IIMS News

BAM set to build and install world’s first gravity base foundations for offshore wind turbines

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BAM International has achieved a worldwide first having been awarded a contract to design, fabricate and install five full-size gravity base foundations for wind turbines off the Northumberland coast in the UK. The contract has been awarded to BAM by EDF Energy Renewables via SPV Blyth Offshore Demonstrator Ltd and utilises leading edge technology, the first of its kind to be built in the world.

The foundation design will utilise ‘self-installing’ technology, which has been developed by two BAM companies, BAM Nuttall and BAM Infra. The design is being undertaken by BAM Infraconsult.

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Cyber security goes under scrutiny in The Navigator

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The 12th edition of The Navigator is out now
The 12th edition of The Navigator is out now

The hot topic of cyber security is examined in the twelfth issue of The Navigator. The magazine looks at how cyber security is developing and how navigators can protect themselves, their crew mates and vessel from the associated threats. Articles include a discussion on spoofing and hacking, advice on how to prepare for the worst and an insight into the use of smart technology, social media and the internet at sea.

Emma Ward, Editor of The Navigator, said: “With more advanced onboard technology, this subject should concern everyone. Targeted, malicious cyber attacks are not the only way a ship can come under threat. Risks can come from sources much closer to home, for example a crew member plugging a smart phone into a USB port on the ECDIS and disrupting the display, or an unsuspecting social media download introducing a virus. So, the more we know about cyber security, the better we can shore up our defences and stay safe at sea.”

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IIMS Nigeria Branch inauguration meeting and election of officers

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The inauguration meeting to formalise the IIMS Nigeria Branch, the seventh international such venture undertaken by the Institute, took place on 31 May 2016.

The meeting started at 11.10 am, a little later than advertised. The minor delay was to accommodate late comers and members who had delayed flights in from far locations. The meeting started with a prayer as is the normal Nigerian cultural way of doing things. An attendance record was taken. Monday Ogadina, Regional Director, introduced himself and it fell to him to open proceedings by giving a speech on the significance of the meeting and to run the process of the election of officers.

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IMO issues advice regarding verification of gross mass of packed containers as deadline looms

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An MSC circular on Advice to Administrations, port State control authorities, companies, port terminals and masters regarding the SOLAS requirements for verified gross mass of packed containers has been agreed by the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), following discussion on the pending entry into force of the requirements in SOLAS regulations VI/2.4 to VI/2/6 on the verification of the gross mass of packed containers on 1 July 2016.

Concerns were noted with regards to the application of the requirements to a container which was loaded before 1 July 2016 and then transhipped. The Committee, meeting for its 96th session (11-20 May), also noted delegations’ comments that, in the first few months after 1 July 2016, some leeway should be provided in order for any problems resulting from software updates, required for the electronic collection and transmittal of verified gross mass data, to be rectified without causing delays to containers being loaded.

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MED directive for domestic passenger ships and vessels consultation open

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Will these life jackets meet the MED Directive? The consultation is open
Will these life jackets meet the MED Directive? The consultation is open

Marine equipment of a safety, or anti-pollution nature (such as lifejackets, fire extinguishers, oily water separators and ships’ radios and radars) installed onboard UK vessels must meet performance and testing standards to ensure it functions as required. Equipment required according to International Maritime Organisation (IMO) conventions is to be of an approved type and in the European Union (EU), this is achieved through Council Directive 96/98/EC2, otherwise known as the Marine Equipment Directive (MED).

Difficulties have been observed in implementing the MED Directive, particularly regarding protection of the EU market against non-compliant and fraudulent equipment and the communication of the applicable testing standards for equipment within the scope of the MED.

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Caterpillar Marine unveils new hybrid thruster in pursuit of efficiency

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Caterpillar Marine has announced delivery of its first Cat Marine Hybrid Thruster system in search of ever increasing efficiencies
Caterpillar Marine has announced delivery of its first Cat Marine Hybrid Thruster system in search of ever increasing efficiencies

Caterpillar Marine has unveiled a new hybrid thruster concept which it claims can offer dramatic cost. Caterpillar Marine has announced that the first Cat Marine Hybrid Thruster system will be delivered to an undisclosed shipyard in Singapore and will be commissioned this year.

This new propulsion setup is claimed to outperform a straight diesel mechanical drive system in all partial load conditions and offers improved fuel economy and substantial through-life savings for a variety of offshore support vessels. Caterpillar claims that for vessels spending long periods of time in standby or DP (dynamic positioning) service, the annual fuel savings by adopting this hybrid system could be as high as 35% calculated across the entire operating profile of the vessel.

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Slow uptake on the new EU rules on watercraft

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The new EU rules on watercraft have been in effect for the last four months but worryingly little more than half of the 28 EU Member States have transposed the Directive’s requirements into national law it is reported.

Among those who have been holding back, there are countries with strong boatbuilding and equipment manufacturing activity and reputations, such as France and Germany, who are facing internal legal issues that have been holding back the transposition.

The explanation provided by the UK government is described as a “normal administrative backlog” but certainly the Brexit debate is not helping either. Poland sees some light at the end of the tunnel, where the legislative works are ongoing and the Directive has been partially transposed.

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Fairline Yachts signs new collaboration deals

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Fairline Yachts has signed a contract with the Alberto Mancini Yacht Design studio in a bid to secure its collaboration to design new innovative yachts.

Alongside the deal with the Italian yacht designers, Fairline Yachts also confirmed a partnership with Dutch naval engineers, Vripack.

Andrew Pope, head of design at Fairline Yachts, said: “Alberto clearly demonstrated his understanding of the Fairline brand and we’re very excited to see him applying his talent and design language to our future new models.”

“The addition of Vripack and the excellence in naval engineering that they bring, will ensure each of our new models are at the leading edge of marine technology.”

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A warning on the dangers of enclosed space entry issued by London P&I Club

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The London P&I Club says it continues to see cases of injuries and fatalities associated with entry into enclosed onboard spaces, including cargo holds on bulk carriers where atmospheres have not been treated as potentially dangerous.

In a recent case, two shore staff were permitted by the ship’s crew to enter the cargo hold of a bulk carrier via the usual means of access. But, due to an atmosphere which did not have sufficient oxygen to support life, one member of the shore staff died, along with a crewman who made an attempt to rescue them without following proper emergency procedures.

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The importance of fire safety in engine rooms is highlighted

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DNV GL has been considering the aspects of fire safety in engine rooms with respect to both new-build and ships in service and offers the following advice. Insulation, screening and the routing of pipes cannot be easily addressed in the design and approval phase. As a result, DNV GL are keen to remind people, including surveyors that these aspects require adequate attention during the new-build construction phase.

Insulation and screening deteriorate during the vessel’s operational phase and require extra attention during the vessel’s in service phase. Often, deficiencies within these two aspects are easy to detect during a survey. However, missing insulation or screening is not always easy to identify, especially on relatively new ships. Therefore, it is important that all requirements are met when the vessel is delivered – making follow-up during the ship’s lifetime simpler.

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RNLI meets IIMS

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On Wednesday 25 May, a group of nearly 30 IIMS members met at the impressive Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) headquarters and training facility at Poole in Dorset, UK. Their mission? Firstly to have a close look first hand at the RNLI All-weather Lifeboat Centre and the various workshops to see and understand the activities going on. Then after lunch, the group combined with the RNLI surveyors at their conference for an invaluable afternoon of training and knowledge sharing.

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SCHOTTEL develops VarioDuct high performance nozzle

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A test model of the new nozzle SCHOTTEL VarioDuct SDV45 in the towing tank
A test model of the new nozzle SCHOTTEL VarioDuct SDV45 in the towing tank

The new SCHOTTEL VarioDuct SDV45 high performance nozzle is now available in the Rudderpropeller range from the German propulsion specialist SCHOTTEL. It offers provable higher efficiency at open-water speed combined with very good bollard pull values. In conjunction with optimally designed propeller geometries, the outstanding performance characteristics of the nozzle come to the fore. Given the same propulsive power, it has a greater bollard pull than the thrust of previous nozzles and, at the same time, offers considerably greater efficiency in the medium and high speed range. The system, consisting of a Rudderpropeller and the new nozzle, thus contributes significantly to fuel savings.

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