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If you are a member of the International Institute of Marine Surveying, are you making the most of your membership?

It became clear from the IIMS membership survey carried out earlier this year that many members were unsure of the full range of benefits of membership and in some cases indicated they had no idea at all what was on offer. Apart from the kudos of being a member of the leading worldwide professional body for marine surveyors, here are some of the many benefits members are entitled to take advantage of and access.

• RECOGNITION
As a Full, Technician or Associate Member a member is entitled to use the appropriate designatory letters after their name to show their professional commitment and membership of the Institute.

Continue reading “If you are a member of the International Institute of Marine Surveying, are you making the most of your membership?”

UK MCA releases a notice on the transport of dangerous goods and marine pollutants

The IMO has adopted the amendment 39-18 to the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code
The IMO has adopted the amendment 39-18 to the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code

The UK MCA has released a Merchant Shipping Notice regarding the transport of dangerous goods and marine pollutants in packaged form by sea on ships within UK waters and on UK ships.

The IMO has adopted the amendment 39-18 to the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code. It will enter into force globally on 1 January 2019, with a twelve month “transitional period” until 31 December 2019.

From 1 January 2019, until 31 December 2019 dangerous goods and marine pollutants in packaged form shall be Continue reading “UK MCA releases a notice on the transport of dangerous goods and marine pollutants”

Dynamic loading contributed to deck slewing crane failure says report

Two crew members, who were inside the deck slewing crane’s cabin, were seriously injured.
Two crew members, who were inside the deck slewing crane’s cabin, were seriously injured.

Transport Malta’s MSIU has published its investigation report on the slewing deck crane failure onboard the Maltese-flagged product tanker ‘Bozdag’, while the ship was in the port of Tallinn on 28 November 2017.

The report revealed that the dynamic loading and the sudden halt of the free falling loads were two major contributing factors to the failure of the deck slewing crane.

Details of the incident
A regular, five-yearly compulsory test on the ship’s deck slewing crane was planned for 28 November 2017. Given that the safe working Continue reading “Dynamic loading contributed to deck slewing crane failure says report”

Round up and reports of IIMS autumn 2018 training events

Surveyors got to play with various surveying testing equipment at the training event at Glasgow
Surveyors got to play with various surveying testing equipment at the training event at Glasgow

Over recent weeks, the International Institute of Marine Surveying has run a series of training events, conferences and training seminars at a variety of worldwide locations, including Mumbai, Sydney and the UK. All events have been well attended and it brings the number to 200 plus of the members who have taken part in face to face training events and seminars in 2018.

IIMS has also recently published its provisional schedule for training events in 2019. Click to see the outline schedule. As well as the UK and Europe, events are planned for USA, Australia (to be confirmed), South East Asia and the UAE. Next year, IIMS is returning with a high profile London Conference too in June.  Continue reading “Round up and reports of IIMS autumn 2018 training events”

BMA alerts to the use new ISO standard shipping safety signs and equipment location markings from January 2019

The Bahamas Maritime Authority has published an alert regarding new escape route signs and equipment location markings. They remind all relevant parties that all new vessels built from the 01 January 2019 should be provided with new ISO standard safety signs as described in Resolution A.1116(30).

All ships built on or after 01 January 2019, and current ships which undergo repairs, changes, modifications and outfitting within the scope of SOLAS Chapters II-2 and/or III, on or after 01 January 2019, will need to make sure that they comply with the signs listed in Tables 1, 2 and 3 in the Annex to A.1116(30).

The resolution includes updated signs and graphical symbols that should be used to mark the location of:
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Gas monitoring and ventilation recommendations to limit coal cargo risks published in new guidance document

Photo credit: London P&I Club
Photo credit: London P&I Club

The London P&I Club together with Paul Willis Senior Associate at Hawkins have published a loss prevention guide regarding the risks of carrying coal cargoes. The report gives special consideration to the issues surrounding gas monitoring and ventilation.

The guide mentions that the management of coal cargoes and the proper use of gas detection equipment are vital to prevent coal fire claims. It also details the basic requirements regarding the installation, use and maintenance of gas detection devices and the different types of sensors involved in their operation.

According to the report, the gas detection and monitoring equipment on board ships can vary from large units such as the Riken Keiki Continue reading “Gas monitoring and ventilation recommendations to limit coal cargo risks published in new guidance document”

Amsterdam success for British manufacturers at the Boat Builder Awards 2018

Princess Yachts receive their award
Princess Yachts receive their award

British boat manufacturers had a fantastic night at the Boat Builder Awards 2018, which took place on 13 November at the National Maritime Museum in Amsterdam.

Princess Yachts’ innovative communications campaign for the new Princess R35 won the Retail Marketing Initiative award. Noted by the judges for being strikingly as far removed from traditional boat launch marketing as might be imagined, this campaign was awarded for truly breaking the mould.

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CIMAC unable to explain marine fuel incidents that occurred earlier this year

The International Council on Combustion Engines (CIMAC) has released a statement on marine fuel incidents that have occurred this year highlighting that it is unable to draw any firm conclusions about the cause of the problems.

CIMAC Working Group Fuels – WG7 – made the statement after the unusually large number of ships that experienced fuel-related problems with seemingly on-spec fuels earlier this year. The statement confirms much of what the International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) has already said on the issue.

In March 2018, a number of ships experienced operational problems using residual fuels bunkered in Houston. The analyzed fuels met the Continue reading “CIMAC unable to explain marine fuel incidents that occurred earlier this year”

Feadship gives a construction update on its new Amsterdam facility

An artist's impression of the new Feadship facility, due to open in May 2019
An artist’s impression of the new Feadship facility, due to open in May 2019

Dutch yard Feadship has offered an insight into the ongoing construction of its new facility in Amsterdam, which is scheduled to open its doors in May 2019. The facility, strategically situated in the heart of the Dutch capital, has recently passed a construction milestone after it was connected to the main district heating operation in the city.

Eleven mobile cranes assembled to simultaneously lift a 160-metre pipe to connect the facility, which will now operate using renewable and surplus heat.

According to the yard, the green energy source will provide the heating in several areas, including the main hall, spray cabins, drying areas, Continue reading “Feadship gives a construction update on its new Amsterdam facility”

Cargo hold cleaning robots undergo testing

Cargo hold cleaning is a critical aspect of the complex bulk carrier operations that require careful preparation to maintain cargo quality and to avoid any delays. A conventional bulk carrier may transport coal this week and soya beans the next week, which requires thorough wash-downs and cleaning in between. Danish shipping company Norden has said it has tested a cargo hold robot which can be remotely operated to prevent risk and delays, also leading to enhanced safety for crew and others who are required to enter holds.

The prototype, developed by Danish company CLIIN with assistance from the Market Development Fund, is a new belt-driven robot which can be operated remotely to go up and down along the sides of the holds while pressure cleaning them. The robot is driven forward by Continue reading “Cargo hold cleaning robots undergo testing”

CRT to create regional teams to improve customer service and engage with local communities

Richard Parry, CRT CEO (pictured right)
Richard Parry, CRT CEO (pictured right)

Canal & River Trust will move resource from its centrally based roles into its six regional customer-facing teams to improve customer service and engage with local communities.

The changes will be made as part of the trust’s waterways and well being strategy and will see operational management roles adapted to meet the requirements of the new regions.

Richard Parry, CEO, commented: “The Trust has been repositioning as a charity for the waterways and well being, with a new structure that has seen us move from ten waterways to six larger regions, with some activities previously managed centrally now devolved to these regional teams, and a reduction in senior manager numbers overall.

Continue reading “CRT to create regional teams to improve customer service and engage with local communities”

Environment Agency set to increase boat charges

The EA is the second largest navigation authority in the UK and is responsible for more than 1,000km of navigable waterways.
The EA is the second largest navigation authority in the UK and is responsible for more than 1,000km of navigable waterways.

The Environment Agency is to increase the cost of boat registrations on its waterways from 2019 which it says will help ensure a sustainable service and cover maintenance.

It said that the new charges for 2019-21 will be invested in waterways enjoyed by around 29,000 boat users, helping to meet the shortfall between the cost of running the service and the income currently generated from annual boat registrations.

“We realise an increase in charges is never welcome news but it is essential to keep the levels of service and maintenance which boaters tell us is needed,” said Mark Ormrod, EA national manager for navigation.

“In addition, we are exploring new income streams to make our Continue reading “Environment Agency set to increase boat charges”

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