News

New SOSREP at the helm to oversee response to accidents at sea

Picture credit to Maritime & Coastguard Agency/MCA
Picture credit to Maritime & Coastguard Agency/MCA

A former Coastguard with a wealth of experience has been appointed to the vital role of Secretary of State’s Representative (SOSREP) for Maritime Salvage & Intervention, which oversees the response to accidents at sea.

Stephan Hennig had previously been working with the Maritime & Coastguard Agency’s Counter Pollution Branch since 2012 and was appointed Deputy to the SOSREP in 2017.

The SOSREP is responsible for reducing the risk to safety and the environment arising from accidents at sea. Incidents which were overseen by previous SOSREPs include the Transocean Winner rig grounding off the Isle of Lewis in 2016 and the Hoegh Osaka car carrier incident in the Solent in 2015. Continue reading “New SOSREP at the helm to oversee response to accidents at sea”

Guidelines for safe carriage of divinylbenzene in containers are published

According to the guidelines, the transport of DVB without any temperature control generally relies on the DVB being at a low enough temperature when shipped.
According to the guidelines, the transport of DVB without any temperature control generally relies on the DVB being at a low enough temperature when shipped.

The Cargo Incident Notification System (CINS), the International Group of P&I Clubs and the TT Club have published industry guidelines for the carriage of Divinylbenzene (DVB) in containers.

DVB is a chemical prone to polymerization (a form of self-reaction). When shipped in bulk, DVB polymerization can lead heat and flammable gas to be generated. Thus, the stowage of containers carrying DVB aboard vessels can present a risk of explosion and fire, if they are not properly presented for carriage.

As a series of polymerization incidents took place from the carriage of DVB by sea in 2018 the IMO approved changes to the way that polymerizing substances, like DVB, are carried, by amending the IMDG Code. These changes are included in amendment 39-18 of the IMDG Code, which will be mandatory from 1 January 2020, but may be applied voluntarily from 1 January 2019.

To ensure the safe carriage of DVB in containers before 1 January 2020, these guidelines Continue reading “Guidelines for safe carriage of divinylbenzene in containers are published”

Clipper Ventures has acquired the Hamble School of Yachting

The announcement follows the setting up of Clipper China, Clipper Ventures’ Chinese sail training division aimed to meet the country’s growing participation in offshore sailing.

“The decision to buy the Hamble School of Yachting is part of a wider strategy to develop our offering within the offshore sailing industry,” said Clipper Race chairman and co-founder Sir Robin Knox-Johnston.

“Clipper Ventures is the world’s leading provider of offshore sail training and Continue reading “Clipper Ventures has acquired the Hamble School of Yachting”

New workboat code edition 2 is published by MCA

Following collaboration with a number of interested parties to gather industry feedback on the draft MSN for the Workboat Code: Edition 2, the MCA has now published the new Code. This Code applies to small workboats used commercially that operate at sea and to pilot boats of any size operating either at sea or in categorised waters (i.e. inland). It applies to United Kingdom vessels wherever they may be at, and to non-United Kingdom vessels in UK waters or operating from UK ports.

The workboat code edition 2 amends the original Code, “The Safety of Small Workboats and Pilot Boats – A Code of Practice” introduced in 1998, and applies to small workboats and pilot boats, the keels of which are laid, or are at a similar stage of construction, on or after 31 December 2018. This is defined in the Merchant Shipping Notice issued in accordance with the regulation 3(1) of the enabling regulations. From that date, this code supersedes the original Code, and also the use of Marine Guidance Note MGN 280(M)1 “Small Commercial Vessels and Pilot Boat Code of Practice” for small workboats and pilot boats and the Workboat Code Industry Working Group Technical Standard published in June 2014.

Continue reading “New workboat code edition 2 is published by MCA”

The MCA UK code of practice for intended pleasure vessels in temporary commercial use at sea has come into force

A new code came into force on 1 January 2019 allowing pleasure craft to be in temporary commercial use at sea for a number of defined purposes.

The Intended Pleasure Vessels (IPV) Code, which permits the temporary use of craft at sea for businesses purposes and as race support without the current requirement for inspection, marks a huge step forward for the UK’s leisure marine sector.

Testing, trialling and delivery of sea-going vessels legally will now be cheaper and easier for boatbuilders, brokers, surveyors, repairers, delivery companies and equipment service providers under the exemptions laid out in Part 1 of the new Code. It delivers an easier and Continue reading “The MCA UK code of practice for intended pleasure vessels in temporary commercial use at sea has come into force”

First 2019 IIMS training events are open for booking

IIMS is pleased to announce its first three training events of 2019 taking place over the next six weeks are open for booking. They are available to members and non-members.

18/19 January 2019
IIMS Baltimore Conference
Available to real-time and online-only delegates
Cost: US$ 225 for both days attendance real-time or US$ 200 for online delegates.

James Renn, IIMS Regional Director, has assembled 15 speakers covering an impressive array of surveying topics for the two day Conference to be held at The Marine Conference Center, MITAGS-Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies, 692 Maritime BLVD, Linthicum Heights MD 21090. More distant delegates are invited to join live via zoom and take an active part, receiving a copy of Continue reading “First 2019 IIMS training events are open for booking”

Malta MSIU report confirms damaged valves in BWTS lead to engine room flooding

The MSIU were notified of the accident on 26 December 2017
The MSIU were notified of the accident on 26 December 2017

Transport Malta’s MSIU has published its investigation report into a serious incident concerning the Maltese-registered capsize bulk carrier ‘Capri’ that arrived at Dampier anchorage, Australia on 22 December 2017. The ballast system’s valves were damaged, causing approximately 1,100 tonnes of seawater flooding the engine room.

The Incident
Capri, a bulk carrier, was scheduled to load 164,000 tonnes of iron ore for China. On December 24, while the vessel was anchored, it deballasted ballast nos 1 and 4 aiming to Continue reading “Malta MSIU report confirms damaged valves in BWTS lead to engine room flooding”

Several IMO amendments have entered into force from 1st January 2019

The data collection system is one of the measures taken which will support the implementation of IMO’s Initial IMO Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships, adopted in 2018.
The data collection system is one of the measures taken which will support the implementation of IMO’s Initial IMO Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships, adopted in 2018.

As of 1st January 2019, amendments to the bunker delivery note have entered into force, relating to the supply of marine fuel oil to ships, which have fitted alternative mechanisms to comply with the IMO’s 2020 sulphur cap. Other amendments that have come into force this year include the IMSBC Code 2017 amendment and the amendments to designate North Sea and Baltic Sea as ECAs, while the data collection on fuel oil consumption has also commenced.

Bunker delivery note
Bunker delivery note amendments enter into force only a year before the limit for sulphur in fuel oil will be reduced to 0.50% m/m outside emission control areas (ECAs), from 3.5% currently. In ECAs, the limit will remain at 0.10% m/m.

The amendments to Appendix V of MARPOL Annex VI are intended to address situations where the fuel oil supplied does not meet low sulphur requirements, but has been supplied to Continue reading “Several IMO amendments have entered into force from 1st January 2019”

NTSB publishes its official report on Island Lady fire off Florida

NTSB determines that the probable cause of the fire onboard Island Lady was Tropical Breeze Casino Cruz’s ineffective preventive maintenance program and insufficient guidance regarding the response to engine high-temperature conditions.
NTSB determines that the probable cause of the fire onboard Island Lady was Tropical Breeze Casino Cruz’s ineffective preventive maintenance program and insufficient guidance regarding the response to engine high-temperature conditions.

The NTSB has released the official investigation report on the fire onboard the small passenger vessel ‘Island Lady’ on the Pithlachascotee River, near Port Richey, Florida, on 14 January 2018. NTSB held a public meeting in mid-December where it identified insufficient preventative maintenance program and lack of guidance for responding to engine high-temperature conditions as key causes of the accident.

About 1600 on the afternoon of 14 January 2018, a fire broke out in an unmanned space on the small passenger vessel Island Lady near Port Richey, Florida, during a scheduled transit to a casino boat located about 9 miles offshore in the Gulf of Mexico. 53 people were on board the Island Lady. After receiving a high-temperature alarm on the port engine, the captain turned the Island Lady around to return to the dock. During the return trip, smoke began filling the lazarette, main deck, and engine room. The captain deliberately Continue reading “NTSB publishes its official report on Island Lady fire off Florida”

Canal & River Trust finalises sale of BWML

LDC is the UK’s leading mid-market private equity investor
LDC is the UK’s leading mid-market private equity investor

The Canal & River Trust has finalised the sale of its wholly-owned marina subsidiary, BWML, in a transaction that sees Lloyds Development Capital (LDC) invest in the business, supporting the existing management team.

Stuart Mills, Chief Investment Officer at the Canal & River Trust, says: “We are delighted to have completed the sale of BWML and will be investing the proceeds into other income-generating assets to support our core work of caring for the nation’s canals and rivers.

“BWML is performing well and we believe its prospects for future growth are good. Coupled with the expertise of LDC we believe the business will benefit and, by extension, its boating customers will Continue reading “Canal & River Trust finalises sale of BWML”

Free registration has opened for Ocean Business 2019

Ocean Business 2019, taking place at the National Oceanography Centre in Southampton from 9-11 April 2019, has just launched free online registration. Ocean Business promises to be an incredible global show offering the very latest technologies, water-based demonstrations and learning opportunities, as well as Offshore Survey, Ocean Careers, key international associated industry events and an amazing line-up of social opportunities for networking.

Ocean Business 2019 is expected to be the best show yet with such demand from its 360+ international exhibitors that exhibitor space sold out over a year ago. As well as this, record levels of interest in training and demonstration sessions meant that the organisers have had to Continue reading “Free registration has opened for Ocean Business 2019”

Boat Safety Scheme (BSS) management committee set to introduce new CO alarm requirements from April 2019

Strong support for the changes was demonstrated in the responses to the consultation with 84 per cent in favour of introducing a requirement for suitable working CO alarms.
Strong support for the changes was demonstrated in the responses to the consultation with 84 per cent in favour of introducing a requirement for suitable working CO alarms.

Representatives from the Boat Safety Scheme (BSS), a public safety initiative owned by the Canal & River Trust and the Environment Agency, are urging the industry to take onboard safety seriously following the deaths of three inland boaters.

Ahead of issuing the latest advice on carbon monoxide (CO) detection, communications manager Rob McLean has shared that three boaters died in 2018 as a result of onboard fires whilst several more were taken to hospital following fires, explosions and carbon monoxide poisoning.

In light of this and following a public consultation in the autumn, the BSS management committee has decided to introduce new CO alarm requirements from next April.

BSS manager, Graham Watts, thanked Continue reading “Boat Safety Scheme (BSS) management committee set to introduce new CO alarm requirements from April 2019”

Instagram Posts from the IIMS @iimsmarine