IIMS News

Importance of maintaining and adjusting magnetic compasses stressed by AMSA

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AMSA, The Australian Maritime Safety Authority, has issued a Marine Notice with a view to reminding of the importance of magnetic compasses for the safety of navigation, which applies to regulated Australian regulated vessels and certain foreign vessels too.

Vessel owners and masters each have responsibilities for ensuring that magnetic compasses are maintained in good working order, adjusted and a table or curve of residual deviations is available.The performance of the compass should be monitored and, for a vessel more than 100GT, deviations recorded in a compass deviation book at regular intervals, ideally at least once every watch and also shortly after a large alteration of course.

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PowerCell Sweden AB has received the first marine order for two S3 prototype stacks

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Per Wassen, CEO of Powercell Sweden AB
Per Wassen, CEO of Powercell Sweden AB

The leading fuel cell company PowerCell Sweden AB (publ) has received the first marine order for two PowerCell S3 prototype stacks, which Swiss Hydrogen will install on a ship powered by photovoltaics.

“The marine industry is a very interesting area, in which our capacity to deliver electricity without emissions is extremely important. This order comprises two PowerCell S3 prototypes. The order is of strategic importance, but has a limited effect on the result. We are responsible for the fuel cells and Swiss Hydrogen will manufacture the system and conduct adjustments to certify it for the marine environment. The advantage is that our fuel cell stacks are modular and in this way we can get in a few hundred horsepower where it is required in marine applications”, said Per Wassén, CEO, PowerCell Sweden AB.

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DNV GL reveals the patterns behind incidents, accidents and failures

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Learning from failures and incidents is essential in a lean and cost effective organisation and is often a fundamental requirement in regulations. However, incidents should not be seen in isolation as the broader view and key industry learnings might get lost. DNV GL has investigated over 2000 incidents and failures globally, identifying trends among the data and invites the oil and gas industry to join and share experiences. To further strengthen DNV GL’s global lab capabilities for failure investigation, a new lab in Bergen is opening, including one of the world’s largest tensile testing machines.

As the oil and gas industry strives for cost effective execution in projects and operations while maintaining a high focus on safety and environmental footprint, innovative and smart solutions are needed more than ever. By extracting data and knowledge from all the detailed incident investigations performed over the years, solutions might be just around the corner.

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US Coast Guard releases five year strategic plan for boaters

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The US Coast Guard’s Office of Auxiliary and Boating Safety has released the Strategic Plan of the National Recreational Boating Safety Program for 2017 to 2021.

This plan is the third in a series of five-year strategic plans and continues or updates boating safety initiatives and progress measurements that have proven successful over time, while closing gaps identified in the most recent review of strategic opportunities.

“This strategic plan is an important piece of the Coast Guard’s boating safety program,” said Rear Adm. Paul Thomas, assistant commandant for prevention policy. “Over the next five years, the Coast Guard will work closely with representatives of national recreational boating safety organizations to implement the various elements of the plan.”

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Gard P&I Club advises on ways to minimise heat damage risk in soya bean cargoes

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Gard P&I Club reports an increase in heat related damage claims in soya bean cargoes loaded in South America
Gard P&I Club reports an increase in heat related damage claims in soya bean cargoes loaded in South America

Gard P&I Club says that many claims relating to heat damage in soya bean cargoes loaded in South America, particularly Brazil and Uruguay, mostly for discharge in China have been reported this year. Due to the relatively high value of soya beans and the fairly large quantities shipped, the disputes have in some cases involved multi-million dollar claims. In a recently published loss prevention article, Gard P&I Club highlights the importance of inspections as important visible signs that fall under the phrase “apparent condition” can reveal at an early stage the problem and recommends guidelines to assist operations involved in the transportation of soya bean cargoes.

It is important to remember that there is an obligation in law, under the relevant cargo carriage liability regimes, to inspect the cargo’s apparent order and condition at loading, to enable the Master to ensure that the bill of lading is accurate in its description of these items. The same regimes obliges the Master and his crew to properly care for the cargo once loaded.

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Automated Ships Ltd and Kongsberg to test the water with a fully automated offshore vessel

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Automated Ships Ltd from the UK and Norway’s Kongsberg Maritime have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to build the world’s first unmanned and fully-automated vessel for offshore operations. In January 2017, Automated Ships Ltd will contract the ‘Hrönn’, which will be designed and built in Norway in co-operation with Kongsberg.

Sea trials will take place in Norway’s newly designated automated vessel test bed in the Trondheim fjord and will be conducted under the auspices of DNV GL and the Norwegian Maritime Authority (NMA). The Hrönn will ultimately be classed and flagged, respectively.

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New autonomous Mayflower to cross the Atlantic in 2020

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A Crowdfunder campaign for a world first autonomous research ship intended to journey across the Atlantic in 2020 as part of the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower sailing has been launched at the University of Plymouth in the United Kingdom.

The campaign is part of a funding drive to raise £10 million for the Mayflower Autonomous Research Ship (MAS), which is being created by the University, MSubs, the ProMare, and Shuttleworth Design.

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Countdown to Seawork Asia, Shanghai

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Seawork Asia exhibition will take place in Shanghai, China from 29 November to 1st December 2016, but what exactly is Seawork Asia? Seawork Asia is the fastest growing commercial marine and workboat exhibition in the Asian region, and the sister event to Europe’s leading commercial marine and workboat exhibition, Seawork International (held every June in Southampton, UK).

Since its launch in 2014 the event has proved itself to be a key meeting point for buyers and decision makers. 80% of visitors authorise or influence the purchasing decisions of companies they represent; presenting a unique opportunity for businesses to enter, build and maintain their market positions in China and the East Asian Region.
Held in Shanghai, a strategically important gateway, Seawork Asia provides valuable links to East Asia. No other maritime event in Asian region compares as a platform for showcasing international maritime products, brands and services, combined with an on-site conference and an evening banquet.

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UK MAIB issues its second Safety Digest of 2016

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The UK MAIB has announced the publication of the second issue for 2016 of its Safety Digest which includes lessons learned from maritime accidents. This latest edition of the Safety Digest contains 25 articles which are examples of poor risk awareness demonstrated by the crews of vessels from the merchant, fishing and recreational sectors.

Steve Clinch, Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents states:
“The procedures and safe working systems that lie at the core of all safety management systems are there for a reason – invariably mariners have been hurt, ships and/or their cargoes have been damaged or lost, or the environment harmed. MAIB investigations into marine accidents consistently identify cases where mariners chose to ignore the instructions and guidance contained in companies’ safety management systems.“

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UK P&I Club urges care when transporting rice cargoes

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The UK P&I Club has commented on the risks associated with rice transportation and advises on the precautions that can be taken to minimise losses.

479 million tonnes of rice were produced in the 2013/14 season, with 38 million tonnes transported across borders, exported mainly by Thailand, Vietnam and Pakistan. As global demand for staple foods has risen and the shipping industry has faced increasing pressure on freight rates, a large percentage of rice shipments are transported in bagged form aboard traditional bulk carriers, with smaller parcels carried more and more often as containerised cargo.

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Advice issued on carrying solid bulk cargoes safely

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Lloyd’s Register, the UK P&I Club, and INTERCARGO have produced a pocket guide for ships’ officers and agents who arrange cargoes for loading. This pocket guide outlines the precautions to be taken before accepting solid bulk cargoes for shipment; sets out procedures for safe loading and carriage; details the primary hazards associated with different types of cargo; and underlines the importance of proper cargo declarations. A quick reference checklist and flowchart summarise the steps to be followed.

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ABS publishes towing guide

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ABS, a leading provider of classification and technical services to the marine and offshore industries, announces the publication of an industry first – the ABS Guide for Building and Classing Subchapter M Towing Vessels. The Guide helps domestic owners comply with new U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) requirements governing towing vessels that operate in U.S. inland waterways.

“As a trusted advisor to industry, ABS stays at the forefront of changing regulatory requirements so we can offer the best guidance to our clients and other industry stakeholders,” says ABS Americas Division President James Watson. “Our knowledge and experience put us in an excellent position to help owners balance their operational needs with the Subchapter M requirements.”

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