Regulation falls under the spotlight as technical experts gather for Red Ensign Group Technical Forum

Maritime experts from across the Red Ensign Group are gathering online on 16 and 17 June in what is expected to be the last meeting before it receives its mandatory audit. The Red Ensign Group Technical Forum will meet to discuss technical regulation and how it affects the work of the British Shipping Registers.

Representatives from Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Isle of Man, Jersey and the United Kingdom are attending the event.

With the International Maritime Organization’s Member State mandatory audit of the REG members expected before the end of this year, Continue reading “Regulation falls under the spotlight as technical experts gather for Red Ensign Group Technical Forum”

Greek customs authorities acknowledge rights of UK yachts to retain EU VAT status

Following a complaint formally made to the European Union (EU) by the Cruising Association (CA) on the post Brexit VAT Status of UK yachts in Greece after returning from outside EU waters, the latest announcement received from the Greek Customs authority acknowledges the rights of UK yachts to return to Greek waters and retain their EU VAT Status.

Greek customs authorities have announced on 3rd June 2021 that, following a request to the EU Commission for clarity on this matter, they have followed EU advice and will allow UK yachts returning from non-EU Countries to regain their Union Goods Status, provided they return within three years under the same ownership, with no changes to the vessel. Continue reading “Greek customs authorities acknowledge rights of UK yachts to retain EU VAT status”

MAIB confirms missing fishing boat Nicola Faith has been raised and recovered

The recovered Nicola Faith fishing boat
Photo credit: MAIB

Four months after the fishing vessel Nicola Faith went missing with all hands off the coast of Wales, the U.K.’s Marine Accident Investigation Branch confirmed that the vessel was recovered in a unique salvage operation. The effort was undertaken after the families of the three lost crew members arranged for a private search to confirm the identity of the vessel on the seafloor. The MAIB said recovery and analysis of the vessel would help to provide answers to the question of why the fishing vessel was lost.

The vessel departed from Conwy, on the north coast of Wales, on January 27 and was believed to be out to set lobster pots. The vessel was not heard from and the MAIB was alerted to an overdue vessel, prompting the SAR operations. Seven RNLI lifeboats and three HM Continue reading “MAIB confirms missing fishing boat Nicola Faith has been raised and recovered”

The John Excell Award for Outstanding Achievement is announced

The International Institute of Marine Surveying (IIMS) has launched an award in memory of yacht and small craft marine surveyor, John Excell. The John Excell Award for Outstanding Achievement is open to all students enrolled on the distance learning diploma in marine surveying. It will be awarded on a periodical basis to deserving students – those who deliver not only outstanding academic achievements but who also demonstrate first-class interpersonal skills. Suitable recommendations will be put to the IIMS Education Committee for review and acceptance.

John Excell, who was an Honorary Fellow member of the Institute, died in April 2021 following a long illness at the age of just fifty-one. Continue reading “The John Excell Award for Outstanding Achievement is announced”

The IIMS Report Magazine June 2021 edition published

Read the June 2021 Report Magazine online in e-reader format or in pdf format.

The highlights and feature articles of this special 136 page edition of The Report (the biggest ever) to mark the 30th anniversary of IIMS include:
– The design of cathodic protection schemes for canal craft
– Seafarers ‘N’ Ever Given respect. What will we do this time so that history is not repeated?
– Containers overboard – is theory overtaking practice?
– Stitch by stitch: The art of sailmaking is alive and flourishing
– Could our ‘old friend’, the wind, be the solution to reducing the fuel consumption of ships?
– Seaman’s Manslaughter: An arcane US statute turned enforcement risk
– Elevators on ships – failures, service, and maintenance
– How well does Cathodic protection negate corrosion when used in seawater filtration?
– A personal account of gender diversity at sea
– A look back at 30 years of IIMS history and articles by a number of Past Presidents
– A day in the life of Nick Parkyn

 

Ever Given – What happens now?

Photo credit: SCA
Photo credit: SCA

Article first published by The Maritime Executive and republished with the author, Philip Teoh’s permission.

The containership Ever Given ran aground while transiting the Suez Canal on March 23, 2021, lodging herself against both banks of the waterway. The blockage caused vessels backed up in the Mediterranean to the north and the Red Sea to the south. It is estimated that the costs to global trade was about $400 million per hour based on the approximate value of goods that are moved through the Suez every day, according to shipping data and news company Lloyd’s List.

For six days, the world watched as a multi-national team of salvors, tug operators and the Suez Canal Authority Continue reading “Ever Given – What happens now?”

MCA launches consultation on entry into enclosed space regulations on ships

This consultation seeks your views on the proposed merchant shipping and fishing vessels (entry into enclosed spaces) regulations 2021, which would replace the merchant shipping (entry into dangerous spaces) regulations 1988. The proposed regulations incorporate safety of life at sea (SOLAS) amendments, as outlined within section 2 of the consultation document.

Your views are sought on:
– implementation of SOLAS amendments into UK legislation;
– extending to vessels not currently regulated by SOLAS, and;
extending to fishing vessels

Continue reading “MCA launches consultation on entry into enclosed space regulations on ships”

Winners of the 2021 Australian Marine Industry Awards announced

Winners of the 2021 Australian Marine Industry Awards announced
Winners of the 2021 Australian Marine Industry Awards announced

The winners of the 2021 Australian Marine Industry Awards have been announced during the 10th annual ASMEX Conference. A gala dinner, held at the InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort on Tuesday 18 May, honoured and recognised the winners in eight categories.

In the commercial segment, Aus Ships Group won the 2021 Commercial Marine Project/Design or Manufacturer of the Year award presented by Rivergate Marina & Shipyard for its high-profile work on the diverse fleet of vessels including the Brisbane City Cat.

The 2021 Commercial Marine Service Provider of the Year was won by Harwood Marine and accepted by Ross Roberts, managing director.

Continue reading “Winners of the 2021 Australian Marine Industry Awards announced”

Revised Marshall Islands Yacht Code 2021 published

The Marshall Islands have released their new Yacht Code 2021
The Marshall Islands have released their new Yacht Code 2021

The RMI Maritime Administrator has further revised the Marshall Islands Yacht Code 2021 to reflect changes in today’s yacht market, not only in terms of the increasing size and complexity of yachts being designed and built, but also to cover recent industry developments. The Code was first published in 2013 and this is the most significant update to the Code since then.

This new Code incorporates all Yacht Code Supplements issued as amendments to the previous Code, as well as additional technical and safety updates. These include structural fire protection for yachts of less than 500 gross tonnage (GT) assigned with Category 2 notation, rescue Continue reading “Revised Marshall Islands Yacht Code 2021 published”

Loss of containers off Hawaii due to poor cargo loading procedures

Poor barge loading resulted in the loss of 21 cargo containers into the ocean off the coast of Hawaii last year, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said in its report on the accident.

The barge Ho’omaka Hou, owned and operated by Young Brothers, LLC, was being towed by the Hoku Loa approximately 6.9 nautical miles north-northwest of Hilo at the time of the accident on 22 June 2020. The accident resulted in $1.6 million in damages, but no injuries.

The NTSB determined the probable cause of the collapse of container stacks onboard the barge was the company not providing the barge Continue reading “Loss of containers off Hawaii due to poor cargo loading procedures”

100 years on since the RNLI used tractors to launch lifeboats, the Institution looks back

Image credit: British Illustrations
Image credit: British Illustrations

RNLI lifeboats often take centre stage in rescues, however, many can’t launch without a tractor and the dedicated shore crew. Operators often launch the lifeboat in raging seas and darkness, and a safe, quick launch can make the difference between life and death. The lifeboat and crew might get the public’s attention, but the tractor and the shore crew are the unsung heroes who more than pull their weight – literally.

This year marks 100 years since the RNLI introduced tractors to launch its lifeboats and the technology nowadays – with the very latest Shannon Launch and Recovery System (SLRS) – is unrecognisable to all those years ago.

Continue reading “100 years on since the RNLI used tractors to launch lifeboats, the Institution looks back”

Australia’s domestic superyacht industry booming

Australia is experiencing a boom in its superyacht industry, doubling in size. Vessels have been attracted to Australia and its buoyant domestic charter market. With borders closed, many superyachts have moved to Australia to offer a luxury alternative to overseas travel. This increase in charter activity in Australian waters provides a huge economic lift for the country.

Seemingly this increase in vessel activity has a direct correlation to the new charter legislation passed by the federal government in December 2019. The passing of the Special Recreation Vessels (SRV) Act of 2019,  coupled with the closure of international borders have contributed to accelerated growth of the industry.

Continue reading “Australia’s domestic superyacht industry booming”

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