Superyacht builders invest in ocean conservation

A group of shipyards has committed to reinvesting in the regeneration and conservation of the oceans and is urging others to join them.

Abeking & Rasmussen, Ameryachts, Baglietto, Feadship, Gulf Craft, Heesen Yachts, Horizon Yachts, Lürssen Yachts, Oceanco, Royal Huisman, Sanlorenzo, Silveryachts, Southern Wind, Tankoa, Turquoise Yachts and Vitters are the first builders so far to agree to reinvest based on the gross tonnage (GT) of yachts they deliver.

“An innovative approach towards ecological transition is about acknowledging the ocean-climate nexus and the central role of marine ecosystem conservation for a healthy planet,” said Dr Vienna Eleuteri, Water Revolution Foundation’s initiator and sustainability scientist. “I am very pleased with this group of builders taking the lead in setting up structural reinvestment by the yachting sector to regenerate our Continue reading “Superyacht builders invest in ocean conservation”

Pre-load steel surveys – recommended only for finished steel products

For their mutual members, Gard P&I Club covers the cost of pre-load steel surveys (after any contribution from charterers). Only finished steel cargos justify the costs. In this short article, the Club highlights the type of cargo that is covered by the pre-load recommendation.

As a general guideline, the Club will cover the costs involved in owners’ entries pre-loading survey on finished steel products. Accordingly, it is normally recommended that pre-loading surveys be carried out on the following products:
• Hot rolled steel in coils or bundles
• Cold rolled steel in coils, packs or bundles Continue reading “Pre-load steel surveys – recommended only for finished steel products”

Conducting an oil tanker operational risk assessment

Oil tanker operations are extremely critical due to the significant impact they can have on life, property and the environment should anything go wrong, Shipowners Club has said.

To assist in mitigating the risk involved with this trade, several measures are already in place including regulations governing the carriage of oil and the mandatory requirement for all crew to undergo specialised training courses prior to sailing on tankers.

However, despite this regulatory framework, Shipowners’ Loss Prevention Team continues to receive notifications of operational-related Continue reading “Conducting an oil tanker operational risk assessment”

Tristar Safety at Sea Conference – Promoting welfare and well-being of seafarers

Tristar Group will host its Third Annual “Safety At Sea” conference on 8th December 2021 (1330 UAE time) at the Dubai Expo Site in the India Pavilion. This continued initiative by Tristar, supported by IIMS, Nautical Institute, and IMarEST, is to draw industry and global attention to crew mental health issues and to improve the general well–being of all seafarers.

As business owners and leaders in the maritime industry, the onus is on us to take a leading role to ensure that the mental health of seafarers is no longer a taboo subject and that we create platforms to discuss and put in place an ecosystem that will enable seafarers to Continue reading “Tristar Safety at Sea Conference – Promoting welfare and well-being of seafarers”

Review study on the Recreational Craft Directive 2013/53/EU – Final report published

The report has been created in line with the review clause set out in Article 52 of the Directive 2013/53/EU which requires the European Commission (EC) to submit a report to the European Parliament and the Council by 18 January 2022. The final report/study has been carried out by Panteia, TNO and Emisia on behalf of the EU Commission in terms of the RCD Review 2022 process and has been published. The report can be downloaded in pdf format at the bottom of this article.

The Executive Summary as extracted from the report is as follows. The Recreational Craft Directive (RCD) 94/25/EC, harmonising the provisions related to recreational craft, was adopted by the European Parliament and the Council in June 1994 and was applied from June Continue reading “Review study on the Recreational Craft Directive 2013/53/EU – Final report published”

Australia launches Discover Boating campaign

The Boating Industry Association (BIA) of Australia has launched its Discover Boating campaign ahead of an expected busy summer season. The three-month, multi-channel advertising campaign is designed to promote participation in boating and the boating lifestyle to millions of people nationwide.

BIA president Darren Vaux says interest in boating and the boating lifestyle in Australia remains strong, and now is the time to build on this interest and keep the momentum going.

“BIA is spearheading a collaborative advertising campaign by industry, aimed at promoting participation in boating across Australia,” says Continue reading “Australia launches Discover Boating campaign”

Hong Kong investigation reveals lessons learned from fatality during loading steel pipes

The Hong Kong authorities have concluded and released details of an investigation into a fatal accident that took place onboard a Hong Kong registered bulk carrier when loading its cargo of steel pipes in various sizes at a pier.

A Hong Kong registered bulk carrier was berthed at a pier to load its cargo of steel pipes in various sizes. During the crane operation, the stack of steel pipes below was displaced by lowering a heavy steel pipe. It caused the nearby stevedores to lose their balance and fall into the gaps between the steel pipes. Although the two injured workers were rushed into the port hospital for medical treatment, one of the stevedores responsible for unhooking the cargo was declared dead the day after the incident, and the other stevedore responsible for cargo securing was seriously injured. Continue reading “Hong Kong investigation reveals lessons learned from fatality during loading steel pipes”

What you need to know about preventing fires onboard containerships

A collaboration between Standard Club and David Townsend, Principle Fire Investigator at Andrew Moore & Associates Ltd, has resulted in a helpful loss prevention alert being released that focuses on container fires while offering some suggestions for dealing with and improving the situation.

According to Mr. Moore, there has been an increasing number of fires onboard containerships in recent years, some with disastrous consequences, not only for the shipowner and the crew on board but also for the environment and the shipping industry’s reputation.

He added that fire safety in container shipping has, for various reasons, and predominantly due to the sheer capacity, become Continue reading “What you need to know about preventing fires onboard containerships”

Guidelines for the shipment of petroleum cargoes issued

The Swedish Club has published helpful cargo guidelines, focusing on petroleum cargoes shipments. The Club said that they wanted to give advice on the shipment of petroleum cargo specifically. A variety of refined petroleum cargoes are transported via the shipping industry. These cargoes are classified by the hydrocarbon range of the products. As the club explains, a common contamination found in refined petroleum products is the presence of particulates. This often leads to a failure in the appearance parameter which states that the cargo should be ‘clear and bright’ and typically leads to further cargo processing operations.

Pre-loading Continue reading “Guidelines for the shipment of petroleum cargoes issued”

Call for applications for appointment as MCIB Investigator

The MCIB (Marine Casualty Investigation Board) was established in 2002 under the Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Casualties) Act 2000. The purpose of the MCIB is to investigate marine casualties with a view to learning lessons to prevent them from happening again. It is not the purpose of an investigation to attribute fault or blame. The MCIB invites applications from suitably qualified investigators to carry out contracted marine casualty investigations on behalf of the Board.

To date the MCIB has published approximately 243 accident investigation reports and now wishes to engage additional investigators to carry out accident investigations on its behalf and to develop reports for the MCIB. Continue reading “Call for applications for appointment as MCIB Investigator”

Loss of over one hundred containers from Zim Kingston due to heavy weather and port congestion says initial report.

The container ship Zim Kingston that spilled 109 boxes off the Strait of Juan de Fuca on October 22 was at sea in a storm caused directly as a result of port congestion says a new report. Using satellite AIS data, Seattle public radio station KUOW found that the Zim Kingston loitered off the strait’s entrance in gale conditions, moving at three knots on a course beam to the prevailing winds for about six hours.

While she was off the Strait, significant wave heights of about 16 to 20 feet were noted and the sustained wind speeds were in the range of 35-40 knots. The Zim Kingston began to roll through 35 degrees, and with extreme forces acting on her stacked deck cargo, she lost more than 100 containers over the side. Continue reading “Loss of over one hundred containers from Zim Kingston due to heavy weather and port congestion says initial report.”

First build ruling for offshore wind support vessels published by US Coast Guard

Photo credit: Robert Allan
Photo credit: Robert Allan

The US Coast Guard National Vessel Documentation Center has published a new ruling regarding the construction of crew transfer vessels (CTVs). This is the first guidance issued on the construction of the many offshore support vessels that will be required to construct and maintain thousands of power generating wind turbines intended to be installed off the US coast.

To provide services to an offshore wind farm in US waters, a CTV must be considered “built in the United States” as required by US coastwise laws (commonly referred to as the “Jones Act”). For a vessel to be considered US built, it must meet two basic tests – “all major components of its hull and superstructure” must be US “fabricated;” and the vessel must be “assembled entirely in the United States.” Continue reading “First build ruling for offshore wind support vessels published by US Coast Guard”

Instagram Posts from the IIMS @iimsmarine