British Coatings Federation to survey use of antifouling paints

The British Coatings Federation has launched a survey to addressed concerns that authorities may decide to restrict the application and use of antifouling paints to strictly professional applicators
The British Coatings Federation has launched a survey to addressed concerns that authorities may decide to restrict the application and use of antifouling paints to strictly professional applicators

The British Coatings Federation (BCF) Marine Coatings Group has addressed concerns that authorities may decide to restrict the application and use of antifouling (AF) paints to strictly professional applicators and organisations, by launching a survey to determine DIY use of AF paints in the UK.

The survey looks to raise awareness amongst the boat-owning community regarding this issue, determine the current practice related to AF paint use by the DIY market, determine the awareness of users to the hazards of AF paint, emphasizing the importance of using appropriate Personal Protective Equipment, and to provide an indication as to the impact on AF paint sales, boat maintenance costs and leisure boat ownership, if such a restriction becomes law.

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Volvo Penta has unveiled its new Forward Drive (FWD) Duoprop concept

The new Duoprop concept has been unveiled by Volvo Penta
The new Duoprop concept has been unveiled by Volvo Penta

Ten years ago, Volvo Penta revolutionised leisure boating with its Volvo Penta IPS forward facing propulsion system. Now the company is opening up a new realm for recreational water sports with the new Volvo Penta FWD. The system’s patented design — forward facing dual counter rotating props and adjustable trim drive — pulls the boat through the water rather than pushing, with an undisturbed water flow to the propellers.

The clean and efficient FWD propulsion system delivers superior responsiveness, acceleration, fuel economy and versatility, and is ideal for water sports that take place behind the boat, including wakeboarding and wakesurfing — a sport rapidly gaining in popularity in North America. Similar to wakeboarding but without the use of a rope and handle, wakesurfing provides a surfer with a perpetual wave in the wake of a boat for a much longer ride than in traditional surfing.

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Certifying Authority October training day agenda released

The next IIMS CA training day will take place on 6 October
The next IIMS CA training day will take place on 6 October

The agenda for the Certifying Authority Training Day taking place on Tuesday 6 October 2015 is available to view below.

The training day is taking place at Portchester Sailing Club, Waterside Lane, Castle St, Portchester PO16 9QN

The programme is as follows:

The day will commence at 10:00 hrs
Welcome and introduction

MCA news and updates
New Workboat Code Consultation closing 5 October
Yellow / Blue Codes Update in Draft and due for Consultation soon
CA Surveyors Standards Working Group
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Red Dot recognises new gauge range by Cygnus Instruments

The new MK5 range of thickness gauges by Cygnus Instruments has captured the attention of the Red Dot Awards and the company has been awarded an 'Honourable Mention'
The new MK5 range of thickness gauges by Cygnus Instruments has captured the attention of the Red Dot Awards and the company has been awarded an ‘Honourable Mention’

Cygnus Instruments Ltd’s new MK5 ultrasonic thickness gauge has been awarded an ‘Honourable Mention’ by Red Dot Award for its durable design.

The Red Dot Award panel comprising a 38 member jury panel awarded an ‘Honourable Mention’ for the Cygnus Instruments Ltd’s design, which is the result of a twin shot injection moulded enclosure that has a soft but durable TPE outer skin, making them both comfortable and durable. Meanwhile, the inner shell is strong, keeping the electronics totally sealed from the outside environments.

Following extensive customer engagement and working within industry standards, Cygnus Instruments developed the new range of ultrasonic thickness gauges, which still use the well-established multiple-echo technique for error-checked readings through coatings but also incorporates single-echo and echo-echo measuring modes for obtaining measurements in areas of extreme corrosion or back wall pitting.

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Windcat Workboats builds engineering base at ABP Lowestoft

Windcat Workboats launches its newest vessel. Picture: Stephen Waller
Windcat Workboats launches its newest vessel. Picture: Stephen Waller

Windcat Workboats has launched its latest vessel for the growing renewable energy industry at ABP’s Port of Lowestoft.

The vessel, ‘Windcat 38,’ is the first to be launched following the signing of a long term lease agreement between ABP and Windcat Workboats for their new marine engineering facility in the port.

Windcat Workboats owns and operates over 38 offshore crew transfer vessels which are predominantly used in the European offshore wind sector.

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IIMS launches handy guide publishing programme

The IIMS has launched a new series of reasonably priced handy guides
The IIMS has launched a new series of reasonably priced handy guides

The International Institute of Marine Surveying (IIMS) has launched a series of self help handy guides under the title ‘What a marine surveyor needs to know about’.

The guides are available in a compact and handy A5 size. The series is launched initially with four titles, but over the next year, it is expected to expand to cover over thirty different subjects and topics.

Typically the guides are published at various price points between £20 and £30, equivalent to about US$30 to US$45. The publications are currently only being sold directly from IIMS in paperback, but will also soon be available electronically to download as e-books through the web site as well as via Kindle.

Commenting on this striking new initiative, Mike Schwarz, IIMS CEO, said, ”It occurred to me that there is a gap in the market place for a range of sensibly priced books that would be of direct benefit to IIMS members as well as many other surveyors and those associated with the marine and maritime world in general. The range of scheduled specialist topics is vast and I expect the series to grow to 30 plus booklets over the coming year.“

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IIMS London Conference proves to be a hit with delegates

Ken Hickling in full flow at the IIMS London Conference 2015
Ken Hickling in full flow at the IIMS London Conference 2015

The culmination of six months of planning and preparation came to fruition when the IIMS London Conference 2015 took place at the Old Library in the Lloyd’s of London building on 7 and 8 September. Probably the only library in London not to house any books, this excellent, historic and graceful space provided the perfect venue in which to meet.

Members and others from the marine world came from all parts of the globe for what proved to be a great conference if the positive feedback that has been received is anything to judge by.

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Jeffrey Casciani-Wood receives IIMS Lifetime Achievement Award

Jeffrey Casciani-Wood proudly holding his lifetime achievement award
Jeffrey Casciani-Wood proudly holding his lifetime achievement award

At the IIMS London Conference Dinner 2015 on Monday 7 September aboard HMS Belfast, Jeffrey Casciani-Wood was presented with a lifetime achievement award by IIMS President, Capt Bertrand Apperry. The award was unanimously agreed by the Management Board at a recent meeting and is a fitting and suitable recognition of Jeffrey’s 70 years of service to the boat, ship and marine surveying profession.

In his citation, Mike Schwarz, IIMS CEO, said, “This lifetime achievement award recognises a 70 year association, or should that be obsession, with the boating, shipping and marine surveying sectors.”

In a moving ceremony, the 100 plus dinner guests rose to their feet as one to applaud Jeffrey as he came forward to receive and accept his crystal gift from The President to mark the occasion.

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Sailor’s Society launches new Chapplaincy App

Sailors' Society has announced the launch of their new Chapplaincy App for Android smartphones
Sailors’ Society has announced the launch of their new Chapplaincy App for Android smartphones

Sailors’ Society, one of the largest seafarer support charities operating internationally, has developed Chapplaincy a Smartphone App which will enable port chaplains and ship visitors to deliver more effective care to the world’s 1.5 million seafarers.

Developed with the support of Augustea Group, Chapplaincy enables real-time activity reporting and maintains a history of ship visits and support provided to seafarers. Data can then be accessed by chaplains in other ports and subject to confidentiality and data protection policies, can be used to provide ongoing care and assistance as ship and crew continue their voyage.

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First zero emission luxury yacht unveiled by Solarwave Yachts

Solarwave Yachts and NEDSHIP have collaborated to create what they claim is the first emissions free luxury yacht
Solarwave Yachts and NEDSHIP have collaborated to create what they claim is the first emissions free luxury yacht

What is claimed to be the first emission free yacht by Solarwave Yachts is nearing completion. NEDSHIP and Solarwave Yachts have announced details of their exciting new 62′ concept.

The collaborative result of the working development of NEDSHIP on zero emission 60ft (18.82m) passenger boats, plus four years of work by Michael Köhler on the power system on a smaller prototype, makes this advanced yacht concept the first real zero emission and consumption vessel.

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Palmer Johnson Yachts to move manufacturing to the Netherlands

Palmer Johnson Yachts has signalled its intention to close its American yard and to transfer manufacturing to the Netherlands
Palmer Johnson Yachts has signalled its intention to close its American yard and to transfer manufacturing to the Netherlands

In an official statement, American superyacht builder, Palmer Johnson Yachts has announced their plans to relocate their manufacturing facilities to the Netherlands, confirming that their American facility will close its doors by the end of October with the loss of 100 jobs.

The relocation of the Palmer Johnson facility comes as part of the yard’s strategic plan to increase its production of the new carbon SuperSport series. Declining sales and escalating offshore competition also contributed to the closure of the Sturgeon Bay shipyard.

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New energy saving windshield on containership being tested

The new MOL energy saving windshield is clearly demonstrated in this photgraph
The new MOL energy saving windshield is clearly demonstrated in this photgraph

News has been announced by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd that the company has started demonstration tests on a new energy saving windshield for containerships, which has the potential to reduce wind resistance, save fuel, and reduce CO2 emissions. MOL jointly developed the device with MOL Techno-Trade, Ltd.

The new energy saving windshield was installed on the bow of the MOL operated containership MOL MARVEL. A demonstration test of its effectiveness in reducing CO2 emissions is under way.

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