A fire in the engine room of the towing vessel Thor on the Delaware River caused $1.5 million in damage, but quick crew action prevented injuries and pollution.
DredgeWire Article: NTSB Finalizes Report of Feb. 25′ Fire on Towing Vessel Thor
Professional Mariner Article: Global Maritime Piracy, Armed Robbery Increased in 2025
Global piracy incidents rose again in 2025, with the Singapore Straits leading worldwide reports and violence against crews remaining a key concern.
Professional Mariner Article: Tow Breaks Apart After Barge Takes on Water, Rapidly Sinks
The NTSB found that excess weight forward and reduced freeboard caused barge PTC 706 to be forced underwater at the head of a 34-barge tow on the Lower Mississippi River.
gCaptain Article: ONE Henry Hudson Cargo Operations Resume at Port of Los Angeles After Fire
Container discharge operations have begun on the fire-damaged ONE Henry Hudson, marking a key recovery phase after one of the Port of Los Angeles’ most complex salvage efforts.
Professional Mariner Article: Coast Guard Releases Report on Fatal Ship Fire at Port Newark
The Coast Guard’s investigation into the Grande Costa D’Avorio fire identifies multiple safety concerns and issues recommendations following the deaths of two firefighters and $23 million in vessel damage.
Professional Mariner Article: NTSB Cites Compromised Hatch in Sinking of Lower Mississippi Towboat
New IMO amendments in force from Jan. 1 strengthen seafarer welfare, fire safety, container reporting, fuel standards, polar operations, and shipboard technology across multiple conventions.
MarineLog Article: Texas A&M’s Smart-Sea System Guides Seafarers Away From Collisions
Texas A&M engineers have unveiled Smart-Sea, a machine-learning system that analyzes radar data and vessel maneuverability to give seafarers real-time guidance aimed at preventing marine collisions.
Professional Mariner Article: Captain Fell Asleep Before Tugboat Hit Cape Disappointment Docks
The NTSB says fatigue linked to an acute COVID-19 infection caused the captain of the towing vessel Schweiger to fall asleep, leading to a dock strike and fuel spill near Ilwaco, Washington.
MarineLog Article: New USCG Cybersecurity Rules Raise Stakes for Operators
As ships grow more connected, ransomware and cyber intrusions threaten core vessel systems, prompting the U.S. Coast Guard to impose mandatory cybersecurity training and compliance deadlines starting in 2026.
Professional Mariner Article: Polar Code Adds New Safety Provisions, Includes More Vessels
Below-average polar sea ice and shifting ice patterns are tightening navigation windows just as expanded IMO Polar Code requirements take effect in 2026, increasing the importance of real-time ice data and voyage planning.