How to choose the right marine surveying professional development course for you (and guidance on what to watch out for)

Take time to assess marine surveying professional development course providers before jumping in is the advice
Take time to assess marine surveying professional development course providers before jumping in is the advice

Has your chosen education provider achieved an internationally recognised standard? Today, it seems easy to get duped by seductive marketing and one International Institute of Marine Surveying (IIMS) member is urging others to do their due diligence when signing up for a marine surveying professional development course.

A few years ago, the member in question decided to add another specialisation to their skillset at significant expense. Once they had Continue reading “How to choose the right marine surveying professional development course for you (and guidance on what to watch out for)”

What caught my eye: August 2024

Iconic Greek island shipwreck at risk of disappearing

Image credit Wikipedia
Image credit Wikipedia

Like most other people, I hanker after a bit of nostalgia and this story took me back in time to a memorable holiday in the Greek islands. I was fortunate enough to visit the island of Zakynthos about 30 years ago. We took a boat trip out to Navagio Beach to view the iconic, badly rusted wreck of MV Panagiotis. My overwhelming memory was jumping from the side of the boat into the clear blue Ionian waters to swim the 50 metres to the shore fighting against a strong tide – and all to see a rusted, decaying hulk! The MV Panagiotis, which ran Continue reading “What caught my eye: August 2024”

IIMS Marine Surveyor Search app turns 5

Back in 2019 the International Institute of Marine Surveying (IIMS) saw the need for a modern solution in searching for a marine surveyor. Five years later and finding a qualified and experienced marine surveyor is still as easy as ever with the Marine Surveyor Search app, the only one of its kind in the world.

Whether you need a survey for a heritage, wooden boat or an LNG carrier, the app gives you access to 950+ accredited surveyors based in Continue reading “IIMS Marine Surveyor Search app turns 5”

IIMS marine surveying training receives international seal of approval

IIMS marine surveying training receives international seal of approval
IIMS marine surveying training receives international seal of approval

The International Institute of Marine Surveying (IIMS) has been awarded the globally recognised ISO 9001 standard for quality management of its training services.

ISO 9001 is the most widely used quality management standard with more than one million certificates issued to organisations around the world.

There are seven guiding principles of ISO 9001, which are customer focus, leadership, engagement of people, process approach, improvement, evidence-based decision making and relationship management. Continue reading “IIMS marine surveying training receives international seal of approval”

Key outcomes of the IMO III 10 Sub-Committee

The 10th session of the IMO Sub-Committee on Implementation of IMO Instruments has been held
The 10th session of the IMO Sub-Committee on Implementation of IMO Instruments has been held

The 10th session of the IMO Sub-Committee on Implementation of IMO Instruments (III 10) was held from 22 to 26 July.
The Sub-Committee on Implementation of IMO Instruments (III) brings together flag, port and coastal States to consider implementation issues, including the analysis of consolidated audit summary reports from the mandatory IMO Member state Audit Scheme. The Sub-Committee has a key role in casualty analysis and issuing lessons learned from marine incidents. Continue reading “Key outcomes of the IMO III 10 Sub-Committee”

Heavy cargo items require extra attention

Siemens Schottel azimuth thrusters. Photo credit: Wikipedia
Siemens Schottel azimuth thrusters. Photo credit: Wikipedia

The Nautical Institute has composed a case study on an incident where a multi-purpose cargo vessel was transporting six azimuth thrusters in its hold. Each thruster weighing 60 tonnes. Stowage calculations based on the voyage instructions and stowage plan were made by an officer and checked by the Master before loading. The results were sent to the office for approval.

According to the calculations, each thruster would require 10 lashings. To be on the safe side, the Master and crew decided to use 12 or Continue reading “Heavy cargo items require extra attention”

NTSB issues report on Qualifier 105 passenger vessel fire in Homer, Alaska

NTSB issues report on the fire on Qualifier 105
NTSB issues report on the fire on Qualifier 105

The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has published its report on the investigation of a 2023 fire aboard the passenger vessel​ Qualifier 105 last year in Alaska.​

On 19 January 2023, the small passenger vessel Qualifier 105 was being stored ashore for the winter in the Northern Enterprises Boat Yard in Homer, Alaska when a fire started in a stateroom below the main deck. The local fire department extinguished the fire and no Continue reading “NTSB issues report on Qualifier 105 passenger vessel fire in Homer, Alaska”

Update on emergency power supply testing non-compliance issued by Tokyo MoU

Update on emergency power supply testing non-compliance issued by Tokyo MoU
Update on emergency power supply testing non-compliance issued by Tokyo MoU

The Tokyo MoU has released a Safety Bulletin as an update on the emergency power supply non-compliance, it states that numerous observations by Port State Control Officers (PCSOs) where the “simulated blackout” testing of the Emergency Generator is demonstrated as fully functional, but during an actual power blackout, the system does not meet the requirements of SOLAS Ch. II-1, Reg. 42 / 43.

PSCOs have observed an alarming number of ships that were able to demonstrate a satisfactory test of the emergency generator utilizing a Continue reading “Update on emergency power supply testing non-compliance issued by Tokyo MoU”

Loss of propulsion of ro-ro cargo vessel Mazarine: Transport Malta Report

The vessel Mazarine dramatically stuck on Wolf Rock
The vessel Mazarine dramatically stuck on Wolf Rock

Transport Malta’s Marine Safety Investigation Unit has published an investigation report into the loss of propulsion and subsequent grounding of the Maltese-registered ro-ro cargo vessel Mazarine, on Wolf Rock off Land’s End, UK on 10 July 2023.

At about 1040, the Maltese-registered, ro-ro cargo vessel, Mazarine ran aground on Wolf Rock, UK. The vessel sustained structural damage to the underwater section of the hull. In addition to the hull perforations, several deformations were observed, mostly on the port Continue reading “Loss of propulsion of ro-ro cargo vessel Mazarine: Transport Malta Report”

InterManager issues call for industry-wide accident reporting

Captain Kuba Szymanski, InterManager Secretary General
Captain Kuba Szymanski, InterManager Secretary General

Accidents onboard ships are not decreasing, according to latest accident statistics submitted to the International Maritime Organization by InterManager.

The Association says the number of seafarers injured in falls has remained fairly consistent year on year, as has the number of injuries resulting from rescue and survival craft accidents. However, the Association warns that the casualty rate for enclosed space accidents has almost doubled. InterManager has submitted its figures, which span several decades, to the 10th session of the IMO’s Sub-Committee Continue reading “InterManager issues call for industry-wide accident reporting”

What caught my eye: July 2024

An Englishman’s home is his fort

The three Palmerston forts in The Solent off the UK’s south coast are iconic structures known to many, dating back to 1859 when they were built to counter the threat of invasion by the French. For me they are a familiar sight, but I have never had the opportunity to land on these extraordinary structures – only admire them from afar with extreme curiosity.

But knowing they had been for sale for a number of years unsuccessfully, Continue reading “What caught my eye: July 2024”

How well do you know your lifeboat?

How well do you know your lifeboat?
How well do you know your lifeboat?

The American P&I Club has issued guidance highlighting the importance of in-depth training, robust familiarity with the specific lifeboat onboard each vessel, and rigorous maintenance routines to ensure the safety and reliability of lifeboats.

There are several types of lifeboats used aboard ships, each designed to meet specific safety requirements. Open lifeboats, lacking a roof, are the most basic and least safe, typically propelled by hand-operated oars. Closed lifeboats, either partially or fully enclosed, provide a Continue reading “How well do you know your lifeboat?”

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