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BSU draws attention to watertight integrity after collision

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BSU draws attention to watertight integrity after collision
BSU draws attention to watertight integrity after collision

Germany’s Federal Bureau of Maritime Casualty Investigation (BSU) has drawn operators’ attention in a recent collision incident involving a container ship and a fishing vessel on the river Elbe off Stadersand earlier in 2019.

The German schooner ‘No. 5 Elbe’, built in the 19th century, collided with the Cyprus-flagged 141-meter-long container ship ‘Astrosprinter’ about 30 kilometers (18 miles) west of Hamburg on 8 June 2019.

A total of 28 passengers and 15 crew were onboard the schooner at the time of the incident.

The vessel managed to reach the Schwinge estuary without assistance, Continue reading “BSU draws attention to watertight integrity after collision”

Waterways Ombudsman issues Annual Report

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Waterways Ombudsman issues Annual Report
Waterways Ombudsman issues Annual Report

The Waterways Ombudsman and the Waterways Ombudsman Committee have issued their Annual Report for 2018/19.

This is the seventh and final annual report of the current Waterways Ombudsman, Andrew Walker, before he hands over to his successor, Sarah Daniel, on 26 July.

During the year the Waterways Ombudsman received 43 enquiries about the Trust, up from last year’s 35, although given the low numbers this is not a Continue reading “Waterways Ombudsman issues Annual Report”

Red diesel propulsion ban consultation opened by UK government

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HM Revenue and Customs
HM Revenue and Customs

The UK government intends to abolish the scheme introduced in 2008 that allowed users of diesel powered private pleasure craft, including yachts, narrowboats and and motorboats to purchase red diesel and pay the duty differential between red and white diesel on the fuel used for propulsion.

The government intends to remove the right of operators of such craft to use red diesel for propulsion and mandate the use of white diesel in its place. Users will be allowed to continue to use red diesel for on-board non-propulsion use where they have a separate fuel tank for this purpose. This means that craft with only one Continue reading “Red diesel propulsion ban consultation opened by UK government”

Maritime Annual Report 2018-2019 published by the UK Government

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Maritime Annual Report
Maritime Annual Report

The UK Government has released its Maritime Annual Report 2018-2019 and Nusrat Ghani MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary for Transport, Minister for Maritime, says in her introduction:

“As Maritime Minister over the past year I have had the privilege to see first-hand the extraordinary work done across the sector. I am delighted to say that this period has seen Government deliver ground breaking work, and this report shines
a spotlight on a number of these outstanding achievements.

This year we have published Maritime 2050, a long-term strategy that lays out our ambitions for the sector. It is the first strategy of its kind in a generation, and it is indicative of the type of ambitious, original Continue reading “Maritime Annual Report 2018-2019 published by the UK Government”

Norway plans to eliminate accidents involving recreational boats

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Norway plans to eliminate recreational boat accidents
Norway plans to eliminate recreational boat accidents

The Norwegian Minister of Trade and Industry Torbjørn Røe has initiated an action plan to reduce the number of serious accidents related with the use of recreational boats in Norwegian waters. The government has a zero-accidents vision for boat traffic.

The target is to achieve zero accidents associated with recreational boats at sea. For this reason, the Norwegian Maritime Directorate was tasked to prepare the plan, which covers the period from 2019 to 2023.

In addition to the zero vision, an ambitious milestone for the first period has been set: 50% reduction in the number of fatalities associated with use of recreational boats before the end of the planning period.

“We want everyone to come home safely when they have been on the sea, Continue reading “Norway plans to eliminate accidents involving recreational boats”

Tiger One report by MAIB says impact of collision lessened by the use of a kill cord and robust construction

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Tiger One was severely damaged.
Tiger One was severely damaged.

The MAIB has published its report into the incident on the River Thames involving Tiger One. At 1738 on 17 January 2019, the commercially operated rigid inflatable boat Tiger One hit a mooring buoy on the River Thames in London, England, at a speed of about 26 knots in darkness. Two passengers and the boat’s two crew were taken to hospital with minor injuries. Tiger One was severely damaged.

Tiger One was one of two 12m RIBs owned and Continue reading “Tiger One report by MAIB says impact of collision lessened by the use of a kill cord and robust construction”

Murrills House set to become the Institute’s permanent home as IIMS opens crowdfunding opportunity

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Murrills House is set to become the permanent home for IIMS
Murrills House is set to become the permanent home for IIMS

In a strange turn of events, Murrills House in Portchester, UK, is set to become the new Head Quarters of the IIMS. But wait a minute I hear you say. IIMS is already headquartered in Murrills House isn’t it? Yes you are right of course. IIMS has been renting these offices for the past decade since its move from Gosport. But with the end of the lease looming, IIMS entered into talks with the landlord earlier this year with a view to the Institute acquiring the freehold of the property and adjacent land. The outright purchase of suitable office accommodation rather than renting one was something that the membership voted in favour of at the 2018 AGM.

So now IIMS would like your help. We are reaching out to the members and supporters of the Institute to invite them to make a financial donation towards the essential maintenance we would like to undertake upon completion of the deal to secure Murrills House as the Continue reading “Murrills House set to become the Institute’s permanent home as IIMS opens crowdfunding opportunity”

Mega box ships bulletin published by Standard Club

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Standard Club has published an invaluable bulletin about mega box ships
Standard Club has published an invaluable bulletin about mega box ships

As the size of mega box ships has steadily increased, so has the level of difficulty in handling casualties involving them. A special 32 page edition of the Standard Club bulletin has been published and looks at the different legal, technical and practical considerations.

Ultra large container ships, or mega box ships as they are commonly called, can have a carrying capacity in excess of 20,000 TEU (twenty foot equivalent units) and are frequently in excess of 14,500 TEU. This can have a considerable impact in the event of a casualty. In particular, the global shipping and insurance markets have expressed concern regarding the firefighting capability of these ships, which has not necessarily kept pace with their increasing size. It can be extremely difficult to find suitable ports of refuge to accommodate these ships and which have infrastructure capable of handling the number of containers on board.

Continue reading “Mega box ships bulletin published by Standard Club”

The role of the Special Casualty Representative in the salvage of mega box ships

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Nick Haslam, Principal Master Mariner at Brookes Bell is an experienced Special Casualty Representative
Nick Haslam, Principal Master Mariner at Brookes Bell is an experienced Special Casualty Representative

Amid the growing trend of an increase in ship sizes, Mr. Nick Haslam, Principal Master Mariner at Brookes Bell, uses his insight as a Special Casualty Representative (SCR) to consider what the priorities are during salvage of mega box ships. This article was first published in the Standard P&I Club’s Mega Box Ship bulletin.

Definition of an Special Casualty Representative
The role of the Special Casualty Representative (SCR) is to monitor the salvage services and operation then provide a final salvage report, which forms the basis for the settlement of any claim for SCOPIC remuneration (under the Special Compensation P&I Clause) that the salvor might have with the shipowner. Whilst usually appointed by the shipowner and/or its P&I club, the SCR performs this role on Continue reading “The role of the Special Casualty Representative in the salvage of mega box ships”

Superyacht leaders vow to reduce industry’s carbon footprint

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Superyacht leaders vow to reduce industry's carbon footprint
Superyacht leaders vow to reduce industry’s carbon footprint

Some of the biggest names in the superyacht industry have vowed to reduce their carbon footprint in support of the non-profit organisation, Water Revolution Foundation.

So far Benetti, Feadship, Heesen, Lürssen, Abeking & Rasmussen, Alexseal, Amels and Damen, MB92 and Rybovich have signed up to help reduce the carbon footprint of the superyacht industry.

The arrangement means the yachting companies have made a promise to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. They will also make Continue reading “Superyacht leaders vow to reduce industry’s carbon footprint”

MAIB Annual Report 2018 and review published

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MAIB Annual Report 2018 has been published
MAIB Annual Report 2018 has been published

The MAIB 2018 Annual Report  has been published and is available to read in full as a 104 page pdf document which can be downloaded below.

Captain Andrew Moll, Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents of the Marine Accident Investigation Branch, says in the MAIB Annual Report 2018 introduction:

“2018 was a challenging year for the MAIB, though to some extent it was business as usual. The year saw 1227 accidents reported, just a few less than the previous year; and 23 investigations started, up from 21 in 2017 but still lower than 2016 when the Branch started 29 Continue reading “MAIB Annual Report 2018 and review published”

Zero emission ships in UK waters given ambitious deadline of 2025

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Maritime Minister Nusrat Ghani plans for zero emission
Maritime Minister Nusrat Ghani plans for zero emission

All new ships for UK waters ordered from 2025 should be zero emission ships designed with ‘zero-emission capable technologies’, in ambitious plans set out by Maritime Minister Nusrat Ghani to cut pollution from the country’s maritime sector.

The commitment is set out in the Clean Maritime Plan published in early July. The government is also looking at ways to incentivise the transition to zero-emission shipping and will consult on this next year.

The plan also includes a £1 million competition to find innovative ways to reduce maritime emissions and is published alongside a call for evidence to reduce emissions on UK waterways and domestic vessels.

Continue reading “Zero emission ships in UK waters given ambitious deadline of 2025”

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