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World’s only oceangoing solar-electric production catamaran is unveiled at the Cannes Yachting Festival

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The operational costs of the vessels are substantially lower compared to power yachts using more traditional propulsion systems because the systems require hardly any maintenance and produce no fumes or noise
The operational costs of the vessels are substantially lower compared to power yachts using more traditional propulsion systems because the systems require hardly any maintenance and produce no fumes or noise

Austrian yard Silent Yachts has premiered 16.7-metre (55-foot) solar-powered catamaran Silent 55 at the Cannes Yachting Festival. Silent 55 uses silent electric propulsion for unlimited range with no noise or fumes and minimal vibration – she is completely self-sufficient and largely maintenance-free.

Available in several power configurations to suit a variety of cruising applications, all of which adhere to Silent Yachts’ philosophy of relying mainly on solar power for propulsion and on-board power needs.

The Silent 55 on display at Cannes is an E-Power version with 2 x 135kW motors and can reach up to 14 knots. The model can be equipped as a Cruiser version, with a pair of 30 kW motors or a Hybrid Power version with 2 x 220hp diesel engines and two 14 kW electric motors. A Sailor version can be equipped with all the previously mentioned drivetrain configurations and is rigged with a mast and sails to provide additional propulsion in fair winds.

With 30 high-efficiency solar panels rated for Continue reading “World’s only oceangoing solar-electric production catamaran is unveiled at the Cannes Yachting Festival”

AMSA stresses the importance of marine incident reports

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Photo credit: Reuters
Photo credit: Reuters

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has experienced a steady increase in incident reports from 1,721 in 2013 to 3,017 reports in 2017. This is a 75% increase over a five-year period. For the period from 1 January to 30 June 2018, AMSA received 1,611 incident reports.

Key points to note

– During 2013-2017, the number of ship arrivals to Australian ports has increased by 21%.
From the 1611 incident reports in January-June 2018, the vast majority of occurrences (78%) concerned some form of technical issue.
– Among the technical issues, the most predominant occurrences relate to power, propulsion, and steering. This includes, for example, issues with a vessel’s main and auxiliary engines, and the steering gear and rudder.

AMSA uses incident data in combination with other sources of information, such as inspection and survey reports, research findings, accident investigations, and our day-to-day interaction with vessel crews, owners, and operators. This helps us gain a better understanding of Continue reading “AMSA stresses the importance of marine incident reports”

MAIB report issued on the unintentional release of carbon dioxide from fixed fire-extinguishing systems on ro-ro vessels Eddystone and Red Eagle

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On 8 June 2016, the roll on, roll off (ro-ro) vessel Eddystone experienced an unintentional release of carbon dioxide (CO2) from its fixed fire-extinguishing system while in the Red Sea. A similar incident took place on 17 July 2017 on board the ro-ro passenger ferry Red Eagle while on passage from the Isle of Wight to Southampton. In both cases, gas leaked into the CO2 cylinder compartment, but was prevented from entering the engine room by the main distribution valve which remained closed. Fortunately, no one was harmed in either of these incidents. However, the unintended release of CO2 from fire-extinguishing systems has caused 72 deaths and 145 injuries, mainly in the marine industry, between 1975 and 2000.

Continue reading “MAIB report issued on the unintentional release of carbon dioxide from fixed fire-extinguishing systems on ro-ro vessels Eddystone and Red Eagle”

Nippon Paint Marine launches what it claims is the world’s first biocide free SPC antifouling

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The technology adopts an advanced antifouling mechanism based around the anti-thrombogenic polymers used in the construction of artificial hearts and blood vessels in the medical sector.
The technology adopts an advanced antifouling mechanism based around the anti-thrombogenic polymers used in the construction of artificial hearts and blood vessels in the medical sector.

Japan-headquartered Nippon Paint Marine has introduced what is thought the world’s first biocide-free, low friction self-polishing copolymer (SPC) antifouling technology.

Aquaterras, a product name derived from the Japanese word for shining and the Latin for water – Shining Water – is an entirely new type of marine coating developed using neither biocide materials nor silicone.

Nippon Paint Marine Director John Drew said: “Typically ships’ antifouling paints have contained some form of biocide – copper, tributyltin, co-biocides. But the use of biocides today is strictly controlled by both national and international regulations such as the BPR in the EU. And while there are no immediate plans to further regulate the use of approved biocides, we cannot rule out the possibility that copper in antifouling will be regulated in the near future.

“Nippon Paint Marine has always looked to develop systems that go beyond the regulations. And with Aquaterras our chemists have achieved Continue reading “Nippon Paint Marine launches what it claims is the world’s first biocide free SPC antifouling”

TT Club emphasises need for cargo integrity ahead of IMO meeting on container safety

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A primary concern is the problem of mis-declared dangerous goods, with some sources suggesting that container fires occur on a weekly basis and that a major container cargo fire engulfs a ship at sea on average once every 60 days.
A primary concern is the problem of mis-declared dangerous goods, with some sources suggesting that container fires occur on a weekly basis and that a major container cargo fire engulfs a ship at sea on average once every 60 days.

The International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) latest meeting of the Sub-Committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers (CCC) takes place in London this week and the international freight insurance specialist, TT Club is calling for more urgent action on issues pertaining to the safety of container transport.

For some time now the insurer has been drawing both industry and regulators’ attention to the need for greater ‘Cargo Integrity’, by which is meant the safe, secure and environmentally sound packing, handling and transport of all goods in containers and other transport units, in compliance with conventions (such as SOLAS1) and codes, including IMDG Code2 and the CTU Code3.

TT Club’s Risk Management Director, Peregrine Storrs-Fox comments, “Achieving such Cargo Integrity across the complex web of the international freight supply chain is a big ask and we are in little doubt that a comprehensive result will take time to achieve. However many industry bodies are making significant strides, particularly in the areas of dangerous goods identification, declaration and handling as well as container weighing and packing. We are calling on the regulators, in this case the IMO, to assist in taking action to Continue reading “TT Club emphasises need for cargo integrity ahead of IMO meeting on container safety”

Energy transition offers innovators a competitive edge through “carbon robust” ship designs

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Following on from the 2017 report, the new Maritime Forecast to 2050 focusses on the challenges of decarbonizing the shipping industry.
Following on from the 2017 report, the new Maritime Forecast to 2050 focusses on the challenges of decarbonizing the shipping industry.

DNV GL – Maritime has released its second Maritime Forecast to 2050, part of a suite of Energy Transition Outlook (ETO) reports launched recently in London. The Forecast provides an independent view of the maritime energy future and examines how the energy transition will affect the shipping industry.

“The energy transition is undeniable,” says Remi Eriksen, Group President and CEO of DNV GL. “Last year, more gigawatts of renewable energy were added than those from fossil fuels and this is reflected in where lenders are putting their money.”

Following on from the 2017 report, the new Maritime Forecast to 2050 focuses on the challenges of decarbonizing the shipping industry. It examines recent changes in shipping activity and fuel consumption, future developments in the types and levels of cargoes transported, and future regulations, fuels and technology drivers.

“Decarbonization will be one of the megatrends that will Continue reading “Energy transition offers innovators a competitive edge through “carbon robust” ship designs”

Raising and lowering a mast during crusing is now made easier by innovation from Balpha Mast and Barton Marine

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Key to the Balpha Mast program is the stainless-steel mast housing which can be adapted for use with the Barton Boomstrut which controls the boom under sail.
Key to the Balpha Mast program is the stainless-steel mast housing which can be adapted for use with the Barton Boomstrut which controls the boom under sail.

The challenge of being able to lower the mast on a small yacht to get beneath bridges and access under other low obstacles is an age old problem. Addressing this matter, a new rigging programme allows the Balpha Mast to be lowered and raised during cruising easily and safely using a boom strut to hold the boom in place.

Working together, Balpha Mast and Barton Marine have made technical improvements and advancements to refine the core apparatus and the carbon fibre mast system now has UK and US patents in place.

“Our technical plan was to create the most simple and user-friendly rigging programme so that virtually anyone can swiftly lower and raise the mast to make sailing more of a joy for those restricted by bridges or transporting their sailing craft by trailer,” explained Suzanne Blaustone, Barton Marine CEO. “We are proud that we accomplished this using Continue reading “Raising and lowering a mast during crusing is now made easier by innovation from Balpha Mast and Barton Marine”

Weather-restricted sea transports for heavy lift ships

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The growing tendency of increase in weight and size of project cargoes calls for advanced methods to facilitate the cargo transport overseas in a safe and efficient way. Normally, large and heavy project cargo stowed on a heavy lift ship is secured and lashed according to regulations laid down in Annex 13 of IMO’s CSS Code. Standard procedure is to calculate the forces acting on each cargo item by multiplying the mass of the cargo item with design accelerations tabulated in Annex 13. Those design accelerations represent maximum values that the cargo would go through during a winter crossing of the North Atlantic, where most severe sea conditions of all oceans are assumed. Consequently, the cargo and its lashing gear are loaded by the highest and steepest occurring waves of the most severe sea area and the worst season of the year.

Continue reading “Weather-restricted sea transports for heavy lift ships”

Brian Johnson appointed Chief Executive of UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency

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Brian Johnson will become the Maritime & Coastguard Agency’s new Chief Executive when the current CEO, Sir Alan Massey, steps down from on 31 October 2018.

Brian started his career as a chemical engineer in Imperial Chemical Industries and then Tate and Lyle, designing and managing manufacturing plants. He joined Remploy in 2000 where he was Operations Director, leading to some substantial improvements in the manufacturing operations. His interest in leading organisations delivering aspects of public service took him into social housing where he was CEO of 3 housing organisations, most recently leading the successful turnaround of Metropolitan. Brian is currently the interim Chief Operating Officer at Abzena, a bio-pharmaceutical company.

Continue reading “Brian Johnson appointed Chief Executive of UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency”

All electric passenger vessel Future of The Fjords scoops top award

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The highly innovative Future of the Fjords vessel has been recognised by winning the Ship of the Year 2018 Award
The highly innovative Future of the Fjords vessel has been recognised by winning the Ship of the Year 2018 Award

A revolutionary all electric passenger vessel operating in the Norwegian Fjords has won the Ship of the Year 2018 award at the SMM show.

Future of The Fjords was seen by awards organiser (Norwegian maritime magazine) Skipsrevyen, its readers and expert judging panel as marking a major leap forward in sustainable transport, both on the water and, potentially, on land.

The win represents something of a remarkable double victory. The owner of The Future of the Fjords together with the shipyard Brødrene Aa, has already won the title before back in 2016 with battery hybrid sister ship Vision of The Fjords.

Although both vessels share the same carbon fibre hull, Future of The Fjords was seen by awards organiser (Norwegian maritime Continue reading “All electric passenger vessel Future of The Fjords scoops top award”

Watch video footage as the recently launched Lonian superyacht by Feadship makes her way out to sea through the streets

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Dutch superyacht yard Feadship has released a video showing its newest project, the 87 metre superyacht Lonian, as she carefully manoeuvres and navigates her way through more than 15 bridges on her way out to sea, towering above the local buildings and surroundings.

The video captures onlookers watching as the Feadship yacht squeezes through narrow Dutch canals to enter the North Sea where she will undertake her sea trials.

It comes after the four deck-motor yacht was launched from her shed in July sporting her royal paint finish.

Continue reading “Watch video footage as the recently launched Lonian superyacht by Feadship makes her way out to sea through the streets”

USCG published towing vessel safety statistics for 2017

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Photo credit: USCG
Photo credit: USCG

The US Coast Guard, in partnership with the American Waterways Operators (AWO), has published the National Quality Steering Committee’s annual safety report containing towing industry data for calendar years 1994 to 2017. The report reveals that in 2017, there were six operational towing vessel crew fatalities.

The National Quality Steering Committee looks at three safety measures to track overall trends in towing vessel safety and environmental protection: Crew fatalities per 100,000 towing industry workers, gallons of oil spilled from tank barges per million gallons transported, and the number of towing vessel casualties (overall and by incident severity).

The report also includes summary statistics on crewmember injuries, which the National Quality Steering Committee began tracking in 2006, for calendar years 2006 to 2017.

Crew Fatalities
In 2017, there were six operational towing vessel crew fatalities. While 13 deaths were Continue reading “USCG published towing vessel safety statistics for 2017”

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