AMSA issues a safety alert on fixed fin stabilisers

Incorrect installation of fixed fin stabilisers can cause serious issues says AMSA
Incorrect installation of fixed fin stabilisers can cause serious issues says AMSA

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has issued a safety alert to raise awareness of the risks associated with the use of fixed fin stabilisers on fishing vessels. It is important to note that incorrect use of fixed fin stabilisers can lead to an accident and even cause a vessel to capsize. Fixed fin stabilisers are also sometimes referred to as batwing stabilisers, anti-roll fins, fixed-arm stabilisers, passive-fin stabilisers, and fixed fins. They are designed to dampen, or reduce, the roll of a vessel, giving it a more comfortable ride in rough weather and possibly even making the vessel run truer. Once installed, fixed fin stabilisers are designed to be lifted up at certain times, such as when operating in shallow waters, crossing a bar, and berthing. Failure to do so carries serious risk. While these stabilisers improve comfort by reducing erratic movement and minimising the roll of a vessel in rough seas, it is of paramount importance to note that they do Continue reading “AMSA issues a safety alert on fixed fin stabilisers”

Make your views on red diesel known to the UK Government by 1 October 2020

The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) is urging users of diesel propelled craft, particularly private pleasure craft, to have their say on the future of red diesel. It’s not about the colour, tax status or price, says the RYA, it’s about existing supply needs.

A consultation has been launched by HMRC about the proposed changes to the rules and you have until 1 October 2020 to read the proposals and make your views known.

At this year’s Spring Budget, Chancellor Rishi Sunak shared plans for the intended removal of entitlement to use red diesel from April 2022, except for the agriculture sector (including forestry, horticulture and fish farming), railways, and where red diesel is used to power Continue reading “Make your views on red diesel known to the UK Government by 1 October 2020”

Allianz Safety and Shipping Review 2020 published

The 2020 Allianz Safety and Shipping Review shows a decrease in shipping losses last year
The 2020 Allianz Safety and Shipping Review shows a decrease in shipping losses last year

The 2020 Allianz Safety and Shipping Review has been published and reveals an improving picture. Given the global shipping industry is responsible for transporting as much as 90% of world trade, the safety of its vessels is critical. The sector saw the number of reported total shipping losses of over 100GT decline again during 2019 to 41 – the lowest total this century and a close to 70% fall over 10 years. Improved ship design and technology, stepped-up regulation and risk management advances such as more robust safety management systems and procedures on vessels are some of the factors behind the long-term improvement in losses.

Continue reading “Allianz Safety and Shipping Review 2020 published”

The world’s largest aluminium sailing yacht SEA EAGLE II handed to owners

The world's largest aluminium sailing yacht has been handed to its new owner
The world’s largest aluminium sailing yacht built by Royal Huisman has been handed to its new owner

The world’s largest aluminium sailing yacht, the truly breathtaking three-masted Royal Huisman schooner SEA EAGLE II, is the largest superyacht to emerge from the company’s facility in Vollenhove.

Earlier this year, SEA EAGLE II, designed by Dykstra Naval Architects and Mark Whiteley, was transferred from the shipyard’s headquarters in Vollenhove and launched in Amsterdam. Her three carbon Rondal masts and booms were installed and tuned at Royal Huisman’s Amsterdam facility. The 81m or 266ft contemporary schooner was perfectly on schedule for her delivery date, but Covid-19 restrictions in the Netherlands prevented the finishing touch from being completed.

Continue reading “The world’s largest aluminium sailing yacht SEA EAGLE II handed to owners”

MAIB to carry out investigations for Very Serious Marine Casualties for ships registered with the Reg Category 1 registries

This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is established between the MAIB and, collectively, the Category 1 REG Marine Administrations of Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, the Isle of Man and Gibraltar.

In order to discharge obligations under the Casualty Investigation Code (set out by the International Maritime Organization, adopted under resolution MSC.255(84)), MAIB has agreed that it will carry out investigations for Very Serious Marine Casualties involving ships registered with the Category 1 REG Marine Administrations. These Continue reading “MAIB to carry out investigations for Very Serious Marine Casualties for ships registered with the Reg Category 1 registries”

Unacceptable levels of barnacle fouling found in over 40% of ships reveals I-Tech whitepaper

Barnacle fouling has been exacerbated by the pandemic says whitepaper
Barnacle fouling has been exacerbated by the pandemic says whitepaper

More than 40% of vessels were suffering from over 10% hard fouling coverage on the hull even before the idling of fleets caused by COVID-19. This is one of the key findings of hull fouling collection data in a study commissioned by I-Tech AB, the results of which are set out in a white paper entitled ‘Quantifying the scale of the barnacle fouling problem on the global shipping fleet’.

I-Tech contracted independent marine coating consultants, Safinah Group, to analyse underwater hull barnacle fouling conditions on a sample of 249 ships which drydocked over a four-year period between 2015-2019. The sample included Continue reading “Unacceptable levels of barnacle fouling found in over 40% of ships reveals I-Tech whitepaper”

Over 100 tons of fishing nets and plastic removed from the sea following Ocean Voyages Institute initiative

The Ocean Voyages Institute initiative has cleaned up over 100 tons of ocean debris
The Ocean Voyages Institute initiative has cleaned up over 100 tons of ocean debris

After a 48-day expedition, S/V KWAI, the marine plastic recovery vessel operated by the Ocean Voyages Institute, successfully removed 103 tons of fishing nets and consumer plastics from the North Pacific Subtropical Convergence Zone, more commonly known as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch or Gyre.

Establishing its lead in open ocean clean-up, Ocean Voyages Institute has set a new record with the largest at sea clean-up in the Gyre to date, more than doubling its own results from last year. You can read more about the work of the organisation here.

“I am so proud of our hard working crew,” says Mary Crowley, founder and executive director of Ocean Voyages Institute. “We exceeded Continue reading “Over 100 tons of fishing nets and plastic removed from the sea following Ocean Voyages Institute initiative”

Terror takes to the water: British research vessel cargo tender launched

Terror, research vessel, launched
Terror, research vessel cargo tender, launched

Terror, the new 22-tonne cargo tender for the upcoming British research vessel Sir David Attenborough, was recently launched on the Exeter Ship Canal for her maiden voyage and to undergo a series of technical and engineering tests to check sea-worthiness, stability and crane operations.

The cargo tender will play a critical role onboard the polar research ship, Sir David Attenborough, which, in addition to its scientific role, will support the resupply of the five Antarctic research stations operated by British Antarctic Survey.

Terror will transfer food, fuel and science equipment to any locations where the water is too shallow for the new polar ship to approach. Continue reading “Terror takes to the water: British research vessel cargo tender launched”

Declining trend in the number of containers lost at sea reveals World Shipping Council survey

World Shipping Council report shows a decline in the number of containers lost at sea
World Shipping Council report shows a decline in the number of containers lost at sea

The global container shipping industry continues to see a declining trend in the number of containers lost at sea each year. The World Shipping Council has published its latest survey giving its best estimate on the number of actual containers lost at sea.

World Shipping Council undertook the first survey of its member companies in 2011 with subsequent updates published in 2014 and 2017. Having reviewed the evidence over the twelve-year period surveyed, the survey shows an estimate that there were on average a total of 1,382 containers lost each year.

The conclusion after twelve years is that more than half of all containers lost can be attributed to the limited number of high profile Continue reading “Declining trend in the number of containers lost at sea reveals World Shipping Council survey”

LR makes the case for remote surveys

Surveys undertaken remotely are still viewed with caution by some, but experts at Lloyd’s Register (LR) believe that reticence over new survey methods, which make the most of digital technology, is misplaced. In this article, James Forsdyke, LR’s Head of Product Management, and Sean van der Post, LR’s Global Offshore Business Manager, explain some of the reasons why the interaction between hardware, software and human expertise offer an unbeatable formula.

Restrictions on travel amid the COVID‑19 pandemic is forcing unprecedented change on some of shipping’s age‑old procedures as access Continue reading “LR makes the case for remote surveys”

USCG safety alert to address electrical installations knowledge gap issued

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) has issued a Safety Alert to emphasize the importance of properly installed and maintained listed or certified safe electrical equipment in hazardous areas in order to reduce the risk of fire or explosion onboard vessels. Publication follows an increasing number of instances by the Coast Guard where there was a lack of knowledge regarding the installation, training, maintenance and inspection of these certified systems.

Electrical equipment in hazardous areas is common; for example, 12% of all deficiencies written to gas carriers involved hazardous area electrical equipment.

PSC Officers (PSCOs) have found certified safe equipment improperly installed or identified missing components, which compromises the Continue reading “USCG safety alert to address electrical installations knowledge gap issued”

Marshall Islands Yacht Code set for revision in 2021

Marshall Islands Yacht Code set to be updated for 2021

An initiative to update and amend the Republic of the Marshall Islands Yacht Code is currently in progress with the launch of the new revised edition anticipated for the second half of 2021.

The Marshall Islands Yacht Registry is one of the largest in the world. As of May 31, 2020, it included 595 yachts representing 13% by number of the 4,722 vessels listed. The yachts totalled 183,817 GT, which accounted for just 0.10% of the 175.2m GT of the total flag fleet.

The revision work is taking input from across the Registry’s global specialist teams, as well as external experts. A revised version is Continue reading “Marshall Islands Yacht Code set for revision in 2021”

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