IIMS News

Scruffie Marine to deliver its second solar powered launch

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The solar powered launch by Scruffie Marine
The solar powered launch by Scruffie Marine

Scruffie Marine, based in Queensland, Australia, is close to completing its second solar powered launch with its latest Secret 33 model due to be launched within weeks. It will then be shipped to Perth where it will operate as a tourist launch on the Swan River.

The first prototype of the Secret 33 has been operating in Perth since March.

Derek Ellard at Scruffie Marine said the key to the new boat’s performance is its racing yacht pedigree with the proven hull being perfectly suited for electric propulsion.

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Liverpool set to become the Silicon Valley of the maritime world?

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Article reprinted from the Liverpool Echo and written by Liam Murphy

Hi-tech barges could be built at Merseyside’s Cammell Laird as part of plans to make the region “the Silicon Valley for the maritime sector”. The aim is to replace the thousands of lorry journeys expected to be generated when the massive new Liverpool2 port is fully opened with tidal and solar powered vessels. Plans are now being drawn up for the barges – which could even be automated – to transport freight containers from the new deepwater port further inland down the Manchester Ship Canal to Salford docks.

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MAIB safety bulletin published for the Love for Lydia carbon monoxide poisoning incident

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Photograph of the Love for Lydia alongside a marina after the accident showing the canopy as found
Photograph of the Love for Lydia alongside a marina after the accident showing the canopy as found

The MAIB has published a safety bulletin after the carbon monoxide poisoning on board the Doral 250 SE motor cruiser Love for Lydia at Wroxham on the Norfolk Broads between 6 and 9 June 2016 resulted in 2 fatalities.

The safety bulletin highlights the dangers of carbon monoxide on boats and calls for people to fit carbon monoxide alarms, similar to those used in caravans and homes.

MAIB Chief Inspector Steve Clinch said:

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Isle of Man Ship Registry issues new guidance on refrigeration gas storage

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Isle of Man Ship Registry has issued a Manx Shipping Notice (MSN) to provide guidance to all Isle of Man Registered vessels on the installation and maintenance of oxy-acetylene and refrigeration gas equipment. This MSN replaces Industry Circulars 14 and 20 which are withdrawn.

Gas cylinders containing refrigeration gas and nitrogen are normally sent to the ship full and returned to a service provider when empty. These gases are not corrosive and providing the bottle contains the original gas sent from the supplier (and gas has not been added to the bottle on board) the bottles can be periodically inspected and tested at intervals in accordance with the RID/ADR regulations. In most cases, for refrigeration gases and nitrogen this is at 10 yearly intervals.

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New design of coastal feeder ship wins Japan award

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Feeder ship with innovative new designA coastal container vessel featuring a novel, aerodynamic bow form has been voted ‘Best Small Cargo Ship’ at the Japanese Ship of the Year event hosted by the Japan Society of Naval Architects and Ocean Engineers (JASNAOE).

Deployed since delivery in December on the Japanese feeder network operated by Imoto Lines, the 548 teu Natori won the award on account of its energy-saving and safety features. The vessel is highly unusual in appearance, by virtue of a hemispherical-like prow, with integral, rounded forward bridge and superstructure, rendering a highly unusual appearance.

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Challenges ahead for the salvage industry, but from a position of strength says annual review

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The International Salvage Union’s 2015 Annual Review reports an industry facing future challenges from a position of strength with background progress on issues affecting both the salvage and shipping industries.

The review includes an abbreviated report on its accounts, an aspect beyond the scope of this article; of interest however are observations on the industry in general by: ISU president John Witte, general manager Mark Hoddinott and legal adviser Rob Wallis.

President John Witte speaks of operational and commercial challenges but with opportunities for good operators in what he describes as a ‘vibrant industry providing vital services: saving life; protecting the environment and saving property’. Headline figures include ISU members providing 212 salvage services and conducting 64 wreck removals in 2015 with gross revenue from all activity for ISU members standing at US$717m.

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Simple liquefaction ‘can-test’ could help prevent the risk

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UK P&I is promoting the liquefaction 'can test' as a means to detect this phenomenon before leaving port
UK P&I is promoting the liquefaction ‘can test’ as a means to detect this phenomenon before leaving port

UK P&I is promoting the liquefaction ‘can-test’ as a means to help avoid loss of life arising from cargo liquefaction. Over the past decade, at least 100 seafarers have lost their lives due to incidents which have been attributed to bulk cargoes liquefying at sea.

Senior Claims Director Alan Speed looks at the dangers of cargo liquefaction and the steps operators can take to mitigate the risk. “The issue of liquefaction remains high on the UK Club’s Loss Prevention agenda. Solid bulk cargoes such as unprocessed mineral ores and refined mineral concentrates have certain characteristics that, although they may appear to be in a dry, granular state upon loading, contain enough moisture to become fluid under the compaction and vibration that occurs during a voyage. The resulting cargo shift can be sufficient to capsize a vessel and sadly cost lives.

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UK MAIB publishes its Annual Report for 2015

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maibThe Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has published its Annual Report highlighting the work of the branch during 2015. In 2015, a total of 1,057 accidents to UK vessels, or in UK coastal waters were reported to MAIB, involving 1,194 vessels.

Of these accidents, 46 involved only non-commercial vessels and 447 were occupational accidents that did not involve any actual or potential casualty to a vessel. There were 646 accidents involving 744 commercial vessels that involved actual or potential casualties to vessels.

For the sixth year in succession no UK merchant vessels of >100gt were lost. The size of the UK fleet has increased and so the overall accident rate for UK merchant vessels >100gt has fallen to 85 per 1000 vessels from 88 per 1000 vessels in 2014. Two crew lost their lives on UK merchant vessels >100gt during 2015. Only one UK small vessel (<100gt) was lost in 2015 compared with six in 2014.

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AMSA notifies changes in its certification and accreditation services from 2017

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AMSA has issued new edition of its publication ‘ Working Boats’ including information regarding changes in its certification and accreditation services.

Currently, even though AMSA is responsible for regulating domestic commercial vessels (DCVs) across Australia, the way you get your services — such as certificates and vessel IDs, undertaking surveys and the fees associated with these services — is not the same around the country. Those services are currently delivered by each state and territory, which sets its own procedures and fees for these services.

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Surveyors beware of how to avoid claims for ‘cooking’ soya beans

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The latest issue of North P&I Club’s loss prevention newsletter has advised operators to be extra vigilant during loading and transport of soya beans to ensure they do not get blamed for cargoes that start “cooking” at sea.

North’s loss prevention director Tony Baker says, “We have experienced a number of high value claims in China associated with damage to soya beans exported from South America. These claims tend to recur on an annual basis associated with the harvest cycle of soya beans. Similar claims can also occur with other grain cargoes.”

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Wärtsilä’s hybrid battery technology to be used on new Wightlink flagship ferry

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Impression of the new Wightlink flagship ferry
Impression of the new Wightlink flagship ferry

A ship under construction at Cemre shipyard for UK operator Wightlink will be the first ferry to employ Wärtsilä’s technology that uses batteries to manage engine load fluctuations.

The use of batteries in conjunction with four six-cylinder Wärtsilä 20 generating sets – controlled by a 690v main switchboard, an integrated automation system and a power management system also supplied by the Finnish company – is expected to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions while lowering noise levels.

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MCA issues MGN 432: Safety during transferring persons

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The UK MCA has issued Marine Guidance Note 432 in order to provide advice for all vessels engaged in transfers of persons at anchor or underway. It gives guidance on taking the necessary precautions, the use of trained persons and carriage of requisite equipment to aid a safe transfer and rapid recovery of a casualty from the water.

Pilots and Pilotage Authorities regularly undertake transfer of persons between vessels at sea, and it is recommended that this guidance should be read in conjunction with SOLAS Ch V, Regulation 23. However this guidance is predominantly aimed at those who are not experienced in such

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