News

Biofouling: a global challenge that needs rethinking

Impact of biofouling
Impact of biofouling

The rapid pace of technological innovation has had a growing impact on the shipping industry. But as owners and fleet managers face increasing pressure to improve environmental performance, new technologies will be necessary to ensure a profitable and sustainable future. The impact of biofouling on ship fuel use and emissions has generated increasing attention. According to the Clean Shipping Coalition, fouled hulls cost the shipping industry as much as $30 billion per year.

Dr. Volker Bertram, Senior Project Manager at DNV GL, notes that a more proactive technology is needed to curb the build-up of marine Continue reading “Biofouling: a global challenge that needs rethinking”

SOLAS compliance poor – lifeboat release hook failure identified in TSB investigation report

Poor compliance with SOLAS in 'Northern Ranger' incident
Poor compliance with SOLAS in ‘Northern Ranger’ incident

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) has published an incident report on a lifeboat release hook failure during a drill on the passenger ferry ‘Northern Ranger’ in October 2017, which led to minor injuries. The failure was linked to poor compliance with SOLAS and the operator’s safety manual.

On 11 October 2017, the starboard lifeboat of the passenger ferry Northern Ranger was undergoing operational testing at the dock in Nain, Newfoundland and Labrador, when its forward release hook failed.

While the crew members were lifting the lifeboat to the vessel’s embarkation deck, the forward release hook suddenly released and the Continue reading “SOLAS compliance poor – lifeboat release hook failure identified in TSB investigation report”

Pacific 1: Poor decision to remain at sea during continuous flooding cited as main cause of sinking

Pacific 1
Pacific 1

The NTSB has published its investigation report on the flooding and sinking of the commercial fishing vessel Pacific 1 while in the Bering Sea, Alaska in February 2019. The report identified the master’s decision to remain at sea with continuous flooding as key cause of the sinking.

About 0330 local time on 15 February 2019, Pacific 1 was engaged in cod fishing in the Bering Sea near Kashega Bay, Unalaska Island, Alaska, when the vessel began to take on water at the stern. The five crew members abandoned the vessel and were rescued by the nearby Good Samaritan vessel Kona Kai. There were no injuries, but there was an oil sheen. The vessel sank and was considered a total Continue reading “Pacific 1: Poor decision to remain at sea during continuous flooding cited as main cause of sinking”

North P&I Club publishes cargo care checklists for nickel ore, grain and coal cargoes

The North P&I Club has published three helpful checklists
The North P&I Club has published three helpful checklists

The North P&I Club has published three different and helpful checklists about the care of nickel ore, grain and coal cargoes giving details of how to deal with these types of shipments.

North P&I Club Cargo Care Checklist for Nickel Ore

Prior to loading documentation received from shipper is needed.
Also, the Club advises that visual inspection should be conducted before it is loaded to ensure it is safe. Continue reading “North P&I Club publishes cargo care checklists for nickel ore, grain and coal cargoes”

Poor hull maintenance linked to flooding of towing vessel Tom Bussler says NTSB report

Poor hull maintenance linked to flooding of towing vessel
Poor hull maintenance linked to flooding of towing vessel

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has published an investigation report on the flooding and sinking of towing vessel ‘Tom Bussler’ on Tennessee River in January 2019. The incident stressed issues associated with poor hull maintenance and repair.

On January 7, 2019, about 2030 local time, the towing vessel Tom Bussler was transiting in light boat condition (no tow) upbound on the Tennessee River at mile 15 near Calvert City, Kentucky, when it began flooding and quickly sank in the channel. Both crew members aboard abandoned the Continue reading “Poor hull maintenance linked to flooding of towing vessel Tom Bussler says NTSB report”

MFV Suzanne II: MCIB publish report on the fire and loss

MFV Suzanne II
MFV Suzanne II

Ireland’s Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) has released its investigation report on the fire and loss of MFV Suzanne II, east of Arklow, in May 2019. While the exact source of the fire is unknown, the report highlights that the quick response of the crew and their knowledge on when to abandon ship was key to their successful rescue.

On 2 May 2019 the MFV Suzanne II, a fishing vessel, was stopped 30 nautical miles east of Arklow and the crew were taking a break between fishing activities when a crew member observed smoke coming from an engine room vent. The skipper went Continue reading “MFV Suzanne II: MCIB publish report on the fire and loss”

IMO Tier III certification for a megayacht achieved by the first Italian shipyard; CRN

IMO Tier III certification for a CRN
IMO Tier III certification for a CRN

CRN, part of Ferretti Group, is the first shipyard in Italy to receive IMO Tier III certification for the CRN M/Y 137, a soon-to-be-delivered fully custom steel and aluminium 62-metre megayacht. This success is a well-earned reward for an industrial strategy firmly centred on environmental stewardship and sustainable development.

IMO Tier III is the International Maritime Organisation standard that enshrines the naval industry’s commitment to safeguarding the environment; CRN has attained certification right from its first pleasure vessel to be delivered in early 2020. Continue reading “IMO Tier III certification for a megayacht achieved by the first Italian shipyard; CRN”

Former IIMS member Kelly Tolhurst is appointed as new UK Maritime Minister

Kelly Tolhurst MP is pictured with Prime Minister, Boris Johnson
Kelly Tolhurst MP is pictured with Prime Minister, Boris Johnson

IIMS is delighted at the news that Kelly Tolhurst, an Institute member for ten years when a practicing marine surveyor, was appointed as the new UK Maritime Minister on 13 February 2020. Kelly who has been the Conservative member of parliament (MP) for Rochester and Strood since 2015, relinquished her membership only last year. She takes up this key role at an interesting time with the huge political upheaval currently underway in the UK post Brexit and IIMS would like to congratulate Kelly and wish her much success in her new role.

Prior to being appointed as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Transport, Kelly Tolhurst was Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy from 19 July 2018.

Continue reading “Former IIMS member Kelly Tolhurst is appointed as new UK Maritime Minister”

Red Falcon: Report on collision between ro-ro passenger ferry moored yacht at Cowes published

Red Falcon report
Red Falcon report

At 0811 on 21 October 2018, when navigating in severely reduced visibility in Cowes Harbour, the master of the ro-ro passenger ferry Red Falcon lost orientation when his vessel swung out of control, departed the navigable channel and was spun around through 220°. In his confusion the master drove the ferry in the wrong direction resulting in a collision with the moored yacht Greylag which was sunk on its mooring as a result.

Safety issues

the master became fixated upon the information displayed on his electronic chart Continue reading “Red Falcon: Report on collision between ro-ro passenger ferry moored yacht at Cowes published”

HS2: Inland Waterways Association pledges to protect UK canal network

IWA pledges to protect UK canal network from HS2
IWA pledges to protect UK canal network from HS2

Following the UK Government’s recent announcement that the High Speed Rail project HS2 will now go ahead, the Inland Waterways Association (IWA) says it will continue their decade-long campaign to protect the waterways from the worst effects of its construction and operation.

IWA has already achieved several changes to the project since 2010 but continues to be concerned about its noise impacts on many waterways and its damaging effects on some canal restoration schemes. Continue reading “HS2: Inland Waterways Association pledges to protect UK canal network”

Through-bulkhead seal safety enhanced by non-welding advancement

Through-bulkhead
Through-bulkhead

A new solution for sealing metal pipes without welding is speeding up installation time and cutting costs in shipyards, while also enhancing the safety of the through-bulkhead seal.

Roxtec’s SPM seal holds pipes in place by use of a metal and rubber sandwich. No welding is required. A gasket of EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) rubber is held between two flanges of marine grade 316 stainless steel. The seal is slid over the end of the pipe, then the pipe is pushed into an oversized aperture on the bulkhead. Continue reading “Through-bulkhead seal safety enhanced by non-welding advancement”

Foxton Locks open its gates to the public

Step down into the drained Foxton Locks
Step down into the drained Foxton Locks

The Canal & River Trust (CRT) is inviting the public to step down into the drained Foxton Locks for a chance to see what it takes to keep the 200-year-old famous flight of locks working smoothly.

Over the next two months CRT is completing important works at Foxton, the longest and steepest ‘staircase’ of locks in the UK, including replacing a number of giant oak lock gates. The programme of works will see new lock gates lifted into seven of the site’s ten locks as well as repairs to historic brickwork and other parts of the lock structures. Continue reading “Foxton Locks open its gates to the public”

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