News

The US Coast Guard 2017 Domestic Vessel Annual Report reveals over 21,000 deficiencies found

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The US Coast Guard has published its Domestic Vessel Annual Report
The US Coast Guard has published its Domestic Vessel Annual Report

The US Coast Guard has published its Domestic Vessel Annual Report collating data from the USCG’s Marine Information Safety and Law Enforcement (MISLE) database regarding vessel population, inspections conducted, and deficiencies discovered for the 2017 calendar year.

Headline findings

– Of the 18,424 inspections conducted in 2017, 21,629 deficiencies were identified on the 12,189 active vessels in the US fleet of responsibility.

– Passenger vessels account for 81% of those deficiencies. However, based on the overall vessel population, cargo vessels received a higher ratio of deficiencies per vessel, with an average of 5.17.

Continue reading “The US Coast Guard 2017 Domestic Vessel Annual Report reveals over 21,000 deficiencies found”

Independent check of installation could have prevented explosion in construction service vessel Normand Maximus

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Photo by: Harald M Valderhaug
Photo by: Harald M Valderhaug

The Accident Investigation Board of Norway (AIBN) has published released its report on the work accident on board the Normand Maximus off the coast of Brazil on 21 February 2017. One person died in the accident, while another one was seriously hurt and a further three sustained minor injuries.

The construction service vessel (CSV) Normand Maximus was hired by Saipem to function as a platform at sea.

In cooperation with Baker Hughes, Saipem was to conduct pre-commissioning tests to verify that all equipment and components are in accordance Continue reading “Independent check of installation could have prevented explosion in construction service vessel Normand Maximus”

Crush incident report involving a falling hatch cover on SMN Explorer published

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The accident was the result of procedural inadequacies and a lapse of supervision.
The accident was the result of procedural inadequacies and a lapse of supervision.

A crewman from the Liberian registered general cargo vessel, SMN Explorer, died when he was crushed by a falling hatch cover. The crewman was part of a working party stowing cargo slings used for the discharge of the ship’s cargo. The accident occurred when the crewman climbed up the inside of the open hatch cover after its locking pins had been removed.

The accident was the result of procedural inadequacies and a lapse of supervision. The investigation identified that the vessel’s safety management system was immature and the safety culture on board the vessel was weak. Risk assessments had not been conducted for routine tasks and a safe system of work had not been developed for opening and closing the forecastle (fo’c’s’le) stowage space hatch cover.

Safety issues
– the crewman walked under, and climbed up an unsecured hatch cover;
– the accident occurred because the Continue reading “Crush incident report involving a falling hatch cover on SMN Explorer published”

Hakvoort launches explorer yacht Scout its largest to date

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Known as Project Brio during the build, the highly-anticipated project will cruise as SCOUT upon delivery to her experienced owners in Spring 2019.
Known as Project Brio during the build, the highly-anticipated project will cruise as SCOUT upon delivery to her experienced owners in Spring 2019.

Hakvoort Shipyard in Monnickdam, Holland, has successfully launched the yard’s largest project to date. The 63.72-metre explorer yacht SCOUT was designed by renowned British design studio and H2 Yacht Design.

Known as Project Brio during the build, the highly-anticipated project will cruise as SCOUT upon delivery to her experienced owners in Spring 2019.

Measuring 63.72-metres with a beam of 11.6 metres and a draft of 3.25 metres, SCOUT emerged from the Hakvoort shed in Monnickendam in North Holland on 1st December before being towed to Amsterdam for final completion. Amongst the works that will be completed in the Dutch capital is the installation of her mast, crow’s nest, radars, stabilizers and propellers.

Previously known as YN249, M/Y Scout saw a change Continue reading “Hakvoort launches explorer yacht Scout its largest to date”

Yacht registration tax relief to end before 2019 in Spain

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As a result, given that the regime will come to an end on 31st December 2018, yacht owners benefitting from the regime must now choose one of a number of different options in order to keep their yachts in Spanish waters.
As a result, given that the regime will come to an end on 31st December 2018, yacht owners benefitting from the regime must now choose one of a number of different options in order to keep their yachts in Spanish waters.

On 31st December 2018, the Spanish Touristic Registration tax regime, which was established in the General Budgets Law passed on 4th July 2018, will come to an end.

The provisions for the Spanish Touristic Registration tax regime are laid down in Royal Decree 1571/1993. It is a sort of Temporary Admission customs regime whereby non-Spanish residents could register a yacht under Spanish flag exempt from VAT (Non-EU residents) or Matriculation Tax (EU residents but not Spanish).

Matriculation Tax is a tax applicable to leisure yachts, new or used, when registered under Spanish flag or when they are intended for use in Spanish territory by individuals or entities residing in Spain or holding establishments located in Spain. The tax levied is 12% of the yacht’s value.

According to the preamble of the Spanish General Budgets Law 2018, the regime would no longer Continue reading “Yacht registration tax relief to end before 2019 in Spain”

New Zealand commercial fishing vessel operators must install float free EPIRB distress beacons by 1 January 2019

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Photo Credit: MaritimeNZ
Photo Credit: MaritimeNZ

The New Zealand’s national regulatory, compliance and response agency for the safety, security and environmental protection of coastal and inland waterways, MaritimeNZ, has reminded operators of New Zealand that they must install float-free EPIRB distress beacons on commercial fishing vessels by 1 January 2019. The regulation applies to vessels between 7.5 meters and 24 meters operating outside enclosed waters.

Domonic Venz, Maritime NZ’s Assistant Compliance Manager for Southern Region, who has experience in commercial fishing, says, “Float-free EPIRBs really do increase your chances of survival because they call for help when you can’t. It’s easy to get one on your boat”.

He added in the Maritime NZ’s reminder Continue reading “New Zealand commercial fishing vessel operators must install float free EPIRB distress beacons by 1 January 2019”

Insufficient maintenance caused fire on the passenger vessel ‘Island Lady’ off Florida resulting in one fatality

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In a recent public meeting, the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) determined that an insufficient preventative maintenance program and lack of guidance for responding to engine high-temperature conditions were the key causes of the fire aboard the small passenger vessel ‘Island Lady’ in January 2018, carrying over 50 people, that occurred in the waters of the Pithlachascotee River, near Port Ritchey, Florida.

The incident

On 14 January 2018, the small passenger vessel Island Lady was near Port Richey, Florida, on a scheduled transit to a casino boat located Continue reading “Insufficient maintenance caused fire on the passenger vessel ‘Island Lady’ off Florida resulting in one fatality”

Ship surveying is being revolutionised by drone technology says ClassNK

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Last September, ClassNK designated ‘survey technology innovation’ as one of four focus areas listed in its new R&D Roadmap, with drones identified as a key technology.
Last September, ClassNK designated ‘survey technology innovation’ as one of four focus areas listed in its new R&D Roadmap, with drones identified as a key technology.

As part of an on-going focus on safety in enclosed spaces, ClassNK describes how it has carried out detailed drone tests to revolutionize ship surveying. In spring this year, ClassNK introduced guidelines on the use of drones in class surveys, covering procedures and technical considerations for safe operation, as well as requirements for drone service suppliers.

Although drones with multiple propellers on the same plane are currently the most widespread design, research is taking place into alternative arrangements with tilt rotors and propellers in a tetrahedral configuration. Meanwhile, significant progress has been seen in autonomous operations using higher precision positioning, and considerable advances in machine image recognition and processing.

Continue reading “Ship surveying is being revolutionised by drone technology says ClassNK”

AMSA has revoked its certificate for an unstable livestock carrier

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AMSA expects the vessel will be subject to a detailed examination by the operator and classification society.
AMSA expects the vessel will be subject to a detailed examination by the operator and classification society.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has revoked the Australian Certificate for the Carriage of Livestock (ACCL) for the Panamanian flagged livestock carrier, MV Jawan, because the vessel’s approved stability data cannot be relied upon when the vessel is loaded.

The Jawan was (again) scheduled to depart from Portland on a journey from Australia to Pakistan on Monday after the vessel’s classification society Bureau Veritas, on behalf of the flag state, provided their assessment of the ship’s stability.

However, when moved from berth, the ship demonstrated a motion that suggested the ship lacked stability. The master of the vessel requested the vessel Continue reading “AMSA has revoked its certificate for an unstable livestock carrier”

Boat made from plastic bottles wins environmental green award

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Michael Bennet (l) from PGT Reclaimed Vietnam presents the Green Apple Award to Plaswood's Katherine Lorek-Wallace and Hubbub's Adam Robinson Photo: The Green Organisation
Michael Bennet (l) from PGT Reclaimed Vietnam presents the Green Apple Award to Plaswood’s Katherine Lorek-Wallace and Hubbub’s Adam Robinson Photo: The Green Organisation

Polythene film recycler, RPC bpi recycled products and environmental charity, Hubbub, have won a Green Apple Environment Award 2018 for its 100% recycled plastic boat.

The Poly-Mer is made from Plaswood, a lumber made entirely from recycled materials, used as an educational tool for school children to raise awareness of the growing levels of plastic pollution in Britain’s waterways.

“To be singled out for a Green Apple Award is an honour,” said Katherine Lorek-Wallace, Plaswood general manager at RPC bpi recycled products.

“It is also testament to the ingenuity and creativity of Hubbub and our unique product. We have always Continue reading “Boat made from plastic bottles wins environmental green award”

ITIC warns expert witnesses to be on their guard and beware

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ITIC says, “In addition to potential liabilities, even an ‘innocent’ expert can face substantial legal costs dealing with a claim. At best, only a proportion of these costs will ever be recovered.”
ITIC says, “In addition to potential liabilities, even an ‘innocent’ expert can face substantial legal costs dealing with a claim. At best, only a proportion of these costs will ever be recovered.”

International Transport Intermediaries Club (ITIC) has warned that the role of expert witness should not be undertaken lightly and that all professionals acting in this capacity should be aware that they could face legal action for negligence.

In the latest issue of its online newsletter, The Wire, ITIC cites a case involving an explosion on board a yacht at a marina which resulted in an insurance claim being made against the owner. An expert appointed by the insurers to investigate the cause of the loss concluded that the explosion and fire were the result of a deliberate act by the owner.

The insurers rejected the claim for a number of reasons, and the owner challenged the Continue reading “ITIC warns expert witnesses to be on their guard and beware”

Lack of communication led to serious main engine problems is key finding

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Photo credit: Swedish P&I Club
Photo credit: Swedish P&I Club

The Swedish P&I Club has published a case study following serious damage caused to a ship’s main engine. As a consequence of poor communication water contaminated the lubrication oil causing severe damage to the engine.

Engineers on a bulk carrier were conducting scheduled maintenance on one of the ballast pumps. They had closed all the isolating valves to the ballast pump and put up notices about the job in the engine room and engine control room, but not on the bridge. They didn’t finish the job on the first day, so continued the next day.

The next day the Master asked an officer to print out the alarm list for the ballast water management system, prior to arriving at the next port as a port state inspection would take place. To get the list the officer had to start the ballast water management system, which he did.

The bilge high level alarm was activated in the engine room. An oiler checked the bilges and could see Continue reading “Lack of communication led to serious main engine problems is key finding”

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