The consultation seeks your views on the draft Marine Guidance Note MGN 653(M) Electric Vehicles Onboard Passenger Ro-Ro Ferries. The increase in electric vehicle (EV) numbers in the UK has led to increasing demand for transit of EV onboard passenger Ro-Ro ferries (Ro-Pax). Currently, there are limited requirements specific to the charging of electric vehicles onboard UK vessels. However, noting the increasing popularity of electric vehicles it has become apparent that there is a potential for users of these vehicles to expect charging to be available onboard, and for operators of such vessels to consider offering this facility. This marine notice provides guidance for the safe carriage and charging EVs. Continue reading “Consultation for the carriage and charging of electric vehicles on Ro Ro ferries is now open”
News Hound
Fishing vessel pilot highlights new safety management project
Leading provider of grants and support to the maritime community, The Seafarers’ Charity, has received funding for a pilot project to develop safety management onboard fishing vessels to the standard of the Fishing Safety Management (FSM) Code. The new service, Fishing First Safety Management by SafetyFolder, aims to improve safety in the UK fishing fleet.
The Seafarers’ Charity’s chief executive, Catherine Spencer says: “I am delighted that funding has been secured for this pilot project as the addition of an auditable safety standard that will transform vessel safety in the fishing industry. The Seafarers’ Charity is improving the lives of seafarers every day and ensuring fishers can work and return home safely from voyages without experiencing harm or accidents isa big part of that.” Continue reading “Fishing vessel pilot highlights new safety management project”
AMSA consultation begins on mandatory lifejacket wearing proposal on domestic commercial vessels
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is inviting feedback from the domestic commercial vessel industry on a mandatory lifejacket wearing proposal. Informed by safety data, AMSA is exploring options to increase lifejacket wear across the domestic commercial vessel sector, focusing on sectors of the fleet with the greatest risk of a fatality following a person overboard incident. Continue reading “AMSA consultation begins on mandatory lifejacket wearing proposal on domestic commercial vessels”
IMO considers remote surveying at the 104th session of the Maritime Safety Committee
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) held its 104th session of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) from 4–8 October 2021 and is now considering remote surveying. This meeting was conducted remotely and a number of topics will be of interest to the superyacht, commercial vessel and yacht and small craft leisure sector, including remote surveys, which came up for discussion:
Covid-19 issues. In recognition of the ongoing difficulties faced by seafarers and management companies during the pandemic, the Committee approved a draft assembly resolution on issues relating to seafarers in respect of crew changes, vaccination and ‘key worker’ designation. The resolution urges Member States to: Continue reading “IMO considers remote surveying at the 104th session of the Maritime Safety Committee”
UN Convention on the Law of the Sea inquiry launched
An inquiry into the future of the United Nations on the Law of the Sea Convention (UNCLOS) and its applicability in 21st century has been launched by the UK House of Lords Select Committee on International Relations and Defence. The House of Lords inquiry is considering the extent to which the UNCLOS is fit for purpose in 2021 and is examining the enforcement of UNCLOS, its dispute resolution mechanisms, and the extent to which it has proved able to adapt to new and emerging challenges, including climate change, autonomous maritime systems, and issues of human rights and human security at sea.
The inquiry will explore the UK’s current policy towards UNCLOS and approach in practice, and consider which international partners and alliances will be important for the UK to address these challenges and uphold its interests. Continue reading “UN Convention on the Law of the Sea inquiry launched”
Pathway to Net Zero Emissions report published by DNV
Pathway to Net Zero Emissions is a new report by DNV. A feasible path to limit planetary warming to 1.5°C requires certain countries and sectors to go below net zero and to do so well before the middle of the century, according to new analysis from the authors of the Energy Transition Outlook.
Policymakers are set to meet in Glasgow for the COP 26 summit with an eye on achieving zero emissions by 2050. For this to happen, North America and Europe must be carbon neutral by 2042 and then carbon-negative thereafter, according to DNV’s pathway to net zero. The Pathway to Net Zero Emissions report also finds that Greater China must reduce emissions by 98% from 2019 levels by 2050. There are regions that cannot realistically transition completely away from fossil fuels in the same timeframe, such as the Indian Subcontinent, Continue reading “Pathway to Net Zero Emissions report published by DNV”
Practical aspects of the carriage of containers on dry bulk vessels
Mark Dunbar, Surveys Manager at West P&I Club, has highlighted practical aspects on the carriage of containers onboard dry bulk vessels. And as he says, individual cases will vary widely so the following should not be taken as exhaustive, but as an aide memoire for the major factors that need to be considered and addressed.
– Bridge visibility needs to meet SOLAS requirements.
– Vessel stability including bending moments and shear forces to be verified as within limits.
– Container stacking weights – check CSC plate for maximum allowable – US 53 foot containers are usually significantlylower than standard ISO containers.
– Strength of tanktop/hatch covers/deck plating – remember all the weight of a container is distributed Continue reading “Practical aspects of the carriage of containers on dry bulk vessels”
New online shipbuilding acquaint course exclusive to IIMS announced
The new Shipbuilding Acquaint Course has been developed by Broadreach Marine Ltd and is presented exclusively in conjunction with the International Institute of Marine Surveying, the leading worldwide professional body for the marine surveying profession. The aim of this unique one-week online course starting from 7 February 2022 is to provide an opportunity for the student to gain an understanding of modern shipbuilding procedures, from placing a contract to delivering a completed ship.
The course content and objectives can be summed up as follows:
– The Shipbuilding Acquaint Course content follows the logical processes and timeline required to build a ship from scratch. Continue reading “New online shipbuilding acquaint course exclusive to IIMS announced”
A catalogue of failures left navy personnel unprepared to fight USS Bonhomme Richard fire reveals investigation report
A scathing report extending to more than 400 pages by the US Navy into the fire that destroyed the USS Bonhomme Richard in 2020 has concluded that the loss of the ship was “completely preventable” and that there were major failures within the military chain of command that allowed the fire to destroy the warship.
USS Bonhomme Richard fire on 12 July, 2020, and burned for four days. The report identifies 36 sailors, including five admirals, as having contributed to the loss of the ship. The report concluded that there were “four categories of causal factors that allowed for the accumulation of significant risk and led to an ineffective fire response: the material condition of the ship, the training and readiness of the ship’s crew, the integration between the ship and supporting shore-based firefighting organisations, and the oversight by commanders across multiple organisations”. Continue reading “A catalogue of failures left navy personnel unprepared to fight USS Bonhomme Richard fire reveals investigation report”
ABS Port State Control Quarterly Report for Q3 2021 published
The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) Quarterly Report on Port State Control (PSC) provides information to owners on deficiencies identified on ABS vessels during inspections carried out by the various PSC regimes globally during the 3rd Quarter of 2021.
The report is being made available to assist owners by providing awareness of potential areas of concern that have been identified on ABS classed vessels.
Port State Control inspections have proven to be an effective tool for eliminating substandard vessels that may be in operation, which may impact maritime safety and the marine environment. A ship is regarded as substandard if the hull, machinery, equipment, or operational Continue reading “ABS Port State Control Quarterly Report for Q3 2021 published”
National Safe Boating Week in Australia and New Zealand highlighted three key issues
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has partnered with the Australian New Zealand Safe Education Boating Group (ANZSBEG) for National Safe Boating Week, which took place from the 2nd to the 8th of October. It represented an opportunity for governments, industry leaders, and casual and professional seafarers alike to highlight the importance of safe boating across Australia and New Zealand.
AMSA Acting Chief Executive Officer, Sachi Wimmer said “Boating is core to our way of life. Not only is it a great way to spend your free time and enjoy the outdoors, but we also have a lot of people on boats out on the water earning a living,” Continue reading “National Safe Boating Week in Australia and New Zealand highlighted three key issues”
Maritime New Zealand report highlights recreational boating accidents between 2015 and 2020
Each year a number of people die in recreational boating accidents, an activity pursued for enjoyment, or for the benefit of friends or family. Each accident is tragic and has its own unique set of circumstances, but the common factors across these accidents can help highlight ways that similar deaths may be prevented in the future.
This report by Maritime New Zealand is intended to give an overview of fatal recreational boating accidents between the beginning of 2015 and the end of 2020, and to provide additional insight into a number of key characteristics and identified patterns. Continue reading “Maritime New Zealand report highlights recreational boating accidents between 2015 and 2020”