MAIB issues safety bulletin on the use of safety harness tethers on sailing yachts

Figure 1: Tether hook under deck cleat
Figure 1: Tether hook under deck cleat

Background
The sailing yacht CV30 was taking part in the third leg of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race having left Cape Town on 31 October 2017 bound for Fremantle, Western Australia. At about 1414 local time on 18 November 2017, the yacht was in position 42°30.3’S, 087°36.3’E, approximately 1500nm from Fremantle, when a crew member, Simon Speirs, fell overboard. He was attached to the yacht by his safety harness tether. The hook at the end of the tether that was clipped to a jack-line, deformed and released resulting in him becoming separated from the yacht. Simon Speirs was recovered unconscious onto the yacht but sadly could not be resuscitated.

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Green dredging vessel Spartacus has keel laid in the Netherlands

Belgium’s DEME Group's green dredging vessel Spartacus
Belgium’s DEME Group’s green dredging vessel Spartacus

Belgium’s DEME Group has welcomed 2018 with a keel laying ceremony for Spartacus at the Royal IHC shipyard in Krimpen aan den Ijssel in the Netherlands. This new cutter suction dredger is set to be the most powerful such vessel of its type in the world.

With a total installed power of 44,180kW the vessel will be able to cut harder soils at speeds previously impossible. This will allow certain works to be undertaken by the cutter dredger rather than reliance upon the use of dynamite for blasting.

Spartacus will be able to dredge to depths of 45m, extending the capabilities Continue reading “Green dredging vessel Spartacus has keel laid in the Netherlands”

Progress at Overmarine on Mangusta GranSport 45 revealed

Overmarine releases fist in-build photo of the new Mangusta GranSport 45
Overmarine releases fist in-build photo of the new Mangusta GranSport 45

Italian yard Overmarine has released the first in-build photo of the latest model in its fast displacement range, the 45.3-metre (149-foot) Mangusta GranSport 45.

Styled inside and out by Alberto Mancini and featuring naval architecture by Pierluigi Ausonio, this all-aluminium yacht is due to launch in 2019. The hull is largely complete, with the next major step to be the joining of the superstructure.

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MCA amends its Code of Safe Working Practices

The UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) has published an updated version of the ‘Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seafarers’. The amendments give advice on improving health and safety of seafarers, primarily for those on board UK registered ships. But surveyors should also take note.

The Code provides guidance on safe working practices for the many and numerous situations that occur on ships.

However, it should not be considered a comprehensive guide to safety and its advice should always be considered in conjunction with the Continue reading “MCA amends its Code of Safe Working Practices”

Important IMCA changes for those engaged in eCMID inspections

Image: Offshore supply vessel Viking Princess. Only accredited AVIs will be formally recognised to carry out eCMID inspections from 1 January 2018.
Image: Offshore supply vessel Viking Princess. Only accredited AVIs will be formally recognised to carry out eCMID inspections from 1 January 2018.

Marine Surveying Academy, the IIMS subsidiary that manages and runs the eCMID accreditation scheme, has been informed of some important changes regarding the recognition of reports that come into force next year. If you are involved in conducting eCMID inspections, this will affect you.

From 1 January 2018, IMCA will only recognise formal inspection reports conducted using its eCMID database, meaning that reports not uploaded into the database will no longer be considered by IMCA to be authorised vessel inspection reports. The whole eCMID system is now based on the principles described in the ISO 19011 – Guidance for auditing management systems – standard and is aligned with other comparable industry guidance on safety management system assurance.

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Denmark adopts new measures to enhance maritime activity and boost pleasure craft business

The Danish Parliament (Folketinget) announced that it has adopted a number of new initiatives in the maritime area, in order to ensure and enhance growth in Danish maritime activities and boost the pleasure craft business.

The new initiatives adopted by the Danish Government regard four areas, which are the following:

– The provisions on foreign owners’ possibility of having ships registered under the Danish flag have been adjusted and clarified. With this measure, Denmark aims to retain and extend its global position as a major attractive flag State and as a maritime hub.
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The importance of cargo ventilation news bulletin issued by Japan P&I Club

Photo credit: Japan P&I Club who have issued a news bulletin about the cargo ventilation
Photo credit: Japan P&I Club who have issued a news bulletin about the cargo ventilation

The Japan P&I Club has recently published a news bulletin. It highlights the importance of cargo ventilation, the introduction of air into and through the cargo space and the exhausting of the in-hold air.

Cargo ventilation may be needed in order to ensure that there is a sufficient oxygen supply for safe personnel entry into the cargo space. In addition, ventilation can remove poisonous and flammable gases which could give rise to a dangerous situation.

These gases might be produced by the cargo itself, e.g. evolution of carbon monoxide from a heating coal cargo, or they may originate from another external source, e.g. phosphine gas evolution during cargo fumigation.

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Danish Shipping presents new “Ahead of the Curve” strategy

Photo credit: Danish Shipping
Photo credit: Danish Shipping

Chairman of Danish Shipping, Claus V. Hemmingsen, has presented the organisation’s new strategy – “Ahead of the Curve”, which covers the next four years and focuses on competencies, digitization and technological development as catalysts for continued growth in the coming years.

Danish Shipping’s strategy for 2018-2021 was launched at a members’ meeting. The strategy envisions to grow the Danish-flagged fleet with more than 10 pct. measured in tonnage, and minimum 10 pct. measured in the number of ships, during the strategy period.

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Wingsail technology saves fuel and reduces emissions

Oceanfoil’s wingsail technology could achieve an average fuel consumption and emissions saving of 14% on a mid-sized tanker vessel.

This is the research finding from BMT, who said that Oceanfoil’s fuel-assist aerofoil technology, which uses wingsails to capture effective directional thrust from wind power, could also save up to up to 20% in certain wind and sea conditions.

Charles Moray, managing director of Oceanfoil, commented: “Oceanfoil’s ‘wingsail’, is a propulsion assist technology that is well suited for tankers and bulk carriers, which provide good opportunity for the wingsails to use the wind to create forward thrust – thus reducing reliance upon the vessel’s main engines.

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WAAMpeller 3D printed ships’ propeller approved

Following a rigorous testing process, verified by Bureau Veritas, the world’s first Class approved 3D printed ship’s propeller, the WAAMpeller, has been unveiled at Damen Shipyard Group’s headquarters in the Netherlands.

The five-company partnership started pooling their collective resources and knowledge to develop the world’s first 3D printed ship’s propeller seven months ago. Promarin provided the design of the triple-blade propeller. The Port of Rotterdam’s RAMLAB (Rotterdam Additive Manufacturing LAB) carried out fabrication using Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) techniques, supported by Autodesk’s expertise in software, robotics and additive manufacturing.

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Meeting IIMS members is so rewarding

Delegates participating in the IIMS 5th biennial UAE branch conference
Delegates participating in the IIMS 5th biennial UAE branch conference

November. Now where did that go? Ah yes I remember – it vanished in something of a whirl. From one training event and seminar to another. Hugely rewarding for me personally though I have to say and I was delighted to meet so many members, both at the UK events and at the UAE Branch Conference over the course of the month. I have learnt a great deal, which for a highly non-technical person such as me is probably a dangerous thing! However, it occurred to me that if I did, then so did our members too. Certainly the positive feedback would suggest that to be the case.

We have just released dates for our tentative training programme for 2018 and the schedule is published elsewhere in this bulletin. In Continue reading “Meeting IIMS members is so rewarding”

New resolution for inspection of holds and tanks

Local correspondents’ Pandi Liquidadores S.R.L, have submitted an update to the UK P&I Club regarding the new SENASA resolution for the inspection of holds and tanks in Argentina.

The inspection of holds and tanks has been a longstanding problem within the industry, especially when an official inspection was required by the National Food and Grain Health Authority (SENASA), UK P&I Club states.

These problems have been a major concern of the new Authorities of SENASA who came into office at the beginning of 2016 and Continue reading “New resolution for inspection of holds and tanks”

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