Ship News

US Navy develops corrosion Topside Drone detection system

Posted on by News Hound
Topside Drone
Topside Drone

The US Navy’s Office of Naval Research has recently worked with the operator of the retired WWII-era carrier USS Midway to test a drone-based corrosion detection system.

ONR’s fast-prototyping division, TechSolutions, has developed a sensor package and processing system called Topside Drone that can detect corrosion and anomalies on hull surfaces automatically, saving time in surveys. The technology will be used to inspect and detect material defects, corrosion, warping and other forms of deterioration.

In a manner broadly similar to technology under development by ABS, Topside Continue reading “US Navy develops corrosion Topside Drone detection system”

CHIRP publish Maritime Feedback issue number 56

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Maritime Feedback issue number 56 published by CHIRP
Maritime Feedback issue number 56 published by CHIRP

Maritime FEEDBACK issue number 56 has been published. In this issue they have featured a wide variety of topics from a number of independent reporters. In this issue the matter of fatigue and hours of rest is the lead editorial and CHIRP would like to hear a lot more from mariners in these two areas. Other material covers potential illegal MARPOL contraventions and air pollution. CHIRP continue to receive much correspondence relating to unsafe work at height, collision regulation issues and pilot ladder failings.

The articles in the issue are:
– Fatigue and hours of rest Continue reading “CHIRP publish Maritime Feedback issue number 56”

Lift foil enhancements for larger range of vessels now available

Posted on by News Hound
Lift foil
Lift foil

Two new developments from a Dutch naval architect will make its range of hull resistance reducing foils suitable for a larger number of vessels.

The Hull Vane was developed by Dutch naval architect Piet van Oossanen back in 2014 and has been fitted to over 20 vessels so far with a 50% split going to leisure vessels and the other half being fitted to offshore patrol vessels. The Hull Vane is a transverse hydrodynamic lift foil that is attached to the transom of mainly semi-displacement hulls where it serves to improve the efficiency of the hull by adjusting the trim resulting in improved performance and/or reduced fuel consumption as well as providing a more level ride. Continue reading “Lift foil enhancements for larger range of vessels now available”

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug season requires increased inspection in New Zealand and Australia

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Brown Marmorated Stink Bug
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug

According to Gard P&I Club, the 2019/20 Brown Marmorated Stink Bug season has arrived and ships arriving in New Zealand and Australia from countries with established stink bug populations must prepare for increased surveillance and inspection. Last season, New Zealand turned away four contaminated vessels from its waters.

The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug is an agricultural pest that feeds on, and can severely damage, fruit and vegetable crops. The pest has spread from its native range in East Asia to establish populations in North America and Europe but is not yet established in Australia and New Zealand. If the pest were to find its way to Continue reading “Brown Marmorated Stink Bug season requires increased inspection in New Zealand and Australia”

AMSA release video: Creating a safety management system for fishing vessels

Posted on by News Hound
AMSA release video
AMSA release video

AMSA has produced an excellent short video explaining how to develop a safety management system for fishing vessels. Watch this 16 minute video for easy to understand steps, real-world stories and experiences of why an effective safety management system (SMS) is essential when working in the fishing industry.

Fishing for Safety has been produced via a collaboration between Southern Rocklobster Limited Clean Green Program and AMSA, as part of a broader ongoing project: Southern Rock Lobster Clean Green Program—revision, digitisation and extension across the supply chain. Continue reading “AMSA release video: Creating a safety management system for fishing vessels”

World’s first autonomous spill response vessel demonstrated

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Spill Response Vessel
Spill Response Vessel

A US maritime robotics specialist company has held a successful on-water demonstration of what it claims is the first unmanned and autonomous oil spill response vessel.

As a part of its cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration (MARAD), Boston-based Sea Machines Robotics has announced that it has successfully demonstrated its autonomous systems in action on board a Kvichak Marco skimmer boat during events held along the Portland harbour.

The on-water demonstrations took place aboard the world’s first autonomous spill response vessel Continue reading “World’s first autonomous spill response vessel demonstrated”

IMO sulphur cap: Joint industry guidance for the supply and use of 0.50% sulphur fuel published

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Joint industry guidance issued regulation ahead of IMO Sulphur Cap implementation. Photo credit: IMO
Joint industry guidance issued regulation ahead of IMO Sulphur Cap implementation. Photo credit: IMO

Disruptive change facing the shipping industry is fast approaching in the form of the IMO Sulphur Cap regulation, which comes into force from 1 January 2020. Although the picture is still far from clear, those in the know expect a number of vessels and operators to be non-compliant come January. Where this leaves things and how authorities will react, only time will tell.

To aid those operating in the sector who ‘need to know’, a number of shipping, refining, fuel supply and standards organisations have collaborated in order to produce Joint Industry Guidance on the supply and use of 0.50% sulphur marine fuel, which was released on 20 August 2019.

Continue reading “IMO sulphur cap: Joint industry guidance for the supply and use of 0.50% sulphur fuel published”

Clean Maritime Plan: Diesel’s days could be numbered for UK domestic vessels and inland waterways

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Clean Maritime Plan
Clean Maritime Plan

The diesel engine could be on the way out if the Government carries its recently launched Clean Maritime Plan through to its conclusion.

Part of the Clean Air Strategy, which aims to cut air pollution across all sectors to make the UK “net zero” on greenhouse gases by 2050, the Plan sets out how the Government hopes to achieve ‘zero emissions shipping’. But despite this wording, it doesn’t just affect seagoing craft. The plan also covers inland shipping and recreational boats, and a Call for Evidence has been issued specifically for “domestic vessels and inland waterways”.

This states clearly that “the expectation that the maritime sector will transition away from fossil fuels extends to all parts of the sector, including those vessels on inland waterways”. And a Government announcement accompanying the launch Continue reading “Clean Maritime Plan: Diesel’s days could be numbered for UK domestic vessels and inland waterways”

USCG says MARPOL deficiencies found on bilge alarm systems

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USCG makes recommendations after discovery
USCG makes recommendations after discovery

During an inspection by the Marine Safety Detachment Port Canaveral Port State Control Officers, there were MARPOL deficiencies identified related to the 15-ppm Bilge Alarm system of the Oily Water Separators (OWS) onboard four separate ships.

Specifically, the PSCOs discovered that the entries in the Oil Record Book (ORB) weren’t compliant to the Bilge Alarm Data being displayed by the bilge alarm, also known as oil content meter.

Concerning the Bilge Alarm Data, it is required to record:
– date
– time
– alarm status
– the operating status of the 15-ppm Bilge Separator.

Moreover, the device is required to store the data for minimum of eight months, so that data is displayed or printed in a protocol for official system inspections as Continue reading “USCG says MARPOL deficiencies found on bilge alarm systems”

Hapag-Lloyd set to impose $15,000 penalty for mis-declaration of hazardous cargoes

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Hapag-Lloyd
Hapag-Lloyd

Following the Yantian Express fire incident that Hapag-Lloyd experienced in early 2019, the company has published a statement to say that they will implement a penalty of USD 15,000.00 per container with effect from 15 September 2019.

Specifically, the company highlights that failure to properly declare hazardous cargoes prior to shipment is a violation of the Hazardous Material Regulations. Such violations may be subject to monetary fines and/or criminal prosecution under applicable law.

Hapag-Lloyd has also noted that to ensure the safety of our crew, ships and Continue reading “Hapag-Lloyd set to impose $15,000 penalty for mis-declaration of hazardous cargoes”

West of England P&I Club says More can be done to prevent engine room fires

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Photo credit: West of England P&I Club
Photo credit: West of England P&I Club

West of England P&I Club says that it is well known that fires on ships require a lot of effort to address. And they risk all those on board, presenting extreme danger to the vessel. Engine room fires are especially challenging to put out because of the potential confined nature of the scene and an abundance of fire triangle elements; namely heat, fuel and air.

Now, condition surveys conducted by the West of England P&I Club repeatedly present worrying examples of substandard fire safety in engine rooms which can easily be avoided by taking some simple steps.

The main sources of ignition in the engine room include hot exhaust manifolds of engines, boilers and indicator valves of the engines. When flammable Continue reading “West of England P&I Club says More can be done to prevent engine room fires”

AMSA set to consult with accredited marine surveyors and others over standards for domestic commercial vessels

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AMSA is reviewing its approach to setting standards
AMSA is reviewing its approach to setting standards

To ensure standards are fit for purpose for the domestic industry, the Australian Maritime Authority (AMSA) is reviewing its approach to setting standards. For this reason, in August 2019, AMSA will be consulting with individual stakeholders, focusing on those who have regular, direct interaction with the technical standards.

AMSA is responsible for developing and maintaining the National Standard for Commercial Vessels (NSCV), which is the contemporary technical standard for domestic commercial vessels.

To make sure that the standards remain fit for purpose for the Continue reading “AMSA set to consult with accredited marine surveyors and others over standards for domestic commercial vessels”

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