Government

Request to transfer UK rivers to the CRT gets mixed response

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Request to transfer UK rivers to the CRT gets mixed response
Request to transfer UK rivers to the CRT gets mixed response

The Canal & River Trust (CRT) has put in a formal request to the Government to transfer the Thames, Nene, Great Ouse, Medway and other Environment Agency (EA) rivers to CRT which has met with a mixed response from user groups.

The idea has been discussed numerous times in the past, and was to have taken place when CRT was formed from the former British Waterways in 2012. But the plan was scuppered by the twin problems of the lack of any EA property ‘dowry’ (unlike the considerable commercial portfolio which came from BW and provides some £50m a year in rentals), and the complexity on some rivers of disentangling navigation from other responsibilities (such as flooding) which would stay with the EA. A subsequent proposal Continue reading “Request to transfer UK rivers to the CRT gets mixed response”

Confusion surrounds antifouling paints which have not been banned in the UK

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Confusion surrounds antifouling paints which have not been banned in the UK
Confusion surrounds antifouling paints which have not been banned in the UK

There is still confusion regarding the future availability of antifouling paints says the British Coatings Federation’s Marine Coatings Group.

The group has produced an explanatory note that it says is intended to provide clarity on the Biocidal Products Regulation, making it clear that antifoul paints – including copper-based antifoul – have not been banned.

“Antifouling paints containing co-biocides also known as ‘booster’ biocides have not been banned,” added Trevor Fielding, regulatory affairs manager at the BCF.

“The industry and the regulators are working hard to make the implementation of Continue reading “Confusion surrounds antifouling paints which have not been banned in the UK”

Engine failure and poor communication resulted in Nenita grounding

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Engine failure and poor communication resulted in Nenita grounding
Engine failure and poor communication resulted in Nenita grounding

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has published its investigation report about the circumstances that led to the grounding of the Marshall Islands registered bulk carrier Nenita on the Columbia River. The incident, which occurred in November 2016 was as a result of an engine failure combined with inefficient communication on-board.

The incident
On November 19, 2016, the fully-laden bulk carrier Nenita was outbound on the Columbia River, when it suffered an engine failure impacting its ability to manoeuvre. The vessel subsequently ran aground at Continue reading “Engine failure and poor communication resulted in Nenita grounding”

New sustainable Marina High Tech show announced for South of France

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New sustainable Marina High Tech show announced for South of France
New sustainable Marina High Tech show announced for South of France

A new international trade show, the Marina High Tech show, has been announced for 2018, dedicated to new technology in yachting.

Marina High Tech is “a high-calibre showcase of nautical and sustainable innovation across the marine industry”, according to the organisers.

The first edition is set to take place at Marina Baie des Anges in Villeneuve-Loubet from 24 to 25 May 2018 with the support of Villeneuve-Loubet Council, CCI Riviera Ports, Nice Côte d’Azur council, the Regional Tourism Board and local stakeholders in the PACA region.

In a recent statement, organisers said Continue reading “New sustainable Marina High Tech show announced for South of France”

Rolls-Royce has announced a strategic review of its marine business

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Image courtesy Rolls-Royce
Image courtesy Rolls-Royce

Rolls-Royce has announced it is considering the sale of its loss-making commercial marine business, on the context of embarking on simplifying its complex business simplification of business. This may result in a reduction from five operating businesses to three core units based around Civil Aerospace, Defence and Power Systems.

As part of this exercise, the company plans to consolidate Naval Marine and Nuclear Submarines operations within the existing Defence business, and Civil Nuclear operations within the Power Systems business, to facilitate a more fundamental restructuring of support and management functions in particular.

“Building on our actions over the past two years, this further simplification of our business means Continue reading “Rolls-Royce has announced a strategic review of its marine business”

British Ports Association has published a video to highlight their importance to the UK economy

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British Ports Association has published a video to highlight their importance to the UK economy
British Ports Association has published a video to highlight their importance to the UK economy

The British Ports Association has launched a video highlighting the importance of ports to the UK’s economy. The film uses new economic impact study data produced for Maritime UK – an umbrella group promoting the industry – to highlight the value of the UK ports industry. The figures show that collectively the industry employs 101,000 people, handles almost 500 million tons of freight and contributes £7.5 billion ($7.9 billion) to the economy.

The Chief Executive of The British Ports Association, Richard Ballantyne, said: Continue reading “British Ports Association has published a video to highlight their importance to the UK economy”

British Marine research suggests boating sector growth for the sixth consecutive year

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British Marine research suggests boating sector growth for the sixth consecutive year
British Marine research suggests boating sector growth for the sixth consecutive year

The UK’s leisure marine industry has achieved its sixth consecutive year of growth, according to research conducted by British Marine.

Industry revenues increased by 3.4% in 2017 – rising to £3.12bn – their highest level since the financial crisis of 2007/08. The sector directly contributed over £1.3bn to the UK economy between March 2016 – April 2017, while supporting over 33,000 full-time equivalent jobs in the UK’s manufacturing and service industries.

And while UK productivity remains sluggish compared to Continue reading “British Marine research suggests boating sector growth for the sixth consecutive year”

European Commission Reducing marine litter stakeholder survey and consultation

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Photo credit: Creative Commons/Forest/Kim Starr
Photo credit: Creative Commons/Forest/Kim Starr

The European Commission has published a stakeholder survey “Reducing marine litter: actions on single use plastics and abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear” as part of the follow up to the EU Strategy on Plastics scheduled for adoption in January 2018.

Plastics are an important material in our economy and present in many aspects of our daily lives, but they also have relatively low rates of reuse and recycling and are prone to littering.

The European Commission Action Plan for a Circular Economy (2015) therefore identified plastics as one of 5 priority areas. A Communication outlining the strategy for Continue reading “European Commission Reducing marine litter stakeholder survey and consultation”

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

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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”

Scotland inland waterways 250 year history soon to be available to the public

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Scotland's inland waterways - Details of the machinery of the proposed inclined plane at Blackhill
Scotland’s inland waterways – Details of the machinery of the proposed inclined plane at Blackhill

The public will soon be able to delve into the 250-year-old tales of Scotland’s inland waterways as Scottish Canals’ historic records are transferred to the National Records of Scotland for the first time.

The archive features an array of hand-drawn plans, maps and other records stretching back to when the canals were industrial highways carrying coal, goods and people across Scotland. Continue reading “Scotland inland waterways 250 year history soon to be available to the public”

Recreational Craft Regulations 2017 now UK law

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Be aware that the Recreational Craft Regulations 2017 are now in law. Photo for display purpose only
Be aware that the Recreational Craft Regulations 2017 are now in law. Photo for display purpose only

On 3 August 2017, the new Recreational Craft Regulations 2017 finally joined the statute book and became law in the UK after much deliberation. This legislation is more generally known as the RCD, or Recreational Craft Directive (2013/53/EU) and this version updates and repeals the earlier 2004 regulations.

The 2017 Recreational Craft Regulations follow the requirements of the RCD, while also setting out the UK market surveillance responsibilities. This essentially relates to what trading standards can and will do to ensure compliance. Their powers to impose penalties on companies found in breach of the regulations are immense and could result in products being taken off the market, fines imposed and even imprisonment in some cases.

Continue reading “Recreational Craft Regulations 2017 now UK law”

Lack of surveyors at UK MCA highlighted as a programme of modernisation gets underway

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The UK’s Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) is modernising the way the UK Ship Register operates with a number of new initiatives being rolled out as the Agency is also addressing the issue of a shortfall in surveyors on its books.

At the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Maritime and Ports, attendees were informed that the MCA is considering increasing the fee structure for the UK Ship Register to above 2016 levels.

The registry is working to improve the response time for enquiries to one working day, while for complex issues it will take three working days. Increasing ship registry fees would match the higher levels of service being offered, the MCA said. The register also plans to roll out a Continue reading “Lack of surveyors at UK MCA highlighted as a programme of modernisation gets underway”

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