Marine News

Closer inspections for corrosion of kill cord metal components essential

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Surveyors are urged to make close inspections to identify weakening of this vital piece of equipment
Surveyors are urged to make close inspections to identify weakening of this vital piece of equipment

One third of skippers have experienced kill cord or kill switch failure, according to the results of a recent survey. The survey also showed that closer inspection of the emergency engine cut-outs is needed to reduce the likelihood of failure.

The majority of respondents stated that they had never experienced a kill cord or kill switch failure, however a third described experiencing a failure of either the kill cord, kill switch or both, with problems occurring across the board in terms of engine size (sub-4hp to 150+hp) and with 73% of problems reportedly occurring in engines aged 2-10 years.

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First vessel to comply with IMO polar code approved by DNV GL

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AHTS Magne Viking is in compliance with the new IMO Polar Code following a survey by DNV GL
AHTS Magne Viking is in compliance with the new IMO Polar Code following a survey by DNV GL

After a successful survey, DNV GL and the Danish Maritime Authority have confirmed that the AHTS Magne Viking, owned by Viking Supply Ships, is in compliance with the new IMO Polar Code.

“Having followed the development of the Polar Code for some years, it is a great achievement to finally survey the first vessel to comply with the Code,” said Morten Mejlænder-Larsen, who is responsible for Arctic and Polar activities at DNV GL – Maritime.

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Mulder Shipyard set to build its largest motoryacht

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Mulder Shipyard confirms it is underway with the build of what will be its largest motoryacht so far
Mulder Shipyard confirms it is underway with the build of what will be its largest motoryacht so far

Mulder Shipyard in the Netherlands has started construction on a new 36 metre motoryacht, the yard’s largest project to date and the second to be built to the exacting new LY3 standard. Having successfully delivered a 28.65 metre Mulder Voyager and the 34 metre custom-built Solis in 2015, this new 36 metre project is the next step forward for a Dutch yard that is making significant waves in the global superyacht world.

“The basic concept behind this exciting new yacht is to make the most out of a volume not exceeding 300 GT,” explains yard director Dick Mulder. “This will open up excellent possibilities for both private use and chartering, with the possibility of having a relatively small crew on board when the owners are onboard.”

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New publication from London P&I Club on deck crane inspections and maintenance

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The London P&I Club has published an article on deck crane inspections and maintenance in its newsletter LP Focus, which looks in detail at particular claims issues prompted by the Club’s experience and feedback from Members.

Deck cranes are an important item of a ship’s equipment and when they break down this can result in loss of hire claims. Furthermore, failure of a deck crane can result in serious injury or death. Depending on the trade of the ship, the cranes may be used in every port or they may be used infrequently.

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Is Lloyd’s Open Form still appropriate as ships get bigger and bigger?

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The role of the Lloyd's Open Form is being called into question as ships get larger
The role of the Lloyd’s Open Form is being called into question as ships get larger

According to the London Shipping Law Centre, as merchant ships get larger, as their cargoes expand in size and complexity and as their values escalate, the legal challenges facing salvors and wreck removers are multiplying.

In recent years, the salvage industry had tackled incidents all over the world when some of the largest vessels, particularly after groundings, have spilled oil and containers into the sea. Despite deployment of the best available equipment and skills to retrieve cargoes and to contain oil slicks, work could take several months, often in the same atrocious weather conditions that contributed to the incident.

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Generous donation of Scottish timber means Nelson’s flagship, HMS Victory, will fight on

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Timber donated from three Scottish estates will help to preserve HMS Victory for future generations
Timber donated from three Scottish estates will help to preserve HMS Victory for future generations

Timber has long been a vital backbone for shipbuilding and famously HMS Victory was built from over 5,500 oak trees, 250 years ago. It even inspired the Royal Navy’s anthem Hearts of Oak. That strong tradition will now continue with a generous donation of timber from three estates in Aberdeenshire that will ensure that the ship survives for the foreseeable future.

The timber, from eleven elm trees and ten oak trees, is due to be felled shortly and embark on its long journey south. In the 250th year of her launch in 1767, HMS Victory is in the midst of a 15 year conservation project and in need of the very best quality materials to ensure she survives a further 250 years.

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US Coast Guard issues policy letter about sea strainers on small passenger vessels

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The US Coast Guard issued a policy letter concerning sea strainers constructed of nonmetallic materials for use on small passenger vessels.

Sea strainers containing nonmetallic components have been installed on small passenger vessels for several decades without incident. However, the regulations were amended to require vital piping systems to be made of a ferrous material on board ”new” small passenger vessels.

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Futuristic wind energy powered superyacht being pioneered by Inergy

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Inergy is looking to the future through its new Gemma series of superyachts
Inergy is looking to the future through its new Gemma series of superyachts

US wind turbine manufacturer, Inergy, has given an enticing glimpse into the future of environmentally friendly superyachts, which will be powered by wind energy. Gemma One, measuring just over 30 metres, will be the flagship vessel for the new Gemma series of environmentally friendly superyachts developed by Inergy.

The Gemma One is a new generation clean vessel. It is a practical, safe, conservatively styled, amenity-rich and highly automated boat that can be 100% powered by renewable energy, offering nearly unlimited remote operation.

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MAIB issues safety warning about close fitting jacketed synthetic fibre ropes

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Photograph showing LNG carrier Zarga at sea by Fotoflite.com
Photograph showing LNG carrier Zarga at sea by Fotoflite.com

The MAIB has issued a second safety warning after a mooring line failure on board LNG tanker Zarga resulted in serious injury to a deck officer.

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch is carrying out an investigation into the mooring line failure on board LNG tanker Zarga while alongside South Hook LNG terminal, Milford Haven on 2 March 2015, which resulted in serious injury to a deck officer.

Close fitting jacketed synthetic fibre ropes with low twist constructions are more prone to failure under normal operating conditions than other mooring rope constructions. This is especially the case where the diameter to diameter (D:d) ratio between a ship’s deck fittings and its mooring ropes, is less than that recommended by the rope’s manufacturer. The nature of the close fitting jacket precludes visual inspection of the rope’s core for signs of degradation. Operators of vessels using close-fitting jacketed synthetic fibre mooring ropes are strongly advised to contact the rope’s manufacturer/supplier to:

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Big year ahead for IMCA’s CMID Vessel Accredited Inspector scheme

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IMCA’s CMID users saw a host of improvements in 2015 with the release of version 9 of the document and the launch of the accredited vessel inspectors (AVI) scheme.

The feedback from the user community on version 9, its expanded question sets and re-introduction of supplements has been very positive. The only area of concern surrounds the desire of some users for the option to produce reports which are not watermarked, for vessel inspections which, for whatever reason, cannot be uploaded to the eCMID database.

In an effort to improve both quality assurance and security integrity in the system, the Joint Industry CMID Steering Committee made the decision to watermark all versions of the CMID that were not uploaded to the eCMID database. In fact, a number of inspectors have reported that their clients have registered vessels on the eCMID database in order to get a ‘clean’ report – thereby meeting the aim of this Continue reading “Big year ahead for IMCA’s CMID Vessel Accredited Inspector scheme”

Nimbus launches an electric leisure boat 305 Coupé

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Nimbus has launched an electric leisure boat 305 Coupé
Nimbus has launched an electric leisure boat 305 Coupé

Nimbus, the Swedish boat builder, has announced the launch of an electric powered leisure boat. The 305 Coupé E-power is based on Nimbus’s successful diesel-powered 305 Coupé. The boat is extremely quiet and the loudest noises are made by the lapping of the waves and the voices aboard. The boat is primarily intended for use on the waterways of Europe and meets their strict environmental regulations.

‘We have worked pro-actively on environmental aspects in all parts of our operation at Nimbus for a long time and we take our responsibility for the environment very seriously. We have documented our environmental work within design, production, choice of Continue reading “Nimbus launches an electric leisure boat 305 Coupé”

Franmarine finalises in-water hull cleaning system Envirocart

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envirocartThe settlement of marine organisms on vessels underwater surfaces increases drag, fuel consumption (with increased greenhouse gas emissions) and can facilitate the translocation of Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) into Australian and New Zealand waters. To minimize this threat, in water hull cleaning was banned in Australia and New Zealand in 1997.

In 2011 the Department of Fisheries – Western Australia (DoF) sought a suitable service provider to trial an in water hull cleaning system capable of cleaning and encapsulating marine biofouling from vessels over 40 metres as a counter measure to minimise the treat of introducing AIS into Australian waters.

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