News

Unfortunate events led to oil spill on deck

Britannia PandI club has been recently made aware of an oil spill on deck
Britannia P&I club has been recently made aware of an oil spill on deck

Britannia P&I Club recently became aware of an incident where a number of unfortunate events, including the fall of the vessel’s spare main engine cylinder liner, led to an oil spill on deck.

A ballasted crude oil tanker arrived at its load port early in the morning and contacted the local Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) who instructed the vessel to drift ten nautical miles off the coast to await berthing. The vessel’s main engine was kept on ten minutes’ notice and used to occasionally reposition the ship while drifting. The following night the wind picked up with reported gusts of up to 60 knots and the master decided to use the main engine to counter the heavy rolling. Continue reading “Unfortunate events led to oil spill on deck”

Report on fatal collision between rigid inflatable boat Rib Tickler and a personal watercraft published

Rib Tickler and a personal watercraft collided at high speed in the Menai Strait
Rib Tickler and a personal watercraft collided at high speed in the Menai Strait

On 8 August 2020, the rigid inflatable boat Rib Tickler and a personal watercraft collided at high speed in the Menai Strait, Wales. A passenger onboard Rib Tickler was struck by the personal watercraft and fatally injured. The personal watercraft had been jumping across Rib Tickler’s wake when the rigid inflatable boat altered course across the personal watercraft’s path. The two craft were operating too closely to each other at high speed and neither Rib Tickler’s driver nor the personal watercraft rider understood the other’s intentions. Furthermore, the knowledge and skill levels of the persons in control or overseeing the two craft were not appropriate to the manoeuvres being undertaken. Continue reading “Report on fatal collision between rigid inflatable boat Rib Tickler and a personal watercraft published”

Marine surveying and IIMS stalwart Jeffrey Casciani-Wood has passed away

Jeffrey Casciani-Wood pictured, who has sadly passed away
Jeffrey Casciani-Wood pictured, who has sadly passed away

News reached the IIMS Head Office late in the evening on 16th February to inform us that Eur.Ing Jeffrey Casciani-Wood CEng, FRINA, HonMIIMS, FLLA, FIDiagE 1930-2022 (known simply to some as Mog) had passed away peacefully following a short illness.

Known to many in the marine surveying and diagnostic engineering fields, Jeffrey’s passing leaves a huge hole in the IIMS family. His longevity and desire to continue to contribute to Institute life into his 90s marks him out as a unique and inspirational character. He was IIMS President from 1997-2000. There are many superlative adjectives and words that could be used to describe Mog, and all would be appropriate. Words and phrases such as a heavyweight, a legend, a giant, a humourist, consummate author, ‘good bloke’ and gentleman all Continue reading “Marine surveying and IIMS stalwart Jeffrey Casciani-Wood has passed away”

Tackling the issue of underwater noise

Korean Register issues guidance to help the marine industry tackle underwater noise from ships.
Korean Register issues guidance to help the marine industry tackle underwater radiated noise from ships.

The Korean Register (KR) has issued new class notation and guidance to help the marine industry tackle noise from ships.

“Several countries and ports have already introduced regulations relating to underwater radiated noise and some ports, such as the Port of Vancouver, are offering discounts on port user fees for vessels that meet the standards,” said a KR official.

”If our customers’ vessels have obtained KR’s class notation for underwater radiated noise, they will also be able to benefit from these advantages while reducing their impact on the maritime environment.” Continue reading “Tackling the issue of underwater noise”

MCA approves the safe carriage of a greater number of workers in the offshore wind farm sector

New rules proposed by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to support the UK offshore wind farm industry are coming into force. The change will mean that vessels transporting those who work on offshore wind farms will be able to carry greater numbers of workers while still meeting safety standards.

The legislative changes followed discussions between the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and the industry looking at how to solve the logistical problems of transporting workers. Vessels that transport workers to offshore wind farms are currently not legally allowed to carry more than 12 people, no matter the size of vessel. Continue reading “MCA approves the safe carriage of a greater number of workers in the offshore wind farm sector”

Recreational Sectoral Group 2022 Guidelines to aid compliance for recreational craft published

2022 Guidelines published by the Recreational Sectoral Group
2022 Guidelines published by the Recreational Sectoral Group

The Recreational Sectoral Group (RSG) has published the new 2022 Guidelines for the general application of the conformity assessment procedures by Notified Bodies and Manufacturers. The aim is to prepare and assist with the conformity assessment procedures undertaken by Notified Bodies for recreational craft, personal watercraft, their components and their engines, in accordance with the Recreational Craft Directive (RCD) 2013/53/EU.

Due to the variety of watercraft, the RSG has considered the applicability of various parts of harmonised standards. Where suitable standards are not available, the RSG has established uniform guidelines to assist with demonstrating conformity with the Essential Continue reading “Recreational Sectoral Group 2022 Guidelines to aid compliance for recreational craft published”

UK inland waterways popularity surges according to the Annual Lockage Report

The Annual Lockage Report has been published by the Canal & River Trust
The Annual Lockage Report has been published by the Canal & River Trust

The Canal & River Trust says that waterways activity in 2021 surged in popularity post lockdown. The Canal & River Trust’s Annual Lockage Report for 2021 shows that as Covid-19 restrictions lifted in the spring, most places recorded counts that were close to pre-pandemic levels and a boom in lock use.

“The last two years have been like no other, with the lifting of pandemic restrictions resulting in increases in lock use that are unprecedented in the 21 years of preparing this report,” said Adam Comerford, national hydrology manager at the Canal & River Trust.

The Annual Lockage Report, now in its 21st year, shows how many times locks were used across the charity’s 2,000 miles of waterways compared to the Continue reading “UK inland waterways popularity surges according to the Annual Lockage Report”

Engine fault due to effect of low-sulphur fuel on injection control unit says report

Coking debris found in the cavity on the fuel oil side of the servo piston. Photo credit: TAIC
Coking debris found in the cavity on the fuel oil side of the servo piston due to low-sulphur fuel Photo credit: TAIC

A Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) report reveals that the Singapore-flagged ship Funing had been unable to generate full power because a fuel injector control unit (ICU) had suffered fuel leakage and become clogged with coking debris from the use of low-viscosity low-sulphur fuel.

On 5 July 2020, the log carrier Funing finished loading its cargo at the Port of Tauranga and began preparations for departure. At about 2200 the officer of the watch contacted the engineers and informed them that departure was planned for midnight. When the main engine was tested in the astern direction, the main engine fault log indicated there was a fuel injection quantity piston failure. The engineering team attempted to rectify the fault but were unable to before the vessel departed its berth at about 0018, when the fault reoccurred again Continue reading “Engine fault due to effect of low-sulphur fuel on injection control unit says report”

Public consultation of Australia’s Domestic Commercial Vessel Safety legislation open until 30 March 2022

The Independent Review of Australia’s Domestic Commercial Vessel Safety Legislation and associated Costs and Charging Arrangements has commenced. Information about the review, including terms of reference and reviewer information can be viewed here.

The review will be conducted in two phases, with the first to focus on the National Law framework (Phase 1) and the second to consider national system delivery costs and future funding options (Phase 2).

Submissions for Phase 1 of the review are now being sought and a Consultation Aid has been published. To make a submission, please go Continue reading “Public consultation of Australia’s Domestic Commercial Vessel Safety legislation open until 30 March 2022”

Annual Shipping Industry Flag State Performance Table published by the International Chamber of Shipping

Shipping Industry Flag State Performance Table 2021/2022 released by ICS
Shipping Industry Flag State Performance Table 2021/2022 released by ICS

The annual Shipping Industry Flag State Performance Table 2021/2022, from the International Chamber of Shipping, has identified reporting on seafarer wellbeing as a “casualty of the pandemic,” following its publication.

The Table is intended to encourage shipowners to maintain a dialogue with their Flag states, and help facilitate necessary improvements in the interests of safety, the environment and decent working conditions, among other issues. The Flag State of a merchant ship is the jurisdiction under whose laws the ship is registered or licensed and is deemed the nationality of the vessel.

This year’s Shipping Industry Flag State Performance Table highlights a drop in levels of reporting on the status of national ILO labour Continue reading “Annual Shipping Industry Flag State Performance Table published by the International Chamber of Shipping”

ABS Port State Control Quarterly Report Q4 2021

The focus of the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) is to provide classification services to promote the common safety, environmental and regulatory interests of its members and clients, including builders, owners, operators and surveyors of ships. Since its inception in 1862, ABS has been a global leader in marine safety. With more than 2,000 technical professionals positioned around the world, the ABS team has the experience, knowledge, and professional judgment to assist vessel owners and operators.

The ABS Port State Control Quarterly Report (PSC) provides information with photos of deficiencies identified on ABS vessels during inspections carried out by the various PSC regimes globally during the 4th Quarter of 2021. This report is being made available to assist Continue reading “ABS Port State Control Quarterly Report Q4 2021”

Australian operators with fixed gas LPG systems must be aware of appliances listed on the installation compliance plate

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has released details of an investigation into an incident where the owner and their son were seriously injured in an explosion in the galley of their houseboat due to the stove ignitor igniting a gas leak.

On 30 June 2021, a class 4E domestic commercial vessel houseboat used for recreational purposes was at anchor in the backchannel of a Northern NSW river. The owner and their son were onboard and the owner was preparing dinner in the galley at the starboard aft end of the main cabin.

The owner attempted to light a gas-powered stove by a piezo ignition switch when a blast explosion took place causing catastrophic Continue reading “Australian operators with fixed gas LPG systems must be aware of appliances listed on the installation compliance plate”

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