IIMS News

New Red Ensign Group Yacht Code set to launch in January 2019 is taking shape

Posted on by News Hound

Teamwork between members of the Red Ensign Group (REG) and the industry as a whole has led to the creation of a new yacht code. Since its rollout to the marine industry in November 2017 at the Global Superyacht Forum in Amsterdam, REG has taken into account all the expertise gained across almost two decades of regulating the large yacht sector since the first version was published by the Maritime & Coastguard Agency in 1997.

In its new format, the Code is made up of two parts with common annexes, for example, over-side working systems, sailing vessels and helicopter landing areas. It will keep the familiar format of the existing REG codes while being more dynamic to industry change and development.

Work has been carried out across the REG to get the new code ready for its launch and also within the industry. One consultation alone brought in more than 700 comments as part of that active discussion with those involved with large yachts.

Continue reading “New Red Ensign Group Yacht Code set to launch in January 2019 is taking shape”

ISO 12944 revision

Posted on by News Hound
ISO 12944 revision (Picture credit: http://www.hempel.com)
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

Posted on by News Hound
Maritime & Coastguard Agency CEO Sir Alan Massey announces his retirement
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.

Bernadette Kelly, permanent secretary of the Department of Transport, said Continue reading “Maritime & Coastguard Agency CEO Sir Alan Massey announces his retirement”

Black Pearl delivered by Oceanco is the world’s largest sailing yacht

Posted on by News Hound
Black Pearl delivered by Oceanco is the world's largest sailing yacht in the world
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.

BMT Nigel Gee also worked with Oceanco to create Continue reading “Black Pearl delivered by Oceanco is the world’s largest sailing yacht”

ICS publishes its latest Flag State performance table

Posted on by News Hound
ICS publishes its latest Flag State performance table
ICS publishes its latest Flag State performance table

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has published the latest version of its Flag State Performance Table, which can be downloaded free of charge via the ICS website: http://www.ics-shipping.org/free-resources/flag-state-performance-table.

The Table provides a helpful indication of the performance of individual flag states worldwide, which analyses how the administrations included deliver against a number of criteria such as port state control records, ratification of international maritime Conventions and attendance at IMO meetings. This year, a new criteria on participation in the ‘IMO Member State Audit Scheme’ has been included.

ICS Deputy Secretary General, Simon Bennett, remarked: “Following the entry into force of amendments to the relevant IMO Conventions, the IMO Member State Audit Scheme has become mandatory. This is a significant development that should make further contributions to Continue reading “ICS publishes its latest Flag State performance table”

Recent research findings highlight issues with dirty engine room bilges

Posted on by News Hound
Recent research findings highlight issues with dirty engine room bilges
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:

IIMS training opportunities during late March and April 2018

Posted on by News Hound

IIMS has organised several training opportunities over the next month or so in various worldwide locations for surveyors working in many different aspects of marine surveying, who are keen to learn and pick up the latest thinking in specific areas of the profession. If appropriate, do come and join us either online or in person at one of the following events.

23/24 March 2018
International Institute of Marine Surveying 2018 Baltimore Conference
Twelve great presentations over two days on everything from the ‘Latest technology in gyroscopic stabilization’ to ‘Electric propulsion systems and alternate new build and repower solutions” and much more. Open to online and real-time delegates.
Click for more info

Continue reading “IIMS training opportunities during late March and April 2018”

Poole Liveboat Stations gets a new floating boat house

Posted on by News Hound
Poole Liveboat Stations gets a new floating boat house
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

The building, designed by ECA Architecture and Planning, will nestle alongside the Old lifting bridge. ECA architects were keen not to make the boathouse like the standard industrial sheds, the angled roof is designed to Continue reading “Poole Liveboat Stations gets a new floating boat house”

First ever luxury cruise ship lengthening undertaken by Fincantieri

Posted on by News Hound
First ever luxury cruise ship lengthening undertaken by Fincantieri
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”

Possible new cure for diesel bug

Posted on by News Hound
Possible new cure for diesel bug
Possible new cure for diesel bug

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.”

The clean diesel exits the top of the separator and flows through a Continue reading “Possible new cure for diesel bug”

Partnership formed to study the safe use of lithium-ion batteries in shipping

Posted on by News Hound
Partnership formed to study the safe use of lithium-ion batteries in shipping
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.

The project’s deliverable’s are focused on safety. Tasks include the development of Continue reading “Partnership formed to study the safe use of lithium-ion batteries in shipping”

Sielseas concept for sail propelled cruise ships unveiled

Posted on by News Hound
Sielseas concept for sail propelled cruise ships unveiled
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.

By combining the use of the sails with the latest propulsion and Continue reading “Sielseas concept for sail propelled cruise ships unveiled”

Instagram Posts from the IIMS @iimsmarine