News Hound

Echo Yachts set to build new adventure support yacht

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3d image of the echo yachtAustralian custom Superyacht builder Echo Yachts is excited to unveil their new Adventure Support Yacht aptly named ‘Project Echo’ designed in collaboration with renowned industry experts Bannenberg & Rowell Design, Triton Submarines and Incat Crowther Naval Architects.

With a strong focus on both form and function, plus its 50m catamaran hull form, the 495 GT ‘Project Echo‘ introduces and demonstrates a totally fresh approach to both the charter Adventure Yacht and Superyacht Support vessel markets.

Continue reading “Echo Yachts set to build new adventure support yacht”

Beware of fuel oil quick closing valve deficiencies

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A fuel oil quick closing valveThe Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA) has published a technical alert aimed at highlighting some major deficiencies related to fuel oil quick closing valves, which it has observed during Port State Control inspections. These deficiencies are considered of importance and often lead to detention.

Quick closing valves are fitted to oil tanks so that in the event of a fire they can be safely closed from a remote location to stop the supply of fuel to the fire. These valves may be operated remotely by pull wires, hydraulics, compressed air, etc.

Continue reading “Beware of fuel oil quick closing valve deficiencies”

Wire failure results in fatality onboard Sydney Trader

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The Sydney TraderThe Marine Safety Investigation Unit has issued an investigation report on the fatality of a crew member on board the Maltese registered container ship, Sydney Trader, off Port Limits Anchorage, Hong Kong that occurred in September 2016. The report, (which can be downloaded below), provides a description of what happened and the safety conclusions and recommendations.

The incident
The Maltese registered container vessel Sydney Trader had been anchored OPL at Hong Kong, China since 19 June 2016, awaiting orders for the next charter. At 0730, on 02 September 2016, the chief mate instructed the bosun to continue routine maintenance work in cargo hold no. 2. The chief mate also confirmed that all the Safety Management System (SMS) risk assessments and Permit to Work forms had been completed and signed before the bosun left the bridge at 0750. Continue reading “Wire failure results in fatality onboard Sydney Trader”

Fairline seeks development of a shore side production facility

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Faireline Speed boatFairline Yachts is planning to build new shore side production facility to keep up with global demand for plus size yachts.

The new shore side production facility will enable Fairline to build yachts over 70ft which has not been possible at the firm’s existing Oundle, Northamptonshire location, because it is land-locked.

“This is the next big step in the upward journey of Fairline Yachts and proves our commitment to investing in British boatbuilding,” said Russell Currie, managing director of Fairline Yachts.

Continue reading “Fairline seeks development of a shore side production facility”

Following recent fires onboard boxships, IUMI urges improved firefighting systems

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Box container ship being hosed downA combination of ever larger container vessels, coupled with a number of recent fires onboard boxships has caused the International Union of Marine Insurance (IUMI) to call for better firefighting systems. IUMI is concerned that current provisions are inadequate. Consequently it and has published a paper calling for better onboard firefighting systems specifically for container vessels.

Whilst IUMI expressly welcomes the 2014 amendment to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) to increase the effectiveness of firefighting, the association believes more should be done to prevent fires onboard boxships.

Continue reading “Following recent fires onboard boxships, IUMI urges improved firefighting systems”

IIMS scoops Golden Shield award for its education programme

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The Golden Shield CertificteThe IIMS distance learning commercial ship and yacht and small craft education programmes were recently nominated for an Award in the International Maritime Club’s Golden Shield Excellence Awards 2017 in the ‘Leading Maritime Training Institute’ category. And at the ceremony itself on Friday 15 September 2017 at the Lloyd’s Old Library in London, IIMS was announced as the winner in this category.

Vice President, Capt Zarir Irani, accompanied by Allen Brink, stepped in for IIMS CEO, Mike Schwarz, to receive the award. Continue reading “IIMS scoops Golden Shield award for its education programme”

Good news for the UK maritime sector as it boosts the economy by £22bn annually

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The British FlagAccording to a recent report for Maritime UK, the sector reports strong growth with an increase of 12.7% in turnover, 6.6% in GVA and 3.9% in employment over a five-year period.

It also showed that productivity per worker stood well above the UK average at £77,897, compared to £50,830, and that the sector contributes nearly £40 billion to the UK economy.

“As the engine of British trade, the UK maritime sector supports nearly 1 million jobs, contributes tens of billions to the UK GDP and drives exports as well as inward investment. Half a trillion pounds worth of goods pass through UK ports each year,” said David Dingle, chairman of Maritime UK. Continue reading “Good news for the UK maritime sector as it boosts the economy by £22bn annually”

IMO highlights hazard of bauxite ship cargo

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Container Ship - Picture credit IMO
Picture credit IMO

According to a new warning issued by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), it says that bauxite could become unstable when carried in bulk onboard a ship, potentially resulting in the vessel capsizing.

Bauxite is one of the world’s major sources of aluminium with around 100 million tonnes transported annually by sea. In 2015, a bulk carrier sank while transporting, with the loss of 18 seafarers. Research presented this week to an IMO Sub-Committee found that certain forms of bauxite with a large proportion of smaller particles could be subject to a newly-identified phenomenon of “dynamic separation” when there is excess moisture in the cargo.

Continue reading “IMO highlights hazard of bauxite ship cargo”

New Static Letting Licence introduced for boat renting by the Canal & River Trust

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In response to changing market conditions, the Canal & River Trust has launched a Static Letting Licence
In response to changing market conditions, the Canal & River Trust has launched a Static Letting Licence

The Canal & River Trust has introduced a new static letting licence in the UK to ensure the safety of the increasing number of people living and staying on rented boats.

Canal & River Trust has responded to the numbers of boats for rent in London and further afield as people try to find alternatives to rising housing costs. A second market has sprung up with the advent website letting sites, which regularly feature listings of boats for rent, while anecdotal evidence from boaters shows that it’s becoming more common.

Continue reading “New Static Letting Licence introduced for boat renting by the Canal & River Trust”

MAIB report published on the grounding of Transocean Winner rig after the loss of tow

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Oil rigAt 0652 on 8 August 2016, the Marshall Islands registered semi-submersible rig Transocean Winner grounded on the Isle of Lewis following the loss of tow from the Dutch registered tug ALP Forward. The tug and tow was on passage from Stavanger, Norway to Valletta, Malta when it encountered severe weather west of the Hebrides. The effect of the wind and waves on Transocean Winner led to the loss of ALP Forward’s ability to control the direction and speed of the tug and tow. After being dragged backwards by the tow for over 24 hours, the tow line, weakened by the repeated sudden loadings, parted and the tug was unable to pick up the emergency towline.

Continue reading “MAIB report published on the grounding of Transocean Winner rig after the loss of tow”

Concept multipurpose sea-going Wing-in-Ground craft could cut search and rescue response time

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This bizarre looking Wing-in-Ground craft could cut search and rescue response times
This bizarre looking Wing-in-Ground craft could cut search and rescue response times

Is it a bird, a plane, or a boat? This startling looking craft is being developed by a team of Russian developers that have been working on the creation of a multipurpose sea-going Wing-in-Ground or ekranoplan, which they believe could contribute significantly to the speed of seaborne traffic and Search and Rescue response times.

The unique project will be presented by MariNet, the National Technological Initiative (NTI) working group, on the sidelines of the International Exhibition NEVA-2017 in St Petersburg, September 19-21.

Continue reading “Concept multipurpose sea-going Wing-in-Ground craft could cut search and rescue response time”

Poor risk assessment contributed to the sinking of two MÆRSK supply ships says newly published DMAIB report

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MÆRSK supply ships moments before sinkingOn the night of 21 December 2016, the Danish offshore supply ships MÆRSK SEARCHER and MÆRSK SHIPPER capsized and sank in the Bay of Biscay, off the French coast, while being towed by another offshore supply ship, MÆRSK BATTLER, en route to Turkey. The Danish Maritime Accident Investigation Board has now published a report on the accident.

The incident

The ships were configured in a side-by-side towing setup during the voyage. During the passage of the English Channel, the fenders between the ships on tow failed, and the ships started to interact. This caused damage to the ships’ superstructure, which eventually compromised MÆRSK SEARCHER’s watertight integrity and led to water ingress. MÆRSK SEARCHER capsized and sank, and subsequently MÆRSK SHIPPER was pulled under by MÆRSK SEARCHER. The crew on MÆRSK BATTLER carried out a controlled breakage of the towing wire and came loose of the foundered towage. Continue reading “Poor risk assessment contributed to the sinking of two MÆRSK supply ships says newly published DMAIB report”

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