IIMS News

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”

Pilot reveals final moments of car carrier Golden Ray to Coast Guard investigation panel

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Pilot reveals final moments of car carrier Golden Ray
Pilot reveals final moments of car carrier Golden Ray

In testimony Monday before a U.S. Coast Guard investigation panel, the pilot on the last voyage of the car carrier Golden Ray described the vessel’s final moments – an account never before released to the public.

Capt. Jonathan Tennant, an experienced pilot with the Brunswick Bar Pilots Association, brought the car carrier Golden Ray into port on September 7, 2019. The transit proceeded in a typical manner and she handled as normal, he testified.

In the early hours of September 8, he boarded the vessel to take her out again. Though she had conducted cargo operations, her draft remained the same, and the master told him that the vessel was Continue reading “Pilot reveals final moments of car carrier Golden Ray to Coast Guard investigation panel”

Exhaust Gas Cleaning systems shown to have lower climate impact than low-sulphur fuel

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Wärtsilä points to the positive findings of Exhaust Gas Cleaning systems on the environment
Wärtsilä points to the positive findings of Exhaust Gas Cleaning systems on the environment

The technology group Wärtsilä, a leading provider of Exhaust Gas Cleaning systems for the marine industry, refers its customers to a recent report from CE Delft, an independent research and consultancy organisation, regarding the climate impact of Exhaust Gas Cleaning systems. The study compares the results to the use of low-sulphur marine fuels and is made from a well-to-wake perspective in order to achieve an accurate comparison.

The report concludes that the environmental impact of Exhaust Gas Cleaning systems will be less than that of low-sulphur marine fuel. It notes that CO2 emissions associated with producing and installing an EGC system are small compared to those generated when operating Continue reading “Exhaust Gas Cleaning systems shown to have lower climate impact than low-sulphur fuel”

ROs must inform of non-compliant equipment onboard a Maltese ship

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Transport Malta requires recognised organisations to inform them where it is suspected MED equipment placed onboard a Maltese ship is not compliant
Transport Malta requires recognised organisations to inform them where it is suspected MED equipment placed onboard a Maltese ship is not compliant

Transport Malta has reiterated the need for compliance with the Directive 2014/90/EU on Marine Equipment (MED). The Directive requires recognised organisations to inform the Directorate in cases where it is suspected that MED equipment placed onboard a Maltese ship is not compliant with the applicable requirements.

Market surveillance also includes activities carried out in the course of the Directorate’s recognised organisations auditing and oversight programme with respect to compliance with the MED of equipment placed onboard.

Marine equipment is required to be evaluated after installation onboard a Maltese ship, both by carrying out documentary checks related Continue reading “ROs must inform of non-compliant equipment onboard a Maltese ship”

Canal & River Trust set to spend £45 million on waterways works this winter

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Canal & River Trust set to spend £45 million on waterways works
Canal & River Trust set to spend £45 million on waterways works

The Canal & River Trust is planning to carry out a £45.1 million programme of repairs on waterways across England & Wales this winter, replacing lock gates, dredging to ensure the water is deep enough for boats, and carrying out a host of tasks to keep the 200-year old network open and help ensure its resilience to climate change.

Despite forecasting a reduction of income of around 10% (£20 million) due to the pandemic, the trust has been able to prioritise spending to maintain a full winter works programme of 128 large-scale repairs across 50 canal and river navigations. Carried out by their in-house team and specialist contractors, the works take in the World Heritage Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, famous lock flights Caen Continue reading “Canal & River Trust set to spend £45 million on waterways works this winter”

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