Polar Yacht Guide published by World Sailing and the Royal Cruising Club Pilotage Foundation

Polar Yacht Guide is a joint collaboration between World Sailing and the Royal Cruising Club Pilotage Foundation
Polar Yacht Guide is a joint collaboration between World Sailing and the Royal Cruising Club Pilotage Foundation

The Polar Yacht Guide, designed to support the navigation and voyage planning for all polar waters, encourages safe and environmentally friendly navigation by pleasure yachts not engaged in trade, of less than or equal to 300 GT, in Arctic and Antarctic polar waters.

The Polar Yacht Guide sets out to offer advice and guidance unique to pleasure yachts and works in parallel with the Polar Code, published by the International Maritime Organisation for SOLAS ships.

The Polar Yacht Guide is presented in three parts:
PART A – Safety of navigation and voyage planning for Arctic and Antarctic polar waters Continue reading “Polar Yacht Guide published by World Sailing and the Royal Cruising Club Pilotage Foundation”

New digitalisation white paper published by Rivertrace

In the midst of digital technology continuously changing the landscape of the international shipping industry and how ships are operated, market leading developers of smart water quality monitoring technology, Rivertrace Limited, has published a new white paper on digitalisation. If offers expert insight into the evolution of smart water quality monitoring technology and electronic reporting methods.

Entitled ‘Maritime Industry 2.0: The Future is Digital’, the white paper explores key milestones passed in the shipping industry’s digital transformation journey to-date and examines how traditional, manual methods for monitoring and record keeping are evolving towards the greater use of electronic documentation, supported by digital monitoring equipment. Continue reading “New digitalisation white paper published by Rivertrace”

ICOMIA publishes Ceramic Coating Yacht Industry Guideline

ICOMIA publishes new industry guidelines
ICOMIA publishes new industry guidelines

ICOMIA has produced a Ceramic Coating Yacht Industry Guideline as a result of their work with leading manufacturers, paint manufacturers, independent inspectors, supervisors and surveyors. The aim is to provide objective industry guidance on ceramic use on large yachts.

The yacht market has identified the need for an industry guidance document detailing key areas of information and considerations when using ceramic coatings or treatments on large yachts.

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ClassNK publishes guideline for LNG bunkering ships survey and equipment

ClassNK publishes guideline for LNG bunkering ships survey and equipment
ClassNK publishes guideline for LNG bunkering ships survey and equipment

Class NK, the leading Japanese classification society, has published its Guideline for Survey and Facilities/Equipment of LNG Bunkering Ships, which outlines the additional safety requirements of liquefied gas carriers that supply LNG fuel at sea.

There are currently no established international conventions for the facilities/equipment of ships that transfer LNG to other ships at sea, and additional safety equipment has been considered individually. Based on the examinations conducted so far, ClassNK has developed the guideline which compiles the requirements for additional equipment for the safe transfer of LNG, a cryogenic substance, between ships, and surveys.

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Singapore cracks down after marine surveyor is infected with COVID-19

Singapore’s Ministry of Health is tightening its COVID-19 control measures for its maritime workforce after a marine surveyor working for a leading class society and a harbor pilot tested positive for the disease.

The surveyor, who works for a prominent class society and was employed inspecting vessels at the Sembcorp Marine Admiralty Yard, tested positive on December 30. Two of his family members also tested positive on New Years’ Eve. The harbor pilot, a 55-year-old Singaporean national, tested positive on December 31, along with two of his relatives. Continue reading “Singapore cracks down after marine surveyor is infected with COVID-19”

Guidance on RMI flagged yacht recreational fire appliances issued

Guidance on recreational fire appliances for yachts issued by RMI flag state
Guidance on recreational fire appliances for yachts issued by RMI flag state

The Republic of Marshall Islands has published its requirements for the design, installation and operation of Recreational Fire Appliances onboard RMI-flagged yachts.

The definition of Recreational Fire Appliances covers fireplaces which use wood, ethanol or LPG as a primary fuel source, or for ignition purposes. They include charcoal galley ovens, LPG or charcoal fire barbeques, spit roasts and fire pits.

Operational guidance

1. When Recreational Fire Appliances are installed or used onboard, a risk assessment must be conducted for each appliance type. This risk assessment must form part of the yacht’s Safety Management System (SMS).

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IACS adopts new governance model

The IACS Council has agreed at its 82nd Council Meeting (C82) to adopt a range of far reaching measures to prepare it to meet the long-term challenges faced by many associations in a time of rapid technological development, constant regulatory evolution and changing market dynamics. IACS new governance model include the move to an elected Council Chair in post for two years, an elected General Policy Group (GPG) Chair to join the IACS Secretariat in London, a move to simple-majority voting for the majority of decisions and an enhanced Chair’s Office to facilitate faster decision making.

A fast-moving maritime landscape requires the constant development of responses and solutions which, to be effective, entails a consistency of effort often over several years. To identify evolving issues quickly and then resolve and implement the appropriate responses over a longer period, IACS new governance model has adopted a package of measures to do just that; speeding up reaction times by simplifying the voting requirements and having issues pre-considered by the Chair’s office, whilst ensuring the focus on delivery can be sustained by an elected Chair in post for a two-year term (renewable). In parallel, having a GPG Chair elected for a three-year term and located in London, together with a supporting team, brings these highly expert, technical specialists closer to IACS’ key stakeholders including the IMO and other industry associations. Continue reading “IACS adopts new governance model”

MAIB initial assessment after the explosion onboard the potting fishing vessel Galwad-Y-Mor

Detail of shell plating damage to Galwad-Y-Mor showing coating loss and indentation between internal frames
Detail of shell plating damage to Galwad-Y-Mor showing coating loss and indentation between internal frames

A preliminary assessment of the explosion resulting in damage and abandonment of the potting fishing vessel Galwad-Y-Mor (BRD116) 22 nautical miles north of Cromer, Norfolk on 15 December 2020 has been released by the MAIB.

On 15 December 2020, Galwad-Y-Mor was operating in potting fishing grounds east of the Wash. At about 1120, the crew was in the process of hauling in a string of crab pots; the skipper was in the wheelhouse with other crew members below decks working the pots. The hauler was being used to heave in the back rope, and the crew had let Continue reading “MAIB initial assessment after the explosion onboard the potting fishing vessel Galwad-Y-Mor”

Remembering the novelty of face-to-face training

Do you recall those days when we used to get together in a room to do some face-to-face training and networking? It seems an age ago already with Zoom and Teams taking over as the was to train. So, imagine my angst when the planned 7 day practical course at the Boat Building Academy in Lyme Regis, which had been under development for more than a year, was placed in jeopardy by the pandemic. It was unclear if we could run the event safely until just a couple of weeks prior. But I am delighted to say we managed to get the course away with a reduced number of 6 students.

I spent a day with the students – social distancing and other sensible pandemic measures were in place naturally. As I write, the course has just one more day to run, including the multiple choice testing for students to undergo. Over the week, students have had the chance to get their hands dirty learning skills in the workshops about vessel structure as well as undertaking some practical activities with GRP. Continue reading “Remembering the novelty of face-to-face training”

IIMS releases two free compilations from Matrix Insurance Services for free download

Over the years, Karen Brain, Managing Director of Matrix Insurance Services Ltd, has spoken at various IIMS events, conferences and small craft seminars, both in person and online. Her input has been invaluable, her depth of knowledge is significant and is always much appreciated by surveyors.

Karen has also written extensively for the Report Magazine in recent years on the subject of both insurance for marine surveyors and aspects of law and contracts.

For the first time, IIMS has produced two compilations, each presented as 28 page pdfs that brings the contents together in two easy to read documents.

Continue reading “IIMS releases two free compilations from Matrix Insurance Services for free download”

NTSB publishes its Safer Sea Digest with lessons learned from US marine accident investigations in 2019

The National Transport Safety Board (NTSB) has published its 104 page Safer Sea Digest in pdf format which can be downloaded at the foot of this article. The Safer Sea Digest shares lessons learned as a result of the Board’s many incident and accident investigations in 2019. The aim of the Digest is to focus those who read it on what can and does go wrong and how it can be prevented in the future.

Organisational oversight

In over a third of all accidents reported on in 2019, insufficient organisational oversight was the primary or a contributing cause. Insufficient organisational oversight was a factor in the cases of the Stretch Duck 7, Buster Bouchard-B. No. 255, John S McCain–Alnic MC, Imperial, Dredge200–R.E. Pierson 2, Miss Roslyn, Jeanette, Ram XVIII, PTC 598, Atlantic Giant II, Jonathon King Boyd–Bayou Chevron, Natalie Jean, Emsworth Locks and Dams, Yochow–OSG Independence/OSG 243, and Ms Nancy C accidents. Continue reading “NTSB publishes its Safer Sea Digest with lessons learned from US marine accident investigations in 2019”

MGN 646 published by MCA: Engine emission standards for inland waterway vessels

MGN 646 has been published by the Maritime & Coastguard Agency
MGN 646 has been published by the Maritime & Coastguard Agency

The UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) has published a marine guidance notice MGN 646 to provide clarification concerning the applicable engine standards for vessels operating on inland waterways, in accordance with the MARPOL Annex VI requirements that apply to vessels operating on tidal Category C, and D waters, as well as at sea.

Requirements of the Non Road Mobile Machinery Regulation (NRMM) apply to vessels operating on Category A, B, C and D waters.

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