Marine News

Concrete solutions for end-of-life boat dismantling

Posted on by News Hound
Boat dismantling is a tricky and contentious issue. Photo courtesy of Gwynnie Griffiths
Boat dismantling is a tricky and contentious issue. Photo courtesy of Gwynnie Griffiths

How to approach the global problem of boat dismantling was under discussion at the recent ‘Boat’s end-of-life, truly the end?’ conference.

The event, held at the Nautic Paris International Boat Show on 8 December 2015, was organised by the European Boating Industry, the French federation FIN and Reed Exposition.

It brought together exhibitors, companies, visitors and public authorities who all heard the clear message that concrete solutions were available for boat’s end-of-life while more work was necessary at EU level to address remaining technical, legal and financial issues.

Continue reading “Concrete solutions for end-of-life boat dismantling”

Hempel innovates by releasing a fuel saving fouling release coating

Posted on by News Hound
Hempel has released a new fuel saving fouling release coating
Hempel has released a new fuel saving fouling release coating

Global marine coatings supplier Hempel A/S has announced that it has launched an innovative new fuel-saving fouling release coating, known as Hempasil X3+, that tricks organisms into believing the hull is liquid, and not a solid structure.

“This innovative new fuel saving fouling release coating has been developed in consultation with our customers to offer an additional choice for owners and yards and to deliver optimal fuel savings,” said Henrik Dyrholm, Group Product Manager at Hempel.

Continue reading “Hempel innovates by releasing a fuel saving fouling release coating”

Maiden voyage for Germany’s first newbuild LNG powered seagoing vessel

Posted on by News Hound

fassmerThe first ever newbuild liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuelled German seagoing vessel, which is powered by a complete Wärtsilä LNG propulsion solution, had its maiden voyage on December 11. The ship has been built at the Fr. Fassmer shipyard in Germany.

The passenger ferry, owned by Reederei Cassen Eils GmbH, will operate between Cuxhaven and the island of Helgoland. This route takes the vessel close to the UNESCO World Heritage listed Wadden Sea National Park, an ecologically sensitive area in the south-eastern part of the North Sea. Because of the need to minimise exhaust gas emissions in this area, the ferry will operate primarily on LNG using two 9-cylinder Wärtsilä 20DF medium-speed dual-fuel engines.

Continue reading “Maiden voyage for Germany’s first newbuild LNG powered seagoing vessel”

Ferguson launches third hybrid ferry for CalMac

Posted on by News Hound
Ferguson Marine Engineering Ltd of Port Glasgow has launched a third hybrid ferry
Ferguson Marine Engineering Ltd of Port Glasgow has launched a third hybrid ferry

A cutting edge ferry, which is the third of three unique ‘hybrid’ vessels, was launched on the Clyde today at Ferguson Marine Engineering Ltd’s (FMEL) shipyard in Port Glasgow.

The hybrid ferry, named MV CATRIONA, is a sea-going passenger and vehicle roll-on, roll-off ferry incorporating a low-carbon hybrid system of traditional diesel power and electric lithium-ion battery power. Her sister ship, the MV HALLAIG, was the first in the world to incorporate this technology in a sea-going vessel when launched in December 2011. The innovative vessel was launched by Mrs. Anna Østergaard, wife of Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) Chairman, Erik Østergaard.

Continue reading “Ferguson launches third hybrid ferry for CalMac”

A busy end to a progressive year

Posted on by CEO

Any chance I might of had of slowly winding down into the long, annual Christmas break, was just a pipe dream; but no complaints.

It was a pleasure to join Capt Zarir Irani, Uday Moorthi and others in Dubai at the end of November for the 4th Biennial IIMS UAE Branch Conference. It is several years since my last trip to Dubai and I was surprised at just how much the city had changed. Money no object it seems. But I am grateful to Zarir and Uday for their warm welcome and hospitality during my time with them.

Continue reading “A busy end to a progressive year”

The application of technology in marine surveying

Posted on by News Hound

ristoThe world of marine surveying is no different to any other industry sector or profession when it comes to the onslaught and proliferation of new technologies. The aim always is to make the task easier to carry out and arguably just as accurate, but in a shorter time frame and all down-loadable digitally. For some, this new technology is frightening. Dr Risto Talas sets out to prove the doubters wrong by explaining how iassessor™, a software app, can be deployed to good effect.

Continue reading “The application of technology in marine surveying”

Hull Vane ®: Enhancing performance and efficiency through technology

Posted on by News Hound

Fuel saving devices for ships, sometimes called energy saving devices, are considered as something new, but some of them have been around for quite a while. Perhaps the most wide-spread and well-known fuel saving device is the bulbous bow.

The protruding bulb on the bow was first applied in the late nineteenth century, and gathered wider acceptance in the 1920’s. On ships sailing at an appropriate draught and speed-to-length ratio, the bulbous bow is said to reduce resistance by 10 to 12 percent. These days, it’s hard to find a containership, large ferry or cruise ship without a bulbous bow.

Continue reading “Hull Vane ®: Enhancing performance and efficiency through technology”

Marine Installation Safety Training: Diesel fuelled heating

Posted on by News Hound
The safety of diesel fuelled heating systems in boats is challenged as never before
The safety of diesel fuelled heating systems in boats is challenged as never before

The history
For over 40 years diesel fuelled heating has enjoyed a faultless safety record within the marine industry. This has been achieved despite being largely ignored by most regulating bodies.

So why are we writing this? Heaters are safe right? Well, yes, if installed and maintained correctly, diesel fuelled heating is still one of the safest forms of heating you can use.

Unfortunately, in recent years a worrying trend has started to develop, fuelled by a glut of cheap second hand vehicle diesel heaters and dubious internet knowledge.

Continue reading “Marine Installation Safety Training: Diesel fuelled heating”

Fuel hoses for petrol inboard engines

Posted on by News Hound

The context of this article is in relation to improving the safety of operators and crew of existing inboard petrol powered vessels including auxiliary petrol motors from the possibility of explosion resulting in death or injury.

As one of our clients stated: “This vessel has only exploded once in all my 40 years of fishing. The explosion throwing me backwards onto the net board, so my vessel is perfectly safe!”

This particular case was the result of the fuel tank breather line falling off the fuel tank connection with the resulting fumes allowing free passage through the open boat structure as no bulkheads were included in the construction of the vessel finally allowed to gathering in the bilge under the motor. This nearly resulted in a personal space shuttle, he was lucky.

Continue reading “Fuel hoses for petrol inboard engines”

Problems with skin fittings

Posted on by News Hound
Surveyors should be aware of the issues caused by faulty skin fittings
Surveyors should be aware of the issues caused by faulty skin fittings

In the last month I have come across two situations which highlight the potential problems with skin fittings, reports Eugene Curry. One vessel, a GRP sea angling charter boat, was a licenced Passenger Boat (12 passengers and 2 crew) permitted to operate up to 40 nautical miles offshore. The other vessel was an aluminium hulled yacht undergoing inspection for renewal of its passenger Boat Licence and permitted to operate up to 30 nautical miles offshore. In both instances the owners grumbled about the additional expense involved but changed their tune when problems were found.

Continue reading “Problems with skin fittings”

Mandatory amendments to IMDG Code effective from January 2016

Posted on by News Hound
There are some mandatory amendments to IMDG Code that are implemented and effective from January 2016
There are some mandatory amendments to IMDG Code that are implemented and effective from January 2016

The West of England P&I Club has issued an article to remind of the amendments to the IMDG Code which will become mandatory on 1 January 2016.

In May 2014, IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee adopted the amendments to the IMDG Code contained in Resolution MSC.372(93) Amendments to the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code. Contracting governments have been able to apply the new requirements, in part or in whole, on a voluntary basis since 1 January 2015. Compliance with these amendments will become mandatory on 1 January 2016. However, some existing provisions concerning labelling and warning marks may continue to be applied until 31 December 2016.

Continue reading “Mandatory amendments to IMDG Code effective from January 2016”

Industry not ready for new SOLAS Container Weight requirements says survey

Posted on by News Hound
A new survey reveals that the majority are not ready for the new SOLAS Container Weight regulations, due in July 2016
A new survey reveals that the majority are not ready for the new SOLAS Container Weight regulations, due in July 2016

As debate rages on about the roll out of new SOLAS Container Weight regulations that will impact upon the container sector in July 2016, a recent survey points to ignorance about the changes.

INTTRA announced the results of a customer survey whose 410 respondents overwhelmingly expressed concerns about the readiness of the ocean shipping industry and their own companies and customers for the implementation of Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) verified gross mass (VGM) regulations. The new SOLAS Container Weight regulations stipulate that containers cannot be loaded onto ships until their weight has been verified and certified.

Continue reading “Industry not ready for new SOLAS Container Weight requirements says survey”

Instagram Posts from the IIMS @iimsmarine