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BMA alerts to the use new ISO standard shipping safety signs and equipment location markings from January 2019

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The Bahamas Maritime Authority has published an alert regarding new escape route signs and equipment location markings. They remind all relevant parties that all new vessels built from the 01 January 2019 should be provided with new ISO standard safety signs as described in Resolution A.1116(30).

All ships built on or after 01 January 2019, and current ships which undergo repairs, changes, modifications and outfitting within the scope of SOLAS Chapters II-2 and/or III, on or after 01 January 2019, will need to make sure that they comply with the signs listed in Tables 1, 2 and 3 in the Annex to A.1116(30).

The resolution includes updated signs and graphical symbols that should be used to mark the location of:
Continue reading “BMA alerts to the use new ISO standard shipping safety signs and equipment location markings from January 2019”

Gas monitoring and ventilation recommendations to limit coal cargo risks published in new guidance document

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Photo credit: London P&I Club
Photo credit: London P&I Club

The London P&I Club together with Paul Willis Senior Associate at Hawkins have published a loss prevention guide regarding the risks of carrying coal cargoes. The report gives special consideration to the issues surrounding gas monitoring and ventilation.

The guide mentions that the management of coal cargoes and the proper use of gas detection equipment are vital to prevent coal fire claims. It also details the basic requirements regarding the installation, use and maintenance of gas detection devices and the different types of sensors involved in their operation.

According to the report, the gas detection and monitoring equipment on board ships can vary from large units such as the Riken Keiki Continue reading “Gas monitoring and ventilation recommendations to limit coal cargo risks published in new guidance document”

Amsterdam success for British manufacturers at the Boat Builder Awards 2018

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Princess Yachts receive their award
Princess Yachts receive their award

British boat manufacturers had a fantastic night at the Boat Builder Awards 2018, which took place on 13 November at the National Maritime Museum in Amsterdam.

Princess Yachts’ innovative communications campaign for the new Princess R35 won the Retail Marketing Initiative award. Noted by the judges for being strikingly as far removed from traditional boat launch marketing as might be imagined, this campaign was awarded for truly breaking the mould.

Continue reading “Amsterdam success for British manufacturers at the Boat Builder Awards 2018”

CIMAC unable to explain marine fuel incidents that occurred earlier this year

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The International Council on Combustion Engines (CIMAC) has released a statement on marine fuel incidents that have occurred this year highlighting that it is unable to draw any firm conclusions about the cause of the problems.

CIMAC Working Group Fuels – WG7 – made the statement after the unusually large number of ships that experienced fuel-related problems with seemingly on-spec fuels earlier this year. The statement confirms much of what the International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) has already said on the issue.

In March 2018, a number of ships experienced operational problems using residual fuels bunkered in Houston. The analyzed fuels met the Continue reading “CIMAC unable to explain marine fuel incidents that occurred earlier this year”

Feadship gives a construction update on its new Amsterdam facility

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An artist's impression of the new Feadship facility, due to open in May 2019
An artist’s impression of the new Feadship facility, due to open in May 2019

Dutch yard Feadship has offered an insight into the ongoing construction of its new facility in Amsterdam, which is scheduled to open its doors in May 2019. The facility, strategically situated in the heart of the Dutch capital, has recently passed a construction milestone after it was connected to the main district heating operation in the city.

Eleven mobile cranes assembled to simultaneously lift a 160-metre pipe to connect the facility, which will now operate using renewable and surplus heat.

According to the yard, the green energy source will provide the heating in several areas, including the main hall, spray cabins, drying areas, Continue reading “Feadship gives a construction update on its new Amsterdam facility”

Cargo hold cleaning robots undergo testing

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Cargo hold cleaning is a critical aspect of the complex bulk carrier operations that require careful preparation to maintain cargo quality and to avoid any delays. A conventional bulk carrier may transport coal this week and soya beans the next week, which requires thorough wash-downs and cleaning in between. Danish shipping company Norden has said it has tested a cargo hold robot which can be remotely operated to prevent risk and delays, also leading to enhanced safety for crew and others who are required to enter holds.

The prototype, developed by Danish company CLIIN with assistance from the Market Development Fund, is a new belt-driven robot which can be operated remotely to go up and down along the sides of the holds while pressure cleaning them. The robot is driven forward by Continue reading “Cargo hold cleaning robots undergo testing”

CRT to create regional teams to improve customer service and engage with local communities

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Richard Parry, CRT CEO (pictured right)
Richard Parry, CRT CEO (pictured right)

Canal & River Trust will move resource from its centrally based roles into its six regional customer-facing teams to improve customer service and engage with local communities.

The changes will be made as part of the trust’s waterways and well being strategy and will see operational management roles adapted to meet the requirements of the new regions.

Richard Parry, CEO, commented: “The Trust has been repositioning as a charity for the waterways and well being, with a new structure that has seen us move from ten waterways to six larger regions, with some activities previously managed centrally now devolved to these regional teams, and a reduction in senior manager numbers overall.

Continue reading “CRT to create regional teams to improve customer service and engage with local communities”

Environment Agency set to increase boat charges

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The EA is the second largest navigation authority in the UK and is responsible for more than 1,000km of navigable waterways.
The EA is the second largest navigation authority in the UK and is responsible for more than 1,000km of navigable waterways.

The Environment Agency is to increase the cost of boat registrations on its waterways from 2019 which it says will help ensure a sustainable service and cover maintenance.

It said that the new charges for 2019-21 will be invested in waterways enjoyed by around 29,000 boat users, helping to meet the shortfall between the cost of running the service and the income currently generated from annual boat registrations.

“We realise an increase in charges is never welcome news but it is essential to keep the levels of service and maintenance which boaters tell us is needed,” said Mark Ormrod, EA national manager for navigation.

“In addition, we are exploring new income streams to make our Continue reading “Environment Agency set to increase boat charges”

Clipper Ventures embarks on expansion plan in China

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Zhang Xiaodong and William Ward OBE celebrate the launch of Clipper Ventures Chinese division Photo: Clipper Ventures
Zhang Xiaodong and William Ward OBE celebrate the launch of Clipper Ventures Chinese division Photo: Clipper Ventures

Clipper Ventures has announced the biggest expansion in its 23 year history with the opening of a new division in China.

The company, organiser of the Round the World Yacht Race, hopes that Clipper China will become the industry leader in the development of offshore training and sailing events in the country.

Together with running its own academies, the new division will build its own one-design keelboats and offshore racing yacht fleets under the aegis of British naval architect Tony Castro Design.

Announcing the news at the first China Sailing Cities forum in Beijing, William Ward OBE, chief executive and co-founder (together with Sir Robin Knox-Johnston) of Clipper Ventures, said: Continue reading “Clipper Ventures embarks on expansion plan in China”

AMSA has reported seven serious marine incidents in October

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AMSA has published a list of the most serious incidents that occurred during October
AMSA has published a list of the most serious incidents that occurred during October

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) informed that a total of forty five domestic commercial vessel incidents were reported in the month of October. Of these, seven were categorised as serious.

AMSA has published a list of the most serious incidents that occurred during October:
– A deck hand was bitten by sea snake while bringing in the nets. He could not be revived by emergency services.
– Vessel anchor rope become entangled in the propeller, damaging the rudder and seizing the motor, leaving the vessel disabled.
– A 10m yacht sank with 400 litres of diesel on-board. Joint Rescue Coordination Centre Australia assisted in the rescue of the crew.
– Vessel grounded causing damage to chain locker. A hull inspection revealed damage to the hull and bow stem.
– Collision between two vessels causing damage to Continue reading “AMSA has reported seven serious marine incidents in October”

European Maritime Safety Agency publishes an overview of maritime casualties in 2017

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Photo credit: EMSA
Photo credit: EMSA

The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) has published its annual review of maritime casualties. It has reported a total of 3,301 incidents through 2017. The report reveals that the number of very serious casualties has continuously decreased since 2014 with 74 reported in 2017. A total of 61 people were injured and 61 ships were lost. During the 2011-2017 period, 405 accidents led to a total of 683 lives lost, which represents a decreasing trend.

The report contains statistics on marine casualties and incidents that: involve ships flying a flag of one of the EU Member States; occur within EU Member States’ territorial sea and internal waters as defined in UNCLOS; or involve other substantial interests of the EU Member States.

Key points
– With 3301 occurrences reported in 2017, the total number of occurrences recorded in EMCIP has grown to over 20,000. This amounts to an average of Continue reading “European Maritime Safety Agency publishes an overview of maritime casualties in 2017”

Numerous lessons learned from US maritime casualties in 2017 as NTSB releases its annual report

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US Coast Guard photo by Stasia Ellis
US Coast Guard photo by Stasia Ellis

The NTSB has published its 94 page Safer Seas digest annual report giving an overview of key lessons to be learned from a series of major maritime casualties.

NTSB has noted that many of the issues in last year’s report were recurring topics, including fatigue, poor bridge resource management, and distraction. The 41 marine accidents included in the report involved allisions, capsizings, collisions, fires, explosions, flooding, groundings, equipment damage, loss of life, injuries, and significant property damage.

The failure to maintain watertight integrity was the number one cause of Continue reading “Numerous lessons learned from US maritime casualties in 2017 as NTSB releases its annual report”

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