IIMS News

IMO Polar Code comes into force from 1 January 2017

Posted on by News Hound
The IMO Polar Code regulations come into force in January 2017
The IMO Polar Code regulations come into force in January 2017

As the potential for marine traffic in Polar regions increases, there is a clear need for modern and effective regulation. With this in mind, a significant step towards that goal was achieved in May 2015 when the International Maritime Organization (IMO) formally adopted the remaining parts of the International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters – known colloquially as the “Polar Code.” The IMO Polar Code will come into force on 1 January 2017.

As part of the new directive, the IMO Polar Code is mandatory for all ships certificated under Chapter 1 of SOLAS, both new and existing, operating on international or domestic voyages within the IMO defined boundaries of Arctic waters and the Antarctic area. Polar waters generally cover the areas north of 60°N or south of 60°S, although there are slight deviations for Arctic waters intended to include the Continue reading “IMO Polar Code comes into force from 1 January 2017”

Hyperloop One: new concept will ship freight underwater – no joking!

Posted on by News Hound
Hyperloop One is conducting feasibility studies that would cause disruptive changes in the way good are shipped port to port
Hyperloop One is conducting feasibility studies that would cause disruptive changes in the way good are shipped port to port

One of the strangest and potentially most far reaching stories of the year must surely be the desire of Hyperloop One desire to explore the feasibility of shipping freight underwater. Far sighted? Yes very, but it seems the whole idea is not as daft as it may seems on first reading about it.

Developed by Hyperloop One, just one of the companies involved in the Hyperloop vision, this aquatic version sees the opportunity to radically change how goods arrive at ports and terminals, dispensing with the well-trodden idea of port-to-port container shipping.

Continue reading “Hyperloop One: new concept will ship freight underwater – no joking!”

UK Canal and River Trust publishes its Heritage Report

Posted on by News Hound

The Canal and River Trust has released its 2015/2016 heritage report focusing on the actions it is taking to preserve its areas’ historic significance for the future.

It reported that at the end of 2015/16 there were 24 individual assets on the national and local Heritage at Risk (HaR) registers, as well as 31 conservation area HaRs through which its waterways pass.

“It’s heartening to see that the passion, expertise and hard work of our employees and volunteers is having a positive effect on the heritage in our care,” said Richard Parry, chief executive at the Canal & River Trust.

Continue reading “UK Canal and River Trust publishes its Heritage Report”

IIMS Conference, Baltimore Maryland, 3/4 February 2017 announced

Posted on by News Hound

IIMS US Regional Director, James Randy Renn, has finalised plans for the Institute’s annual American marine surveying Conference, which will take place on 3rd and 4th February 2017 from 08.30 to 16.30 daily.

The extensive two day programme covers a wide range of topics and subjects that will appeal to surveyors from all sectors of the industry. For the first time, delegates are able to join the Conference remotely too by video conferencing as well as being present face to face. See below for details.

Continue reading “IIMS Conference, Baltimore Maryland, 3/4 February 2017 announced”

New IIMS Membership Secretary appointed

Posted on by News Hound
Camella Robertson has been appointed as the new IIMS Membership Secretary to succeed Jan Cox
Camella Robertson has been appointed as the new IIMS Membership Secretary to succeed Jan Cox

The search to find and recruit a replacement for the popular current IIMS membership administrator, Jan Cox, has reached its conclusion. Jan, who formally retires from the Institute in February after many years’ service, was herself part of the interview process to find her successor. Two excellent candidates emerged as front-runners following the first round of interviews. Both were invited back for second and final meetings.

IIMS is delighted to announce that Camella (Cam) Robertson is the new Membership Secretary and will formally take up her new position on Monday 9 January 2017. Cam will work side by side with Jan for six weeks to enable her to learn about the role in depth. Cam brings with her a wealth of experience in managing a membership organisation, general administration and event management too. For the past four years, she has been Club Manager at the Royal Naval Club and Royal Albert Yacht Club, located in nearby Portsmouth.

Continue reading “New IIMS Membership Secretary appointed”

New developments in professional standards for marine surveyors

Posted on by News Hound

Seawork 2014 saw the issue of an updated UK Workboat (Brown) Code following comprehensive updating by an industry technical working group (TWG) over a long period of time, supported by the UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA). Further detailed work has been carried out by the TWG since then and the official launching of the Workboat Code Edition 2 is expected shortly.

The new Code has been enthusiastically supported by the UK workboat industry and it is hoped that this will be recognised and adopted internationally in the same way as the UK Large Yacht Code (LY3), thus countering criticism aimed at UK commercial vessel standards (i.e. those in MGN 280 (M)) by some EU Flag States, which spurred the development of the new WB code.

Continue reading “New developments in professional standards for marine surveyors”

Voluntary compliance of amended IMDG Code ahead of implementation on January 2018

Posted on by News Hound

In May 2016 the IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee adopted the amendments to the IMDG Code contained in Resolution MSC.406(96) Amendments to the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code. Contracting governments may apply the new requirements, in part or in whole, on a voluntary basis from 1st January 2017. However, be aware that mandatory compliance will be required from 1st January 2018.

Due to the large number of changes to the Code, IMO Resolution MSC.406(96) contains the revised full text of volumes 1 and 2 of the Code. Of the many changes, several are of particular interest:
Continue reading “Voluntary compliance of amended IMDG Code ahead of implementation on January 2018”

Most onboard fires originate in the engine room says UK P&I Club

Posted on by News Hound

Engine room fires are one of the most common fires on ships owing to the presence of a wide range of sources of fuel, sources of ignition and running machinery. An extended period of time onboard a ship without a fire incident can lead to complacency and a failure to prioritise fire prevention measures and simulated fire incident practices.

The risk of a fire can be substantially reduced by:
Maintaining a clean and tidy engine room.
Ensuring that machinery and emergency control equipment are installed and operating in accordance with SOLAS
Regulations and IMO Guidelines and they are routinely serviced and maintained in good working order, and subject to routine testing.
Continue reading “Most onboard fires originate in the engine room says UK P&I Club”

IACS and IMO set to extend their collaboration

Posted on by News Hound

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) to collaborate further on their shared goals and objectives with regard to safe, secure and environmentally sound shipping.

The MoA signals and will deliver a further strengthening of the bond between IACS Members, in their capacities as Recognized Organizations, and the IMO Member States they serve, for the benefit of the membership of both the IMO and IACS.

In order to deliver tangible outcomes, both parties have agreed that work will initially concentrate on three areas: Cyber safety; the ongoing maintenance of the verification process of IACS Members’ Rules with goal-based standards; and the redesign of the Marine Casualty Investigation (MCI) module of the IMO Global Integrated Shipping Information System (GISIS).

Continue reading “IACS and IMO set to extend their collaboration”

Feadship reaches dizzy new heights with 97-metre Vertigo

Posted on by News Hound
Photo credit: Tom van Oossanen
Photo credit: Tom van Oossanen

Feadship Vertigo saw the light of day on Wednesday 23 November, which is when this 96.55-metre masterpiece left the construction hall at the Feadship yard in Makkum (NL).

With the outstanding interior and exterior design by Redman Whiteley Dixon and Chahan Interior Design and Azure acting as Owner’s project manager, Vertigo’s creative execution raises the bar of superyacht design to new levels of sophistication.

The elegant curves of Vertigo’s streamlined profile are in perfect proportion and harmony. The same applies to the characteristically Feadship lines of Vertigo’s flared bow, which features a games deck and helicopter landing pad with a hangar below for a Bell 429 WLG helicopter.

Continue reading “Feadship reaches dizzy new heights with 97-metre Vertigo”

Siemens commissions first customised wind turbine vessel

Posted on by News Hound

Siemens has commissioned its first specialized transport vessel, the Rotra Vente, to transport the large nacelles used in offshore wind turbines.

The 141-meter long vessel can carry multiple 8MW nacelles per trip and will connect Siemens’ coming manufacturing site in Cuxhaven, Germany, with installation harbours in the North and Baltic Seas.

For Ro-Ro loading, a large bow door can be opened. A telescopic roof protects the nacelles from salty seawater spray and can be slid away for optional lift-on loading.

Continue reading “Siemens commissions first customised wind turbine vessel”

New water lubricated seal for workboats developed by Wärtsilä

Posted on by News Hound

Wärtsilä has developed a new water lubricated seal, Enviroguard SLR, which provides cost-effective reliability for small workboats.

Available in nine standard sizes that suit 75mm-306mm of shaft size, the new seal is expected to provide more reliability to smaller workboats, fishing boats, motorised barges, and super yachts.

The Wärtsilä Enviroguard SLR seal is also designed to survive large shaft movements and to tolerate aggressive waters that are heavy with silt or sand.

Continue reading “New water lubricated seal for workboats developed by Wärtsilä”

Instagram Posts from the IIMS @iimsmarine