Ship sinks in northern Philippines, 11 missing

Manila – At least 11 people were missing in the Philippines after ship carrying heavy equipment for an airport expansion project sank in northern waters.

Vice Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo told that nine other people from the Mark Jason I were rescued by two passing ships in choppy waters off Calayan island on Tuesday night. “Those rescued were seen clinging to the half-submerged ship,” Tamayo said, adding it was difficult to search for the others because of poor visibility and bad weather conditions. “We were told rescuers in the area were encountering strong winds, huge waves and poor visibility.” Tamayo said coast guard search-and-rescue vessels and an aircraft had been sent to look for the missing crew and passengers. The Mark Jason I left Manila a week ago with 14 crew and six other men bringing heavy equipment to Batanes island, off the northern tip of the main Luzon island. Ship accidents are common in the Philippines. Early this month, 39 people, including eight children, were drowned after a boat capsized in the central Philippines.

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Yantai Raffles debuts world’s strongest crane

Yantai Raffles Shipyard in China has celebrated the first commercial lift by its eagerly awaited new 20,000 tonne capacity crane system Taisun before a crowd of 750 local and international industry figures.

The massive 14,000 tonne deckbox of COSL semi-submersible drilling rig COSL Pioneer was lifted and mated onto the columns and hull of the Rig in one single operation, described as an unprecedented feat within the industry. The megalift crane system has taken the best part of 10 years to plan, design, build and install. “Taisun marks a fresh chapter in offshore engineering and construction,” said YRS deputy chairman Brian Chang during the ceremony. “We believe that this new construction methodology will create tremendous, mutually beneficial value for us and our clients.” Taisun enabled the concurrent construction of the COSLPioneer deckbox and hull; thereby bringing increased efficiency in project execution, up to 2m saved man hours, overall cost savings and extra yard capacity for YRS. The amount of work required at precarious heights was also greatly reduced, also improving safety levels and quality.  Taisun can also carry out installation of Floating, Production, Storage and Off-loading (FPSO) topsides onto the FPSO Hull, decommissioning of rigs as well as hoisting of mega structures with a width of up to 120 metres.

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Aker Philadelphia Shipyard and OSHA Form Partnership

Aker Philadelphia Shipyard, a leading U.S. commercial shipyard, recently signed an agreement entering into a partnership with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

The partnership is designed to assist Aker Philadelphia Shipyard in implementing a safety program to further protect employees, improve safety statistics and become qualified to participate in OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Program (VPP). The agreement was signed November 12th during a small ceremony at the shipyard by representatives of OSHA, The Philadelphia Metal Trades Council and Aker Philadelphia Shipyard. Under the agreement, the shipyard will develop a safety and health management program with a focus on Management Leadership and Employee Involvement, Worksite Analysis, Hazard Prevention and Control, and Training. These elements, based on OSHA’s 1989 Guidelines, and other goals, including reducing or maintaining injury and illness rates, could make the yard eligible to apply for OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) in as few as two years. Jim Miller, President and CEO of Aker Philadelphia Shipyard, stated “Aker Philadelphia Shipyard is honored to be selected and proud to partner with OSHA. Aker Philadelphia Shipyard is a leading U.S. commercial shipyard constructing vessels for operation in the Jones Act market. It possesses a state-of-the-art shipbuilding facility and has earned a reputation as the preferred provider of oceangoing merchant vessels with a track record of delivering quality ships.

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