News

ClassNK issues warning over hatch covers and coamings deficiencies

Photo image: ClassNK. Damaged rubber washer wastage and damage of securing device crutch
Photo image: ClassNK. Damaged rubber washer wastage and damage of securing device crutch

Port State Control inspectors have been frequently identifying deficiencies during inspections related to the securing devices of cargo hold hatch covers and hatch coamings, according to a recent warning issued by classification society, ClassNK.

Such deficiencies included seizing, damage or missing cleats, as well as damage or wastage of cleat crutches (saddles) and so on.

Port State Control inspectors often confirm not only the condition of Continue reading “ClassNK issues warning over hatch covers and coamings deficiencies”

Auxiliary engine damage is mostly caused by human error says Swedish Club

Auxiliary engine damage is mostly caused by human error says Swedish Club
Auxiliary engine damage is mostly caused by human error says Swedish Club

The majority of all auxiliary engine damage takes place immediately after maintenance work according to an investigation by The Swedish Club. A key finding in their investigation is that 55% of casualties occur within only 10% of the time between overhaul corresponding to the first 1,000 hours or so of operation after overhaul. In most cases, the damage occurs only a few hours after start up, the Club noted.

The report, Auxiliary Engine Damage, also finds that container vessels have a significantly higher claims frequency due to Continue reading “Auxiliary engine damage is mostly caused by human error says Swedish Club”

New regulations from the Danish Maritime Authority for operating personal watercraft come into force

New regulations from the Danish Maritime Authority for operating personal watercraft come into force
New regulations from the Danish Maritime Authority for operating personal watercraft come into force

Following the launch of new regulations from the Danish Maritime Authority, effective from 1 January 2018, operators of personal watercraft must complete a theoretical as well as a practical test.

As part of the Danish Government’s efforts to enhance the safety of those using the sea for recreational purposes, the Danish Maritime Authority will now require operators of personal watercraft and the like to hold a special personal watercraft license.

Everyone who wants to operate a personal watercraft must Continue reading “New regulations from the Danish Maritime Authority for operating personal watercraft come into force”

MAIB issues safety bulletin on the use of safety harness tethers on sailing yachts

Figure 1: Tether hook under deck cleat
Figure 1: Tether hook under deck cleat

Background

The sailing yacht CV30 was taking part in the third leg of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race having left Cape Town on 31 October 2017 bound for Fremantle, Western Australia. At about 1414 local time on 18 November 2017, the yacht was in position 42°30.3’S, 087°36.3’E, approximately 1500nm from Fremantle, when a crew member, Simon Speirs, fell overboard. He was attached to the yacht by his safety harness tethers. The hook at the end of the tether that was clipped to a jack-line, deformed and released resulting in him becoming separated from the yacht. Simon Speirs was recovered unconscious onto the yacht but sadly could not be resuscitated.

Continue reading “MAIB issues safety bulletin on the use of safety harness tethers on sailing yachts”

Green dredging vessel Spartacus has keel laid in the Netherlands

Belgium’s DEME Group's green dredging vessel Spartacus
Belgium’s DEME Group’s green dredging vessel Spartacus

Belgium’s DEME Group has welcomed 2018 with a keel laying ceremony for Spartacus at the Royal IHC shipyard in Krimpen aan den Ijssel in the Netherlands. This new cutter suction dredger is set to be the most powerful such vessel of its type in the world.

With a total installed power of 44,180kW the vessel will be able to cut harder soils at speeds previously impossible. This will allow certain works to be undertaken by the cutter dredger rather than reliance upon the use of dynamite for blasting.

Spartacus will be able to dredge to depths of 45m, extending the capabilities Continue reading “Green dredging vessel Spartacus has keel laid in the Netherlands”

MCA amends its Code of Safe Working Practices

A high vis vest that says 'MCA Surveys and Inspections'The UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) has published an updated version of the ‘Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seafarers’. The amendments give advice on improving health and safety of seafarers, primarily for those on board UK registered ships. But surveyors should also take note.

The Code provides guidance on safe working practices for the many and numerous situations that occur on ships.

However, it should not be considered a comprehensive guide to safety and its advice should always be considered in conjunction with the Continue reading “MCA amends its Code of Safe Working Practices”

Wake and currents the cause of L242 pilot boat capsize

Lifeboat on ground and in the waterA preliminary investigation into the capsize of the pilot boat L242 has determined that the craft did not collide with the vessel it was approaching at the time of the accident. Instead, a combination of swells, the wake from the nearby ship and powerful currents led to the capsize of the boat and the death of two individuals on board. Based on information gathered so far, investigators believe that the boat was pushed over to 90 degrees by the combination of these forces. It remained at this angle temporarily, then fully capsized.

At 1700 hours on December 8, the Swedish Maritime Rescue Center Helsinki received notification that a pilot boat had capsized east of Helsinki. The Finnish Border Guard dispatched boat units from Suomenlinna and Porvoo, along with helicopters from Helsinki and the patrol vessel Turva. The responders attempted to parbuckle the pilot boat, but it sank during the righting evolution. After the sinking, divers searched the interior and found the bodies of the boat’s two crewmembers. Continue reading “Wake and currents the cause of L242 pilot boat capsize”

MCA issues MGN 578 about conducting overside work on yachts and other vessels

MGN 578 has been released by the UK MCA
MGN 578 has been released by the UK MCA

The UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency has published a Marine Guidance Note – MGN 578 – about the use of equipment while undertaking work on commercial yachts, small commercial vessels and loadline vessels.

The aim of Marine Guidance Note MGN 578 is to provide guidance on the use of “rail and trolley” and similar systems while conducting overside work on yachts and other vessels. The key points are the following:

– To ensure that new systems comply with the current BS/EN Standards,
Continue reading “MCA issues MGN 578 about conducting overside work on yachts and other vessels”

Burgess Marine partly rescued after falling into administration

Outside Burgess Marine officesFollowing falling into administration Burgess Marine assets have been partly sold off to Southampton Marine Services (SMS) saving some jobs at the company with maybe more to follow in the future.

The business and assets at three of the company’s trading locations – in Lowestoft, Avonmouth & Poole, have been transferred to SMS along with all of their works in progress, resulting in 45 jobs being saved.

But the administrator confirmed that at this time 106 employees have still been made redundant.

Continue reading “Burgess Marine partly rescued after falling into administration”

New conference and industry sector awards as Seawork International 2018 comes of age

Speedboat propellorsSeawork International 2018 will celebrate its 21st edition as the ‘go to’ meeting place for the European commercial marine sector.

Seawork 2018 sees an increased focus on vessel construction and maintenance, new award categories for the European Commercial Marine Awards (ECMAs) and a new Vessel Operations Conference; embracing the new MCA Codes of Practice, Cost Saving through Operational Efficiencies and Techniques, and the Future of Hybrid Drives.

Best Project of the Year is a new ECMA award category for challenges in marine civils or vessel operations. Judged by a panel of industry experts, the ECMAs recognise excellence and achievement across the commercial marine sector.

Continue reading “New conference and industry sector awards as Seawork International 2018 comes of age”

Important IMCA changes for those engaged in eCMID inspections

Image: Offshore supply vessel Viking Princess. Only accredited AVIs will be formally recognised to carry out eCMID inspections from 1 January 2018.
Image: Offshore supply vessel Viking Princess. Only accredited AVIs will be formally recognised to carry out eCMID inspections from 1 January 2018.

Marine Surveying Academy, the IIMS subsidiary that manages and runs the eCMID accreditation scheme, has been informed of some important changes regarding the recognition of reports that come into force next year. If you are involved in conducting eCMID inspections, this will affect you.

From 1 January 2018, IMCA will only recognise formal inspection reports conducted using its eCMID database, meaning that reports not uploaded into the database will no longer be considered by IMCA to be authorised vessel inspection reports. The whole eCMID system is now based on the principles described in the ISO 19011 – Guidance for auditing management systems – standard and is aligned with other comparable industry guidance on safety management system assurance.

Continue reading “Important IMCA changes for those engaged in eCMID inspections”

Denmark adopts new measures to enhance Danish maritime activity and boost pleasure craft business

Danish SuperyachtThe Danish Parliament (Folketinget) announced that it has adopted a number of new initiatives in the maritime area, in order to ensure and enhance growth in Danish maritime activity and boost the pleasure craft business.

The new initiatives adopted by the Danish Government regard four areas, which are the following:

– The provisions on foreign owners’ possibility of having ships registered under the Danish flag have been adjusted and clarified. With this measure, Denmark aims to retain and extend its global position as a major attractive flag State and as a maritime hub.
Continue reading “Denmark adopts new measures to enhance Danish maritime activity and boost pleasure craft business”

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