Marine News

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

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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”

MCA publishes new guidance on enclosed space entry

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Enclosed space entry guidance published by the MCA
Enclosed space entry guidance published by the MCA

Seafarers will be better protected as new UK rules come into force to tighten up safety for those involved in enclosed space entry onboard vessels. The updated legislation goes further than that currently required under international maritime law and is part of the ongoing commitment by the UK to seafarer welfare.

Enclosed spaces include chain lockers, cargo holds, duct keels and water tanks – or any area that has been left closed for any length of time without ventilation.

Six people have died over a ten-year period from 2009 to 2019 in UK ports Continue reading “MCA publishes new guidance on enclosed space entry”

UK based cruising community benefits from VAT changes

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The Cruising Association has announced that HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has followed through its proposed positive change to the application of Returned Goods Relief (RGR) for recreational craft resulting in many boat owners no longer becoming liable to pay VAT on the return of their boats to the UK.

The changes have considerable benefits for the UK based cruising community, says the association.

Where a boat currently abroad is eligible to obtain relief from VAT through RGR, there will be no requirement to return the boat to the UK by 30 Continue reading “UK based cruising community benefits from VAT changes”

ABS Autonomous Vessels whitepaper proposes a goal-based framework for future rules to enable autonomous vessel operations

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Autonomous vessel operations proposal outlined in ABS Autonomous Vessels whitepaper
Autonomous vessel operations proposal outlined in ABS Autonomous Vessels whitepaper

The ABS Autonomous Vessels whitepaper is designed to support the industry’s increasing adoption of autonomous capabilities with a focus on safe implementation. It sets out 10 goals to create a framework for the design and operation of autonomous vessels and addresses key issues in implementation.

The ABS Autonomous Vessels whitepaper also includes an update on the outcome of the IMO’s Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) Regulatory Scoping Exercise, an important step on the road toward the development of requirements governing autonomous operations.

“To allow operations of fully autonomous vessels, Continue reading “ABS Autonomous Vessels whitepaper proposes a goal-based framework for future rules to enable autonomous vessel operations”

Silent-Yachts rebrands as Silent-Group and is set to boost production

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Silent-Yachts rebrands as Silent-Group and is set to boost production
Silent-Yachts rebrands as Silent-Group and is set to boost production

The electric catamaran builder Silent-Yachts has rebranded as Silent-Group and is boosting global production capacity to meet soaring demand, after forging a new partnership with VisionF Yachts. Last year the company sold a record 21 yachts, with 17 more in production this year.

“Our company has been growing at an incredible rate over the past couple of years,” a spokesman tells Superyacht Investor. “This growth was spurred by increasing demands of the market. As a result, it was a necessity for us to adapt our structures with a strong focus on the future.” Continue reading “Silent-Yachts rebrands as Silent-Group and is set to boost production”

Report on fatal collision between rigid inflatable boat Rib Tickler and a personal watercraft published

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Rib Tickler and a personal watercraft collided at high speed in the Menai Strait
Rib Tickler and a personal watercraft collided at high speed in the Menai Strait

On 8 August 2020, the rigid inflatable boat Rib Tickler and a personal watercraft collided at high speed in the Menai Strait, Wales. A passenger onboard Rib Tickler was struck by the personal watercraft and fatally injured. The personal watercraft had been jumping across Rib Tickler’s wake when the rigid inflatable boat altered course across the personal watercraft’s path. The two craft were operating too closely to each other at high speed and neither Rib Tickler’s driver nor the personal watercraft rider understood the other’s intentions. Furthermore, the knowledge and skill levels of the persons in control or overseeing the two craft were not appropriate to the manoeuvres being undertaken. Continue reading “Report on fatal collision between rigid inflatable boat Rib Tickler and a personal watercraft published”

Marine surveying and IIMS stalwart Jeffrey Casciani-Wood has passed away

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Jeffrey Casciani-Wood pictured, who has sadly passed away
Jeffrey Casciani-Wood pictured, who has sadly passed away

News reached the IIMS Head Office late in the evening on 16th February to inform us that Eur.Ing Jeffrey Casciani-Wood CEng, FRINA, HonMIIMS, FLLA, FIDiagE 1930-2022 (known simply to some as Mog) had passed away peacefully following a short illness.

Known to many in the marine surveying and diagnostic engineering fields, Jeffrey’s passing leaves a huge hole in the IIMS family. His longevity and desire to continue to contribute to Institute life into his 90s marks him out as a unique and inspirational character. He was IIMS President from 1997-2000. There are many superlative adjectives and words that could be used to describe Mog, and all would be appropriate. Words and phrases such as a heavyweight, a legend, a giant, a humourist, consummate author, ‘good bloke’ and gentleman all Continue reading “Marine surveying and IIMS stalwart Jeffrey Casciani-Wood has passed away”

Recreational Sectoral Group 2022 Guidelines to aid compliance for recreational craft published

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2022 Guidelines published by the Recreational Sectoral Group
2022 Guidelines published by the Recreational Sectoral Group

The Recreational Sectoral Group (RSG) has published the new 2022 Guidelines for the general application of the conformity assessment procedures by Notified Bodies and Manufacturers. The aim is to prepare and assist with the conformity assessment procedures undertaken by Notified Bodies for recreational craft, personal watercraft, their components and their engines, in accordance with the Recreational Craft Directive (RCD) 2013/53/EU.

Due to the variety of watercraft, the RSG has considered the applicability of various parts of harmonised standards. Where suitable standards are not available, the RSG has established uniform guidelines to assist with demonstrating conformity with the Essential Continue reading “Recreational Sectoral Group 2022 Guidelines to aid compliance for recreational craft published”

UK inland waterways popularity surges according to the Annual Lockage Report

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The Annual Lockage Report has been published by the Canal & River Trust
The Annual Lockage Report has been published by the Canal & River Trust

The Canal & River Trust says that waterways activity in 2021 surged in popularity post lockdown. The Canal & River Trust’s Annual Lockage Report for 2021 shows that as Covid-19 restrictions lifted in the spring, most places recorded counts that were close to pre-pandemic levels and a boom in lock use.

“The last two years have been like no other, with the lifting of pandemic restrictions resulting in increases in lock use that are unprecedented in the 21 years of preparing this report,” said Adam Comerford, national hydrology manager at the Canal & River Trust.

The Annual Lockage Report, now in its 21st year, shows how many times locks were used across the charity’s 2,000 miles of waterways compared to the Continue reading “UK inland waterways popularity surges according to the Annual Lockage Report”

Engine fault due to effect of low-sulphur fuel on injection control unit says report

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Coking debris found in the cavity on the fuel oil side of the servo piston. Photo credit: TAIC
Coking debris found in the cavity on the fuel oil side of the servo piston due to low-sulphur fuel Photo credit: TAIC

A Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) report reveals that the Singapore-flagged ship Funing had been unable to generate full power because a fuel injector control unit (ICU) had suffered fuel leakage and become clogged with coking debris from the use of low-viscosity low-sulphur fuel.

On 5 July 2020, the log carrier Funing finished loading its cargo at the Port of Tauranga and began preparations for departure. At about 2200 the officer of the watch contacted the engineers and informed them that departure was planned for midnight. When the main engine was tested in the astern direction, the main engine fault log indicated there was a fuel injection quantity piston failure. The engineering team attempted to rectify the fault but were unable to before the vessel departed its berth at about 0018, when the fault reoccurred again Continue reading “Engine fault due to effect of low-sulphur fuel on injection control unit says report”

ABS Port State Control Quarterly Report Q4 2021

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The focus of the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) is to provide classification services to promote the common safety, environmental and regulatory interests of its members and clients, including builders, owners, operators and surveyors of ships. Since its inception in 1862, ABS has been a global leader in marine safety. With more than 2,000 technical professionals positioned around the world, the ABS team has the experience, knowledge, and professional judgment to assist vessel owners and operators.

The ABS Port State Control Quarterly Report (PSC) provides information with photos of deficiencies identified on ABS vessels during inspections carried out by the various PSC regimes globally during the 4th Quarter of 2021. This report is being made available to assist Continue reading “ABS Port State Control Quarterly Report Q4 2021”

Using remote survey techniques to augment shipyard surveys being examined

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A pioneering joint development project (JDP) between ABS and Nakilat – Keppel Offshore & Marine Ltd. (N-KOM) will examine how techniques developed by ABS for its industry-leading program of remote survey of vessels in service can be applied to surveys and inspections in the shipyard.

Remote inspection technologies will be applied to six Class surveys for this trial, to test how they can then be used to verify the required survey or inspection by ABS Surveyors to optimize scheduling and minimize downtime for both the shipyard, vessels and ABS.

The JDP will examine how remote techniques can be carried out on rudder clearance inspection; stern tube weardown inspection; rudder Continue reading “Using remote survey techniques to augment shipyard surveys being examined”

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