Small Craft News

Canal & River Trust set to spend £45 million on waterways works this winter

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Canal & River Trust set to spend £45 million on waterways works
Canal & River Trust set to spend £45 million on waterways works

The Canal & River Trust is planning to carry out a £45.1 million programme of repairs on waterways across England & Wales this winter, replacing lock gates, dredging to ensure the water is deep enough for boats, and carrying out a host of tasks to keep the 200-year old network open and help ensure its resilience to climate change.

Despite forecasting a reduction of income of around 10% (£20 million) due to the pandemic, the trust has been able to prioritise spending to maintain a full winter works programme of 128 large-scale repairs across 50 canal and river navigations. Carried out by their in-house team and specialist contractors, the works take in the World Heritage Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, famous lock flights Caen Continue reading “Canal & River Trust set to spend £45 million on waterways works this winter”

NTSB releases mass of evidence on deadly Conception dive boat fire ahead of October hearing

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The Conception dive boat hearing is set for 20 October 2020 after which the full report will be published
The Conception dive boat hearing is set for 20 October 2020 after which the full report will be published

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released a mass of documentary evidence and factual reporting on the deadly fire aboard the Conception dive boat on 2 September 2019, one of the worst tragedies of its kind in living memory. The docket’s technical reports confirm that there was no assigned roving watch on the night of the fire, and they raise new questions about the level of safety training that the crew received before setting sail. The new material does not include any conclusions or recommendations, which will have to wait for the NTSB’s final report; that document will be released after a hearing scheduled for 20 October.

In multiple witness interviews, former crewmembers told NTSB investigators that they did not recall a designated watch or roving patrol Continue reading “NTSB releases mass of evidence on deadly Conception dive boat fire ahead of October hearing”

UK to accept CE-certified products with Recreational Craft Directive until end of 2021

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UK to accept CE-certified products with Recreational Craft Directive until end of 2021
UK to accept CE-certified products with Recreational Craft Directive until end of 2021

IMCI, the Brussels-based International Marine Certification Institute, has issued a statement to say that all products that are certified under the Recreational Craft Directive (RCD) by IMCI will be able to be placed on the UK market with the CE mark until 1 January 2022.

According to new guidance released by the UK government, industry will be able to use the CE marking until 31 December 2021 if any of the following apply:

– CE marking is applied to goods on the basis of self-declaration
– a mandatory third-party conformity assessment was carried out by an EU-recognised Notified Body Continue reading “UK to accept CE-certified products with Recreational Craft Directive until end of 2021”

Members of European Boating Industry met online for their second yearly General Assembly

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Members of European Boating Industry met online for their second yearly General Assembly
Members of European Boating Industry met online for their second yearly General Assembly

The members of European Boating Industry met for the second yearly General Assembly to discuss the latest industry developments after a turbulent first half of the year for the industry and chart the association’s future positioning. Representing Slovenia, SMIA joins as new full member and IMCI joins as sustaining member, growing European Boating Industry’s network across Europe.

Taking place virtually on 9 September, members of European Boating Industry discussed the future positioning of the association, providing support and a strong platform for its advocacy activities at EU level. Five new position papers were presented on international trade, VAT, Environment, Continue reading “Members of European Boating Industry met online for their second yearly General Assembly”

Are sustainable flax and basalt fibers the future of marine composites and set to replace glassfibre in boat production?

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The all-electric Voltaire 33 Sky utilizes flax fiber in a bioepoxy resin that can be fully recycled when the power cat is no longer in use.
The all-electric Voltaire 33 Sky utilizes flax and basalt fibers in a bioepoxy resin that can be fully recycled when the power cat is no longer in use.

At last year’s METSTRADE show, the InnovationLab hosted speakers proudly presenting projects which had deliberately moved away from glass fiber and/or polyester resin composites; the kind that have dominated the boat construction market for decades, and still don’t have an environmentally acceptable waste stream solution in order to deal with the ever-increasing volumes coming from end-of-use boats. Instead opting for flax and basalt fibers.

For instance, Amer Yachts announced their intentions to build from a basalt (volcanic fiber) based composite, while Greenboats presented their 27ft day sailer constructed from a flax/bio resin derived matrix. James Starkey from Norco Composites speaking on one of the Sustainability panels, emphasised the importance of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to determine what the real long term environmental impact of any given construction material will be. This means taking its entire life span into account, from raw material harvesting, through to eventual end-of-life impact. Continue reading “Are sustainable flax and basalt fibers the future of marine composites and set to replace glassfibre in boat production?”

Cockwells Modern & Classic Boatbuilding acquires Hardy Marine

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Hardy Marine has been acquired by Cockwells Modern & Classic Boatbuilding
Hardy Marine has been acquired by Cockwells Modern & Classic Boatbuilding

Cockwells Modern & Classic Boatbuilding has acquired Hardy Marine in a deal that will result in the further expansion of this award-winning Cornish company that celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2021. With a heritage spanning four decades, Hardy Marine has earned its reputation for building sturdy, high quality, all-weather motor boats that combine excellent engineering with impressive seakeeping and elegant interiors from its Norfolk base.

Delivering a range of boats that meet a variety of requirements, the Hardy name has become synonymous with quality, comfort, strength and experience. This, together with superlative after-sales support, has translated into a loyal customer base, repeat business and robust brokerage values. Continue reading “Cockwells Modern & Classic Boatbuilding acquires Hardy Marine”

Fishing vessel owners found guilty of safety breaches in MCA prosecution

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Fishing vessel owners found guilty of safety breaches in MCA prosecution
Fishing vessel owners found guilty of safety breaches in MCA prosecution

The company owners of two UK-registered fishing vessels which went to sea without the correct certification have been found guilty in a MCA prosecution and fined a total of £4,000.

Philomena Trawlers Ltd and D&G Seafoods Ltd were represented by defence lawyer Paul Rogers at the hearing at Southampton Magistrates Court on Friday, August 28.

Both companies pleaded guilty to charges of offences Contrary to Regulations 5(1)(b) and 5(4) of the Fishing Vessels (Codes of Practice) Regulations 2017. Philomena Trawlers Ltd were fined £1,000 and D&G Seafoods Ltd were fined £3,000 and ordered to pay costs of £8,380. Continue reading “Fishing vessel owners found guilty of safety breaches in MCA prosecution”

NTSB prepares to finalise report on Conception dive boat fire

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Due to the risk of COVID-19 transmission, the first hearing into one of the most serious marine casualties in the U.S. in recent memory will be held via teleconference. The National Transportation Safety Board has scheduled its first public session on the loss of the dive boat Conception for the morning of October 20, The NTSB’s five-member board will vote on the findings, probable cause and recommendations in a draft of the board’s not-yet-released final report.

The dive boat Conception burned and sank in the early hours of September 2, 2019 off Santa Cruz Island, California. 34 people lost their lives in the accident, putting it among the ranks of the deadliest civilian marine casualties in recent U.S. history.

Continue reading “NTSB prepares to finalise report on Conception dive boat fire”

METSTRADE and RAI announces cancellation of the 2020 Amsterdam show

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METSTRADE and RAI Amsterdam have announced that the Marine Equipment Trade Show, which was scheduled to take place from 17-19 November in RAI Amsterdam, has been cancelled – yet another in a long list of maritime and marine shows and events that have sadly fallen victim to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A statement issued by the organisers says: “For more than 32 years, METSTRADE has been providing the most complete meeting place for the global marine industry. Due to the consequences of the COVID-19 outbreak, our mission cannot be accomplished successfully, therefore we believe it is the right decision to cancel this year’s show. METSTRADE 2021 will take place on 16-18 November 2021 in RAI Amsterdam.” Continue reading “METSTRADE and RAI announces cancellation of the 2020 Amsterdam show”

RMI publishes its annual report on marine casualties

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RMI publishes its annual report on marine casualties
RMI publishes its annual report on marine casualties

RMI has published its Annual Report on the investigation of Marine Casualties, revealing that it received reports of 806 very serious marine casualties, marine incidents, and occurrences in 2019. Accidental falls, enclosed space incidents and collisions-groundings during pilotage were the main issues of concern last year.

Specifically, during 2019:
– 17 very serious casualties were reported to the Administrator. Two very serious casualties resulted in the constructive total loss of a ship, while 11 others resulted in the loss of one or more lives. Additionally, four occurred on yachts and resulted in their constructive total loss due to fire.
– Accidental falls were the leading cause of death during 2019, with seven lives lost. Four of these fatalities were the result of falls from height and three were falls overboard. Improper enclosed space entry also resulted in the loss of two seafarers
– There were 331 marine casualties.
– Serious injuries (resulting in incapacitation for 72 hours or more) were by far the most frequently occurring marine Continue reading “RMI publishes its annual report on marine casualties”

New crew transfer vessel get ABS approval in principle

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New crew transfer vessel get ABS approval
New crew transfer vessel get ABS approval

BAR Technologies and Chartwell Marine have secured the Approval in Principle (AiP) from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for the design and construction of a new crew transfer vessel (CTV).

BAR, with the support of Chartwell, developed the new crew transfer vessel, a 30m CTV with FOSS technology (foil optimized stability system), said to enhance seakeeping and maneuverability while reducing vertical acceleration by up to 70% in 2.5m wave heights.

This initial vessel will be closely followed by a 50m variant capable of 45kn top speed and 30kn in a 3m high sea, the companies said, adding that the new design will work in partnership with the vessels Continue reading “New crew transfer vessel get ABS approval in principle”

Carriage of Dangerous Goods on Workboats good practice guide published by Workboat Association

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The new Carriage of Dangerous Goods on Workboats good practice guide released by the Workboat Association
The new Carriage of Dangerous Goods on Workboats good practice guide released by the Workboat Association

The Workboat Association has published a good practice guide and it is printed and ready for distribution.

“The Carriage of Dangerous Goods on Workboats good practice guide has been developed between the industry and regulators, providing a zero to hero knowledge on both the regulations and best practice associated with the transport of Dangerous Goods by sea on board Workboats,” said Kerrie Forster, Workboat Association CEO.

Written with Seafarers, the vessel management, stakeholders and end-clients all in mind, this guide is set to be an unmissable tool from the education and training of those wishing to operate, work with or contract workboats of any nature.

Continue reading “Carriage of Dangerous Goods on Workboats good practice guide published by Workboat Association”

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