Marine News

IIMS President speaks out: Beware the challenges of surveying steel hull inland waterways craft – and other considerations

Posted on by News Hound
IIMS President speaks out: Beware the challenges of surveying steel hull inland waterways craft – and other considerations
IIMS President speaks out: Beware the challenges of surveying steel hull inland waterways craft – and other considerations

IIMS President, Geoff Waddington, has spoken out passionately in light of a number of issues that are causing concern regarding the survey of steel hull inland waterways craft, steel narrowboats and barges in the UK particularly. His advice, however, is good practice for surveyors working around the world. The result is a helpful pdf document that can be downloaded and retained as a reference source (see below).

Geoff takes up the story:

I admit that I have only limited experience of inland waterways craft. My career in the marine industry started over fifty years ago on ships. Over the last forty years of surveying both large and small craft, I have been involved with the new construction of a wide beam barge, fitting out of a narrowboat, insurance investigations involving narrowboats and small, steel inland waterways craft, and of course many GRP motor cruisers designed for both use on inland waterways and RCD CE CAT B vessels, which were in use on inland waterways. Continue reading “IIMS President speaks out: Beware the challenges of surveying steel hull inland waterways craft – and other considerations”

Maritime UK launches its Coastal Powerhouse Manifesto

Posted on by News Hound
Maritime UKs Coastal Powerhouse Manifesto is available to read now
Maritime UKs Coastal Powerhouse Manifesto is available to read now

Maritime UK and the Local Government Association Coastal Special Interest Group (LGA Coastal SIG) have urged the UK government to come up with a clear strategy to stem the brain drain by launching a new Coastal Powerhouse Manifesto.

The Coastal Powerhouse Manifesto sets out proposals to boost connectivity to the rest of the country, extend freeport benefits to all coastal areas, install a shore power network across the coast to charge tomorrow’s Teslas of the seas, and develop new skills in coastal communities, including digital skills.

Maritime UK chair, Sarah Kenny, said, “There is nothing inevitable about coastal decline. These areas are Britain’s gateway to the world Continue reading “Maritime UK launches its Coastal Powerhouse Manifesto”

Alert issued for surveyors by Steamship Mutual about corrosion in the exhaust gas scrubber system

Posted on by News Hound
Alert issued for surveyors by Steamship Mutual about corrosion in the exhaust gas scrubber system
Alert issued for surveyors by Steamship Mutual about corrosion in the exhaust gas scrubber system

Steamship Mutual had published a risk alert to highlight the issues around the corrosion in the exhaust gas scrubber system. According to Vijay Rao, Loss Prevention at Steamship Mutual, corrosion in the exhaust gas scrubber system is a recognised issue requiring adequate corrosion protection measures to be in place in the installation. Despite this several cases of acidic corrosion within the scrubber discharge piping system have been reported and this is an increasing cause for concern.

Steamship Mutal notes that of particular concern is the case of severe corrosion in the section of the discharge piping outboard of the scrubber overboard valve – the distance piece. Wastage and failure of this piping section could, in worst case scenario, lead to flooding of the engine room. Continue reading “Alert issued for surveyors by Steamship Mutual about corrosion in the exhaust gas scrubber system”

UK government’s maritime biennial report: April 2019 to May 2021 published

Posted on by News Hound
The maritime biennial report by the UK government is available to read
The maritime biennial report by the UK government is available to read

Just published, the maritime biennial report outlines the UK government’s maritime achievements for 2019 to 2021. It compares them against the priorities of the 2018 to 2019 maritime annual report.

The following text is the introduction taken from the report itself. Maritime is the key transport mode underpinning international trade, securing the vital supply of fuel and food needed to keep the nation running, and is at the forefront of responding to the global technological, environmental and economic challenges and opportunities that we are facing. Continue reading “UK government’s maritime biennial report: April 2019 to May 2021 published”

ClassNK has published guidelines for ships using alternative fuels

Posted on by News Hound
ClassNK has published guidelines for ships using alternative fuels
ClassNK has published guidelines for ships using alternative fuels

Classification society ClassNK has released Guidelines for Ships Using Alternative Fuels, updated with safety requirements for ships using ammonia as fuel on previously issued Guidelines for Ships Using Low-Flashpoint Fuels covering liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)/methanol/ethanol.

Ammonia has captured attention as a zero carbon fuel. Appropriate safety measures are required for ammonia as it is toxic to humans and corrosive to materials, while specific international standards for the use of ammonia as a marine fuel have not yet been established. ClassNK has described the requirements for installation, controls and safety devices of an ammonia fueled ship to minimizing risks for theship, crew and the environment, and added it to the guidelines. Continue reading “ClassNK has published guidelines for ships using alternative fuels”

Norman Finlay Memorial Development Scheme launched to discover new talent in the small commercial vessel sector

Posted on by News Hound
Norman Finlay MBE receiving his award from Her Majesty The Queen in 2018
Norman Finlay MBE receiving his award from Her Majesty The Queen in 2018

A new scheme has been established that aims to support the development of talent ashore within the small commercial vessel sector. The Norman Finlay Memorial Development Scheme is designed to increase the amount of small commercial vessel seafarers and those with a passion for these types of craft moving onto advanced careers ashore within the sector.

This includes vessel owner/operator organisations as well as within the supply chain such as manufacturers, regulators, surveyors, inspectors, charterers and professional services. The stakeholders will work together to provide a variety of resources towards the development of small commercial sector seafarers.

Continue reading “Norman Finlay Memorial Development Scheme launched to discover new talent in the small commercial vessel sector”

MCA publishes MGN 436 new guidance to mitigate serious injury on small vessels

Posted on by News Hound

MCA LogoNew guidance on mitigating the risk of serious injury from whole body vibration on small vessels has been published today in MGN 436 (Amendment 2) by the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA).

Whole Body Vibration (WBV) and Repeated Shock (RS) injuries are a known issue of travelling on small vessels at high speeds. When they occur, they can be life-changing or even fatal. MGN 436 (Amendment 2) is aimed at operators of small vessels and focuses on mitigating strategies, following several serious incidents in recent years. It provides guidance on ways to alleviate risk of injury, both severe and chronic, for crew and passengers.

This latest update to the guidance reflects the evolving knowledge and best practice including the use of shock mitigating technology and Continue reading “MCA publishes MGN 436 new guidance to mitigate serious injury on small vessels”

MAIB report into immobilisation and flooding of dredger Shearwater following repeated collisions published

Posted on by News Hound
MAIB report into immobilisation and flooding of dredger Shearwater following repeated collisions published
MAIB report into immobilisation and flooding of dredger Shearwater following repeated collisions published

At about 2000 on 9 April 2020, the UK registered dredger Shearwater was immobilised after its propeller shafts were fouled by a towline being used to tow the barge Agem One. The dredger and barge collided with each other repeatedly resulting in the flooding of the dredger Shearwater, before the towline parted and Agem One drifted away. There was no pollution or injury.

Shearwater had been towing Agem One in an alongside configuration on a coastal passage when a significant swell was encountered. This made the alongside tow untenable, causing Shearwater’s crew to switch to an astern tow. Within minutes of
switching, the 80m towline failed. Shortly after reconnecting the towline, it failed again, and the decision was made to abort the planned passage and seek shelter at Kinlochbervie. Continue reading “MAIB report into immobilisation and flooding of dredger Shearwater following repeated collisions published”

Families of dive boat fire victims are suing the US Coast Guard

Posted on by News Hound
Burnt wreckage of a boat - Image credit: Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times
Image credit: Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times

Families of the 34 victims of a California dive boat fire are suing the US Coast Guard alleging the vessel was allowed to operate with faulty electrical and inadequate safety systems.

Built in 1981, the 75’x25′ wooden hulled Conception was engulfed in flames and sank off Santa Cruz Island September 2, 2019, killing 33 passengers and one crew. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) cited lax oversight by the owner, no roving watch as required by the Certificate of Inspection (COI), insufficient smoke detectors and poor escape routes and faulted the Coast Guard for not requiring safety management systems (SMS) on all U.S.-flag passenger vessels.

Continue reading “Families of dive boat fire victims are suing the US Coast Guard”

UK National Maritime Strategy for the IMO Instruments Implementation Code

Posted on by News Hound

MCA LogoThe UK National Maritime Strategy, collectively, commits to giving full effect to her flag, port and coastal State responsibilities and obligations, to advance maritime safety and environmental protection for our seafarers, our local communities, our economy and our international peers.

The UK National Maritime Strategy aims to support and facilitate the UK Maritime Administration’s implementation and enforcement of the III Code, and UKG Maritime 2050 by:
– Enacting and maintaining UK legislation;
– Enforcing all Instruments;
– Review and Improve performance; and
– Collaborate to grow capability and capacity;

These aims will enable the UK Maritime Administration to continually improve the adequacy of measures to give effect to the international instruments. Continue reading “UK National Maritime Strategy for the IMO Instruments Implementation Code”

Volvo set to unveil new IMO III solution for large yachts at Cannes Yachting Festival

Posted on by News Hound
Volvo set to unveil new IMO III solution for large yachts at Cannes Yachting Festival
Volvo set to unveil new IMO III solution for large yachts at Cannes Yachting Festival

Since January 2021, the IMO III nitrogen oxides (NOx) legislation that already applies to commercial vessels has been extended to marine leisure vessels above 24m load line length, which navigate in US waters as well as the North and Baltic Seas. Providing another step towards increased sustainability in the industry, the 2021 legislation is aimed at reducing emissions. To comply, affected yachts now need to be fitted with a Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) after-treatment system. This has led Volvo Penta to work on an optimized solution for its yacht customers both for IPS and traditional inboard shaft installations. Continue reading “Volvo set to unveil new IMO III solution for large yachts at Cannes Yachting Festival”

UK Government opens consultation to strengthen the enforcement of the dangerous use of recreational and personal watercraft

Posted on by News Hound
The Department for Transport has published a consultation document to clamp down on dangerous driving of recreational and personal watercraft.
The Department for Transport has published a consultation document to clamp down on dangerous driving of recreational and personal watercraft.

The Department for Transport has published a consultation document to modernise laws and clamp down on dangerous driving of jet skis to protect the public and coastal areas. The consultation will bring recreational and personal watercraft, such as jet-skis and speedboats, under the same laws as those who operate ships, meaning tougher sentences for those caught driving dangerously.

Under the current system, local authorities (LAs) have the power to regulate speed and nuisance driving through byelaws, with the power to fine those breaching the rules up to £1,000.

Continue reading “UK Government opens consultation to strengthen the enforcement of the dangerous use of recreational and personal watercraft”

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
Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance