From Paper to Practice: How Coast Guard Inspections Are Changing

For decades, vessel inspections were largely driven by documentation. Inspectors reviewed certificates, logs, and checklists to confirm that vessels met…

Hidden Fire Risks Onboard: Why Electrical Systems Are Under Increased Scrutiny

Electrical fires are rapidly emerging as one of the most serious and least visible hazards in modern marine operations. Historically,…

Insurance Is Getting Tougher: What Vessel Owners Need to Know Before Renewal

Vessel owners across the United States-and particularly in the Northeast-are experiencing a clear shift in how marine insurance is handled.…

Working in Restricted Visibility: Collision Risk Management in the New Bedford Fleet

Introduction: Fog as a Defining Operational Risk Restricted visibility is not an occasional inconvenience for New Bedford vessels-it is a…

Dockside to Deep Sea: Preparing New Bedford Vessels for Coast Guard Exams and Insurance Surveys

Introduction: Inspections as a Constant in Offshore Fishing Commercial fishing vessels operating out of New Bedford regularly venture beyond three…

After the Near Miss: How Incident Reviews Strengthen New Bedford’s Fishing Fleet

Introduction: Why Near Misses Matter in Commercial Fishing Commercial fishing out of New Bedford operates at an unforgiving pace. Crews…

Why Condition Is Overtaking Age in Working Boat Valuations

Introduction: A Shift in How Working Boats Are Valued For decades, the age of a vessel was one of the…

When Inspections Affect Value: How Deficiencies Impact Financing and Resale

Introduction: Inspections as a Financial Trigger, Not Just a Regulatory Event Vessel inspections are often viewed narrowly as regulatory hurdles-events…

How Subchapter M Compliance Impacts Tug and Towboat Valuations

Introduction: Why Subchapter M Now Directly Affects Vessel Value Subchapter M fundamentally changed how tug and towboat operations are regulated…

Why the Same Deficiencies Keep Appearing in Marine Inspections

Introduction: Why Inspection Deficiencies Keep Repeating Across commercial vessels of all types-tugs, passenger vessels, fishing boats, and workboats-marine inspections continue…

Radar Isn’t a Lookout: Why Restricted-Visibility Incidents Keep Happening

Introduction: Why Restricted-Visibility Incidents Keep Happening Collisions and allisions in fog, rain, and other restricted-visibility conditions continue to occur across…

Cargo Lost at Sea: What Container Casualties Reveal About Heavy-Weather Readiness

Introduction: The Rising Risk of Container Losses at Sea Container losses at sea continue to make headlines, often following severe…