Findings of consultation for marine guidance on electric vehicles onboard passenger RO-RO ferries released by MCA

Guidance on electric vehicles onboard passenger RO-RO ferries released by MCA
Marine guidance on electric vehicles onboard passenger RO-RO ferries released by MCA

The UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) carried out a public consultation on its proposed draft Marine Guidance into electric vehicles (EVs) onboard passenger Ro-Ro ferries, which ran from 25 October to 20 December 2021.

The proposal contained guidance on what is seen as a minimum standard required for the provision of charging systems Continue reading “Findings of consultation for marine guidance on electric vehicles onboard passenger RO-RO ferries released by MCA”

A Master’s Guide to the UK Flag – Large Yacht edition 4 published by the MCA

The MCA have updated "A Master's guide to the UK Flag"
The MCA have updated “A Master’s guide to the UK Flag”

The MCA has published a document called ‘A Masters Guide to the UK Flag – Large Yacht’ and has just updated it and released edition 4. The purpose of the 34 page guide is to provide easy to use information regarding United Kingdom merchant shipping regulations and administrative procedures. UK regulations and procedures may differ from those of other Flag Administrations and this guide will help to comply with UK requirements.

The updates in edition 4 include the following: Continue reading “A Master’s Guide to the UK Flag – Large Yacht edition 4 published by the MCA”

Over 100 boats detained by customs and the Virgin Islands Shipping Registry for non-compliance

Over 100 boats from the Moorings and Sunsail fleet have been detained.
Over 100 boats from the Moorings and Sunsail fleet have been detained.

Customs and the Virgin Islands Shipping Registry have detained over 100 boats from the Moorings and Sunsail fleet leaving some charter customers stranded and the company scrambling to make alternative arrangements for incoming guests.

Over eight Customs officers accompanied by officials from the Virgin Islands Shipping Registry swooped down on The Moorings Marina, Wickhams Cay II on March 16 to conduct inspections on the vessels to ensure compliance with commercial licensing and safety certificate insurance.

In a statement, The Moorings Continue reading “Over 100 boats detained by customs and the Virgin Islands Shipping Registry for non-compliance”

UK government launches new national shipbuilding strategy

In support of the announcement of the new national shipbuilding strategy Prince William is pictured setting a plasma cutting machine to work on the first plate of steel for the third Type 26 frigate
In support of the announcement of the new national shipbuilding strategy Prince William is pictured setting a plasma cutting machine to work on the first plate of steel for the third Type 26 frigate

The UK’s shipbuilding industry will be revitalised through a refreshed national strategy, the UK government has announced.

First published in 2017, the National Shipbuilding Strategy outlined ambitions to transform naval procurement, securing export and design contracts for British naval ships. Building on that success, the new release outlines the government’s further ambitions to reinvigorate the whole British shipbuilding industry while contributing to its levelling up mission to boost productivity, pay, jobs and living standards across the country.

Over £4bn of government investment aims to galvanise and support shipyards and suppliers across the UK, with new measures including Continue reading “UK government launches new national shipbuilding strategy”

Recent new and updated documents issued by the Maritime & Coastguard Agency

Maritime and Coastguard Agency

In recent weeks the UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency has published a number of revised and amended documents, as well as announcing a new Statutory Instrument (SI).

Issued on 10 January 2022
MSIS 27 – Annex 1 – Under 15 m LOA FV Inspection Regime (Rev. 12/21)
Click for more details

Issued on 12 January 2022
Safety Bulletin 024 – Non-SOLAS Lifejacket Servicing Requirements
Click for more details Continue reading “Recent new and updated documents issued by the Maritime & Coastguard Agency”

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”

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”

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”

AMSA requests feedback on proposed changes to air pollution regulations

AMSA has requested feedback on air pollution regulations
AMSA has requested feedback on air pollution regulations

AMSA requests online feedback on changes to Marine order 97 by 20 March 2022. This marine order, which deals with the prevention of air pollution from vessels and gives effect to MARPOL Annex VI, applies to regulated Australian vessels (RAVs), domestic commercial vessels (DCVs), recreational vessels, and foreign vessels and is expected to become effective in 2023.

The key proposed changes in the marine order are as follows:
– a diesel engine with a power output of more than 130 kW installed on an existing or new DCV will be required to have an engine Continue reading “AMSA requests feedback on proposed changes to air pollution regulations”

Major changes in the ABS Marine Vessel Rules announced from January 2022

The ABS 2022 Marine Vessel Rules have changed in January 2022, in some cases significantly
The ABS 2022 Marine Vessel Rules have changed in January 2022, in some cases significantly

In an open communication to the maritime industry, Adam W. Moilanen, Vice President/Chief Surveyor with the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), has written to advise of the raft of major changes in the ABS 2022 Marine Vessel Rules, Material and Welding, High Speed Craft, Mobile Offshore Units (MOU), Facility on Offshore Installations (FAC) and Single Point Moorings (SPM) that became effective on 1 January 1 2022.

In brief, the changes to the ABS 2022 Marine Vessel Rules are: Continue reading “Major changes in the ABS Marine Vessel Rules announced from January 2022”

UK Coastguard celebrates 200 years of service

Modern day Coastguard at work
Modern day Coastguard at work

From its beginnings with coastal lookouts to today’s hi-tech national network of coordination centres, from small localised beginnings to international players – one thing has stayed the same for two centuries – Her Majesty’s Coastguard seeks to search, to rescue and to save.

Two hundred years of saving lives along the UK coast and at sea, as well as coordinating rescues for those in distress in international waters, is being marked this year as HM Coastguard celebrates its milestone anniversary.

It was on 15 January 1822, that HM Coastguard was formally brought into existence and has been working to keep people safe at the coast Continue reading “UK Coastguard celebrates 200 years of service”

New VAT legislation is good news for UK boat owners

The UK government has confirmed that from 1 January 2022, recreational boat owners will not be required to pay a second amount of UK VAT if their vessels have been outside the UK for more than three years.

Boat owners returning their vessels to the UK can claim relief from import VAT under returned goods relief (RGR) if they meet all the conditions for the relief. One of these conditions is that the goods or effects must normally be re-imported into the UK within three years of the original date of export. Continue reading “New VAT legislation is good news for UK boat owners”

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