Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.
-
Baltimore Bridge collapses after ship collision
In the early hours of 26th March 2024, a Singapore-flagged vessel Dali made contact with one of the supporting pillars of the Francis Scott Key bridge causing it to collapse right away. The vessel was heading out of Baltimore port and was meant to pass between the bridge pillars but unfortunately, it struck one of…
-
Marine Plastic Pollution | Definition, Sources, Effects, & Solutions
Introduction The development of plastic in the 20th century was nothing short of a revolution. It was cheap, lightweight, durable, and easy to manufacture. Plastic technology’s evolution has enabled it to infiltrate every field of life, from chairs to space shuttle parts. However, plastics have a problem. Synthetic plastics, in particular, decompose at an alarmingly…
-
Greenhouse gas emissions and shipping measures to reduce them
Introduction Climate change is a grim reality today. Due to the rise in global temperatures, we are seeing effects such as hotter temperatures, increased drought, severe storms, loss of species, and health risks. As a result, there is a global shift among all industries to operate more responsibly. Maritime transportation has been at the forefront…
-
Wind propulsion systems will power ships and cut emissions
Introduction The maritime industry is also evolving to fight climate change and global warming. One way of doing this has been to research and implement renewable energy sources to propel and power ships. Wind propulsion systems are an option among several others to reduce dependency on fossil fuels and associated emissions. While this technology has…
-
Zero Carbon Emission Ships – Achievable or a Pipe Dream?
Introduction 90% of world trade occurs through the sea. Compared to other modes of transport, shipping is 80% cheaper and produces relatively less carbon emissions. But the sheer scale at which shipping operates makes it a contender for carbon emissions reductions as any optimizations can have massive effects. In addition to ships, optimizations are possible…
-
Measuring Main Engine Bearing Clearances
Introduction Bearings support the load of various components while ensuring no metal-to-metal contact occurs between them. In this article, we take a look at how to measure the various bearing clearances in the main engine of a ship. Main Engine Clearances In the main engine, we must measure clearances of the main bearings, crank pin…
-
Propeller Cavitation – Reasons, effects and prevention
Understanding Propeller Cavitation – Principle, Causes, Effects and Prevention Introduction Propeller cavitation is a destructive phenomenon that can damage the propeller and the components around it such as the hull, rudder, and any other appendages. While the first instances of a working screw propeller go back to 200 BC, the theory of cavitation has been…
-
11 Suez Canal Facts You Might Not Know
11 Suez Canal Facts You Might Not Know Introduction Since its inauguration in 1869, Suez Canal has served as a super-efficient trade route connecting the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea. In this article, we try to explore some less-known facts about the Suez Canal that will leave you in awe of this architectural wonder.…
-
Types of Lifeboats: A Comprehensive Guide
Introduction Lifeboats are an essential component of all vessels at sea. They are the backup when all else fails and the crew must abandon the ship for survival. In this article, we explore the different types of lifeboats and their advantages. Let us begin. What is a lifeboat? A lifeboat is a self-sufficient specialised watercraft…
-
MARPOL overview for beginners – 15 min summary
MARPOL overview for beginners – 15 min summary Introduction MARPOL stands for Marine Pollution. It is the main international convention that addresses the different types of pollution from ships operating around the world. It also covers fixed and floating platforms to some extent. In this article, we explore MARPOL to get a brief overview of…
Got any book recommendations?