IIMS News

International Chamber of Shipping publishes its 2017 Annual Review on shipping

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The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has published its latest Annual Review running to some 72 pages. It reflects on the key issues facing the world shipping sector and gives an insight into the complex legislative and economic landscape currently faced by ship operators.

Specifically, the ICS Annual Review explores the challenges presented by the need to reduce CO2 emissions in line with the ambition set by the Paris Agreement on climate change; the worldwide entry into force of the IMO Ballast Water Management Convention in September 2017; and the implementation in 2020 of the global 0.5% sulphur in fuel cap, each which will have profound implications for the economics of shipping.

The Review also covers developments with respect to the wide range of other issues in which ICS is involved on behalf of the global industry, ranging from legal Continue reading “International Chamber of Shipping publishes its 2017 Annual Review on shipping”

Beware the potential for malfunctioning limit switches on fast rescue craft says new report

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The Marine Safety Forum has issued a report about two separate reported incidents within the last month. Limit switches not operating as intended on two chartered vessels has caused damage and opened up the potential for serious injury.

The incidents
The first incident occurred in early March to an Emergency Response and Rescue Vessel (ERRV). The vessel had been carrying out a period of close standby cover so had its port FRC lowered to the embarkation position ready for immediate deployment. Once the work parties had finished for the day, the vessel departed the 500m zone and commenced hoisting the FRC ready for sea-fastening. This davit operation was carried out by a trainee under the supervision of the Boatswain.

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5th edition of the Palma Superyacht Show hailed a success

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The Palma Superyacht Show, which concluded on Tuesday the 2nd of May, saw an eclectic mix of visitors overawed by the huge variety of super yachts on display.

One of the legendary yachts on show included the 34m dramatically beautiful classic gaff cutter MERRYMAID, a ready-to-go-anywhere-yacht which has thousands of miles under her keel. Think also the 43m sleek sailing yacht THIS IS US, easily one of the most elegant performance sailing yachts currently on the charter market, the 59m mega yacht MAYBE, which boasts being the largest private yacht to have ever been built and designed in Spain, and the 46m Baltic Yachts-built PINK GIN, known as the “Marilyn Monroe of yachts”.

The display of some of the world’s most celebrated super yachts was naturally a hot topic, but the 60 exhibitors were also a big part of the Continue reading “5th edition of the Palma Superyacht Show hailed a success”

VPLP design launches Oceanwings

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Oceanwings is a new development and concept from VPLP
Oceanwings is a new development and concept from VPLP

Drawing on extensive experience in the field of rigid sail development, France’s VPLP Design has developed a two-element wingsail for commercial craft which is furlable, reefable and entirely automated.

Called Oceanwings, this new automated sailing system has been tested on small sail craft but is being developed for use as a sail assistance system for shipping.

VPLP Design’s interest in rigid sails started in 2010, when they were involved in the design of high performance America’s Cup sailing Continue reading “VPLP design launches Oceanwings”

Finland’s oldest ferry goes all-electric

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From steam to diesel and now electricity: the oldest operating ferry in Finland has become the nation’s first all-electric passenger vessel after being fitted with Visedo power.

The City of Turku has seen the historic Föri ferry relaunched, complete with a new zero-emission electric drivetrain that will deliver greater efficiency, less noise and reduced operating costs.

The Föri initially entered service in 1904 after the City of Turku commissioned local shipyards Aktiebolaget Vulcan to build a city commuter ferry to take passengers across the Aura River to Åbo.

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New CTV unveiled by Umoe Mandal

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The new Wavecraft CTV from Norwegian firm Umoe Mandal
The new Wavecraft CTV from Norwegian firm Umoe Mandal

Umoe Mandal in Norway has unveiled a new design, the Wavecraft, a series of high-speed, all-composite service vessels designed for fast crew transport. The company says the high-speed craft offers offshore operators “a long range economical, commercially feasible and safe alternative to helicopters.”

The company says the Wavecraft “delivers substantially Continue reading “New CTV unveiled by Umoe Mandal”

Inaugural eCMID Conference report

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Lead tutor, Capt Ian Coates, addressing the first eCMID conference
Lead tutor, Capt Ian Coates, addressing the first eCMID conference

IIMS in conjunction with Marine Surveying Academy delivered a hugely successful first eCMID one day Conference, which took place in Amsterdam by Schiphol Airport on 25 April.

The feedback from the event, which drew around 40 delegates, was extraordinarily positive. On behalf of IMCA, Chris Baldwin said how delighted he was with the number of Accredited Vessel Inspectors that have already come forward to join and be accepted on the scheme. He praised IIMS for their delivery of the programme and its robustness.

eCMID AVIs play a key role inspecting and auditing offshore vessels in the oil and gas and renewables sectors. The Conference was a chance for some of them to come together to network with other AVIs and to learn abut the programme and its constituent components.

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Report on LYSCWG Palma training

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A group of 15 IIMS members and non-members came together for the two day IIMS Western Mediterranean LYSCWG training event – something of an annual gathering these days. Despite inclement weather on the first morning, the group followed a classroom session about NDT testing gauges by going under several vessels made of different materials to test the kit. Thanks to Jon Sharland from Tritex NDT for bringing his gear over from the UK.

Ian Lewis gave an insight into cold cure products manufactured and marketed by Wencon. Those present were genuinely impressed to see examples of applications that had been carried out to effect repairs. After lunch, the group were guests of the Global Yachting Group and Continue reading “Report on LYSCWG Palma training”

ATSB issues initial report into propulsion failures on Norwegian Star cruise ship

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The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) issued the first part of its incident investigation report, regarding the loss of propulsion of the passenger cruise ship Norwegian Star on 10 February 2017 off Cape Liptrap, Victoria.

The incident
On 9 February 2017, the passenger cruise ship Norwegian Star, with 2113 passengers and 1017 crew on board, departed Melbourne, Australia, on a scheduled cruise to Dunedin, New Zealand. On departure, the starboard propulsion unit (Azipod ) was operational and the port Azipod was under repair. At about 0134 on 10 February, the vessel was about 18 nautical miles south-west of Cape Liptrap, Victoria, when the starboard Azipod failed. Propulsion power could not be restored and two tugs were deployed from Melbourne to tow Norwegian Star back to Melbourne. The vessel arrived back without further incident at about midnight on 11 February 2017.

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Small Craft Surveyors Forum programme at Seawork announced

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The Small Craft Surveyors Forum, comprising of RINA, IMarEST, IIMS, SCMS, NI and YDSA, is pleased to announce its speaker programme for its annual Seawork Exhibition Seminar.

The seminar will be held within the show onboard the ‘Ocean Scene’ vessel in the marina from 13.15 to 16.15 on Wednesday 14 June.

The event is free to attend, but you are required to register your attendance so that the organisers can comply with health and safety requirements, catering and seating.

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MAIB contracts with BMT Ship & Coastal Dynamics for their REMBRANDT simulator

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REMBRANDT simulator will aid the MAIB in future investigations
REMBRANDT simulator will aid the MAIB in future investigations

BMT Ship & Coastal Dynamics (BMT), a subsidiary of BMT Group Ltd, has announced a new contract with the UK’s Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB), acknowledged as a world leader in ship electronic evidence gathering, including VDR data recovery and interpretation. BMT has installed its industry leading marine navigation and manoeuvring REMBRANDT simulator and will provide ongoing specialised training, to allow MAIB personnel to benefit from its unique attributes.

Richard North, Technical Manager at MAIB comments: “REMBRANDT simulator is a well-regarded and trusted solution, widely used by a broad spectrum of stakeholders including pilot organisations, shipping companies on-board and ashore, naval architects, civil marine engineers and port authorities, therefore it was a natural choice for us. A key and unique attribute of REMBRANDT is its ability to automatically input a broad range of VDR data including 3D, Radar and bridge audio to deliver a more enhanced and accurate visual Continue reading “MAIB contracts with BMT Ship & Coastal Dynamics for their REMBRANDT simulator”

New handy guide surveying metal craft published by IIMS

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IIMS has added to its series of handy guides with the publication of what a marine surveyor needs to know about surveying metal craft
IIMS has added to its series of handy guides with the publication of what a marine surveyor needs to know about surveying metal craft

IIMS has released for publication a new handy guide entitled What a Marine Surveyor needs to know about surveying metal craft. This brings the total number of publications in the What a Marine Surveyor needs to know about handy guide series to thirteen. More manuscripts are in the pipeline too and will be published as the year goes by.

Steel boats may be made of a variety of metals. Very old vessels may be built of iron. Ordinary carbon steel, usually called mild steel, is commonly used. Shipbuilding quality steel is not used as much as it is not easy to source. Cor-Ten steel is sold as a low rust product, but there is no universal opinion about this special formula.

In this handy guide on surveying metal craft, written by the doyen of marine surveyors, Ian Nicolson draws on some comparisons:
Surveyors are detectives, looking for clues. When they find them, they have to deduce what caused such things as discolouration, dents or broken fastenings. Surveying is also like veterinary work, as both practitioners cannot get answers to questions asked. Good eyesight, excellent lighting and an enquiring mind which never falters on the job are what surveyors need.

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