Windcat Workboats launches its newest vessel. Picture: Stephen Waller
Windcat Workboats has launched its latest vessel for the growing renewable energy industry at ABP’s Port of Lowestoft.
The vessel, ‘Windcat 38,’ is the first to be launched following the signing of a long term lease agreement between ABP and Windcat Workboats for their new marine engineering facility in the port.
Windcat Workboats owns and operates over 38 offshore crew transfer vessels which are predominantly used in the European offshore wind sector.
The IIMS has launched a new series of reasonably priced handy guides
The International Institute of Marine Surveying (IIMS) has launched a series of self help handy guides under the title ‘What a marine surveyor needs to know about’.
The guides are available in a compact and handy A5 size. The series is launched initially with four titles, but over the next year, it is expected to expand to cover over thirty different subjects and topics.
Typically the guides are published at various price points between £20 and £30, equivalent to about US$30 to US$45. The publications are currently only being sold directly from IIMS in paperback, but will also soon be available electronically to download as e-books through the web site as well as via Kindle.
Commenting on this striking new initiative, Mike Schwarz, IIMS CEO, said, ”It occurred to me that there is a gap in the market place for a range of sensibly priced books that would be of direct benefit to IIMS members as well as many other surveyors and those associated with the marine and maritime world in general. The range of scheduled specialist topics is vast and I expect the series to grow to 30 plus booklets over the coming year.“
Jeffrey Casciani-Wood proudly holding his lifetime achievement award
At the IIMS London Conference Dinner 2015 on Monday 7 September aboard HMS Belfast, Jeffrey Casciani-Wood was presented with a lifetime achievement award by IIMS President, Capt Bertrand Apperry. The award was unanimously agreed by the Management Board at a recent meeting and is a fitting and suitable recognition of Jeffrey’s 70 years of service to the boat, ship and marine surveying profession.
In his citation, Mike Schwarz, IIMS CEO, said, “This lifetime achievement award recognises a 70 year association, or should that be obsession, with the boating, shipping and marine surveying sectors.”
In a moving ceremony, the 100 plus dinner guests rose to their feet as one to applaud Jeffrey as he came forward to receive and accept his crystal gift from The President to mark the occasion.
Sailors’ Society has announced the launch of their new Chapplaincy App for Android smartphones
Sailors’ Society, one of the largest seafarer support charities operating internationally, has developed Chapplaincy a Smartphone App which will enable port chaplains and ship visitors to deliver more effective care to the world’s 1.5 million seafarers.
Developed with the support of Augustea Group, Chapplaincy enables real-time activity reporting and maintains a history of ship visits and support provided to seafarers. Data can then be accessed by chaplains in other ports and subject to confidentiality and data protection policies, can be used to provide ongoing care and assistance as ship and crew continue their voyage.
Solarwave Yachts and NEDSHIP have collaborated to create what they claim is the first emissions free luxury yacht
What is claimed to be the first emission free yacht by Solarwave Yachts is nearing completion. NEDSHIP and Solarwave Yachts have announced details of their exciting new 62′ concept.
The collaborative result of the working development of NEDSHIP on zero emission 60ft (18.82m) passenger boats, plus four years of work by Michael Köhler on the power system on a smaller prototype, makes this advanced yacht concept the first real zero emission and consumption vessel.
The International Institute of Marine Surveying (IIMS) has launched a series of self help handy guides under the title ‘What a marine surveyor needs to know about’. The guides are available in a compact and handy A5 size. The series is launched initially with four titles, but over the next year, it is expected to expand to cover over thirty different subjects and topics. View full press release.
Palmer Johnson Yachts has signalled its intention to close its American yard and to transfer manufacturing to the Netherlands
In an official statement, American superyacht builder, Palmer Johnson Yachts has announced their plans to relocate their manufacturing facilities to the Netherlands, confirming that their American facility will close its doors by the end of October with the loss of 100 jobs.
The relocation of the Palmer Johnson facility comes as part of the yard’s strategic plan to increase its production of the new carbon SuperSport series. Declining sales and escalating offshore competition also contributed to the closure of the Sturgeon Bay shipyard.
The new MOL energy saving windshield is clearly demonstrated in this photgraph
News has been announced by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd that the company has started demonstration tests on a new energy saving windshield for containerships, which has the potential to reduce wind resistance, save fuel, and reduce CO2 emissions. MOL jointly developed the device with MOL Techno-Trade, Ltd.
The new energy saving windshield was installed on the bow of the MOL operated containership MOL MARVEL. A demonstration test of its effectiveness in reducing CO2 emissions is under way.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and Mitsubishi Kakoki Kaisha have installed the first low pressure exhaust gas recirculation system for a two-stroke diesel engine, onboard a 34,000dwt bulk carrier built by The Hakodate Dock Co.
The exhaust gas recirculation system, which recirculates some of the low pressure exhaust gas from a turbocharger outlet back to the turbocharger inlet after scrubber treatment, was confirmed as meeting IMO Tier III NOx emissions in both factory and sea trials. It was originally developed under ClassNK’s Joint R&D for Industry programme.
The BIMCO Conference in Hamburg will tackle maritime cyber security
BIMCO, the world’s largest shipping association, will focus on maritime cyber security and how to handle a maritime casualty crisis at its next annual conference in Hamburg on November 18 2015.
Angus Frew, Secretary General of BIMCO, said:
“Hamburg is one of the shipping capitals of the world and home to many BIMCO members – which is why we have chosen it for our annual conference this year.
Capt Paul Townsend FIIMS who has sadly passed away
News has reached the IIMS head office of the sad death of Capt Paul Townsend, who passed away after a long illness fought with courage and fortitude. He died on 28 August 2015 at a hospice on the Isle of Wight, UK. He was 76 years old.
Paul was a Fellow of the Institute and an active member of the IIMS Management Board. Until recent months, he was a regular contributor to that forum. He also regularly attended Certifying Authority training days. He joined IIMS in 2002 and was made a Fellow in 2010.
Paul joined the Merchant Navy as a Cadet with Clan Line, studying at Warsash Maritime College, Hampshire, UK and obtained his Master’s Certificate in 1969.
Lloyd’s Register is set to class world’s largest heavy lift crane vessel for Heerma
Lloyd’s Register (LR) has won a contract to class the world’s largest heavy lift crane vessel (NSCV) for the Netherlands-based Heerema Group. The semi-submersible vessel will be constructed at the newly opened Sembcorp ‘Mega yard’ in Singapore.
The dual-fuel LNG and MGO vessel is due to be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2018 and will be a key asset in the offshore market and a leading player in the installation and decommissioning of offshore facilities. It follows another significant Heerema project, the delivery of the LR-classed Aegir deepwater construction vessel (DCV) in 2013 (see article in the January 2014 Horizons).
