Marine News - International Institute of Marine Surveying

Cruising Association says boat owners are caught ‘in perfect storm’

Posted on February 10, 2021February 10, 2021 by News Hound

Boat owners caught in a perfect storm post Brexit. Photo: Cruising Association

Robin Baron, chairman of the Cruising Association RATS committee, has said that cruising yachtsmen are in the middle of ‘a perfect storm’. His words come at the end of months of COVID-19 restrictions, a VAT ‘trap’ and new visa rules exacerbating everything. Amid a surge of enquiries about Brexit which has seen the Cruising Association run a seminar and respond to multiple questions from members in unfolding territory, Baron has settled on a plan to at least help members negotiate visa arrangements. He’s looking to exert pressure from within.

Since 1 January 2021, people can only stay 90 days in any 180-day period within the Schengen area. The 180-day reference period is not fixed. It is a moving window, based on the approach of looking backwards at each day of the Continue reading “Cruising Association says boat owners are caught ‘in perfect storm’”

Physical surveys: Keep ‘boots on deck’ for better inspections, surveys and crew morale says Idwal

Posted on February 9, 2021February 9, 2021 by News Hound

Importance of physical surveys - Idwal Chief Executive Officer Nick Owens (pictured) — Importance of physical surveys – Idwal Chief Executive Officer Nick Owens (pictured)

The pandemic has demonstrated the value of remote working but the industry must recognise the importance of physical connection to the ship. Idwal, a provider of ship inspection services, is calling on the industry to recognise the positive contribution that physical surveys make to vessel quality and crew morale.

Idwal provides blended remote and in-person vessel surveys on behalf of shipowners, banks, owners, brokers and charterers and believes that over-reliance on remote inspection technology creates risks for operators and worsens conditions for already over-stretched crews.

Last year saw a sharp rise in enquiries to deliver ‘internal inspection’ campaigns for owners and managers, suggesting owners wish to keep a closer eye on their vessels’ condition while their own people can’t travel. But the impact on crews of more remote inspections is increasing and the results are not always positive. Continue reading “Physical surveys: Keep ‘boots on deck’ for better inspections, surveys and crew morale says Idwal”

Sustainable Shipping Initiative publishes white paper for the use of new marine fuels

Posted on February 9, 2021February 9, 2021 by News Hound

A new white paper from the Sustainable Shipping Initiative sets out 13 sustainability issues and principles surrounding low and zero carbon marine fuels which are under consideration as part of shipping’s energy transition.

The paper, defining sustainability criteria for zero and low carbon marine fuels, says attention must be paid to the lifecycle sustainability of bunker fuels, and its principles are intended to feed into the development of industry standards and third-party certification schemes ‘to assure and facilitate the selection of – and demand for – sustainable marine fuels’.

The sustainability principles and criteria are intended to be used by stakeholders across the shipping value chain ranging from shipowners; fuel producers and suppliers; Continue reading “Sustainable Shipping Initiative publishes white paper for the use of new marine fuels”

New chief executive appointed by Inland Waterways Association

Posted on February 8, 2021February 12, 2025 by News Hound

The Inland Waterways Association has appointed Phil Hornsey as its new chief executive. Hornsey is an experienced leader with a strong strategic, development and marketing background. He has a 20-year career across corporate and not-for-profit sectors.

As director of membership and community at British Rowing, Hornsey led the national delivery of programmes to engage, support and grow the sport, achieving record levels of participation, paying members, and unrestricted income for the organisation. Prior to joining British Rowing, Hornsey held senior management positions at O2, EE and Betfair. Continue reading “New chief executive appointed by Inland Waterways Association”

Transport Malta reveals pump room fatality caused by n-Butane intoxication

Posted on February 5, 2021April 14, 2025 by News Hound

Transport Malta has published its investigation report on a crew fatality in the pump room of the crude oil tanker MT Valtamed, while at Ceyhan OPL Anchorage, Turkey, in February 2020. The autopsy found that the pump man died by n-Butane intoxication. The investigation believes that the presence of H2S in the bilge space may have also contributed, by either causing panic or unconsciousness.

Whilst Valtamed was at anchor awaiting berthing instructions, pre-arrival tests of the high-level alarms of the vessel’s cargo tanks, and the forepeak store and pump room bilges were being conducted by the crew members.After testing the atmosphere of the vessel’s pump room, the pumpman proceeded to the bottom platform to test the space’s bilge alarms.

Although the port side bilge alarm was successfully tested, the chief officer noted that starboard side bilge alarm had not activated within Continue reading “Transport Malta reveals pump room fatality caused by n-Butane intoxication”

Historic steam-driven tug set to return to service

Posted on February 4, 2021February 4, 2021 by News Hound

One of the world’s oldest tugboats, the 117-year-old, steam-driven tug Daniel Adamson, is set to return to service offering short cruises along the River Weaver, a tributary of the Mersey River in England, after the completion of a project to install new propeller shaft bearings.

The 1903-built steamship, rescued from scrap merchants 15 years ago, was fully restored in 2016 at Birkenhead’s Cammell Laird yard, the original builder of the vessel. Thordon Bearings’ SXL water lubricated propeller shaft bearings were installed last year after competitor bearings failed.

Thordon SXL water lubricated bearings were supplied in April of 2020, but due to the COVID-19 crisis, the project was delayed until Continue reading “Historic steam-driven tug set to return to service”

New approval procedures published for in-water cleaning companies

Posted on February 4, 2021February 4, 2021 by News Hound

New approval procedues published for in-water cleaning companies

The International Chamber of Shipping and BIMCO have published an approval procedure for in-water cleaning companies, aiming to set minimum requirements for approval of cleaning companies for various types of operations.

The Approval procedure for in-water cleaning companies is one of two separate documents that outline performance-based requirements for in-water cleaning of ship’s hull, propeller and niche areas with the capture of the materials that are removed during the process:

– Approval procedure for in-water cleaning companies (Approval procedure) Continue reading “New approval procedures published for in-water cleaning companies”

Consultation about safe disposal of time expired flares opened by MCA

Posted on February 3, 2021February 12, 2025 by News Hound

The Department for Transport (DfT), in collaboration with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), has published a consultation about the safe disposal of time expired marine pyrotechnics (flares) from the pleasure boat sector. The consultation remains open until 15 March 2021.

The consultation seeks feedback to decide the next course of action when, in Dec 2021, the MCA’s current interim arrangements for the safe disposal of time expired flares are set to end. The consultation doesn’t hold back in assessing where the problem of who pays for the pollution has arisen, saying the industry has failed to organise itself effectively.

Continue reading “Consultation about safe disposal of time expired flares opened by MCA”

New safety requirements for local pleasure vessels in Hong Kong

Posted on February 3, 2021February 12, 2025 by News Hound

The Marine Department of Hong Kong has published a circular about the recent safety requirements and regulations for all local pleasure vessels, which will be applied from 1st of April 2021.

According to the circular all pleasure vessels licenced to carry more than 12 passengers that are let for hire or reward shall have on-board a suitable first aid kit, as stipulated in “Code of Practice IV” Chapter X – Part 2 with effect from 1st April 2021. Continue reading “New safety requirements for local pleasure vessels in Hong Kong”

MCA targets uncoded race yachts

Posted on February 2, 2021April 14, 2025 by News Hound

MCA Logo Action will be taken against uncoded commercially operated race yachts, the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) has warned, following the conclusion of legal proceedings against two vessels.

The MCA has agreed to discontinue prosecution against two boats on the condition both enter into a written agreement to ensure their vessels are coded when engaged in any commercial activity.

The outcome reaffirms the agency’s committed position to ensuring all vessels hold the correct documentation and that uncoded race yachts are punished. Continue reading “MCA targets uncoded race yachts”

ClassNK updates its Guidelines for Remote Surveys

Posted on February 1, 2021February 1, 2021 by News Hound

Leading Classification Society ClassNK has released “Guidelines for Remote Surveys Ver. 2.0” including a class notation requirement for the ship with advance preparation for remote surveys.

ClassNK has been working on the advancement of surveys using digital technology in line with its R&D roadmap and Digital Grand Design 2030, and published the guide. Incorporating outcomes of investigation and examination for providing the standards in the application of remote surveys to ensure reliability equivalent to conventional witness surveys with transparency, the guidelines have described the types of surveys that can be applied, the types and amounts of information required for remote surveys, and the requirements for the use of ICT.

In the Ver. 2.0, ClassNK has made revision for the clarification of selection of equipment and communication infrastructure, and the class Continue reading “ClassNK updates its Guidelines for Remote Surveys”

First ever UKCA RCR certificate issued by HPi-CEproof

Posted on February 1, 2021February 1, 2021 by News Hound

Oxfordshire-based company, HPi-CEproof has issued the Princess X95 with the first ever UKCA RCR certificate of conformity, following the new UK Recreational Craft Regulations which came into force on 1st January this year. HPi-CEproof is currently the only Approved Body empowered to issue ‘UKCA mark’ certificates, enabling compliance with the post-Brexit UK Recreational Craft Regulations.

Celebrating the significance of its appointment, HPi-CEproof auctioned the rights for a boatbuilder to be assessed for RCR certificate number one. Proceeds were split equally between the Blue Marine Foundation (BLUE) and British Divers Marine Life Rescue. No fees were charged for the assessment.

Continue reading “First ever UKCA RCR certificate issued by HPi-CEproof”

Name	Provider	Purpose	Expiration
wordpress_[hash]	WordPress	Used by WordPress to store your authentication details upon login and is limited to the admin area.	Just under 1 year
wordpress_logged_in_[hash]	WordPress	Used by WordPress to enable the interface to recognize you as a logged-in user and determine which account and preferences to use for various features.	Just under 1 year
wp-settings-{time}-[UID]	WordPress	Used by WordPress to facilitates customizing your view of the admin interface and the main site interface. The number UID is the individual user ID from the user database table.	1 year
wordpress_test_cookie	WordPress	Used by WordPress to probe the ability of WordPress to set cookies.	15 minutes
_grecaptcha	Google	This cookie is set by Google reCAPTCHA, which protects the site against spam enquiries on contact forms.	6 months
m	Stripe	Used by Stripe Payment Services for fraud prevention and detection.	400 days
__stripe_mid	Stripe	Stripe sets this cookie to process payments.	1 year
__stripe_sid	Stripe	Stripe sets this cookie to process payments.	1 year
wc_fragments_*	WooCommerce	Used by WooCommerce for eCommerce functionality.	1 year
wc_cart_hash_*	WooCommerce	Used by WooCommerce to save items in a shopping cart.	session
woocommerce_items_in_cart	WooCommerce	Used by WooCommerce to save items in a shopping cart.	session
wp_woocommerce_session_	WooCommerce	Used by WooCommerce for eCommerce functionality.	2 days

Name	Provider	Purpose	Expiration
_ga_*	Google Analytics	Contains a unique identifier used by Google Analytics 4 to determine that two distinct hits belong to the same user across browsing sessions. Accepting Marketing and Analytical Cookies allows us to use the data collected by this cookie for marketing and analytical purposes.	1 year
_ga	Google Analytics	Contains a unique identifier used by Google Analytics 4 to determine that two distinct hits belong to the same user across browsing sessions. Accepting Marketing and Analytical Cookies allows us to use the data collected by this cookie for marketing and analytical purposes.	2 years
_gid	Google Analytics	Contains a unique identifier used by Google Analytics to determine that two distinct hits belong to the same user across browsing sessions. Accepting Marketing and Analytical Cookies allows us to use the data collected by this cookie for marketing and analytical purposes.	1 day
_fbp	Facebook	Used by Facebook to deliver a series of advertisement products such as real time bidding from third party advertisers.	90 days