While both Marine Gas Oil (MGO) and Ultra Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (ULSFO) both meet the 0.1% sulphur limit for Emission Control Areas (ECAs), they are fundamentally different: Marine Gas Oil (MGO) is a pure, "clear and bright" distillate that behaves like high-grade diesel and is generally the most reliable and expensive option, requiring no heating but posing risks of low-viscosity leakage or "dry" injector wear. In contrast, Ultra Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (ULSFO) is typically a "hybrid" blend containing residual oil components, making it cheaper and more lubricious but technically complex, as it requires onboard heating to reach injection viscosity and carries a high risk of chemical instability or "sludging" if mixed with other fuels.

Barry discusses a recent act of pilotage that he did where the choice between the two types of fuel may have made the main engine fluctuate and the Master forced to declare that he may have a problem. His hands-on current practice as a pilot allows him to give a unique perspective into the fuelling decisions being made in Northern Europe.

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At Captain Barry Sadler Maritime Training & Consultancy we deliver industry-leading online courses, oral exam preparation, and professional resources for deck officers, cadets, and maritime professionals. Fully aligned with UK MCA standards, our training helps you build knowledge, confidence, and a successful career at sea.

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On December 6th 2025, the Baltic Klipper lost 16 containers overboard in the Solent near Nab Tower after experiencing severe rolling in heavy weather. HM Coastguard was alerted and issued navigational warnings as the drifting containers posed a significant hazard to one of the UK’s busiest waterways. Aerial searches located several containers, and over the following days eleven washed ashore along the West Sussex coastline, including Selsey and Pagham. Although most boxes contained fruit and were not hazardous, authorities warned the public to avoid the wreck material. The incident caused operational disruption to local shipping, including delays to passenger vessels, while recovery and investigation efforts continued.

Barry discusses the incident, some of the problems caused and how liability can be apportioned under internationally agreed carriage of cargo rules.

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At Captain Barry Sadler Maritime Training & Consultancy we deliver industry-leading online courses, oral exam preparation, and professional resources for deck officers, cadets, and maritime professionals. Fully aligned with UK MCA standards, our training helps you build knowledge, confidence, and a successful career at sea.

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A narrow channel has no formal dimensional definition in COLREGs or IMO conventions; instead, courts, pilots, VTS authorities and the MCA determine it by practical navigational constraint. A waterway is considered a narrow channel when vessels must follow the dredged or charted track for safe navigation, with limited room for meeting, overtaking or deviation. Case Law reaffirms that narrowness is a question of fact, based on depth, width, hydrodynamics and vessel operational constraints. Rule 9 therefore applies whenever the waterway’s characteristics confine navigation.

Barry discusses the facts surrounding these common navigational features and why we need to be cautious when using them.

The link to our new quiz app mentioned in the podcast is below.

https://captainbarrysadler-colregs-quiz.base44.app

Come and Visit our Website

https://www.captainbarrysadler.com/

At Captain Barry Sadler Maritime Training & Consultancy we deliver industry-leading online courses, oral exam preparation, and professional resources for deck officers, cadets, and maritime professionals. Fully aligned with UK MCA standards, our training helps you build knowledge, confidence, and a successful career at sea.

Check Out Our MCA Questions Apps

https://captainbarrysadler-colregs-quiz.base44.app

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