News

IIMS scoops Golden Shield award for its education programme

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The Golden Shield CertificteThe IIMS distance learning commercial ship and yacht and small craft education programmes were recently nominated for an Award in the International Maritime Club’s Golden Shield Excellence Awards 2017 in the ‘Leading Maritime Training Institute’ category. And at the ceremony itself on Friday 15 September 2017 at the Lloyd’s Old Library in London, IIMS was announced as the winner in this category.

Vice President, Capt Zarir Irani, accompanied by Allen Brink, stepped in for IIMS CEO, Mike Schwarz, to receive the award. Continue reading “IIMS scoops Golden Shield award for its education programme”

Good news for the UK maritime sector as it boosts the economy by £22bn annually

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The British FlagAccording to a recent report for Maritime UK, the sector reports strong growth with an increase of 12.7% in turnover, 6.6% in GVA and 3.9% in employment over a five-year period.

It also showed that productivity per worker stood well above the UK average at £77,897, compared to £50,830, and that the sector contributes nearly £40 billion to the UK economy.

“As the engine of British trade, the UK maritime sector supports nearly 1 million jobs, contributes tens of billions to the UK GDP and drives exports as well as inward investment. Half a trillion pounds worth of goods pass through UK ports each year,” said David Dingle, chairman of Maritime UK. Continue reading “Good news for the UK maritime sector as it boosts the economy by £22bn annually”

IMO highlights hazard of bauxite ship cargo

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Container Ship - Picture credit IMO
Picture credit IMO

According to a new warning issued by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), it says that bauxite could become unstable when carried in bulk onboard a ship, potentially resulting in the vessel capsizing.

Bauxite is one of the world’s major sources of aluminium with around 100 million tonnes transported annually by sea. In 2015, a bulk carrier sank while transporting, with the loss of 18 seafarers. Research presented this week to an IMO Sub-Committee found that certain forms of bauxite with a large proportion of smaller particles could be subject to a newly-identified phenomenon of “dynamic separation” when there is excess moisture in the cargo.

Continue reading “IMO highlights hazard of bauxite ship cargo”

New Static Letting Licence introduced for boat renting by the Canal & River Trust

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In response to changing market conditions, the Canal & River Trust has launched a Static Letting Licence
In response to changing market conditions, the Canal & River Trust has launched a Static Letting Licence

The Canal & River Trust has introduced a new static letting licence in the UK to ensure the safety of the increasing number of people living and staying on rented boats.

Canal & River Trust has responded to the numbers of boats for rent in London and further afield as people try to find alternatives to rising housing costs. A second market has sprung up with the advent website letting sites, which regularly feature listings of boats for rent, while anecdotal evidence from boaters shows that it’s becoming more common.

Continue reading “New Static Letting Licence introduced for boat renting by the Canal & River Trust”

MAIB report published on the grounding of Transocean Winner rig after the loss of tow

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Oil rigAt 0652 on 8 August 2016, the Marshall Islands registered semi-submersible rig Transocean Winner grounded on the Isle of Lewis following the loss of tow from the Dutch registered tug ALP Forward. The tug and tow was on passage from Stavanger, Norway to Valletta, Malta when it encountered severe weather west of the Hebrides. The effect of the wind and waves on Transocean Winner led to the loss of ALP Forward’s ability to control the direction and speed of the tug and tow. After being dragged backwards by the tow for over 24 hours, the tow line, weakened by the repeated sudden loadings, parted and the tug was unable to pick up the emergency towline.

Continue reading “MAIB report published on the grounding of Transocean Winner rig after the loss of tow”

Concept multipurpose sea-going Wing-in-Ground craft could cut search and rescue response time

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This bizarre looking Wing-in-Ground craft could cut search and rescue response times
This bizarre looking Wing-in-Ground craft could cut search and rescue response times

Is it a bird, a plane, or a boat? This startling looking craft is being developed by a team of Russian developers that have been working on the creation of a multipurpose sea-going Wing-in-Ground or ekranoplan, which they believe could contribute significantly to the speed of seaborne traffic and Search and Rescue response times.

The unique project will be presented by MariNet, the National Technological Initiative (NTI) working group, on the sidelines of the International Exhibition NEVA-2017 in St Petersburg, September 19-21.

Continue reading “Concept multipurpose sea-going Wing-in-Ground craft could cut search and rescue response time”

Poor risk assessment contributed to the sinking of two MÆRSK supply ships says newly published DMAIB report

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MÆRSK supply ships moments before sinkingOn the night of 21 December 2016, the Danish offshore supply ships MÆRSK SEARCHER and MÆRSK SHIPPER capsized and sank in the Bay of Biscay, off the French coast, while being towed by another offshore supply ship, MÆRSK BATTLER, en route to Turkey. The Danish Maritime Accident Investigation Board has now published a report on the accident.

The incident

The ships were configured in a side-by-side towing setup during the voyage. During the passage of the English Channel, the fenders between the ships on tow failed, and the ships started to interact. This caused damage to the ships’ superstructure, which eventually compromised MÆRSK SEARCHER’s watertight integrity and led to water ingress. MÆRSK SEARCHER capsized and sank, and subsequently MÆRSK SHIPPER was pulled under by MÆRSK SEARCHER. The crew on MÆRSK BATTLER carried out a controlled breakage of the towing wire and came loose of the foundered towage. Continue reading “Poor risk assessment contributed to the sinking of two MÆRSK supply ships says newly published DMAIB report”

Bureau Veritas approves RIMS BV for use of drones during surveys

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David Knukkel, CEO of RIMS BV, whose company has been approved by Bureau Veritas
David Knukkel, CEO of RIMS BV, whose company has been approved by Bureau Veritas

RIMS BV (Robotics In Maintenance Strategies) are the first company to receive an attestation from Bureau Veritas (BV) Marine & Offshore, as an approved service supplier, allowing the use of Remote Inspection Techniques (drones) during surveys of hull structure of ships and mobile offshore units classed with BV.

RIMS are a global provider of high tech, safe, autonomous and sustainable surveying and maintenance solutions. They supply and provide services which aid with the replacement of old and expensive, slower, high-risk and resource intensive maintenance activities, with new smarter drone and robotic technologies.

Continue reading “Bureau Veritas approves RIMS BV for use of drones during surveys”

The first vessel in Germany to be powered by methanol fuel cells has been named

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Menthol cells on the boatThe MS innogy, the first vessel in Germany to be powered by methanol fuel cells, has been named. The passenger ferry, which will sail on Lake Baldeneysee, Essen, features a fuel cell system manufactured by the Danish fuel cell manufacture SerEnergy.

The ferry was built to showcase the potential of methanol as a fuel of the future and is the result of cooperation between energy company innogy and SerEnergy.

Continue reading “The first vessel in Germany to be powered by methanol fuel cells has been named”

IMO updates guidelines for abandon ship drills using lifeboats

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Lifeboat ready for deployment
Photo credit: Riley Huntley/wikipedia.org

At the 98th Session of its Maritime Safety Committee earlier this year, IMO plans to enshrine a range of amendments in to the guidelines relating to abandon ship drills using lifeboats with the aim of reducing related accidents.

The Committee approved the Guidelines on safety during abandon ship drills using lifeboats, following the amalgamation of annex 1 to the Measures to prevent accidents with lifeboats and the Interim Recommendation on conditions for authorization of service providers for lifeboats, launching appliances and on-load release gear in the Requirements for maintenance, thorough examination, operational testing, overhaul and repair of lifeboats and rescue boats, launching appliances and release gear.

Continue reading “IMO updates guidelines for abandon ship drills using lifeboats”

Report into the total loss of tug Thomas Dann published

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Thomas Dann tug (Dann Ocean Towing). Photo credit: Birk Thomas
Thomas Dann tug (Dann Ocean Towing). Photo credit: Birk Thomas

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released an accident report about the outbreak of fire onboard the towing vessel Thomas Dann that led to a constructive total loss.

The incident
On July 22, 2016, at 1700 local time, a fire broke out in the upper engine room aboard the towing vessel Thomas Dann while it was engaged in towing operations offshore near St. Augustine, Florida, en route to Cape Canaveral, Florida. No one was injured, nor was any pollution reported. However, due to the extent of the fire damage, the vessel, which was valued at an estimated $2.5 million, was declared a constructive total loss.

Continue reading “Report into the total loss of tug Thomas Dann published”

Guidance on the use of LPG installations on merchant vessels, fishing vessels, pleasure and other craft issued

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The Bow Clipper, shipThe Irish Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport issued a marine notice, providing guidance on the use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) installations on merchant vessels, fishing vessels, pleasure craft and other marine craft.

When handled incorrectly, the dangers associated with LPG systems include fire, explosion, burns and asphyxiation due to gas leakage from the system or accumulation of gas following flame failure in an appliance. Such incidents have caused loss of life and material damage.

The scope of recommendations includes:

Installation and Testing: To help prevent accidents with LPG installations, such systems should be installed at least in accordance with the International Standard ISO 10239:2014 (Small craft – Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) systems). It is recommended that an inspection and test of such systems and associated alarm systems be carried out at least monthly to ensure correct operation. Continue reading “Guidance on the use of LPG installations on merchant vessels, fishing vessels, pleasure and other craft issued”

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