Tug Operations from the Deck
Tug work looks routine until a towline parts or a quick-release hook jams. What the deck team must actually control during tug operations.
Anchor Work from the Deck
A practical guide to anchor operations for the forecastle team: letting go, heaving, reading the chain, and why the bridge depends on your eyes.
Emergency Towing Arrangements and Procedures
ETA gear required by SOLAS II-1/3-4 on tankers, pickup procedures, and the reality of connecting a tow in heavy weather without propulsion.
AHTS Anchor Handling – The Basics for Newcomers
Anchor handling remains offshore’s most dangerous routine operation. This article covers the AHTS aft deck, core operations, vocabulary, and what kills.
Cargo Gear – Cranes, Derricks and Cargo Winches
Shipboard cargo gear as an integrated system: crane and derrick types, certification, pre-use checks, SWL at radius, and the failures that actually sink operations.
Ensuring maritime safety in times of rapid change
Ensuring maritime safety in times of rapid change
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International Shipping News
18/04/2026
Operating in a rapidly evolving regulatory and technological landscape, the cruise segment is adopting a technology‑driven approach to safety, crew training, and fleet operations. Strong partnerships with trusted experts, such as those from DNV, enable Carnival Cruise Line to translate complex demands into practical, future‑ready solutions.
Facing new technologies, regulations, sustainability goals, and a significant generational change, leading cruise operators are focusing on crew development and digital literacy whilst integrating tools for risk management and safety. A robust technology-enabled safety culture and fostering collaboration across all levels is key.
Snap-back zones – where lines kill
The physics of stored elastic energy, the geometry of line failure, and why painted deck markings are not the complete picture.
Hormuz on 16 April: Dry & Liquid crossings drop to 4; no gas activity recorded
Hormuz on 16 April: Dry & Liquid crossings drop to 4; no gas activity recorded
in
International Shipping News
18/04/2026
A quick update from AXSMarine on the latest vessel movements through the Strait of Hormuz.
On 16 April, we recorded 4 confirmed crossings across tracked segments, down from 8 on 15 April, marking a further slowdown following the US counter-blockade enforcement. This brings the post-blockade (13–16 April) average to 8.2 crossings per day, compared to 11.6 during the ceasefire window (8–12 April).
Notably, no gas carrier crossings were observed on 16 April — the first gas-free day since 13 April — highlighting continued weakness in the most risk-sensitive segment.
Activity on the day was split evenly between dry bulk and tankers:
Two dry bulk/MPP vessels crossed inbound (East→West), including NESHAT (Iranian-owned) and SDR UNIVERSE (Turkey-owned). No outbound bulk movements were recorded, placing the segment at the lower end of its recent post-blockade range.
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Deck Rounds and Routine Inspections
A deck round that walks past the ship instead of seeing it is not an inspection — it is a liability dressed as compliance.
Watchkeeping Discipline on Deck (Sea, Port, Anchor)
Three different jobs share the same name. Each demands a distinct discipline, and each fails in its own way when complacency sets in.