Activity
Bunkering
Fuel transfer to vessels and its operational hazards.
Documents
- 2026Feb
CHIRP Superyacht FEEDBACK 11 (February 2026)
Six superyacht reports examine an unpermitted hull repair, a close-quarters encounter, grounding on uncharted coral, fuel-handling failure, hazardous acetone use in a bilge sump and premature anchor release. Commentary addresses reporting culture, collision avoidance, passage planning, fuel purification, respiratory protection limitations and confined-space precautions, emphasising communication and challenges to unsafe decisions.
- 20257 Nov
Bunker hose obstructing emergency exit
A bunker hose on an offshore vessel prevented a stern emergency hatch from opening, potentially blocking escape. The flash discusses hose routing, crew supervision and incorporating engine-room escape into bunkering risk assessments and toolbox talks. It stresses keeping exits clear and asks whether barriers or signage could prevent obstruction.
- 202416 Jul
Bunker hose damaged during connection
During offshore bunkering, a hose secured to a supply vessel’s aft bollard remained attached to another vessel’s crane. Relative vessel movement stretched and damaged its outer layer, prompting cancellation. The flash describes a risk assessment review and bridge communication requirements to avoid tying off crane-connected hoses where possible.
- 2024
CHIRP Maritime FEEDBACK 74 (Spring 2024)
This maritime digest examines tug and barge safety, dry-ice asphyxiation, leaking bunker connections, sulphur-emission non-compliance, a fall during mast work, lift-maintenance hazards and open cargo hatches at sea. Commentary addresses leadership, familiarisation, ventilation, permits to work and verified isolation, alongside design shortcomings and protection for confidential reporters.
- 202313 Nov
Positive: Master stopped unsafe fuel transfer whilst vessel alongside rig
A supply vessel halted fuel transfer after its watch officer spotted welding on an adjacent semi-submersible rig. The flash highlights prompt bridge intervention, reporting and positive recognition by rig management. It identifies missing communication about hot work despite mandatory confirmation of simultaneous operations through the Safety Zone checklist.
- 202119 Nov
Fuel oil hose burst during bunkering
A two-inch fuel oil hose burst during bunkering in port as the transfer rate increased, spilling around 30–50 litres onto the jetty. None went overboard. The cause remained unconfirmed despite recent third-party testing. The flash recommends inspecting hose stowage and considering more frequent repositioning of coiled hoses to avoid localised damage.
- 201925 Apr
Oil spill during bunkering
A vessel bunkering alongside spilled around three litres of fuel after a hose coupling was loosened to investigate back pressure. The flash identifies failures to check drainage and residual pressure, describes containment and clean-up on deck and pier, and records a full review of bunkering procedures.
- 2018Oct
MAIB Safety Digest 2/2018
A collection of marine accident lessons covering merchant vessels, fishing boats and recreational craft. Cases examine navigation errors, flooding, machinery failures, fires, scalding, overboard emergencies and carbon monoxide poisoning. Discussion addresses electronic chart checks, alarm use, maintenance, risk assessment and practised emergency procedures, with appended rescue-line and yacht-keel safety bulletins.
- 201723 Aug
Uncontrolled movement of crane block and pennant during lifting operations at sea
During bunkering at sea, vessel roll caused a crane hoist block to strike a platform, setting its pennant and hook swinging into a workstation near deck crew. The flash examines rejected arrangements, limited communication and inadequate interdepartmental planning, and records stopping, reassessing and rerouting the hose before completion.
- 201725 Jul
Parting of hawser and bulk cargo hose during tandem mooring
During tandem bunkering at sea, a mooring rope parted under intermittent jerking as both vessels yawed. Fuel transfer had not begun because the receiving vessel’s pump would not start. The empty hose subsequently parted during tugger-winch retrieval after becoming entangled. The flash discusses postponing operations pending pump readiness or improved weather.
- 201728 Mar
Vessel activities near platforms – two incidents
Two vessel incidents near fixed platforms illustrate failures in fuel-system restoration and steering control. An AHTS vessel blacked out and drifted away after generators tripped; another vessel struck a flare bridge during personnel transfer following rudder feedback-unit failure. Actions address bunkering procedures, handovers, emergency-generator checks and communications.
- 201620 Dec
Fuel spill during in-port bunkering
A platform supply vessel spilled fuel during bunkering in port. Fuel leaking from a sample/drain cock entered a drip tray and drained overboard with fresh water from a leaking manifold valve. The investigation identified incomplete pre-bunkering checks and inadequate watchkeeping. Pumping was stopped and containment booms deployed.
- 201622 Nov
Fuel oil bunkering safety
This safety flash briefly describes fuel oil spilling into a vessel’s engine room during bunkering. Preparations included a correctly completed checklist and a crew toolbox talk. It provides no spill quantity or cause and directs readers to the Marine Safety Forum for the underlying flash.
- 20169 Nov
Near miss: Hose parted
A hose parted during attempts to free it between an anchor handling tug and a drill ship during cargo and fuel delivery. Missing flotation collars were identified as the root cause; no oil leak was observed. Lessons address pre-use hose checks, flotation where necessary and willingness to stop work.
- 20164 Jul
Minor fuel spill during offshore transfer
During offshore fuel delivery by a platform supply vessel, fuel sprayed from an unused connection shortly after pumping began at a low rate. Operations stopped immediately; less than one litre was estimated to have reached the sea. The flash highlights checking every connection, closing and capping valves, and regular manifold inspection and maintenance.
- 201516 Jan
Lost time injury (LTI): Hand injury during mooring operations
A crewman sustained severe left-hand lacerations when relative vessel movement tensioned a mooring rope, trapping his palm between its eye and a bollard. The flash identifies insufficient slack, absent VHF coordination and lone working, with lessons on bridge-led communication, pre-work risk assessment, weather-related procedures and buddy working.
- 201431 Dec
Environmental Alert 006/2014
This environmental alert addresses hydrocarbon and chemical releases during bunkering in darkness, including prolonged non-detection and hose management problems. It calls for avoiding night-time bunkering where possible and ensuring additional controls when unavoidable, discussing floating hoses, infra-red cameras, extra lighting and personnel.
- 201416 Jun
First aid incident during at-sea fuel transfer – mooring lines
This brief safety flash reports injuries to two crewmen struck by tensioned mooring lines during fuel transfer at sea. It points readers to the Marine Safety Forum for the underlying flash, available on request, without supplying further incident circumstances or specific preventive measures.
- 20134 Sep
Bunkering hose cut by propeller
This safety flash summarises a Marine Safety Forum incident involving a bunkering hose that sank, fouled a propeller and sustained damage. The supplied account gives no incident date, location, release quantity or preventive measures, and directs readers to request older flashes from the Forum.