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MAIB confirms missing fishing boat Nicola Faith has been raised and recovered

The recovered Nicola Faith fishing boat
Photo credit: MAIB

Four months after the fishing vessel Nicola Faith went missing with all hands off the coast of Wales, the U.K.’s Marine Accident Investigation Branch confirmed that the vessel was recovered in a unique salvage operation. The effort was undertaken after the families of the three lost crew members arranged for a private search to confirm the identity of the vessel on the seafloor. The MAIB said recovery and analysis of the vessel would help to provide answers to the question of why the fishing vessel was lost.

The vessel departed from Conwy, on the north coast of Wales, on January 27 and was believed to be out to set lobster pots. The vessel was not heard from and the MAIB was alerted to an overdue vessel, prompting the SAR operations. Seven RNLI lifeboats and three HM Coastguard teams searched an area measuring more than 400 square miles but reported no sign of the vessel of its three missing crew members.

In March, an inflatable lifeboat from the vessel was found more than 100 miles away. The bodies of the three missing crew, Captain Carl McGrath, Ross Ballantine, and Alan Minard, were recovered on the shoreline. Only in March did the MAIB locate the sunken vessel less than 100 meters from its last known location and after an initial survey, private searchers were brought in to confirm the identity of the ship. Divers photographed and surveyed the Nicola Faith with the information supplied to the MAIB.

Watch the vessel being raised.

In the first stages of the recovery operation, a remotely operated vehicle was used to conduct a final survey of Nicola Faith on the seabed. Evidence including fishing equipment and outlying debris was mapped and collected from the area around the vessel. MAIB said it believes this information will help the team to understand what led the vessel to capsize.

In preparation for the recovery, anchors were set, and salvage pumps were used to remove a large quantity of seawater from the vessel. The Nicola Faith, which weighed 11 tons was raised using a crane barge capable of lifting up to 150 tons from a depth of 140 feet.

“This operation needed to be meticulously planned and executed to ensure that valuable evidence was conserved,” said Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents, Captain Andrew Moll. “The purpose of our investigation is to improve safety. The next phase of the investigation will be to establish what events led to the vessel’s capsize, the mechanics of how the vessel sunk, and why. Once the investigation is complete, a report which details the findings will be prepared and published.”

After the vessel was brought to the surface, it was placed on the deck of an adjacent ship. The Nicola Faith is being moved to a specially adapted location where it will be housed until the investigation is complete. Once it has been secured, the families of the crew will have an opportunity to view the vessel.

The John Excell Award for Outstanding Achievement is announced

The International Institute of Marine Surveying (IIMS) has launched an award in memory of yacht and small craft marine surveyor, John Excell. The John Excell Award for Outstanding Achievement is open to all students enrolled on the distance learning diploma in marine surveying. It will be awarded on a periodical basis to deserving students – those who deliver not only outstanding academic achievements but who also demonstrate first-class interpersonal skills. Suitable recommendations will be put to the IIMS Education Committee for review and acceptance.

John Excell, who was an Honorary Fellow member of the Institute, died in April 2021 following a long illness at the age of just fifty-one. Continue reading “The John Excell Award for Outstanding Achievement is announced”

The IIMS Report Magazine June 2021 edition published

Read the June 2021 Report Magazine online in e-reader format or in pdf format.

The highlights and feature articles of this special 136 page edition of The June 2021 Report (the biggest ever) to mark the 30th anniversary of IIMS include:
– The design of cathodic protection schemes for canal craft
– Seafarers ‘N’ Ever Given respect. What will we do this time so that history is not repeated?
– Containers overboard – is theory overtaking practice?
– Stitch by stitch: The art of sailmaking is alive and flourishing
– Could our ‘old friend’, the wind, be the solution to reducing the fuel consumption of ships?
– Seaman’s Manslaughter: An arcane US statute turned enforcement risk
– Elevators on ships – failures, service, and maintenance
– How well does Cathodic protection negate corrosion when used in seawater filtration?
– A personal account of gender diversity at sea
– A look back at 30 years of IIMS history and articles by a number of Past Presidents
– A day in the life of Nick Parkyn

 

Ever Given – What happens now?

Photo credit: SCA
Photo credit: SCA

Article first published by The Maritime Executive and republished with the author, Philip Teoh’s permission.

The containership Ever Given ran aground while transiting the Suez Canal on March 23, 2021, lodging herself against both banks of the waterway. The blockage caused vessels backed up in the Mediterranean to the north and the Red Sea to the south. It is estimated that the costs to global trade was about $400 million per hour based on the approximate value of goods that are moved through the Suez every day, according to shipping data and news company Lloyd’s List.

For six days, the world watched as a multi-national team of salvors, tug operators and the Suez Canal Authority Continue reading “Ever Given – What happens now?”

Report issued by MAIB on fatal crush incident during transfer from workboat Beinn Na Caillich to a feed barge

Report issued by MAIB on fatal crush incident during transfer from workboat Beinn Na Caillich to a feed barge
Report issued by MAIB on fatal crush incident during transfer from workboat Beinn Na Caillich to a feed barge

The MAIB have issued a report into the fatal crush incident involving workboat Beinn Na Caillich. At about 1510 on 18 February 2020, the Ardintoul fish farm assistant manager drowned after falling into the water from a feed barge access ladder during a boat transfer. He stepped from the deck onto the ladder while Beinn Na Caillich was still moving forward and was crushed between the boat and the barge. A fish farm technician on board the barge attempted to stop the injured assistant manager from falling in to the water by holding onto the back of his personal flotation device and oilskin jacket, but the severely injured casualty slipped out of them. Despite the assistant manager being recovered from the water and the determined efforts of the fish farm workers, emergency services, and medical staff, the assistant Continue reading “Report issued by MAIB on fatal crush incident during transfer from workboat Beinn Na Caillich to a feed barge”

River Canal Rescue wins award for Bilgeaway pollution filter

River Canal Rescue wins award for Bilgeaway pollution filter
River Canal Rescue wins award for Bilgeaway pollution filter

River Canal Rescue has won the British Safety Industry Federation’s Water Pollution Award for its Bilgeaway pollution filter. The British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF) is the UK’s leading trade body for the safety sector and its annual Safety & Health Excellence Awards cover four categories; product innovation, safety solutions, customer service and water pollution prevention (the latter added in 2020).

For its entry, River Canal Rescue (RCR) explained how Bilgeaway – the world’s first environmentally-friendly bilge discharge filter – was developed to address a well-known pollution problem. Launched in January 2019, Bilgeaway traps contaminants before they’re discharged overboard by automatic bilge pumps, rendering the filter’s contents non-reactive so they can be safely disposed of, instead of going to landfill. Continue reading “River Canal Rescue wins award for Bilgeaway pollution filter”

BMA to conduct inspection & maintenance of firefighting installation

BMA gives instructions for the inspection, maintenance, testing and survey for firefighting installation
BMA gives instructions for the inspection, maintenance, testing and survey for firefighting installation

The Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA) provided instructions for the inspection, maintenance, testing and survey requirements for firefighting installations and portable fire extinguishers.

All inspection, maintenance, testing and survey have to take the relevant manufacturer’s guidelines into account. However, certain maintenance procedures and inspections can be performed by competent crewmembers, while others should be performed only by persons specially trained in the maintenance of such systems.

Continue reading “BMA to conduct inspection & maintenance of firefighting installation”

MCA launches consultation on entry into enclosed space regulations on ships

MCA launches consultation on entry into enclosed space regulations on ships
MCA launches consultation on entry into enclosed space regulations on ships

This consultation from MCA seeks your views on the proposed merchant shipping and fishing vessels entry into enclosed space regulations 2021, which would replace the merchant shipping (entry into dangerous spaces) regulations 1988. The proposed enclosed space regulations incorporate safety of life at sea (SOLAS) amendments, as outlined within section 2 of the consultation document.

Your views are sought on:
– implementation of SOLAS amendments into UK legislation;
– extending to vessels not currently regulated by SOLAS, and;
extending to fishing vessels

Please note the list of exemptions to the proposed regulations, contained within the consultation document page 25 (proposed regulation 10 exemptions). Continue reading “MCA launches consultation on entry into enclosed space regulations on ships”

Med Tuncer: Fire in enclosed lifeboat while testing batteries report issued

Med Tuncer: Fire in enclosed lifeboat while testing batteries report issued
Med Tuncer: Fire in enclosed lifeboat while testing batteries report issued

Transport Malta has published an investigation report on the fire on a lifeboat while carrying out tests onboard the Maltese-flagged tanker Med Tuncer in May 2020. The investigation identified a very high short circuit current within the batteries as a probable cause of the incident.

While the oil and chemical tanker Med Tuncer was moored at the Oil Tanking Terminal in Antwerp, Belgium, at 0815 on 14 May 2020, the electrician onboard stepped inside the enclosed, freefall lifeboat to carry out tests on the batteries. During the tests, a fire broke out inside the lifeboat. The fire alarm was raised, and the crew swiftly extinguished the fire. Fire and smoke damage were largely restricted to the interior of the lifeboat and control panel. Continue reading “Med Tuncer: Fire in enclosed lifeboat while testing batteries report issued”

Winners of the 2021 Australian Marine Industry Awards announced

Winners of the 2021 Australian Marine Industry Awards announced
Winners of the 2021 Australian Marine Industry Awards announced

The winners of the 2021 Australian Marine Industry Awards have been announced during the 10th annual ASMEX Conference. A gala dinner, held at the InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort on Tuesday 18 May, honoured and recognised the winners in eight categories.

In the commercial segment, Aus Ships Group won the 2021 Commercial Marine Project/Design or Manufacturer of the Year award presented by Rivergate Marina & Shipyard for its high-profile work on the diverse fleet of vessels including the Brisbane City Cat.

The 2021 Commercial Marine Service Provider of the Year was won by Harwood Marine and accepted by Ross Roberts, managing director.

Continue reading “Winners of the 2021 Australian Marine Industry Awards announced”

Condition survey requirements for tankers carrying HFO as cargo issued by American P&I Club

Condition survey requirements for tankers carrying HFO as cargo issued by American P&I Club
Condition survey requirements for tankers carrying HFO as cargo issued by American P&I Club

The American P&I Club has published a Marine Circular regarding the condition survey requirements for tankers carrying heavy fuel oil (HFO) as cargo. As part of a concerted industry effort to ensure higher ship standards, the International Group of P&I Clubs continues to implement survey triggers for seagoing vessels of 10 years of age or more carrying HFO.

Consequently, all sea-going vessels aged 10 years or more which have carried heavy HFO as cargo within the previous 12 months will be subject to condition survey, unless:
– the vessel has undergone a P&I club condition survey during the previous 12 months; or
– the vessel has undergone a Special Survey during the previous 6 months; or
– the vessel has a valid Condition Assessment Program (CAP) rating of 1 or 2 with a classification society having membership in the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS). Continue reading “Condition survey requirements for tankers carrying HFO as cargo issued by American P&I Club”

Lube oil contamination due to forgotten rubber membrane seals

Lube oil contamination due to forgotten rubber membrane seals
Lube oil contamination due to forgotten rubber membrane seals

In a recent publication, the Swedish Club describes a case of lube oil contamination caused by forgotten rubber membrane seals in the engine room of a chemical/oil tanker.

The ship was at anchor off Tenerife. During overhaul work, a large amount of seawater entered the engine room bilge from the inert gas system overboard drain line. This was later estimated to be around 25 cubic metres. Unfortunately, the crew had no knowledge of the problem until one of them rushed into the engine control room and said that he had seen water in the engine room bilges.

The Chief Engineer said, “I was surprised to find out that the inert gas system abnormality alarm had been disabled by a member of my Continue reading “Lube oil contamination due to forgotten rubber membrane seals”

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