IIMS News

What caught my eye: June 2024

Posted on by CEO

Be aware (and beware) that some lithium battery safety cases are not fit for purpose

If you follow my scribblings on a semi regular basis, you will know that the subject of lithium battery fires is one that concerns me greatly and is a topic I have written a great deal about. A recent performance test conducted by Yachting Pages on some of the leading safety cases revealed some startling and concerning findings.

With more than 1,000 lithium battery fires reported around the world every week, lithium battery safety cases are of paramount Continue reading “What caught my eye: June 2024”

IIMS AGM, Conference and Dinner 2024

Posted on by News Hound

In the first week of June, attendees from around the world gathered for this year’s IIMS AGM, Conference and Dinner.

Held at the beautiful Chilworth Manor Hotel near Southampton, the dinner was a chance for professionals from the marine surveying industry to meet and network.

Incoming President of the Institute, Captain Ruchin Dayal, addressed delegates that evening and announced his chosen charity the Sailors’ Society.

He said, “They are a recognised international organisation worthy of our collective support. Continue reading “IIMS AGM, Conference and Dinner 2024”

Report: Collision between fishing vessel Kirkella and pusher tug Shovette

Posted on by News Hound
UK registered fishing vessel Kirkella collided with tug Shovette
UK registered fishing vessel Kirkella collided with tug Shovette

On 24 June 2022, while alongside at King George Dock, Hull, England, the crew of the UK registered fishing vessel Kirkella lost control of its propulsion system and the vessel collided with the unmanned tug Shovette, which was moored ahead of Kirkella. During the collision Shovette’s hull and starboard fuel tank were breached by Kirkella’s bulbous bow. The tug partially sank, which resulted in pollution of about 7,000 litres of marine diesel oil being released into the dock. Kirkella was not significantly damaged and there were no injuries. Continue reading “Report: Collision between fishing vessel Kirkella and pusher tug Shovette”

IMCA annual report highlights inadequate control on confined spaces

Posted on by News Hound
photo credit: IMCA
photo credit: IMCA

Analysis of more than 1,600 vessel inspection reports in year to 1 April this year reveals ongoing safety concerns over confined spaces.

A new report from IMCA has analysed 1,611 standard vessel inspection reports uploaded to IMCA’s eCMID (Common Marine Inspection Document) and eMISW (Common Marine Inspection Documents for Small Workboats) database in the previous year.

The eCMID system provides the marine and offshore industry with standardised formats Continue reading “IMCA annual report highlights inadequate control on confined spaces”

Ship fire safety systems are crucial and must be treated as such

Posted on by News Hound
Ship fire safety systems are the topic of whitepaper
Ship fire safety systems are the topic of whitepaper

Survitec has highlighted the dangers of inadequate maintenance, testing, and inspection of ship fire safety systems in a new white paper, which points to an alarming increase in fire-safety-related deficiencies found during Port State Control Inspections and subsequent ship detentions.

In a white paper released at the Posidonia tradeshow, Survitec highlighted that fire continues to be a leading cause of major shipping incidents, accounting for over 20% of total losses, and the most expensive cause of marine insurance claims. While the highest level of fire safety deficiencies in a decade was recorded by the Paris MoU in 2022, and the Tokyo MoU also reported an increase in detentions, with a staggering 15,562 deficiencies reported in 2023. Continue reading “Ship fire safety systems are crucial and must be treated as such”

ABS Port State Control Q1 Report 2024 published

Posted on by News Hound
ABS has published its Port State Control Report
ABS has published its Port State Control Report

ABS has published its Port State Control Report which comes out quarterly, providing information to owners on deficiencies identified on ABS vessels during inspections carried out by the various PSC regimes globally during the First Quarter of 2024.

Top categories for grounds for detention
For period 1 January to 31 March 2024, the top categories for Port State Control (PSC) detentions on ABS vessels in the Paris Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Tokyo MoU and the United States Coast Guard (USCG) database are are the following:
– ISM Continue reading “ABS Port State Control Q1 Report 2024 published”

Key steps in preventing engine room fires

Posted on by News Hound
Gard P&I Club has highlighted the main aspects associated with preventing engine room fires
Gard P&I Club has highlighted the main aspects associated with preventing engine room fires

As most fires on board ships start in the engine room, Gard P&I Club has highlighted the main aspects associated with preventing engine room fires, based on observations made during condition surveys of vessels entered by the organisation’s personnel.

According to Gard, there are a number of built-in safety features on board a vessel, designed to limit the risk of fire and the spread of it, and the officers and crew must have full knowledge of these and maintain their integrity. Thus, the Club advises the following: Continue reading “Key steps in preventing engine room fires”

New Zealand Ship Noise Specification delayed but a Noise Label Score is required

Posted on by News Hound
All container vessels visiting a New Zealand port will be required to provide a Noise Label Score
All container vessels visiting a New Zealand port will be required to provide a Noise Label Score

All container vessels visiting a New Zealand port will be required to provide a Noise Label Score according to the Environmental Ship Index (ESI), following the NEPTUNES protocol, or confirm that a reactive silencer is fitted to one of ancillary engines used while at berth. If either of these requirements is not met, then from 1 June 2024 the vessel will be refused entry to any New Zealand port.

During late May, New Zealand’s ports announced that the NZ Ship Noise Specification won’t Continue reading “New Zealand Ship Noise Specification delayed but a Noise Label Score is required”

BIMCO informs of the dangers of transporting palm kernel shells

Posted on by News Hound
Credit: BIMCOBIMCO informs of the dangers of transporting palm kernel shells
PHOTO CREDIT: BIMCO 

According to BIMCO, recent events at the port of Ishinomaki, Japan, involved two workers found unconscious during cargo operations aboard a bulker ship transporting palm kernel shells. While the incident is under investigation by the Japanese Coast Guard to determine any connection between the cargo and the workers’ condition, it underscores the importance of understanding the hazards associated with transporting palm kernel shells. Continue reading “BIMCO informs of the dangers of transporting palm kernel shells”

Safety and Shipping Review 2024: Record low for fleet loses

Posted on by News Hound
Safety and Shipping Review for 2024 has been published PHOTO CREDIT: ALLIANZ COMMERCIAL
Safety and Shipping Review for 2024 has been published PHOTO CREDIT: ALLIANZ COMMERCIAL

Allianz Commercial’s Safety and Shipping Review for 2024 has been published, which finds that the sector will have its work cut out to maintain this status quo in future.

According to Allianz, the fact that shipping is increasingly subject to growing volatility and uncertainties from war and geopolitical events, the consequences of climate change, as well as ongoing risks resulting from the trend for larger vessels, means the industry will have to face significant challenges. Captain Rahul Khanna, Global Head of Marine Risk Consulting, Allianz Commercial said: “The speed and extent of the way the industry’s risk profile is changing is unprecedented Continue reading “Safety and Shipping Review 2024: Record low for fleet loses”

Paris MoU 2023 CIC on Fire Safety

Posted on by News Hound
Paris MoU 2023 CIC on Fire Safety
Paris MoU 2023 CIC on Fire Safety

The Paris Memorandum of Understanding (Paris MoU) on Port State Control (PSC) carried out a Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) on Fire Safety in collaboration with the Tokyo MOU from 1 September to 30 November 2023.

During the CIC, member Authorities focused on compliance with areas specified by the CIC during PSC inspections.

A CIC questionnaire was devised and approved by the Paris MoU Port State Control Committee. The intention of the questionnaire was to provide a supplementary series of questions to the regular inspection process to specifically address areas where there are reoccurring deficiencies with respect to fire safety. Continue reading “Paris MoU 2023 CIC on Fire Safety”

What caught my eye: May 2024

Posted on by CEO

Rare eiderdown feathers create world’s most expensive superyacht duvet

Now you know I really could not let this story pass by without comment. Everyone knows the sky’s the limit when it comes to the superyacht sector, but this one blew me away – a $60,000 duvet. Really? Are they serious? Yep, they most certainly are.

Well, it seems they are deadly serious. Yacht bedding specialist CC Design is producing what it believes to be the world’s most luxurious tailored duvet for clients in the superyacht industry, costing $62,535. Continue reading “What caught my eye: May 2024”

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