New Technology

Guidance on the use of drones issued by ABS

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ABS has announced the publication of the ABS Guidance Notes on Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). This comprehensive set of best practices, developed through extensive marine and offshore trials and testing, is introduced as industry considers the advantages of adopting aerial drone technology.

“UAVs provide a safer and more efficient platform for the next generation of surveys and inspections,” says ABS Vice President and Chief Surveyor Joseph Riva.

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Hydrofoil water taxi Sea Bubble zero emissions concept

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The new concept Sea Bubble zero emissions water taxi coming to a river near you soon?
The new concept Sea Bubble zero emissions water taxi coming to a river near you soon?

A new concept of water taxi designed to operate on rivers has been developed in France. Called the Sea Bubble to reflect its shape this new water taxi is powered by electric thrusters and uses hydrofoils to reduce the power requirements, allowing the Sea Bubble to operate at speeds up to 15 knots.

The futuristic egg-shaped river shuttles are the creation of French yachtsman Alain Thébault and Swedish windsurfer Anders Bringdal, and the current plans suggest that this new water taxi concept could be tried out on the River Seine in Paris. The water taxi system is proving attractive because of its zero emission profile in this environmentally conscious Continue reading “Hydrofoil water taxi Sea Bubble zero emissions concept”

PowerCell Sweden AB has received the first marine order for two S3 prototype stacks

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Per Wassen, CEO of Powercell Sweden AB
Per Wassen, CEO of Powercell Sweden AB

The leading fuel cell company PowerCell Sweden AB (publ) has received the first marine order for two PowerCell S3 prototype stacks, which Swiss Hydrogen will install on a ship powered by photovoltaics.

“The marine industry is a very interesting area, in which our capacity to deliver electricity without emissions is extremely important. This order comprises two PowerCell S3 prototypes. The order is of strategic importance, but has a limited effect on the result. We are responsible for the fuel cells and Swiss Hydrogen will manufacture the system and conduct adjustments to certify it for the marine environment. The advantage is that our fuel cell stacks are modular and in this way we can get in a few hundred horsepower where it is required in marine applications”, said Per Wassén, CEO, PowerCell Sweden AB.

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Automated Ships Ltd and Kongsberg to test the water with a fully automated offshore vessel

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Automated Ships Ltd from the UK and Norway’s Kongsberg Maritime have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to build the world’s first unmanned and fully-automated vessel for offshore operations. In January 2017, Automated Ships Ltd will contract the ‘Hrönn’, which will be designed and built in Norway in co-operation with Kongsberg.

Sea trials will take place in Norway’s newly designated automated vessel test bed in the Trondheim fjord and will be conducted under the auspices of DNV GL and the Norwegian Maritime Authority (NMA). The Hrönn will ultimately be classed and flagged, respectively.

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Esthec® Solar Glow pioneers revolutionary luminous decking powered by the sun

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Esthec® introduces a special concept luminous decking material in what it claims is World first that will provide more safety on board and a new dimension in design.

It works like this. Solar energy that has been stored during the day is converted into light at night time. The Dutch producer of composite decking for the yacht industry has achieved a world first with this revolutionary invention, which was given the provisional name “Solar Glow”. The luminous decking ensures that gangways remain visible in the dark and thus substantially increases safety aboard boats. At the same time, the innovation is sustainable, since the luminous deck uses solar power instead of electricity from non-renewable sources. In addition to improving safety, the concept also provides designers with a new dimension in creative deck design. Esthec® expects the luminous decking material, which it developed in-house, to be used both by competitive sailors and in recreational boating. The first prototype has already been presented.

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McMurdo launches the first four frequency EPIRB

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mcmurdoMcMurdo has launched a new family of EPIRBs that aim to accelerate the search and rescue process by combining multiple frequencies into a single EPIRB product.

Apparently, the McMurdo SmartFind and Kannad SafePro EPIRBs will be the world’s first distress beacons that can support each of the four frequencies used in the search and rescue process – 406MHz and 121.5MHz for beacon transmission, GNSS for location positioning, and AIS for localised connectivity.

This multiple-frequency capability should help ensure faster detection, superior positioning accuracy, greater signal reliability and, ultimately, accelerated rescue of people or vessels in distress.

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What’s next for the Ecoship Project?

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Peace Boat’s Ecoship project is organising a special event at this year’s SMM exhibition to call for suppliers and to announce the latest developments in the project.

On September 7 from 10am, Peace Boat will lead a three-hour event at the IWSA Innovation Forum, located in the new A5 Hall, which is specialising in sustainable and alternative propulsion solutions.

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Scruffie Marine to deliver its second solar powered launch

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The solar powered launch by Scruffie Marine
The solar powered launch by Scruffie Marine

Scruffie Marine, based in Queensland, Australia, is close to completing its second solar powered launch with its latest Secret 33 model due to be launched within weeks. It will then be shipped to Perth where it will operate as a tourist launch on the Swan River.

The first prototype of the Secret 33 has been operating in Perth since March.

Derek Ellard at Scruffie Marine said the key to the new boat’s performance is its racing yacht pedigree with the proven hull being perfectly suited for electric propulsion.

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New design of coastal feeder ship wins Japan award

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Feeder ship with innovative new designA coastal container vessel featuring a novel, aerodynamic bow form has been voted ‘Best Small Cargo Ship’ at the Japanese Ship of the Year event hosted by the Japan Society of Naval Architects and Ocean Engineers (JASNAOE).

Deployed since delivery in December on the Japanese feeder network operated by Imoto Lines, the 548 teu Natori won the award on account of its energy-saving and safety features. The vessel is highly unusual in appearance, by virtue of a hemispherical-like prow, with integral, rounded forward bridge and superstructure, rendering a highly unusual appearance.

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Lloyds Register defines levels autonomous ship design and operation

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Image courtesy of Rolls-Royce
Image courtesy of Rolls-Royce

With autonomous ships likely to enter service soon, LR has set out the ‘how’ of marine autonomous operations in a new ShipRight procedure guidance. The guidance describes autonomy levels (AL) ranging from ‘AL 1’ through to ‘AL 6’ denoting a fully autonomous ship with no access required during a mission.

The ‘AL’ system of levels provides clarity to designers, shipbuilders, equipment manufacturers, ship owners and operators, enabling accurate specification of the desired level of autonomy in design and operations and paves the Continue reading “Lloyds Register defines levels autonomous ship design and operation”

Volvo Penta cuts down on components with new battery management system

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Volvo Penta has launched a new remote control battery management system
Volvo Penta has launched a new remote control battery management system

Volvo Penta has launched its latest battery management system, suitable for 12 and 24-volt installations. The device is a remote control and gives users a ‘car like experience’ offering theft protection, battery control and monitoring.

“It gives total control of the system, both status and health,” explained Petter Andolf, product management, Volvo Penta.

“When leaving a boat, people can just switch off and the system will power down and switch off. It’s built to be very simple and robust.”

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First in-tank drone survey undertaken by DNV GL

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This week, DNV GL announced that it had completed its first drone survey. This most recent maritime application for drones demonstrates a growing interest in the technology that has, over the last year, seen applications emerging across merchant, naval and research fleets around the world.

The survey took place on the MV Apollo, a chemical tanker owned by Carl Büttner Shipmanagement in Germany. Two DNV GL surveyors used the drone survey to inspect 14 tanks over a period of two and a half days.

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