The marine environment takes a toll on coatings, and to keep up with maintenance, most ships’ crews use oil-based paints and finishes almost every day that the weather allows. These materials come with an inherent fire risk, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has warned, because waste and rags from cleanup can easily combust. For finishes containing linseed oil – a common ingredient in wood finishes – the risk is elevated by the material’s tendency to self-heat and ignite. Left alone, a linseed-soaked rag can catch fire without any external source of ignition as the crew of the yacht Pegasus discovered last year. Continue reading “Oily rags were the cause of luxury yacht fire are accident investigation findings”
IIMS News
Overreliance on ECDIS seen as factor in cruise ship strike on Alaska pier
In its report on a May 9, 2022, incident that saw a Royal Caribbean cruise ship strike a cruise terminal pier causing $2.1 million in damage, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) identifies overreliance on an ECDIS electronic chart, miscommunication and an outdated navigational chart as all factors in causing the strike.
The cruise ship Radiance of the Seas was docking at the Sitka Sound Cruise Terminal on May 9, 2022, when it struck and damaged a mooring dolphin. The cruise ship sustained a minor hull indentation. The mooring dolphin sustained damage to three of the four pilings supporting it. There were no reported injuries to the 1,375 passengers, 782 crew and four pilots on board. Continue reading “Overreliance on ECDIS seen as factor in cruise ship strike on Alaska pier”
Optima e10 electric boat first to circumnavigate UK’s Isle of Wight
Putting a new twist on the age-old challenge of racing around the UK’s Isle of Wight, the Optima e10 is now the first electric boat to accomplish the feat.
With its innovative ‘stabilized monohull’‘ design and creator David Kendall at the helm, it completed the 51 nautical mile (95km) journey in just under 6 hours, starting and finishing at Lymington Yacht Haven with no enroute charging.
‘An incredibly comfortable and enjoyable trip’
Kendall, also the CEO of Optima’s boatbuilding operations, Continue reading “Optima e10 electric boat first to circumnavigate UK’s Isle of Wight”
Inland waterways users urged to help in battle against invasive water plant
Environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, in partnership with the Environment Agency, has launched its #PennywortAlert scheme for 2023 as it urges the public to report sightings of the harmful aquatic weed, floating pennywort, on waterways. Floating pennywort can grow up to an astonishing 20cm per day in late summer. It forms dense mats of kidney-shaped leaves on the water’s surface, depleting oxygen levels, blocking out vital sunlight for our native aquatic plants and, ultimately, threatening fish, invertebrates, insects and our wider native ecosystems. Continue reading “Inland waterways users urged to help in battle against invasive water plant”
IIMS presents two Blue Water Awards to longstanding friends
At the Conference dinner, held at Chilworth Manor, Southampton on Tuesday 6th June, IIMS chose this occasion to publicly recognise two people who have made a big contribution to Institute life, but in very different ways. Here is a transcript from Mike Schwarz’s dinner speech announcing the presentations, which were presented by Peter Broad, IIMS President.
He said, “It is now my pleasure to announce two prestigious Blue Water Awards and in doing so, I am recognizing two people who have been fundamental in underpinning the work of the Institute over many years. Both are long-standing friends and colleagues from entirely different industry sectors and backgrounds. Continue reading “IIMS presents two Blue Water Awards to longstanding friends”
From ‘Sofa to Sailboat’ a unique challenge for one IIMS member
A leisure sailor and IIMS member and his inexperienced ex-Team GB crewmate are moving from their sofas onto a tiny 17ft sailboat to cross the Atlantic Ocean in aid of charity. In December 2023, John-Kenneth D Habbershaw, a Yacht and Small Craft Marine Surveyor, and his crewmate Farris Collins will take on an incredible challenge as they cross 3,000 miles of the Atlantic Ocean, unassisted in a tiny upcycled 50-year-old ‘Leisure 17’ sailboat, which has been nicknamed their ‘dinghy with a lid’. The pair aim to raise £100,000 in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support, Mind, MS-UK, and St Helena Hospice. MS-UK and St Helena Hospice are based in Colchester, Essex, UK. Continue reading “From ‘Sofa to Sailboat’ a unique challenge for one IIMS member”
After two decades of negotiating UN adopts the historic new BBNJ agreement
On 19 June, the United Nations (UN) adopted the new oceans treaty on sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ). The UN’s 193 Member States adopted a landmark legally binding marine biodiversity agreement following nearly two decades of fierce negotiations over forging a common wave of conservation and sustainability in the high seas beyond national boundaries covering two-thirds of the planet’s oceans. Continue reading “After two decades of negotiating UN adopts the historic new BBNJ agreement”
Angry response voiced at Seawork over proposed new MCA Workboat Code 3
Anger erupted and spilled over at the MCAs handling of the Workboat Code 3 consultation process at the Seawork conference. Accusations were made that the MCA (Maritime & Coastguard Agency) is not communicating new coding regulations that could have disastrous consequences for small workboats.
There was standing room only at the UK’s Maritime & Coastguard Authority Workboat Code 3 update presentation at Seawork as the Workboat Association teetered close to expressing a vote of no confidence in the UK’s statutory body. Something of a showdown with Continue reading “Angry response voiced at Seawork over proposed new MCA Workboat Code 3”
Fires in Lithium-ion batteries can be a challenge to extinguish
A recent Safety Flash from IMCA (International Marine Contractors Association) focuses on an incident in which water got into Lithium-ion batteries in equipment for use subsea causing an explosion.
Inspection of the equipment after a successful deployment identified a potential leak from one of the metal tubes. However, other work priorities meant that the technician in charge of the equipment decided to leave it in its storage area and delay the removal and further examination of the battery. Continue reading “Fires in Lithium-ion batteries can be a challenge to extinguish”
Preventing small passenger vessel fires
The United States Coast Guard (USCG) has issued a Safety Alert in response to ongoing investigations being conducted in collaboration with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) into fires onboard two certificated small passenger vessels.
Fortunately, USCG reports that there were no resulting injuries; however, both vessels sustained millions of dollars in structural damages. The USCG provides the following insights to provide industry personnel and safety managers with reminders of best practices which, when incorporated, can assist in the prevention of fires onboard vessels. Continue reading “Preventing small passenger vessel fires”
New SOLAS amendments on lifting appliances and anchor handling winches is just one of several new requirements
The 107th session of the IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 107) from 31 May to 9 June 2023 has adopted new requirements in order to improve safety, including mandatory requirements for lifting appliances and anchor handling winches, and new mandatory requirements for ventilation of totally enclosed lifeboats.
In addition, a new Code of Safety for Diving Systems to enhance the safety of divers in fixed and portable diving systems was adopted. Interim guidelines for the safety of ships using LPG fuels were approved, as well as interim guidelines for the safe operation of onshore power supply services in ports. DNV has provided an analysis of the key issues discussed as follows: Continue reading “New SOLAS amendments on lifting appliances and anchor handling winches is just one of several new requirements”
MGN 681 (M) Fire safety and storage of small electric powered craft on yachts
Notice to all shipowners, masters, deck and engineer officers, certifying authorities and surveyors involved with yachts. This MGN notice should be read with the Red Ensign Group Yacht Code Parts A and B.
Small electrically powered craft and other vehicles (such as personal watercraft) are becoming more commonly used in place of similar petrol-powered craft or vehicles stowed on yachts. Whilst electric craft do not necessarily represent a greater fire risk than petrol craft, there are considerable differences Continue reading “MGN 681 (M) Fire safety and storage of small electric powered craft on yachts”
