ISO 12944 revision (Picture credit: http://www.hempel.com)
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has now published the revised ISO 12944 standard.
ISO 12944 is one of the main international standards for corrosion protection of steel by paint. The revision will impact all existing parts of the standard and include a new addition – Part 9 – dedicated solely to offshore structures. Continue reading “ISO 12944 revision”
Maritime & Coastguard Agency CEO Sir Alan Massey announces his retirement
After eight years in charge, the chief executive officer of the UK’s Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA), Sir Alan Massey KBC CBE, has announced his intention to retire from the role towards the end of 2018.
Sir Alan joined the MCA in July 2010 after a 33-year career with the Royal Navy, where he left as second sea lord.
During his eight-year tenure, Sir Alan has successfully steered the MCA through changes to modernise Her Majesty’s Coastguard, new arrangements for the UK’s search and rescue helicopter capability, a transformed survey and inspection capability and a more commercially responsive approach to how the UK Ship Register operates. Sir Alan will continue his role until late 2018, to allow the appointment process for a successor to take place.
Black Pearl delivered by Oceanco is the world’s largest sailing yacht in the world
Dutch yard Oceanco has announced it has delivered its 106-metre (350-foot) sailing yacht Black Pearl, the largest sailing yacht in the world.
She is the result of a successful collaboration between an international group of designers, engineers, naval architects, builders, and project managers, with renowned designers Ken Freivokh Design, Nuvolari Lenard and Villate Design playing a significant role in her evolution.
Dykstra Naval Architects designed the three 70-metre (230-foot) DynaRig carbon masts and sailing system, which can be set or furled by pushing a button, setting the whole sails just in seven minutes.
Recent research findings highlight issues with dirty engine room bilges
Recent analysis of the Shipowners Club’s Condition Survey Programme has highlighted that approximately 25% of the vessels surveyed showed evidence of contaminated engine room bilges. As such, Shipowners Club seeks to raise awareness of the potential fire hazards associated with oily engine room bilges and the checks and steps that a ship’s crew and/or surveyor should undertake.
Whilst an oily bilge may not be the immediate source of a fire, any fire that arises in an engine room or machinery space has the potential to escalate and spread rapidly. The presence of oil accumulated in bilges or drip trays act as additional fuel to sustain burning and increase the likelihood of the fire reaching further areas.
With respect to these, the Club notes the following:
Bilges, especially in the engine room, should be kept clean and free of oil at all times and chemical cleaning should be completed periodically.
Poole Liveboat Stations gets a new floating boat house
There was great excitement for the volunteers at Poole Lifeboat station as the new floating boat house arrived by water! The new building was lifted into the channel, between the bridges from the Old Power station site in Poole where during the past six months or so it has been under construction, built by the Weymouth based Sawtell Construction Ltd.
On Tuesday (March 6th) the boat house was craned into the water for a float test and then floated down between the quays, guided expertly by Jenkins Marine, through the 1.30 bridge and alongside outside the lifeboat station ready for the next phase of putting it into position
First ever luxury cruise ship lengthening undertaken by Fincantieri
Fincantieri’s Palermo shipyard is carrying out the world’s first luxury cruise ship lengthening. Lengthening is not unheard of for merchant vessels, but it has never before been attempted for a vessel of this type as far as is known.
On March 10, workers cut the 36,000 tonne Silver Spirit in half with torches and began the process of pulling her bow and stern in opposite directions. Once they had enough space, they used self-propelled modular transporters to move a new, prefabricated 50-foot section into place. Reconnecting the hull, fitting out wiring and piping and installing interior fittings will take workers about Continue reading “First ever luxury cruise ship lengthening undertaken by Fincantieri”
A new product that removes water from the bottom of diesel tanks is expected to end all diesel bug problems.
The Diesel Dipper is a self-contained system independent of the engine. Fitted with a 12-volt pump, it is designed to suck water from the floor/bottom of a fuel tank below the fuel suction and by doing so, makers Marine 16 say it eliminates or prevents diesel bug and engine failures.
Marine 16 said: “Water and sludge lying on the bottom of the tank is drawn up into a ‘tank separator’ where it separates from the diesel and collects on the bottom. This accumulated water and sludge is then periodically drained off into a container.”
Partnership formed to study the safe use of lithium-ion batteries in shipping
DNV GL has announced a joint partnership to study the safe use of lithium-ion batteries in shipping. The class society’s partners in the effort include flag states, research institutions, battery and propulsion suppliers, fire system manufacturers, shipowners, vessel operators and yards. DNV GL says that the hope is to identify improvements not just for the batteries themselves, but for the associated systems, procedures, and approval processes.
“We put a great deal of effort into ensuring the safety of these new alternative systems, but the cost of the present safety and approval methodology is cumbersome. This collaborative effort gives a chance for an even greater level of safety,” said Rasmus Nielsen, a naval architect and officer at project partner Scandlines.
Sielseas concept for sail propelled cruise ships unveiled
STX France has revealed a concept design for a cruising sailing ship, Silenseas, that aims to reduce energy costs and environmental impact.
STX France has researched sail propulsion since 2009 and developed a patented concept, Solidsail, which makes it possible to reach sail areas of up to 1,200 square meters (12,900 square feet) safely. Arising from that, the company says it can offer the market a range of innovative vessels.
Stylish and futuristic foiling craft launched by Enata Marine
UAE based Enata Marine has launched a stylish superyacht with twin carbon fibre hydrofoils and a hybrid diesel electric propulsion system at the Dubai Boat Show.
The 9.6m long FOILER, also called ‘The Flying Yacht’ due to its ability to operate 1.5m above the water has two BMW 320hp diesel engines which gives it a take-off speed of 17 knots and a maximum speed of 40 knots. The engines are also able to cruise in full electric mode up to 10 knots to reduce fuel consumption by 20% over a traditional yacht.
Enata Marine explains that the diesel engines drive two generators which provide the electrical power. The power is then delivered to two electrical (ENATA) torpedoes that drive the boat.
Deck water spray failure highlighted as one of the main deficiencies on LNG carriers
The US Coast Guard has published an information bulletin about the ongoing issue regarding inadequate deck water spray systems on LNG carriers. US Coast Guard has noted that inadequate coverage of the required areas by a deck water spray system is one of the main deficiencies identified when certificate of compliance inspections are undertaken on these vessels.
The Deck Water Spray system is required by the IGC Code 1993, Regulation 11.3. This requirement text has remained nearly identical back through the GC Code 1983 and to the EGC Code. The new 2016 edition of the IGC Code incorporates the amendments adopted by the IMO MSC at its ninety-third session (May 2014) by resolution MSC.370(93).
These amendments, which entered into force on 1 Jan 2016, consist of a complete replacement text of the IGC Code and will apply to ships whose keels are laid or are at a similar stage of construction, on or after 1 July 2016.
Estimates suggest that as many as 80 boats were destroyed and pontoons washed away at Holyhead Marina as Storm Emma hit the north Welsh coastline with violence.
The RNLI said it had to launch its own inshore lifeboat just to get a crew to its larger vessel in Holyhead in Thursday night’s force 12 gale.
“There is considerable damage and disruption at the marina, so, for now, we will stay berthed within the inner harbour, ready to respond – slower than usual, but able – to a shout,” said the RNLI team.