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Wärtsilä Aquarius EC Ballast Water Management System submitted for USCG Type Approval

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The Wärtsilä Aquarius Electro-Chlorination BWMS is now expected to receive USCG Type Approval.
The Wärtsilä Aquarius Electro-Chlorination BWMS is now expected to receive USCG Type Approval.

Wärtsilä has submitted its Aquarius Electro-Chlorination (EC) Ballast Water Management System (BWMS) for US Coast Guard (USCG) Type Approval (TA) after successfully completing all the testing procedures required.

Wärtsilä received type approval from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in 2013 for the Electro-Chlorination system and the same successful design was used for the USCG application. This current testing has again proven the consistent performance of the Wärtsilä solution, and demonstrates the high reliability, robustness and effectiveness of the system.

“Achieving this significant USCG testing milestone is a major step forward for the product. It provides customers with further assurance that this system efficiently addresses ballast water treatment compliance needs, with a reliable product and a partner committed to long-term global support,” says Joe Thomas, Director, Ballast Water Management Systems at Wärtsilä.

The Wärtsilä Aquarius EC BWMS utilises Continue reading “Wärtsilä Aquarius EC Ballast Water Management System submitted for USCG Type Approval”

Inaugural Dubai Superyacht Summit sees challenges for UAE as a yachting destination

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Inaugural Dubai Superyacht Summit sees challenges for UAE as a yachting destination
Inaugural Dubai Superyacht Summit sees challenges for UAE as a yachting destination

The first Dubai International Superyacht Summit saw global industry leaders come together to discuss the opportunities and challenges for the emergence of an “Emirati Riviera” as a superyacht hub and a winter yachting destination.

The summit, which took place between 28th February and 1st March 2018, led to local industry leaders and visitors almost unanimous in acknowledging the vast potential of the region to become a yachting destination and in stressing the improvements needed to realise this potential.

It was noted that to achieve its goals, massive on-going investment is required in infrastructure to allow for the development of the region. A revision of local regulations was also called for to simplify the Continue reading “Inaugural Dubai Superyacht Summit sees challenges for UAE as a yachting destination”

Surveying Sails by Ian Nicolson handy guide released for publication

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What a Marine Surveyor Needs to Know About Surveying Sails by Ian Nicolson has been published.

Author, Ian Nicolson, was a doughty pioneer in the field of ocean cruising in his early years. He emigrated by sail in 1952 to Vancouver, Canada. He returned to Britain by hitchhiking across Canada and building himself a small wooden yacht cruiser near Halifax, which he sailed home singlehanded across the Atlantic in 1954. He continues to sail regularly.

Having written more than 20 books and many articles on design, construction, operation and handling of small marine craft, Ian is perfectly placed to apply his knowledge and experience to the subject of sail surveying. The aim of the Surveying Sails handy guide is to give a comprehensive overview of the skills and knowledge required by a marine surveyor to satisfactorily undertake this important task.

Continue reading “Surveying Sails by Ian Nicolson handy guide released for publication”

Turquoise Yachts launches its largest yacht so far at 77m

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Turquoise Yachts launches its largest yacht so far at 77m (Photo credit ©Francisco Martinez)
Turquoise Yachts launches its largest yacht so far at 77m (Photo credit ©Francisco Martinez)

Turkish yachtbuilder Turquoise Yachts has launched its largest yacht to date. Measuring in at 77-metres (252-foot), Project NB63 has been christened GO by her new European owners.

With design by H2 Design, GO is described by Turquoise as being modern and technologically advanced with similar yet progressive DNA to her predecessors.

With a stunning turquoise hull, GO is optimised with a bulbous bow and special geometry rudders to achieve low resistance for economical cruising. She has clean, contemporary exterior styling with a swerving arch that runs all the way around the aft of the vessel to the beach club.

Forward on the bow is a Continue reading “Turquoise Yachts launches its largest yacht so far at 77m”

MAIB releases its first safety digest of 2018 featuring 25 case studies

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The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has published a collection of 25 case studies in its first collection of case studies for 2018. The seventy-one page publication covers a variety of accidents reported and investigated in recent months across the commercial, fishing and recreational boating sectors.

The information in the safety digest is published to inform the shipping and fishing industries, the pleasure craft community and the public of the general circumstances of marine accidents and to draw out the lessons to be learned. The sole purpose of the safety digest is to prevent similar accidents happening again. The content must necessarily be regarded as tentative and subject to alteration or correction if additional evidence becomes available. The articles do not assign fault or blame nor do they determine liability. The lessons often extend beyond the events of the incidents themselves to ensure the maximum value can be achieved.

Continue reading “MAIB releases its first safety digest of 2018 featuring 25 case studies”

IMCA and OCIMF team up to improve OVID inspection system

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The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) and the Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF) have agreed to establish a joint committee to review, share and progress developments of the Offshore Vessel Inspection Database (OVID) system.

The aim will be to improve the efficiency of the vessel assurance process by pooling the knowledge and expertise of oil companies and their marine contractors, while at the same time maintaining the highest standards of vessel assurance and risk management.

The joint committee will discuss and review various elements of the system on an ongoing basis, to ensure continuous improvement. Elements to be reviewed include:

– the Offshore Vessel Particulars Questionnaire (OVPQ),
– the Offshore Vessel Inspection Questionnaire (OVIQ) and
– the Offshore Vessel Management and Self Assessment (OVMSA).

Continue reading “IMCA and OCIMF team up to improve OVID inspection system”

Britain’s oldest boat builder confirms its intention to stop building boats

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Britain’s oldest boat builder, dating back to 1898, Broom, is to discontinue boatbuilding and instead restructure its operations into a leading leisure operator on the Southern Norfolk Broads.

The move follows low customer demand, overseas competition and rising costs explained group sales manager Greg Houlston, all of which have changed the marketplace significantly.

“This has led to a strategic decision to focus on the growing leisure part of their operations and to discontinue boat building,” he said.

Continue reading “Britain’s oldest boat builder confirms its intention to stop building boats”

Oyster is snapped up by Richard Hadida Yachting

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Richard Hadida Yachting is confirmed as the new owners of Oyster
Richard Hadida Yachting is confirmed as the new owners of Oyster

UK software entrepreneur Richard Hadida has been confirmed as the new owner of Oyster. The deal – brokered by administrators KPMG – covers the assets and business of Oyster Marine Ltd and the assets of Oyster Marine Holdings Ltd, including its shareholdings in companies within the Oyster Group

The sale, to a new company, Richard Hadida Yachting, will secure the employment of the retained staff at Oyster’s Southampton and Wroxham sites.

Mr Hadida has sailed an Oyster yacht for several years and says he has fallen in love with the yachts themselves, the events and the Oyster Continue reading “Oyster is snapped up by Richard Hadida Yachting”

New Red Ensign Group Yacht Code set to launch in January 2019 is taking shape

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Teamwork between members of the Red Ensign Group (REG) and the industry as a whole has led to the creation of a new yacht code. Since its rollout to the marine industry in November 2017 at the Global Superyacht Forum in Amsterdam, REG has taken into account all the expertise gained across almost two decades of regulating the large yacht sector since the first version was published by the Maritime & Coastguard Agency in 1997.

In its new format, the Code is made up of two parts with common annexes, for example, over-side working systems, sailing vessels and helicopter landing areas. It will keep the familiar format of the existing REG codes while being more dynamic to industry change and development.

Work has been carried out across the REG to get the new code ready for its launch and also within the industry. One consultation alone brought in more than 700 comments as part of that active discussion with those involved with large yachts.

Continue reading “New Red Ensign Group Yacht Code set to launch in January 2019 is taking shape”

ISO 12944 revision

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ISO 12944 revision (Picture credit: http://www.hempel.com)
ISO 12944 revision (Picture credit: http://www.hempel.com)

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has now published the revised ISO 12944 standard.

ISO 12944 is one of the main international standards for corrosion protection of steel by paint. The revision will impact all existing parts of the standard and include a new addition – Part 9 – dedicated solely to offshore structures. Continue reading “ISO 12944 revision”

Maritime & Coastguard Agency CEO Sir Alan Massey announces his retirement

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Maritime & Coastguard Agency CEO Sir Alan Massey announces his retirement
Maritime & Coastguard Agency CEO Sir Alan Massey announces his retirement

After eight years in charge, the chief executive officer of the UK’s Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA), Sir Alan Massey KBC CBE, has announced his intention to retire from the role towards the end of 2018.

Sir Alan joined the MCA in July 2010 after a 33-year career with the Royal Navy, where he left as second sea lord.

During his eight-year tenure, Sir Alan has successfully steered the MCA through changes to modernise Her Majesty’s Coastguard, new arrangements for the UK’s search and rescue helicopter capability, a transformed survey and inspection capability and a more commercially responsive approach to how the UK Ship Register operates. Sir Alan will continue his role until late 2018, to allow the appointment process for a successor to take place.

Bernadette Kelly, permanent secretary of the Department of Transport, said Continue reading “Maritime & Coastguard Agency CEO Sir Alan Massey announces his retirement”

Black Pearl delivered by Oceanco is the world’s largest sailing yacht

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Black Pearl delivered by Oceanco is the world's largest sailing yacht in the world
Black Pearl delivered by Oceanco is the world’s largest sailing yacht in the world

Dutch yard Oceanco has announced it has delivered its 106-metre (350-foot) sailing yacht Black Pearl, the largest sailing yacht in the world.

She is the result of a successful collaboration between an international group of designers, engineers, naval architects, builders, and project managers, with renowned designers Ken Freivokh Design, Nuvolari Lenard and Villate Design playing a significant role in her evolution.

Dykstra Naval Architects designed the three 70-metre (230-foot) DynaRig carbon masts and sailing system, which can be set or furled by pushing a button, setting the whole sails just in seven minutes.

BMT Nigel Gee also worked with Oceanco to create Continue reading “Black Pearl delivered by Oceanco is the world’s largest sailing yacht”

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