IIMS News

Standard Club advises how to safely carry wood pulp

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The Standard P&I Club has issued an advisory note on the carriage of wood pulp.Wood pulp is a wood fibre which has been reduced chemically or mechanically to pulp. It is used in the manufacture of paper. The product has a high moisture content and can be susceptible to damage if not carried correctly. The carriage of wood pulp requires the vessel to comply with stringent requirements. These demand that all holds are in top condition; clean, dry, no loose paint and no rust.

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MAIB reports on the girting and capsize of mooring launch Asterix

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The MAIB report, recently published, into the incident leading to the ultimate loss of Asterix explains the issues surrounding the girting and capsize of the mooring launch while assisting manoeuvring of the small chemical tanker Donizetti at Fawley oil refinery, Southampton UK points to lack of communication and training. The two crew from the launch were rescued, the coxswain having been trapped in the upturned wheelhouse for more than an hour. The launch later sank however there was no pollution and although later recovered, the launch was declared a constructive total loss.

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Sailors’ Society releases free Wellness at Sea app for seafarers

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Sailors’ Society has launched Wellness at Sea app, a free app for seafarers
Sailors’ Society has launched Wellness at Sea app, a free app for seafarers

Sailors’ Society, one of the largest seafarer support charities operating internationally, has launched Wellness at Sea app, a free app for seafarers.

Wellness at Sea app is the next step in Sailors’ Society improving on board health and well-being at sea and puts seafarers’ wellness in their own hands.

Sandra Welch, Sailors’ Society’s deputy chief executive, said: “Sailors’ Society’s Wellness at Sea coaching programme has been well received by the industry and we were keen to take it to the next level by putting the tools to enhance and monitor well-being in the hands Continue reading “Sailors’ Society releases free Wellness at Sea app for seafarers”

Jordan is the latest to ratify MLC 2006

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santaThe Government of Jordan deposited with the International Labour Office the instrument of ratification of the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006). Jordan’s decision to join up makes them the 73rd member State to have ratified this landmark Convention. Now over 80 per cent of the world gross tonnage of ships have signed up to MLC 2006.

Jordan, the first Middle East Arab country to have the ratified this landmark Convention, has a merchant fleet totalling 109,602 gross tonnage.The MLC, 2006 entered into force on 20 August 2013 for the first 30 member States that had registered their ratification by 20 August 2012. The Convention will enter into force for Jordan on 27 of April 2017, that is, one year after its ratification.

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Ongoing issue of enclosed space risks highlighted by the death of a Master

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Enclosed space risks are vexing and remain a topic of concern
Enclosed space risks are vexing and remain a topic of concern

Despite repeated warnings and on-going training, another life has been needlessly claimed from an enclosed space incident. It seems that enclosed space risks and incidents continue to exact a heavy toll on seafarers, often because basic safety precautions are overlooked. A new Mars Report, issued by the Nautical Institute, refers to an enclosed space fatality on board an oil tanker in which an oil sampler had to be recovered from an empty tank.

The atmosphere was found to be 20.6% oxygen, with hydrocarbon at 26% LEL. The Master approved the risk assessment and work plan for two crew members to enter the space with emergency escape breathing devices. When they reached the tank bottom, the men felt dizzy; one exited but the other collapsed. Despite being warned not to, the Master entered the tank and was overcome. Although both men were brought out by crew wearing breathing apparatus, the Master could not be revived.

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Mystery of ghost tanker that drifts ashore minus crew

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The Panama flagged oil tanker Tamaya 1 has strangely drifted ashore on a beach near Robertsport on the northern Liberia coast on 4 May. There is no sign of its captain or crew.

According to MarineTraffic, the vessel’s last known position was recorded on 22 April 22 2016 as the ship was steaming southward at 0.7 knots towards Senegal after leaving the port of Dakar in Senegal.

Currently theories range from abandonment to piracy, although Tamaya 1’s last known position was well north of active Gulf of Guinea pirate groups who typically stick to the waters off Nigeria.

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European Community Shipowners’ Associations says Alang recycling processes have improved

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Ship recycling practices in Alang, India, are gradually improving according to the European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA). It says the European Commission should acknowledge this positive development under the EU Ship Recycling Regulation. Adopting an overly restrictive approach will discourage first movers and further delay the entry into force of the IMO Hong Kong Convention.

These are the main messages that ECSA took home from a fact-finding visit held last week in Alang, India. The visit was organised in cooperation with the Indian government, Continue reading “European Community Shipowners’ Associations says Alang recycling processes have improved”

Innovation award for Magma Structures

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Sailing Yacht A proudly displaying her giant masts by Magma Structures
Sailing Yacht A proudly displaying her giant masts by Magma Structures

Portsmouth based composites experts, Magma Structures, has been awarded the prestigious Maritime Innovation Award presented by the Royal Institution of Naval Architects in association with QinetiQ.

The award was presented to Magma Structures’ Managing Director Clive Johnson at the annual RINA Awards Dinner at the Lancaster Hotel, London. The Maritime Innovation award was presented to Magma Structures in recognition of its innovative work on the engineering, design and manufacture of the world’s three tallest carbon free-standing composite masts built for the Sailing Superyacht ‘A’. The masts, which took over four years to design, test, and build were constructed at Magma Structures waterside manufacturing premises in Portsmouth in the UK.

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USCG issues warning about the recall of emergency beacons

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USCG has issued a safety alert to inform people about the urgent recall of all SAFELINK EPIRBs due to a possible defect that could result in the beacon not operating in emergency situations. USCG advises that if you own or use a SAFELINK EPIRB automatic or manual model it should not under any circumstances be used as a primary Search and Rescue beacon onboard.

The USCG provides the following information obtained by Kannad Marine:
Kannad Marine recommends that all owners of SAFELINK EPIRBs register their ownership, location and contact details via the dedicated website.

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Western Med training event proves popular and successful

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Pictured is the group of surveyors who met for training in Palma
Pictured is the group of surveyors who met for training in Palma

A large and enthusiastic group of 20 plus IIMS member surveyors and non members arrived on the island of Mallorca for a two day training event in Palma on 28 and 29 April organised by the Western Mediterranean Small Craft Working Group under the leadership of John Walker. The event was once more timed to coincide with the rapidly growing and increasingly important Palma Superyacht Show.

The opening day was run by John Excell, IIMS Chairman of Yacht & Small Craft surveying, and was given over to an introduction to the IIMS Certifying Authority Continue reading “Western Med training event proves popular and successful”

Superyacht UK Tour of Excellence 2016 a great success

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British Marine was behind the Superyacht UK Tour of Excellence 2016
British Marine was behind the Superyacht UK Tour of Excellence 2016

British Marine and its group association, Superyacht UK (SYUK), gave 17 international delegates and journalists the opportunity to visit and network with a number of key British companies who provide superior quality products and services for the superyacht sector.

The Superyacht UK Tour of Excellence, which took place over an entire week, ran from Monday 18 to Friday 22 April. During the course of the week the tour took delegates from Cornwall in the west to Sussex in the south. It was an opportunity to demonstrated Britain’s rich heritage as seafaring pioneers with truly world-class Continue reading “Superyacht UK Tour of Excellence 2016 a great success”

New Tritex Multigauge 5650 Surveyor Thickness Gauge

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Tritex NDT has announced the launch of the new Multigauge 5650 surveyor thickness gauge specially for marine surveyors
Tritex NDT has announced the launch of the new Multigauge 5650 surveyor thickness gauge specially for marine surveyors

Dorchester based, Tritex NDT has launched their new Multigauge 5650 Surveyor thickness gauge. The new gauge, based on the already very popular original Multigauge 5600, has new features specifically designed for marine surveyors. The gauge can be used with existing standard soft faced probes for measuring metal thickness through coatings, up to 20mm thick, to give the same high standard of performance as the Multigauge 5600. However, by simply exchanging the probe, the gauge automatically switches to GRP measurement mode which uses single echo. This can be used to assess the condition Continue reading “New Tritex Multigauge 5650 Surveyor Thickness Gauge”

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