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 Is  Human Error Intentional or Unintentional?  By Capt.Nishant Mehta The Tragedy of " Fri Sea" : A Wake-Up Call On the evening of 28 March 2024, the " Fri Sea" , a Bahamas-flagged coastal cargo vessel, left Groveport, UK, having successfully discharged its cargo. It was a routine departure until preparations began for the pilot’s disembarkation. Two crew members were assigned the task of rigging the pilot ladder. Once completed, one seafarer returned to the accommodation while AB2, a 58-year-old sailor, stayed back on deck for a cigarette. Moments later, when the master called AB2 to signal the pilot’s readiness to disembark, there was no response. An immediate search was initiated. By 22:50, the pilot was informed of a suspected man overboard. The vessel stopped, and rescue efforts began, with the pilot boat, air, and sea rescue teams joining the search. Tragically, AB2’s body was discovered hours later onshore—without a lifejacket.  The post-mortem revealed that ...
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The Seapeak Napa Incident:  Navigating Risks in Maritime’s Green Alternate Fuel Transition By Capt.Nishant Mehta The early morning hours of October 27, 2023, were quiet at the Hyundai Oilbank Terminal in Daesan, South Korea. The Seapeak Napa, a 10,000 DWT LPG tanker, had just completed loading over 5,200 tonnes of cryogenic ethylene at a temperature of about -100deg C. For the 17-member crew, the 16-hour cargo loading operation was almost over, and preparations to disconnect the cargo lines were underway. But beneath this routine lay the seeds of disaster. The Setting: A Familiar Routine with High Stakes On deck, the gas engineer, worked on securing the manifold blank after disconnection of Cargo loading arm. This critical step would seal the ethylene’s containment. But his task was interrupted by a call to assist with cargo sampling. He left the manifold mid-task, planning to return shortly.  Image courtesy, Bahamas Maritime Authority, Marine Safety Investigation Report Oct 2...
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Uncharted Waters: The Tragedy of the Nova Cura Grounding

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  "The Final Voyage of Nova Cura" By Capt.Nishant Mehta On the morning of April 20, 2016, the Nova Cura , a freighter carrying 4,400 tonnes of steel, was gliding through the Aegean Sea on a course from Eregli to Aliaga, Turkey. She had already navigated the complex waterways of the Bosporus and the Dardanelles, an intricate path requiring careful navigation and constant vigilance. With a draft of 5.8 meters, the ship seemed to be on course for another routine voyage. But as is often the case at sea, small decisions can have big consequences. The second mate had planned the initial route west of Lesbos, aiming for the port of Izmir. That route was sound and safe. However, when the orders changed, the new destination became Aliaga, where the vessel was to load a container bound for Lisbon. The altered route appeared to be shorter and would save about two hours, a crucial difference to ensure the container could be loaded the same day. The captain decided to make the change and ...
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The Importance of Rest Hours: Lessons from the M/V Alfred Grounding

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  The Importance of Rest Hours: Lessons from the M/V Alfred Grounding By Capt.Nishant Mehta , Nautical Trainer Introduction In July 2022, the  M/V Alfred , a ferry operating between Scotland and the Orkney Islands, ran aground on Swona Island. The incident serves as a stark reminder that even the most experienced mariners are vulnerable to fatigue. Despite the master’s 20+ years of experience on this route and numerous successful trips, this accident was primarily caused by a brief loss of awareness—something that can happen to any of us when fatigue sets in. According to the  Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB)  report 03/2024, the master in most probability fell asleep for around 70 seconds, which was enough time for the vessel to veer off course and run aground at 13 knots. While this incident could have been prevented, it highlights the need for all of us to take fatigue seriously and manage it effectively, particularly when we're on watch. The Incident: ...
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