Small Craft News

Hire Boat Code consultation opened

Posted on by News Hound

British Marine and the Association of Inland Navigation Authorities (AINA) have launched the much-anticipated consultation on the proposed changes to the existing Code for the design, construction and operation of hire boats, better known as the Hire Boat Code.

The proposal of changes to the Code considers the many advances in boat design, regulation and operation which have occurred since the first Code was published back in 2008, ensuring the licensing framework is fit for the future.

This includes changes to the responsibilities for hire boat operators, hirers and hire boat licensing authorities of sailing boats over 6m LOA and powered boats of all lengths, as well as amendments to key technical standards. Importantly for some hire boat operators, this may incur significant one-off cost implications. Continue reading “Hire Boat Code consultation opened”

Canal & River Trust increases boat licence fee by 2.5%

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The annual increase in boat licence fees for 2020 has been set by the Canal & River Trust at 2.5 percent, but other changes implemented at the same time will include the first stage of a phased introduction of higher charges for wider craft.

The boat license increase, based on a standard inflation index, will see the cost of an annual canals and rivers licence for a typical ‘go anywhere’ 57ft narrowboat rise on 1 April 2020 from £985.79 to £1,010.43. But at the same time, the first of a series of extra increases for widebeam craft (announced following the 2017 licensing review) means owners of craft more than 2.16m (7ft 1in) wide face an additional increase of 5%, bringing the price for a 57ft widebeam up to £1,060.96.

Continue reading “Canal & River Trust increases boat licence fee by 2.5%”

Aaron & Melissa II: Clogged bilge system and poor weather led to sinking

Posted on by News Hound
Aaron & Melissa II
Aaron & Melissa II

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released a Marine Accident Brief about flooding and sinking of the fishing vessel Aaron & Melissa II approximately 70 miles southeast of Portland, Maine, while transiting to fishing grounds during a storm with gale-force winds.

The Aaron & Melissa II sank about 0800 local time on November 14, 2018. All four crewmembers abandoned ship and entered an inflatable liferaft when attempts to dewater the vessel proved unsuccessful; they were later rescued by a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter. Petty Officer Michael Kelly, a rescue swimmer with the U.S. Coast Continue reading “Aaron & Melissa II: Clogged bilge system and poor weather led to sinking”

Towboat sinking blamed on ineffective hull maintenance says NTSB report

Posted on by News Hound
Towboat Miss Roslyn
Towboat Miss Roslyn

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released a Marine Accident Brief about the capsizing and sinking of the fleet towboat Miss Roslyn, citing the company’s lack of effective hull inspection and maintenance program.

On October 9, 2018, at 1630 local time, the Miss Roslyn was traveling downbound at mile 142 on the Lower Mississippi River near Reserve, Louisiana, when she began to flood and list to starboard. The three crewmembers abandoned the towboat onto a moored fleet barge and a Good Samaritan vessel. The Miss Roslyn capsized and sank on her starboard side. Continue reading “Towboat sinking blamed on ineffective hull maintenance says NTSB report”

Canal & River Trust issues a strategy update

Posted on by News Hound
Canal & River Trust issues a strategy
Canal & River Trust issues a strategy

The Canal & River Trust has released its latest annual update detailing progress over the past year against its strategic action plan.

In October 2015 the Canal & River Trust published its water resources strategy, ‘Putting the Water into Waterways’, setting long term aspirations for the next five years as well as looking ahead to 2050 to understand longer-term pressures and challenges regarding water supply and use.

Drought conditions have persisted in 2019 with restrictions being re-imposed on Continue reading “Canal & River Trust issues a strategy update”

Inland Waterways value to the UK highlighted in report

Posted on by News Hound
UK Inland Waterways
UK Inland Waterways

The value of inland waterways across the UK has been highlighted in a new report by the Inland Waterways Association.

The review brings together previously written reports and studies to evidence the many benefits that a waterway can bring to an area with the aim of influencing planners and policy makers.

“As budgets are stretched and funding is being cut, it is all the more important to have clear information at your fingertips when speaking to members of the local council or developers who are looking to impact on inland waterways,” explained Continue reading “Inland Waterways value to the UK highlighted in report”

NTSB report calls USCG to follow its recommendations on duck boat sinking

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NTSB published a Marine Safety Recommendation Report on Stretch Duck 7
NTSB published a Marine Safety Recommendation Report on Stretch Duck 7

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has published a Marine Safety Recommendation Report following its findings on the fatal accident on the DUKW Amphibious Vessel, Stretch Duck 7. This follows a preliminary report that has already been published and circulated, calling the USCG to require sufficient buoyancy for DUKW amphibious passenger vessels and to require the removal of canopies, side curtains and their associated framing while underway for those without sufficient reserve buoyancy.

On the evening of July 19, 2018, 17 of the 31 persons aboard the Stretch Duck 7 died Continue reading “NTSB report calls USCG to follow its recommendations on duck boat sinking”

Sea Mist: Accident investigation report on man overboard fatality from single-handed fishing boat

Posted on by News Hound
Sea Mist
Sea Mist

At about 1225 on 27 March 2019, the skipper/owner of the single-handed creel boat Sea Mist, became entangled in a back rope while shooting creels and was hauled overboard. No-one witnessed the accident. However, the skipper’s son, who was nearby on his own fishing vessel, Ocean Lee, saw Sea Mist circling shortly afterwards and raised the alarm. At 1321, Sea Mist’s skipper was recovered from the water by the crew from a Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) lifeboat. He was declared deceased on arrival at hospital.

Sea Mist’s skipper was working alone on deck without a personal flotation device Continue reading “Sea Mist: Accident investigation report on man overboard fatality from single-handed fishing boat”

EMSA annual overview of marine casualties and incidents 2019 published

Posted on by News Hound
EMSA publish report for 2019
EMSA publish report for 2019

The EMSA (European Maritime Safety Agency) has released its study on marine casualties and incidents in its annual report. It shows a steady situation, but highlights that fishing vessels remain the category of ship with the highest number of ships lost over the 2011-2018 period.

With 3,174 occurrences reported in 2018, the total number of occurrences recorded in the EMSA EMCIP (European Marine Casualty Information Platform) database has grown to over 23000 representing an average of 3,239 marine casualties or incidents per year over the past five years.

The number of very serious casualties had continuously decreased since 2014; Continue reading “EMSA annual overview of marine casualties and incidents 2019 published”

Marine Surveying International Fest II is coming on 10 and 12 December 2019

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Marine Surveying International Fest II is coming soon
Marine Surveying International Fest II is coming soon

Following the success of the inaugural online only event last year, the International Institute of Marine Surveying (IIMS) is delighted to present Marine Surveying International Fest II in two parts. We have lined up a feast of education and information for yacht and small craft surveyors on Tuesday 10th December (view the speaker schedule) and for commercial ship surveyors on Thursday 12 December (view the speaker schedule) – both commencing at 06.00 UK time. You do not need to be a member of IIMS to participate in the Fest.

Building on 2018, these two days seek to recognise the importance of the profession of marine surveying and promote the vital role surveyors perform in keeping lives safe at sea. No matter what time zone you are based in around the world, or area of surveying you work in, we hope to offer something of interest to you. The day will equally appeal to those who work with, or engage surveyors, or touch the profession in some way. Continue reading “Marine Surveying International Fest II is coming on 10 and 12 December 2019”

The Expected Life Span of Yacht Enclosures

Posted on by News Hound

What is the expected life span of an enclosure? There are a lot of variances, and this article is prepared to give you the information needed to determine the life of a given enclosure.

Soft Enclosures

The least expensive of boats will typically have roll vinyl curtains. These are made from a clear pvc material that typically comes 51” wide on a roll and can be .015, .020 or .030 in thickness. It is soft and the life span is very short and unremarkable.

Better boats may have pressed polished sheets. These are made using the roll vinyl Continue reading “The Expected Life Span of Yacht Enclosures”

ABYC and TCMSS announce one set of marine safety standards

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Transport Canada Marine Safety and Security (TCMSS) has published a policy on the acceptance of the American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) standards as an approved alternative method for small vessel compliance in Canada. The policy is effective as of October 30, 2019.

“Having one set of standards throughout North America is a huge benefit for engineering, manufacturing, and trade for the marine industry,” said Craig Scholten, ABYC Technical VP. “Being able to design, certify, and produce product to one standard will streamline and simplify everyone’s efforts.”

TCMSS will accept the equivalent standards published by ABYC with some Canadian modifications. The policy affects pleasure craft less than 24 meters and other craft of not more than 15 gross tonnage constructed, manufactured or rebuilt in, or imported into Canada. Continue reading “ABYC and TCMSS announce one set of marine safety standards”

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