Wooden Boats: How to survey

How to survey wooden boats: Image 1
How to survey wooden boats: Image 1

You are now considering how to survey wooden boats; whether you have been involved in the marine industry all your life or you have come to marine surveying through a career-change having completed and passed the IIMS Diploma Course. If so, you should be prepared to engross yourself in the technology and language of wooden boats construction and timber technology. There are several ways in which you are able to achieve this. If you have not been involved in building wooden boats before becoming a surveyor, one option for learning the required practical skills and complex terminology is to enrol on one of the excellent courses at various centres which have been established around the UK. Continue reading “Wooden Boats: How to survey”

New UK marine industry figures by British Marine make gloomy reading

British Marine
British Marine

New figures published by British Marine, the trade association for the UK leisure, superyacht and small commercial marine industry, highlight the number of British marine businesses reporting an increase in revenue sinking to 22%, 10% less than November 2018. The new figures also show static profit margins for marine businesses, with just 6% of companies enjoying an increase in profits, 6% less than November 2018. Business confidence within the sector is at its lowest level since autumn 2016.

Domestically focused UK businesses, especially marine services, continue to experience flat markets with 7% of companies experiencing an increase in revenue over the last six months. The domestic market has previously benefited from Continue reading “New UK marine industry figures by British Marine make gloomy reading”

CHIRP publish Maritime Feedback issue number 56

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”

Southampton International Boat Show aims to inspire boating for everyone

Southampton International Boat Show
Southampton International Boat Show

Southampton International Boat Show, Britain’s biggest festival of boating, will return from Friday 13 September to Sunday 22 September 2019. Aligned with British Marine’s latest Futures strategy and new title sponsor, Borrow A Boat, the Show will spotlight the accessibility, flexibility and inclusivity of boating.

Set against a stunning backdrop of some of the world’s most luxurious and innovative boats, the Show boasts Europe’s largest purpose-built marina hosting thousands of guests and businesses over an action-packed 10 days. Dedicated features and guest speakers will showcase how getting out on the water is for everyone and that access to watercraft is easier than people may think – in all shapes and sizes! Continue reading “Southampton International Boat Show aims to inspire boating for everyone”

Recreational Boating Statistics (US 2018 ) reveal alcohol the main contributing factor in fatal boating accidents

Alcohol the main contributing factor in fatal boating accidents
Alcohol the main contributing factor in fatal boating accidents

The US Coast Guard has published its 2018 Recreational Boating Statistics Report, revealing that there were 633 boating fatalities nationwide in 2018, which is a 3.8% decrease from 2017. From 2017 to 2018, total recreational boating injuries also fell 4.5% (2,629 to 2,511), and the total number of accidents reduced 3.4% (4,291 to 4,145).

Alcohol continued to be the leading known contributing factor in fatal boating accidents in 2018, accounting for 100 deaths, or 19% of total fatalities.

While these decreases are encouraging, there are still too many deaths and injuries Continue reading “Recreational Boating Statistics (US 2018 ) reveal alcohol the main contributing factor in fatal boating accidents”

Pacific Knight: Poor stability assessment leads fishing vessel to capsize with one fatality

Starboard quarter of the Pacific Knight. Photo credit: Mike Jones
Starboard quarter of the Pacific Knight. Photo credit: Mike Jones

The National Transportation Safety Board issued an investigation report on the capsizing of the fish tender ‘Pacific Knight’ while at anchor off Alaska in July 2018. The investigation identified several contributing factors to the capsizing, including poor stability assessment by the captain, vessel modifications, overloading and slack water in the tanks.

On July 25, 2018, about 0630 local time, the commercial fish tender Pacific Knight capsized while at anchor about 11 miles south of Dillingham, Alaska. Continue reading “Pacific Knight: Poor stability assessment leads fishing vessel to capsize with one fatality”

Leaking lube oil caused sinking of Master D. says NTSB investigation report

Image courtesy of U.S. Coast Guard
Image courtesy of U.S. Coast Guard

The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its investigation report into the fire and subsequent sinking of the fishing vessel Master D.

About 0030 local time on August 31, 2018, the Master D was transiting with three crew members in the Gulf of Mexico 45 miles southeast of South Padre Island, Texas, when a fire in the engine room was discovered. After unsuccessfully trying to extinguish the fire, the crew abandoned the vessel without injury. The fire continued to burn until the vessel sank the next day. An oil sheen approximately 400 yards by one mile was visible in the water after the sinking. The estimated property damage exceeded $162,000.

The NTSB determined that the probable cause of the fire aboard the vessel was leaking lube oil from the diesel generator that contacted a hot engine surface and ignited. Contributing to the eventual sinking was the failure of fire-damaged nonmetallic hoses connected to through-hull fittings below the waterline. Continue reading “Leaking lube oil caused sinking of Master D. says NTSB investigation report”

The Canal & River Trust: Unlocking the potential of London’s canals and rivers

The Canal & River Trust launches its new Prospectus
The Canal & River Trust launches its new Prospectus

The Canal & River Trust has launched its new Prospectus to support good growth, prosperity and wellbeing across the UK Capital’s canals, rivers and waterways.

The prospectus is intended to give a brief introduction to how the Trust’s waterways, the Trust’s work and the work of their partners on and near the canals and rivers support wellbeing in London. It supports the Mayor of London’s aspirations for ‘Good Growth’, London as a National Park City and Healthy Streets, among others.

It seeks to raise awareness of many of the great things that are happening on the waterways, such as education programmes, adoptions and cultural activities. It promotes opportunities for the waterways to do more, including better towpaths to improve connectivity across the city, more welcoming environments along the waterways Continue reading “The Canal & River Trust: Unlocking the potential of London’s canals and rivers”

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

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”

Clipper Ventures calls for independent inquiry

Simon Speirs was lost overboard while working forward when tragically his tether line hook distorted and released. Image © Clipper Race

Following an investigation into the tragic death of Simon Speirs, Clipper Ventures has called on the Department for Transport to hold an independent inquiry to establish the full extent of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) investigatory teams’ failure of professionalism, impartiality and honesty.

On the 18th November 2017, Simon Speirs, a 60 year old retired solicitor, fell overboard whilst helping to reduce sail. The yacht, CV30, owned by Clipper Ventures, was participating in an around the world race and was experiencing increasing winds and sea state in the Southern Ocean. Mr Speirs was tethered to the boat but fell overboard due to a freak failure of a tether safety clip. Mr Speirs was recovered but could not be resuscitated. Continue reading “Clipper Ventures calls for independent inquiry”

BSU draws attention to watertight integrity after collision

BSU draws attention to watertight integrity after collision
BSU draws attention to watertight integrity after collision

Germany’s Federal Bureau of Maritime Casualty Investigation (BSU) has drawn operators’ attention in a recent collision incident involving a container ship and a fishing vessel on the river Elbe off Stadersand earlier in 2019.

The German schooner ‘No. 5 Elbe’, built in the 19th century, collided with the Cyprus-flagged 141-meter-long container ship ‘Astrosprinter’ about 30 kilometers (18 miles) west of Hamburg on 8 June 2019.

A total of 28 passengers and 15 crew were onboard the schooner at the time of the incident.

The vessel managed to reach the Schwinge estuary without assistance, Continue reading “BSU draws attention to watertight integrity after collision”

Red diesel propulsion ban consultation opened by UK government

HM Revenue and Customs
HM Revenue and Customs

The UK government intends to abolish the scheme introduced in 2008 that allowed users of diesel powered private pleasure craft, including yachts, narrowboats and and motorboats to purchase red diesel and pay the duty differential between red and white diesel on the fuel used for propulsion.

The government intends to remove the right of operators of such craft to use red diesel for propulsion and mandate the use of white diesel in its place. Users will be allowed to continue to use red diesel for on-board non-propulsion use where they have a separate fuel tank for this purpose. This means that craft with only one Continue reading “Red diesel propulsion ban consultation opened by UK government”

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