Lithium-ion batteries linked to fire in superyacht’s garage says new report

Lithium-ion batteries linked to fire of 'MY Kanga'
Lithium-ion batteries linked to fire of ‘MY Kanga’

Transport Malta’s Marine Safety Investigation Unit (MSIU) has published an investigation report on a garage fire onboard the supertyacht ‘MY Kanga’ while at anchor off Croatia, in September 2018. The investigation concluded that in all probability, the seat of the fire was the Lithium-ion batteries. Transport Malta recommended a review of the Commercial Yacht Code of 2015 on the storage of Li-ion batteries, as well as closed ventilation systems.

MY Kanga was at anchor in the coastal area of Dubrovnik, Croatia, on the morning of 7 September 2018. While the first officer was on the bridge, the fire panel gave off an alarm, indicating a fire in the garage. He immediately went down to inspect and was overwhelmed by the presence of heat and smoke in the garage. The main fire Continue reading “Lithium-ion batteries linked to fire in superyacht’s garage says new report”

ITIC: Ten Golden Rules of Loss Prevention for Expert Witnesses

Ten Golden Rules of Loss Prevention for Expert Witness as recommended by ITIC
Ten Golden Rules of Loss Prevention for Expert Witness as recommended by ITIC

ITIC was formed in 1992 through the merger of CISBA CLUB, a mutual insurer of shipbrokers, founded in 1925, and Transport Intermediaries Mutual Insurance Association (TIM).

Transport Intermediaries Mutual Insurance Association was formed in 1985 by Thomas R. Miller & Sons partnership with a view to expanding the sources and availability of liability insurance for all professionals in the transport industry. Since 1992, ITIC has grown steadily and has nearly 2,300 members in over 100 countries.

Today ITIC is managed by ITIM Co Ltd, a subsidiary of Thomas Miller & Co Ltd. Continue reading “ITIC: Ten Golden Rules of Loss Prevention for Expert Witnesses”

Bankrupt Moonen Yachts acquired by Australian couple

Matthew and Louise Baxter - new owners of Moonen Yachts
Matthew and Louise Baxter – new owners of Moonen Yachts

Dutch superyacht builder Moonen Yachts is under new ownership. An Australian couple, Matthew and Louise Baxter are the new owners of the shipyard. Matthew, of Scottish origin, is a successful Australian businessman and entrepreneur, who in 1972 established the A M Group, a privately owned worldwide group of manufacturing companies of which he is executive chairman.
Louise and Matthew first discovered Moonen Yachts whilst sailing on Pittwater harbour in Sydney where they came across the Moonen yacht, Aurora (Moonen 84). This lead to their involvement with Moonen, a midsized Dutch pedigree shipyard with a dedicated and highly skilled team.

In Matthew’s words, “It is a privilege to own a yard like Moonen. The brand has an impeccable pedigree, the yachts are true Dutch quality and the team is young, reliable, talented, and very loyal to the company. These characteristics are fundamental for success. I realise that the yard has to re-energise, but we are well Continue reading “Bankrupt Moonen Yachts acquired by Australian couple”

The future-proof ship needs to look different

Since the introduction of the first diesel-powered ships in the early 20th century, technology developments in shipping have been steady and incremental. This continuity will end as the industry approaches the year 2050. Decarbonization requirements and the opportunities offered by digitalization will bring about major change. The challenge for a ship built today is that this change will take place within its lifespan. Failure to account for foreseeable regulatory and technology developments may render a ship built today uncompetitive at best; in the worst case it may end up being prohibited from operating altogether. The technology choices made when building a new ship will therefore decide whether it will be future-proof.

Continue reading “The future-proof ship needs to look different”

Lift foil enhancements for larger range of vessels now available

Lift foil
Lift foil

Two new developments from a Dutch naval architect will make its range of hull resistance reducing foils suitable for a larger number of vessels.

The Hull Vane was developed by Dutch naval architect Piet van Oossanen back in 2014 and has been fitted to over 20 vessels so far with a 50% split going to leisure vessels and the other half being fitted to offshore patrol vessels. The Hull Vane is a transverse hydrodynamic lift foil that is attached to the transom of mainly semi-displacement hulls where it serves to improve the efficiency of the hull by adjusting the trim resulting in improved performance and/or reduced fuel consumption as well as providing a more level ride. Continue reading “Lift foil enhancements for larger range of vessels now available”

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug season requires increased inspection in New Zealand and Australia

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug

According to Gard P&I Club, the 2019/20 Brown Marmorated Stink Bug season has arrived and ships arriving in New Zealand and Australia from countries with established stink bug populations must prepare for increased surveillance and inspection. Last season, New Zealand turned away four contaminated vessels from its waters.

The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug is an agricultural pest that feeds on, and can severely damage, fruit and vegetable crops. The pest has spread from its native range in East Asia to establish populations in North America and Europe but is not yet established in Australia and New Zealand. If the pest were to find its way to Continue reading “Brown Marmorated Stink Bug season requires increased inspection in New Zealand and Australia”

AMSA release video: Creating a safety management system for fishing vessels

AMSA release video
AMSA release video

AMSA has produced an excellent short video explaining how to develop a safety management system for fishing vessels. Watch this 16 minute video for easy to understand steps, real-world stories and experiences of why an effective safety management system (SMS) is essential when working in the fishing industry.

Fishing for Safety has been produced via a collaboration between Southern Rocklobster Limited Clean Green Program and AMSA, as part of a broader ongoing project: Southern Rock Lobster Clean Green Program—revision, digitisation and extension across the supply chain. Continue reading “AMSA release video: Creating a safety management system for fishing vessels”

World’s first autonomous spill response vessel demonstrated

Spill Response Vessel
Spill Response Vessel

A US maritime robotics specialist company has held a successful on-water demonstration of what it claims is the first unmanned and autonomous oil spill response vessel.

As a part of its cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration (MARAD), Boston-based Sea Machines Robotics has announced that it has successfully demonstrated its autonomous systems in action on board a Kvichak Marco skimmer boat during events held along the Portland harbour.

The on-water demonstrations took place aboard the world’s first autonomous spill response vessel Continue reading “World’s first autonomous spill response vessel demonstrated”

Recreational Boating Statistics (US 2018 ) reveal alcohol the main contributing factor in fatal boating accidents

Alcohol the main contributing factor in fatal boating accidents
Alcohol the main contributing factor in fatal boating accidents

The US Coast Guard has published its 2018 Recreational Boating Statistics Report, revealing that there were 633 boating fatalities nationwide in 2018, which is a 3.8% decrease from 2017. From 2017 to 2018, total recreational boating injuries also fell 4.5% (2,629 to 2,511), and the total number of accidents reduced 3.4% (4,291 to 4,145).

Alcohol continued to be the leading known contributing factor in fatal boating accidents in 2018, accounting for 100 deaths, or 19% of total fatalities.

While these decreases are encouraging, there are still too many deaths and injuries Continue reading “Recreational Boating Statistics (US 2018 ) reveal alcohol the main contributing factor in fatal boating accidents”

Pacific Knight: Poor stability assessment leads fishing vessel to capsize with one fatality

Starboard quarter of the Pacific Knight. Photo credit: Mike Jones
Starboard quarter of the Pacific Knight. Photo credit: Mike Jones

The National Transportation Safety Board issued an investigation report on the capsizing of the fish tender ‘Pacific Knight’ while at anchor off Alaska in July 2018. The investigation identified several contributing factors to the capsizing, including poor stability assessment by the captain, vessel modifications, overloading and slack water in the tanks.

On July 25, 2018, about 0630 local time, the commercial fish tender Pacific Knight capsized while at anchor about 11 miles south of Dillingham, Alaska. Continue reading “Pacific Knight: Poor stability assessment leads fishing vessel to capsize with one fatality”

IMO sulphur cap: Joint industry guidance for the supply and use of 0.50% sulphur fuel published

Joint industry guidance issued regulation ahead of IMO Sulphur Cap implementation. Photo credit: IMO
Joint industry guidance issued regulation ahead of IMO Sulphur Cap implementation. Photo credit: IMO

Disruptive change facing the shipping industry is fast approaching in the form of the IMO Sulphur Cap regulation, which comes into force from 1 January 2020. Although the picture is still far from clear, those in the know expect a number of vessels and operators to be non-compliant come January. Where this leaves things and how authorities will react, only time will tell.

To aid those operating in the sector who ‘need to know’, a number of shipping, refining, fuel supply and standards organisations have collaborated in order to produce Joint Industry Guidance on the supply and use of 0.50% sulphur marine fuel, which was released on 20 August 2019.

Continue reading “IMO sulphur cap: Joint industry guidance for the supply and use of 0.50% sulphur fuel published”

More carriers set to impose fines on rogues shippers for misdeclared cargo in containers

Shippers are expected to be fined for misdeclared cargo
Shippers are expected to be fined for misdeclared cargo

Carriers are cracking down on rogue shippers by threatening significant financial penalties for misdeclared cargo following a series of vessel fires. Evergreen was first out of the gates announcing fines ranging from $4,000 to $35,000, for misdeclarations with Hapag-Lloyd and OOCL following suit.

TT Club risk management director Peregrine Storrs-Fox said, “We welcome such initiatives, following a spate of fires and growing concerns about cargo packing.

“We have been collaborating with stakeholders through the supply chain to highlight ongoing risks arising from poorly packed and Continue reading “More carriers set to impose fines on rogues shippers for misdeclared cargo in containers”

Instagram Posts from the IIMS @iimsmarine

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

Show details
Performance & Marketing Cookies

This website uses Google Analytics to collect anonymous information such as the number of visitors to the site, and the most popular pages. This also helps us optimise our marketing campaigns. User data sent to Google Analytics may be used for ad personalization and measurement of our ad campaigns. Keeping this cookie enabled helps us to improve our website.

Show details