IIMS has been contacted directly by the UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) to alert us to potential issues surrounding Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 410, 440 and 490 models, which are equipped with Sleipner-Sidepower retractable bow thruster modules. These models were built in 2020, 2021 and 2022.
The advice from Jeanneau is to immediately stop sailing. The company has issued a Continue reading “‘Risk of drowning’ alert for some Jeanneau Yachts issued”
Recently I was delighted to meet with Captain Manoj Joy and Johan Smith from Sailors’ Society, my chosen charity as President of the IIMS, for the next two years, at my offices in Goa. Sailors’ Society is a vital organization that provides comprehensive support to seafarers and their families around the world. Their work encompasses a wide range of services, from emotional and practical assistance to crisis response, Chaplaincy support, and so on. Captain Manoj, their representative in India, and Johan, Head of Wellness from South Africa, presented an overview of their work, highlighting their commitment to seafarers’ well-being. Continue reading “IIMS President meets Sailors’ Society in Goa”
If you follow my scribblings on a semi regular basis, you will know that the subject of lithium battery fires is one that concerns me greatly and is a topic I have written a great deal about. A recent performance test conducted by Yachting Pages on some of the leading safety cases revealed some startling and concerning findings.
With more than 1,000 lithium battery fires reported around the world every week, lithium battery safety cases are of paramount Continue reading “What caught my eye: June 2024”
On 24 June 2022, while alongside at King George Dock, Hull, England, the crew of the UK registered fishing vessel Kirkella lost control of its propulsion system and the vessel collided with the unmanned tug Shovette, which was moored ahead of Kirkella. During the collision Shovette’s hull and starboard fuel tank were breached by Kirkella’s bulbous bow. The tug partially sank, which resulted in pollution of about 7,000 litres of marine diesel oil being released into the dock. Kirkella was not significantly damaged and there were no injuries. Continue reading “Report: Collision between fishing vessel Kirkella and pusher tug Shovette”
Allianz Commercial’s Safety and Shipping Review for 2024 has been published, which finds that the sector will have its work cut out to maintain this status quo in future.
According to Allianz, the fact that shipping is increasingly subject to growing volatility and uncertainties from war and geopolitical events, the consequences of climate change, as well as ongoing risks resulting from the trend for larger vessels, means the industry will have to face significant challenges. Captain Rahul Khanna, Global Head of Marine Risk Consulting, Allianz Commercial said: “The speed and extent of the way the industry’s risk profile is changing is unprecedented Continue reading “Safety and Shipping Review 2024: Record low for fleet loses”
Learning from this tragedy could prove an invaluable lesson in risk mitigation with complex maritime operations, writes John Butler. In the early morning of 26 March 2024 the container ship Dali struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore forcing its dramatic collapse which was captured and circulated on television and social media across the world. This is a textbook example of a Black Swan Event, an unexpected incident that has disproportionately created a social and economic impact on a local area. This incident also shines a light on the offshore industry, maritime insurance, and the importance of Marine Warranty Surveyors. Continue reading “The Francis Scott Key Bridge ‘Black Swan Event’ and its effect on the insurance markets”
The affected Honda Marine Outboard products present a risk of injuries as it has been identified that the actuator link rod may break during use due to a lack of durability. This can then result in a loss of shift operation, leading to a potential loss of control of the vessel. The product does not meet the requirements of the Recreational Craft Regulations 2017. Due to this, the product has been recalled from end users. Continue reading “UK Office for Product Safety and Standards issues product recall alert for Honda Marine Outboards”
I am rarely surprised by the ingenuity of people these days when most things seem possible, but this idea struck me as being visionary and worthy of a mention. An original concept, Art Explora is billed as the world’s first museum boat, which plans to sail across the world’s oceans with a self-stated mission to bring visitors innovative artistic and cultural experiences. It is the inspiration of its entrepreneurial founder and patron Frédéric Jousset. Art Explora is a large catamaran that can host up to 2,000 gallery visitors on board each day free of charge. Continue reading “What caught my eye: April 2024”
Singapore has retained its title as the leading maritime city in the world, followed by Rotterdam and London, according to the 2024 Leading Maritime Cities Report 2024 from DNV and Menon Economics. The city-state, with its large owned and managed vessel fleets, strategic geographic advantages, pro-business policies and its position as a leader in the maritime energy transition, is expected to hold this position for the next five years, the analysis determines.
Compiled in cooperation between classification society DNV and Menon Economics, the Leading Maritime Cities Report 2024 Continue reading “Leading Maritime Cities Report 2024: Amid a sea of change, Singapore retains top spot”
This is a remarkable story, one of my favourites for ages, which fortunately had a happy ending. What caught my eye specifically were the details of the good Samaritan vessel – a floating sauna – which came to the aid of a sinking Tesla. I must have led a sheltered life as I was completely unaware that such craft existed and that they are indeed popular in Norway and can be hired by the hour! And being a skipper of a floating sauna sounds like a very cool job – never getting cold on the job either! Continue reading “What caught my eye: March 2024”
The latest International Maritime Pilots’ Association (IMPA) Safety Campaign raises awareness of the need for pilot transfer arrangements to be procured, inspected, maintained and rigged in compliance with SOLAS regulation V/23, taking complete account of the ISO 799 standards. IMPA highlights the need for securing pilot ladders at intermediate length and conduct mandatory training, inspection and maintenance.
The results of the 2023 IMPA Safety Campaign show that historical trends in non-compliance continue. The headline non-compliance rate remains over sixteen percent, and the main determinant of noncompliance remains pilot ladders. Pilot ladder observations are included in more than fifty percent of reports of non-compliant arrangements. Continue reading “IMPA Safety Campaign: Securing pilot ladders at intermediate length is vital”
Some reading this will know why this story struck a chord with me. A 34-foot wooden fishing boat named Thor, which was used to help Jews out of Denmark during World War II, will soon be on display at the Holocaust Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida.
After Denmark was invaded by Germany in 1940, the Danish government resisted any anti-Jewish laws. But in the fall of 1943, the Germans announced that all Danish Jews would be deported. Over the next couple of days, the Danish resistance movement, with the help Continue reading “What caught my eye: February 2024”
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