that the lightning had knocked out the trawler’s equipment and disabled its communication system. While they gauged how to return to Taiwan, they encountered a Japanese fishing trawler, whose crew had allowed the captain to use their satellite phone. The ship’s propulsion system was still working, but the refrigerating system was down, leaving the crew unable to keep fishing. All crew members were safe. The crew was trying to find a solution to the ship’s equipment problems while planning its voyage to Taiwan.
LANDEGODE
The repairs of the Moskenes ferry pier were underway on Sep 8, and it was expected to operate again on Sep 9 at 4.45 p.m.. The sailings between Bodø and Moskenes in Lofoten were cancelled until further notice after the allision of the "Landegode" collided with the ferry pier in Moskenes on Sep 4 at 8 p.m. If everything goes according to pla the ferry service between Bodø and Lofoten will resume as normal. The temporary ferry route between Bodø and Svolvær was continued on Sep 8. It is around three quarters of an hour longer than the regular route from Bodø to Moskenes. The Norwegian Public Roads Administration encouraged travelers to follow Torghatten's website for updated information on timetables. The 'Landegode' shifted to Bodø on Sep 7.
CUAUHTEMOC BE 01
The Mexican Navy was expecting the repairs to the 'Cuauhtémoc' to be completed by the end of September. Once delivered, the plan is for the ship to continue its training cruise with the cadets of the Heroic Naval School. Every year, it conducts a training cruise with naval cadets around the world, as an exercise in diplomatic relations and training for the country's next sailors. Currently, the 'Cuauhtémoc' remained at the Caldwell Shipyard on Staten Island, near New York City. It is in the final phase of its repair. The Navy authorities were currently verifying the repair work and working to adapt the safety systems to continue the mission. Once the repairs are completed, the naval cadets will gather in New York to continue their training cruise and return to Mexico via the New York-Cozumel, Quintana Roo-Progreso, Yucatán route, arriving at the Port of Veracruz in November to complete the mission and graduate in 2026. The United States National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is currently conducting the relevant investigations into the accident, and it is estimated that the final report will be released in the coming months. Regarding repair costs, the ship's insurance company covered the approximately half-million dollars caused by the allision on May 17.