Carried in ships’ ballast waters, invasive aquatic species have had a significant economic impact throughout the world. Specific ballast discharge events have been held responsible for disasters such as outbreaks of deadly disease, complete collapse Continue reading “Consistent testing standards are vital to ensure ballast water compliance”
The EMSA (European Maritime Safety Agency) has released its study on marine casualties and incidents in its annual report. It shows a steady situation, but highlights that fishing vessels remain the category of ship with the highest number of ships lost over the 2011-2018 period.
With 3,174 occurrences reported in 2018, the total number of occurrences recorded in the EMSA EMCIP (European Marine Casualty Information Platform) database has grown to over 23000 representing an average of 3,239 marine casualties or incidents per year over the past five years.
The number of very serious casualties had continuously decreased since 2014; Continue reading “EMSA annual overview of marine casualties and incidents 2019 published”
Following the success of the inaugural online only event last year, the International Institute of Marine Surveying (IIMS) is delighted to present Marine Surveying International Fest II in two parts. We have lined up a feast of education and information for yacht and small craft surveyors on Tuesday 10th December (view the speaker schedule) and for commercial ship surveyors on Thursday 12 December (view the speaker schedule) – both commencing at 06.00 UK time. You do not need to be a member of IIMS to participate in the Fest.
Building on 2018, these two days seek to recognise the importance of the profession of marine surveying and promote the vital role surveyors perform in keeping lives safe at sea. No matter what time zone you are based in around the world, or area of surveying you work in, we hope to offer something of interest to you. The day will equally appeal to those who work with, or engage surveyors, or touch the profession in some way. Continue reading “Marine Surveying International Fest II is coming on 10 and 12 December 2019”
Transport Canada Marine Safety and Security (TCMSS) has published a policy on the acceptance of the American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) standards as an approved alternative method for small vessel compliance in Canada. The policy is effective as of October 30, 2019.
“Having one set of standards throughout North America is a huge benefit for engineering, manufacturing, and trade for the marine industry,” said Craig Scholten, ABYC Technical VP. “Being able to design, certify, and produce product to one standard will streamline and simplify everyone’s efforts.”
TCMSS will accept the equivalent standards published by ABYC with some Canadian modifications. The policy affects pleasure craft less than 24 meters and other craft of not more than 15 gross tonnage constructed, manufactured or rebuilt in, or imported into Canada. Continue reading “ABYC and TCMSS announce one set of marine safety standards”
The IVR Association has published an information document explaining the hidden risks of biological corrosion and providing additional information on how to avoid bacteria that damages ship bilges. The technical leaflet Biological Corrosion focuses on a number of cases where the issue of leaking engine rooms seems to be more and more common as a result of this type of corrosion.
In recent years, an increasing number of cases of leaking engine rooms, caused by very local perforations of the ship’s plating have been noted. This happened despite the recent class renewal in which bottom inspection and thickness measurements showed that the plating was sound. In these cases, investigation reveals that the water ingress is by very local corrosion perforations. Continue reading “The hidden risks of destructive biological corrosion”
The US National Transportation Safety Board published its report on the liftboat Ram XVIII, that overturned in the Gulf of Mexico, on November 18. Due to the incident, three personnel suffered minor injuries, while about 1,000 gallons of hydraulic oil were released. The vessel was declared a constructive total loss at an estimated $1,140,000.
The Ram XVIII started from Houma, Louisiana, on Friday, November 16, after taking on a Fugro Chance surveyor and survey equipment, to service the WD-68-U platform. The vessel was carrying 190 tons cargo, and the voyage lasted 2.5 hours. Continue reading “Liftboat overturns due to inadequate information about seafloor composition reveals report”
An Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) operates independently from the ship and has no connecting cables while ROVs are connected to an operator on the surface host ship by a load-carrying umbilical cable which provides communication and control.
A Remotely Operated underwater Vehicle (ROV) is a tethered underwater mobile device. ROVs are unoccupied, highly maneuverable, and operated by a Continue reading “Micro ROVs enablers for Marine Surveyors”
The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has published the Review of Maritime Transport 2019 study, presenting in it a fall in maritime trade growth. The report highlights trade policy crosscurrents, geopolitics and sanctions, environmental worries, fuel economics and tensions regarding the Strait of Hormuz, all of which have contributed to slower growth in merchandise trade.
World maritime trade lost its momentum in 2018 due to increased uncertainty, rising tariff tensions between the US and China, as well as concerns regarding other trade policy and political crosscurrents. These relate to a no-deal Brexit, which sent waves through global markets, according to UNCTAD’s Review of Maritime Continue reading “UNCTAD Review of Maritime Transport 2019 reveals a fall in maritime trade growth”
The past few weeks have vanished in a haze. So what’s new I hear you say? But it’s all good as we are now mid way between the two biggest exhibitions in the world for the boating industry – METS and IBEX. I recently attended IBEX in Tampa alongside our USA Regional Director, James Renn. It is a big event and we met some fascinating people and potential future members of the Institute. I won’t be at METS this year, so will miss the chance to catch up with colleagues and industry friends this time round.
My reason for missing METS is simple. I will be part of the IIMS UAE Branch’s celebrations taking place on 20th November onboard the QE2, now permanently moored in Dubai. It promises to be a great event and a high turn out is expected to mark this event. Perhaps I will meet you there?
Continue reading “Exhibition and celebration times are upon us”
The Hydrographic Office has published the new Australian Mariner’s Handbook 5th edition for Australian Waters and it is now available online.
Previously known as the Seafarer’s Handbook for Australian Waters, edition five contains a new chapter on interpreting the accuracy of depth information in Electronic Navigational Charts.
The handbook is an official nautical publication, which should be carried on all international and domestic commercial vessels.
It contains important instructions to aid planning and navigation in Australian waters, and information on marine protected areas, pilot Continue reading “New Australian Mariner’s Handbook now available online”
Two leading organisations in the global marine compliance industry, HPi Verification Services (HPiVS) and CEproof Group, have merged to create HPI-CEproof.
It’s been a milestone 12 months for EU Notified Body HPiVS, which completed accreditation with The Irish National Accreditation Board (INAB) in 2018 for HPi Verification Services (Ireland) Ltd to ISO 17065 so that it can continue to certify products to the EU Recreational Craft Directive (RCD) and the EU Pressure Equipment Directive. This has enabled HPiVS to provide continuity of service, irrespective of Britain’s future status in the EU.
Recreational Craft Directive specialist, CEproof, has enjoyed an equally successful period. Its core UK operation and 10 global offices have continued to develop its Continue reading “HPI-CEproof: the merging of two leading global marine compliance companies”
All worldwide manufacturing industries fundamentally face the same basic key challenges. They must be competitive within the markets they operate in, which requires them to produce the best possible products within strict financial constraints, ensuring they make a profit to enable them to continue to invest in research and development to create new products.
Some worldwide manufacturing industries through choice approach this challenge by producing the best possible high-quality product with a top end price. They have a well-defined strategy of selling less units using a marketing approach to create a unique market position and a cachet around the brand. Put in simple terms, at the top end are the elite where only a limited amount of a product is manufactured with a high price tag. At the other end of the scale are the mass-produced, low-cost products with a throw away price tag by comparison.
Continue reading “An open letter to the worldwide manufacturing industries written by IIMS”
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