IIMS News

Seven minute recharge for zero-emission ferries for Niagara Falls tour

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Seven minute recharge for zero-emission ferries for Niagara Falls tour
Seven minute recharge for zero-emission ferries for Niagara Falls tour

A pair of vessels installed with all-electric propulsion from ABB have been approved to enter service at Niagara Falls. The zero-emission ferries named the James V. Glynn and the Nikola Tesla are said to be the first all-electric vessels built in the US, with power drawn from a high-capacity battery pack supplied and integrated by ABB. In addition to batteries, ABB has supplied an integrated power and propulsion solution for the newbuild zero-emission ferries, including an offshore charging system, enabling sustainable operation.

“Maid of the Mist has always evolved with the technology, and we are thrilled to open a new page in Continue reading “Seven minute recharge for zero-emission ferries for Niagara Falls tour”

900,000 UK boaters set to be hit by post-Brexit travel rules is RYA survey finding

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Almost 900,000 UK boaters are due to be hit by restrictions on how long they can stay in Europe after the Brexit transition period ends on 31 December 2020, a new survey by the RYA has found.

With the end of the free movement of people, UK citizens, including boaters, will be restricted to spending no more than 90 days in a rolling 180-day period in the Schengen Area (the Schengen rule) before they have to obtain a visa for each Schengen country they plan to visit.

The RYA’s survey shows that of the estimated 1.2 million UK boaters who currently boat in the Schengen Area, 74% spend more than 90 Continue reading “900,000 UK boaters set to be hit by post-Brexit travel rules is RYA survey finding”

Machinery failure caused by lubrication contamination case study

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Machinery failure caused by lubrication contamination
Machinery failure caused by lubrication contamination

The Swedish Club has described an incident of machinery failure onboard due to lubrication contamination in their system. An investigation showed that the engine had been operated on a high thermal load for a long time and the turbocharger’s efficiency had been affected by fouling, while the lubrication oil had been contaminated for some time.

The vessel concerned was at anchor, in ballast, awaiting further instructions. The weather deteriorated after seven days and the vessel’s anchor dragged. The anchor was heaved up and the vessel started to slow steam in the area. After about 24 hours, the differential pressure alarm of the main engine duplex lubrication oil filter sounded in the ECR. The crew found aluminium and other Continue reading “Machinery failure caused by lubrication contamination case study”

Varkan Ege: COLREGs implementation called into question after vessels collide reveals MCIB investigation

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MCIB report on 'Varkan Ege'
MCIB report on ‘Varkan Ege’

Ireland’s MCIB has published an investigation report on the collision between the tanker ‘Varkan Ege’ and the sailing vessel ‘Medi Mode’ in Irish waters during August 2019. The investigation attributed the incident to a mix of misunderstanding, inefficient lookout and poor knowledge of COLREGs.

On Saturday, 22 August 2019 at 10.45 hrs, the sailing vessel ‘Medi Mode’ departed from Arklow and was on route to Kilmore Quay. A decision was made to change the destination from Kilmore Quay to Howth as the weather had deteriorated, and due to an impending night arrival in Kilmore Quay.

At 17.45 hrs on 22 August, abeam of Rosslare, a course was set for the home port of Howth. The vessel Continue reading “Varkan Ege: COLREGs implementation called into question after vessels collide reveals MCIB investigation”

MCA: Bilge water alarms consultation under way

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MCA: Bilge water alarms consultation under way
MCA: Bilge water alarms consultation under way

The Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA) have released information about their new proposed regulation for Bilge Water Alarms.

Consultation is due to begin on draft legislation that intends to reduce the risk of an accident arising as a result of water coming into a vessel without the crew knowing it is happening.

The new regulations would mean that all vessels greater than 24 metres in length but less than 500 gross tonnage would have to be fitted with bilge alarms.
Owners of vessels less than 500 gross tonnage would still have to formally assess the risks to crew Continue reading “MCA: Bilge water alarms consultation under way”

MAIB Safety Digest lessons from marine accident reports October 2020 published

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In an extract from the introduction to the latest and second MAIB Safety Digest October 2020, Andrew Moll, Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents said, “This has been a challenging year for us all, and some sectors of the marine industry have been very hard hit by the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic.

It therefore pains me to say that overall this year there seems to be very little change in the overall rate at which accidents and incidents are occurring. Te need to improve safety is therefore very much with us.

Continue reading “MAIB Safety Digest lessons from marine accident reports October 2020 published”

Two free guides available to download in pdf format published by IIMS

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IIMS has published a new free 36-page informative guide called ‘The use of moisture meters on small craft’. Additionally, the Institute has republished another free 16-page guide entitled ‘Biological Attack on Iron & Steel’.  Both guides, authored by Jeffrey Casciani-Wood HonFIIMS, are available in pdf format from the IIMS website.

The use of moisture meters on small craft
The first thing to know about moisture meters is that they do not actually measure moisture. What they do measure is conductivity. The origins of the moisture meter lie in the building and construction industries and the original scale was based on the water content of brick Continue reading “Two free guides available to download in pdf format published by IIMS”

MAMBO: world’s first 3D printed fiberglass boat using a thermoset continuous fibre composite material

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World’s first 3D printed fiberglass boat
World’s first 3D printed fiberglass boat

Italian start-up, Moi Composites, is unveiling its MAMBO (Motor Additive Manufacturing Boat) at the Genoa Boat Show. The MAMBO is the world’s first real 3D printed fiberglass boat using a thermoset continuous fibre composite material, demonstrating a new, unique shaped boat that cannot be achieved with traditional manufacturing.

At 6.5 metres long by 2.5 metres wide, MAMBO has a dry weight of approximately 800kg, and is equipped with a real navigation system, cork flooring, white leather seats, and a 115 cv engine. The hull is an inverted tricycle inspired by the famous Arcidiavolo by Sonny Levi. Continue reading “MAMBO: world’s first 3D printed fiberglass boat using a thermoset continuous fibre composite material”

Baltic countries to look at new evidence on 1994 roll-on roll-off ferry Estonia sinking

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Photo credit: REUTERS/Ints Kalnins/File Photo reuters_tickers
Photo credit: REUTERS/Ints Kalnins/File Photo reuters_tickers

The roll-on roll-off ferry Estonia, carrying 803 passengers and 186 crew, sank on a stormy Baltic Sea shortly after midnight on September 28, 1994. The official investigation in 1997 concluded that the bow shield had failed, damaging the bow ramp and flooding the car deck. However, Sweden said that a Discovery Network documentary about the disaster included new underwater video images from the wreck site showing damage on the starboard side of the wreck.

“Estonia, Finland and Sweden have agreed that verification of the new information presented in the documentary will be made,” the foreign ministers of the three countries said in a joint statement on Monday. Continue reading “Baltic countries to look at new evidence on 1994 roll-on roll-off ferry Estonia sinking”

The bizarre account of how RCR saved 49 boats on the River Avon in an18 hour shift

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RCR saved 49 boats on the River Avon in an18 hour shift
RCR saved 49 boats on the River Avon in an18 hour shift

A report at Somerset Live reveals how the RCR (River Canal Rescue) team managed to pull off a huge logistical feat to save 49 canal boats in one 18 hour shift in Bath. Disaster struck on the Kennet and Avon Canal when a sluice gate broke at Twerton at September 15. Water rapidly drained from the canal and in the space of an hour no more than a trickle was left.

Several boats were capsized completely when their tight moorings pulled them in the wrong direction as the water disappeared. In total 49 canal boats became stranded in thick silt for several days, with boats perched precariously on concrete slabs, on their sides or submerged in filthy water.

RCR is regularly called in to attend incidents with canal boats often involving Continue reading “The bizarre account of how RCR saved 49 boats on the River Avon in an18 hour shift”

Dixie Delight: Report published into Alabama boat and marina fire which killed eight people

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NTSB report on Dixie Delight fire
NTSB report on Dixie Delight fire

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has published its investigation report on the fire and explosion aboard houseboat Dixie Delight which spread through Jackson County Park Marina, Alabama, in January 2020, killing eight people. The report has highlighted that marinas should have measures and guidelines in place to prevent such incidents.

On 27 January 2020, about 0035 local time, fire broke out aboard the Dixie Delight, a 43-foot liveaboard houseboat, tied to Dock B at Jackson County Park Marina in Scottsboro, Alabama. The owner of the vessel attempted to extinguish the fire and push the burning vessel away from the dock, but the blaze engulfed the Dixie Delight and then spread to neighbouring vessels and the wood- Continue reading “Dixie Delight: Report published into Alabama boat and marina fire which killed eight people”

The sad death of IIMS stalwart Captain Barry Thompson is announced

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Captain Barry Thompson addressing dinner guests at the IIMS 25th Anniversary dinner in London in 2016
Captain Barry Thompson addressing dinner guests at the IIMS 25th Anniversary dinner in London in 2016

The world of marine surveying is mourning the death of one of its most admired and respected practitioners of recent times. News has reached the IIMS Head Office of the passing of Captain Barry Thompson HonFIIMS. Barry died on 24 September 2020 aged 92 years old and will be known to many members as well as others in the marine world.

A more detailed obituary will be published in the December Report Magazine, but for now, IIMS CEO, Mike Schwarz, remembers a much-admired and skilful marine surveyor, who was a stalwart of the Institute.

I cannot claim to have known Barry closely, nor indeed for very long – only the past 6 years. But what I learnt immediately upon joining Continue reading “The sad death of IIMS stalwart Captain Barry Thompson is announced”

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