Small Craft News

Boat docking just got simpler with the launch of Raymarine DockSense

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The system is designed to augment a captain's boat handling skills using the system’s Virtual Bumper zone technology around the vessel.
The system is designed to augment a captain’s boat handling skills using the system’s Virtual Bumper zone technology around the vessel.

FLIR Systems has launched the Raymarine DockSense assisted docking system, which it bills as the marine industry’s first intelligent object recognition and motion sensing assisted docking solution for recreational boating.

The DockSense system uses FLIR machine vision camera technology and video analytics to integrate intelligence gathered from surrounding imagery with the vessel’s propulsion and steering system to assist boat owners in tight quarter docking manoeuvring.

“Raymarine DockSense assisted docking system embodies our focus on solutions by combining FLIR navigation, machine learning and sensing technologies,” explained Jim Cannon, FLIR president and CEO.

He continued, “Most importantly, we bring these innovations together into a Continue reading “Boat docking just got simpler with the launch of Raymarine DockSense”

Clipper Ventures has acquired the Hamble School of Yachting

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The announcement follows the setting up of Clipper China, Clipper Ventures’ Chinese sail training division aimed to meet the country’s growing participation in offshore sailing.

“The decision to buy the Hamble School of Yachting is part of a wider strategy to develop our offering within the offshore sailing industry,” said Clipper Race chairman and co-founder Sir Robin Knox-Johnston.

“Clipper Ventures is the world’s leading provider of offshore sail training and Continue reading “Clipper Ventures has acquired the Hamble School of Yachting”

New workboat code edition 2 is published by MCA

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Following collaboration with a number of interested parties to gather industry feedback on the draft MSN for the Workboat Code: Edition 2, the MCA has now published the new Code. This Code applies to small workboats used commercially that operate at sea and to pilot boats of any size operating either at sea or in categorised waters (i.e. inland). It applies to United Kingdom vessels wherever they may be at, and to non-United Kingdom vessels in UK waters or operating from UK ports.

The workboat code edition 2 amends the original Code, “The Safety of Small Workboats and Pilot Boats – A Code of Practice” introduced in 1998, and applies to small workboats and pilot boats, the keels of which are laid, or are at a similar stage of construction, on or after 31 December 2018. This is defined in the Merchant Shipping Notice issued in accordance with the regulation 3(1) of the enabling regulations. From that date, this code supersedes the original Code, and also the use of Marine Guidance Note MGN 280(M)1 “Small Commercial Vessels and Pilot Boat Code of Practice” for small workboats and pilot boats and the Workboat Code Industry Working Group Technical Standard published in June 2014.

Continue reading “New workboat code edition 2 is published by MCA”

The MCA UK code of practice for intended pleasure vessels in temporary commercial use at sea has come into force

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A new code came into force on 1 January 2019 allowing pleasure craft to be in temporary commercial use at sea for a number of defined purposes.

The Intended Pleasure Vessels (IPV) Code, which permits the temporary use of craft at sea for businesses purposes and as race support without the current requirement for inspection, marks a huge step forward for the UK’s leisure marine sector.

Testing, trialling and delivery of sea-going vessels legally will now be cheaper and easier for boatbuilders, brokers, surveyors, repairers, delivery companies and equipment service providers under the exemptions laid out in Part 1 of the new Code. It delivers an easier and Continue reading “The MCA UK code of practice for intended pleasure vessels in temporary commercial use at sea has come into force”

NTSB publishes its official report on Island Lady fire off Florida

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NTSB determines that the probable cause of the fire onboard Island Lady was Tropical Breeze Casino Cruz’s ineffective preventive maintenance program and insufficient guidance regarding the response to engine high-temperature conditions.
NTSB determines that the probable cause of the fire onboard Island Lady was Tropical Breeze Casino Cruz’s ineffective preventive maintenance program and insufficient guidance regarding the response to engine high-temperature conditions.

The NTSB has released the official investigation report on the fire onboard the small passenger vessel ‘Island Lady’ on the Pithlachascotee River, near Port Richey, Florida, on 14 January 2018. NTSB held a public meeting in mid-December where it identified insufficient preventative maintenance program and lack of guidance for responding to engine high-temperature conditions as key causes of the accident.

About 1600 on the afternoon of 14 January 2018, a fire broke out in an unmanned space on the small passenger vessel Island Lady near Port Richey, Florida, during a scheduled transit to a casino boat located about 9 miles offshore in the Gulf of Mexico. 53 people were on board the Island Lady. After receiving a high-temperature alarm on the port engine, the captain turned the Island Lady around to return to the dock. During the return trip, smoke began filling the lazarette, main deck, and engine room. The captain deliberately Continue reading “NTSB publishes its official report on Island Lady fire off Florida”

Canal & River Trust finalises sale of BWML

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LDC is the UK’s leading mid-market private equity investor
LDC is the UK’s leading mid-market private equity investor

The Canal & River Trust has finalised the sale of its wholly-owned marina subsidiary, BWML, in a transaction that sees Lloyds Development Capital (LDC) invest in the business, supporting the existing management team.

Stuart Mills, Chief Investment Officer at the Canal & River Trust, says: “We are delighted to have completed the sale of BWML and will be investing the proceeds into other income-generating assets to support our core work of caring for the nation’s canals and rivers.

“BWML is performing well and we believe its prospects for future growth are good. Coupled with the expertise of LDC we believe the business will benefit and, by extension, its boating customers will Continue reading “Canal & River Trust finalises sale of BWML”

Hakvoort launches explorer yacht Scout its largest to date

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Known as Project Brio during the build, the highly-anticipated project will cruise as SCOUT upon delivery to her experienced owners in Spring 2019.
Known as Project Brio during the build, the highly-anticipated project will cruise as SCOUT upon delivery to her experienced owners in Spring 2019.

Hakvoort Shipyard in Monnickdam, Holland, has successfully launched the yard’s largest project to date. The 63.72-metre explorer yacht SCOUT was designed by renowned British design studio and H2 Yacht Design.

Known as Project Brio during the build, the highly-anticipated project will cruise as SCOUT upon delivery to her experienced owners in Spring 2019.

Measuring 63.72-metres with a beam of 11.6 metres and a draft of 3.25 metres, SCOUT emerged from the Hakvoort shed in Monnickendam in North Holland on 1st December before being towed to Amsterdam for final completion. Amongst the works that will be completed in the Dutch capital is the installation of her mast, crow’s nest, radars, stabilizers and propellers.

Previously known as YN249, M/Y Scout saw a change Continue reading “Hakvoort launches explorer yacht Scout its largest to date”

Yacht registration tax relief to end before 2019 in Spain

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As a result, given that the regime will come to an end on 31st December 2018, yacht owners benefitting from the regime must now choose one of a number of different options in order to keep their yachts in Spanish waters.
As a result, given that the regime will come to an end on 31st December 2018, yacht owners benefitting from the regime must now choose one of a number of different options in order to keep their yachts in Spanish waters.

On 31st December 2018, the Spanish Touristic Registration tax regime, which was established in the General Budgets Law passed on 4th July 2018, will come to an end.

The provisions for the Spanish Touristic Registration tax regime are laid down in Royal Decree 1571/1993. It is a sort of Temporary Admission customs regime whereby non-Spanish residents could register a yacht under Spanish flag exempt from VAT (Non-EU residents) or Matriculation Tax (EU residents but not Spanish).

Matriculation Tax is a tax applicable to leisure yachts, new or used, when registered under Spanish flag or when they are intended for use in Spanish territory by individuals or entities residing in Spain or holding establishments located in Spain. The tax levied is 12% of the yacht’s value.

According to the preamble of the Spanish General Budgets Law 2018, the regime would no longer Continue reading “Yacht registration tax relief to end before 2019 in Spain”

New Zealand commercial fishing vessel operators must install float free EPIRB distress beacons by 1 January 2019

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Photo Credit: MaritimeNZ
Photo Credit: MaritimeNZ

The New Zealand’s national regulatory, compliance and response agency for the safety, security and environmental protection of coastal and inland waterways, MaritimeNZ, has reminded operators of New Zealand that they must install float-free EPIRB distress beacons on commercial fishing vessels by 1 January 2019. The regulation applies to vessels between 7.5 meters and 24 meters operating outside enclosed waters.

Domonic Venz, Maritime NZ’s Assistant Compliance Manager for Southern Region, who has experience in commercial fishing, says, “Float-free EPIRBs really do increase your chances of survival because they call for help when you can’t. It’s easy to get one on your boat”.

He added in the Maritime NZ’s reminder Continue reading “New Zealand commercial fishing vessel operators must install float free EPIRB distress beacons by 1 January 2019”

Insufficient maintenance caused fire on the passenger vessel ‘Island Lady’ off Florida resulting in one fatality

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In a recent public meeting, the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) determined that an insufficient preventative maintenance program and lack of guidance for responding to engine high-temperature conditions were the key causes of the fire aboard the small passenger vessel ‘Island Lady’ in January 2018, carrying over 50 people, that occurred in the waters of the Pithlachascotee River, near Port Ritchey, Florida.

The incident

On 14 January 2018, the small passenger vessel Island Lady was near Port Richey, Florida, on a scheduled transit to a casino boat located Continue reading “Insufficient maintenance caused fire on the passenger vessel ‘Island Lady’ off Florida resulting in one fatality”

Ship surveying is being revolutionised by drone technology says ClassNK

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Last September, ClassNK designated ‘survey technology innovation’ as one of four focus areas listed in its new R&D Roadmap, with drones identified as a key technology.
Last September, ClassNK designated ‘survey technology innovation’ as one of four focus areas listed in its new R&D Roadmap, with drones identified as a key technology.

As part of an on-going focus on safety in enclosed spaces, ClassNK describes how it has carried out detailed drone tests to revolutionize ship surveying. In spring this year, ClassNK introduced guidelines on the use of drones in class surveys, covering procedures and technical considerations for safe operation, as well as requirements for drone service suppliers.

Although drones with multiple propellers on the same plane are currently the most widespread design, research is taking place into alternative arrangements with tilt rotors and propellers in a tetrahedral configuration. Meanwhile, significant progress has been seen in autonomous operations using higher precision positioning, and considerable advances in machine image recognition and processing.

Continue reading “Ship surveying is being revolutionised by drone technology says ClassNK”

Finnish luxury yacht builder Nautor will unveil its latest Swan at Düsseldorf

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Finnish producer of luxury yachts, Nautor, plans to unveil the latest in its Swan series at the Düsseldorf Boat Show 2019 in January. Also on show will be an improved Swan 54 with new engine throttle, redesigned anchor locker and enhanced access to the engine with one single larger panel on the port cabin.

The newest model, the Swan 65, is suitable for cruising with family and friends but equally capable of racing. Designed by Germán Frers, the mid-sized yacht enhances Nautor’s existing “performance bluewater” line of yachts, following the same design philosophy and parameters as her larger sister, the Swan 78.

Continue reading “Finnish luxury yacht builder Nautor will unveil its latest Swan at Düsseldorf”

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