MPC offers advice to personal watercraft regulation consultation

Skijet jumping through wavesThe Maritime Professional Council (MPC) of the UK has responded to a recent Department for Transport (DfT) consultation on whether personal watercraft (PWC) users should be subject to the same safety obligations that exist for the operators of ships.

In principle, the MPC supports the DfT’s proposals that would ensure PWC come within the scope of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 (MSA) and has made a number of constructive observations aimed at achieving regulations that are fit for purpose. Continue reading “MPC offers advice to personal watercraft regulation consultation”

Superyacht builders invest in ocean conservation

A group of shipyards has committed to reinvesting in ocean conservation and regeneration and is urging others to join them.
A group of shipyards has committed to reinvesting in ocean conservation and regeneration and is urging others to join them.

A group of shipyards has committed to reinvesting in ocean conservation and regeneration and is urging others to join them.

Abeking & Rasmussen, Ameryachts, Baglietto, Feadship, Gulf Craft, Heesen Yachts, Horizon Yachts, Lürssen Yachts, Oceanco, Royal Huisman, Sanlorenzo, Silveryachts, Southern Wind, Tankoa, Turquoise Yachts and Vitters are the first builders so far to agree to reinvest based on the gross tonnage (GT) of yachts they deliver. Continue reading “Superyacht builders invest in ocean conservation”

Tristar Safety at Sea Conference – Promoting welfare seafarers

Tristar safety at sea conferenceTristar Group will host its Third Annual “Safety At Sea” conference on 8th December 2021 (1330 UAE time) at the Dubai Expo Site in the India Pavilion. This continued initiative by Tristar, supported by IIMS, Nautical Institute, and IMarEST, is to draw industry and global attention to crew mental health issues and to improve the general well–being of all seafarers.

As business owners and leaders in the maritime industry, the onus is on us to take a leading role to ensure that the mental health of seafarers is no longer a taboo subject and that we create platforms to discuss and put in place an ecosystem that will enable seafarers to Continue reading “Tristar Safety at Sea Conference – Promoting welfare seafarers”

Review study on the Recreational Craft Directive 2013/53/EU – Final report published

Review study on the Recreational Craft Directive 2013/53/EU - Final report published
Review study on the Recreational Craft Directive 2013/53/EU – Final report published

The report has been created in line with the review clause set out in Article 52 of the Recreational Craft Directive 2013/53/EU which requires the European Commission (EC) to submit a report to the European Parliament and the Council by 18 January 2022. The final report/study has been carried out by Panteia, TNO and Emisia on behalf of the EU Commission in terms of the Recreational Craft Directive Review 2022 process and has been published. The report can be downloaded in pdf format at the bottom of this article.

The Executive Summary as extracted from the report is as follows. The Recreational Craft Directive (RCD) 94/25/EC, harmonising the provisions related to recreational craft, was adopted by the European Parliament and the Council in June 1994 and was applied from June1996. Directive 2003/44/EC amended the Recreational Craft Directive in 2003 and introduced a set of exhaust and sound emission requirements as well as added the provisions for post-construction assessment. Continue reading “Review study on the Recreational Craft Directive 2013/53/EU – Final report published”

Australia launches Discover Boating campaign

Mini speed boat on the waterThe Boating Industry Association (BIA) of Australia has launched its Discover Boating campaign ahead of an expected busy summer season. The three-month, multi-channel advertising campaign is designed to promote participation in boating and the boating lifestyle to millions of people nationwide.

BIA president Darren Vaux says interest in boating and the boating lifestyle in Australia remains strong, and now is the time to build on this interest and keep the momentum going. Continue reading “Australia launches Discover Boating campaign”

Call for applications for appointment as MCIB Investigator

MCIB LogoThe MCIB (Marine Casualty Investigation Board) was established in 2002 under the Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Casualties) Act 2000. The purpose of the MCIB is to investigate marine casualties with a view to learning lessons to prevent them from happening again. It is not the purpose of an investigation to attribute fault or blame. The MCIB invites applications from suitably qualified investigators to carry out contracted marine casualty investigations on behalf of the Board.

To date the MCIB has published approximately 243 accident investigation reports and now wishes to engage additional investigators to carry out accident investigations on its behalf and to develop reports for the MCIB. Continue reading “Call for applications for appointment as MCIB Investigator”

Loss of over one hundred containers from Zim Kingston due to heavy weather and port congestion says initial report.

Loss of over one hundred containers from Zim Kingston due to heavy weather and port congestion says initial report.
Loss of over one hundred containers from Zim Kingston due to heavy weather and port congestion says initial report.

The container ship Zim Kingston that spilled 109 boxes off the Strait of Juan de Fuca on October 22 was at sea in a storm caused directly as a result of port congestion says a new report. Using satellite AIS data, Seattle public radio station KUOW found that the Zim Kingston loitered off the strait’s entrance in gale conditions, moving at three knots on a course beam to the prevailing winds for about six hours.

While she was off the Strait, significant wave heights of about 16 to 20 feet were noted and the sustained wind speeds were in the range of 35-40 knots. The Zim Kingston began to roll through 35 degrees, and with extreme forces acting on her stacked deck cargo, she lost more than 100 containers over the side. Continue reading “Loss of over one hundred containers from Zim Kingston due to heavy weather and port congestion says initial report.”

First build ruling for offshore wind support vessels published by US Coast Guard

Offshore support vessel in action - Photo credit: Robert Allan
Photo credit: Robert Allan

The US Coast Guard National Vessel Documentation Center has published a new ruling regarding the construction of crew transfer vessels (CTVs). This is the first guidance issued on the construction of the many offshore wind support vessels that will be required to construct and maintain thousands of power generating wind turbines intended to be installed off the US coast.

To provide services to an offshore wind farm in US waters, a CTV must be considered “built in the United States” as required by US coastwise laws (commonly referred to as the “Jones Act”). For a vessel to be considered US built, it must meet two basic tests – “all major components of its hull and superstructure” must be US “fabricated;” and the vessel must be “assembled entirely in the United States.” Continue reading “First build ruling for offshore wind support vessels published by US Coast Guard”

Fishing vessel pilot highlights new safety management project

A fishing vessel on the water - Image used for illustration purposes only
Image used for illustration purposes only

Leading provider of grants and support to the maritime community, The Seafarers’ Charity, has received funding for a pilot project to develop safety management onboard fishing vessels to the standard of the Fishing Safety Management (FSM) Code. The new service, Fishing First Safety Management by SafetyFolder, aims to improve safety in the UK fishing fleet.

The Seafarers’ Charity’s chief executive, Catherine Spencer says: “I am delighted that funding has been secured for this pilot project as the addition of an auditable safety standard that will transform vessel safety in the fishing industry. The Seafarers’ Charity is improving the lives of seafarers every day and ensuring fishers can work and return home safely from voyages without experiencing harm or accidents isa big part of that.” Continue reading “Fishing vessel pilot highlights new safety management project”

AMSA consultation begins on mandatory lifejacket wearing proposal on domestic commercial vessels

AMSA consultation begins on mandatory lifejacket wearing proposal on domestic commercial vessels
AMSA consultation begins on mandatory lifejacket wearing proposal on domestic commercial vessels

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is inviting feedback from the domestic commercial vessel industry on a mandatory lifejacket wearing proposal. Informed by safety data, AMSA is exploring options to increase lifejacket wear across the domestic commercial vessel sector, focusing on sectors of the fleet with the greatest risk of a fatality following a person overboard incident. Continue reading “AMSA consultation begins on mandatory lifejacket wearing proposal on domestic commercial vessels”

IMO considers remote surveying at the 104th session of the Maritime Safety Committee

IMO considers remote surveying at the 104th session of the Maritime Safety Committee
IMO considers remote surveying at the 104th session of the Maritime Safety Committee

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) held its 104th session of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) from 4–8 October 2021 and is now considering remote surveying. This meeting was conducted remotely and a number of topics will be of interest to the superyacht, commercial vessel and yacht and small craft leisure sector, including remote surveys, which came up for discussion:

Covid-19 issues. In recognition of the ongoing difficulties faced by seafarers and management companies during the pandemic, the Committee approved a draft assembly resolution on issues relating to seafarers in respect of crew changes, vaccination and ‘key worker’ designation. The resolution urges Member States to: Continue reading “IMO considers remote surveying at the 104th session of the Maritime Safety Committee”

New online shipbuilding acquaint course exclusive to IIMS announced

A ship being built at dock - Image used only for illustrative purposes
Image used only for illustrative purposes

The new Shipbuilding Acquaint Course has been developed by Broadreach Marine Ltd and is presented exclusively in conjunction with the International Institute of Marine Surveying, the leading worldwide professional body for the marine surveying profession. The aim of this unique one-week online course starting from 7 February 2022 is to provide an opportunity for the student to gain an understanding of modern shipbuilding procedures, from placing a contract to delivering a completed ship.

The course content and objectives can be summed up as follows:
– The Shipbuilding Acquaint Course content follows the logical processes and timeline required to build a ship from scratch. Continue reading “New online shipbuilding acquaint course exclusive to IIMS announced”

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