New proposed Workboat 3 code from the Maritime & Coast Guard Agency is open for consultation

New proposed Workboat 3 code from the Maritime & Coast Guard Agency is open for consultation
New proposed Workboat 3 code from the Maritime & Coast Guard Agency is open for consultation

Rules governing workboats, pilot boats and remotely operated vessels have been revised and remade to support innovation in industry. The revised Merchant Shipping (Workboats, Pilot Boats and Remotely Operated Unmanned Vessels) Regulations 2022 and accompanying Workboat 3 Code is now going out for consultation across the marine industry. Continue reading “New proposed Workboat 3 code from the Maritime & Coast Guard Agency is open for consultation”

Fishing vessel fire investigation highlights importance of PLBs

Blue Dragon fire investigation report released by the NTSB
Blue Dragon fire investigation report released by the NTSB

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has published its investigation report for its investigation into the fire aboard the fishing vessel Blue Dragon on the November 10, 2021. No injuries or fatalities were reported, but the fire resulted in more than $500,000 in damages to the vessel.

The Blue Dragon was underway in the North Pacific Ocean conducting longline fishing operations when the vessel caught fire. The six crewmembers and a National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) observer unsuccessfully attempted to fight the fire and were forced to abandon ship to be rescued by a Good Samaritan vessel. The Blue Dragon was later towed to San Pedro, California. Continue reading “Fishing vessel fire investigation highlights importance of PLBs”

MCA consultation on requirements for fixed aerosol fire extinguishing systems in small vessel machinery spaces

The Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) has opened a public consultation seeking views and opinions for MGN 657 (M+F) Requirements for Aerosol fire extinguishing systems for use in Small Vessel Machinery
The Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) has opened a public consultation seeking views and opinions for MGN 657 (M+F) Requirements for Aerosol fire extinguishing systems for use in Small Vessel Machinery

The Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) has opened a public consultation seeking views and opinions for MGN 657 (M+F) Requirements for Aerosol fire extinguishing systems for use in Small Vessel Machinery. The draft MGN publishes the test requirements for future approvals of these systems and requires that tests are witnessed by an Approved Body appointed by the MCA. Continue reading “MCA consultation on requirements for fixed aerosol fire extinguishing systems in small vessel machinery spaces”

River cruise ship evacuated after suspected battery explosion

Suspected battery explosion causes evacuation of river cruise ship
Suspected battery explosion causes evacuation of river cruise ship

Dutch officials are investigating an explosion aboard a river cruise ship docked in Amsterdam as a likely malfunction of the vessel’s battery power system. The newly launched Viking Gymir, which was introduced by Viking for river cruises on the Rhine in 2022, features a new hybrid propulsion system that was developed in place of solely diesel propulsion on Viking’s other Longships.

According to reports from the Amsterdam fire brigade, they were summoned to the vessel Monday, July 25 around 6:30 p.m. after reports of an explosion in the engine room followed by a small fire. Continue reading “River cruise ship evacuated after suspected battery explosion”

Revised MCA documentation issued between 8 June and 15 July

The The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has revised various documentation issued between 8th of June and the 15th of July.

All M-Notices (MSNs, MGNs and MINs) can be found through the use of the search engine on the MCA website.

Issued 9 June 2022
SI 2022 No. 0629 – The Merchant Shipping (Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments) Order 2022 Continue reading “Revised MCA documentation issued between 8 June and 15 July”

OPSS issues product recall on life jacket sold via Amazon

Office for Product Safety & Standards issues product recall on life jacket sold via Amazon
Office for Product Safety & Standards issues product recall on life jacket sold via Amazon

The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) has issued a product recall for 11 models of life jacket sold via the Amazon online platform. The life jackets are being recalled from end users and the listings will be removed by the Amazon platform. Continue reading “OPSS issues product recall on life jacket sold via Amazon”

Keel failure results in capsize

keel failure results in capsize during an overnight offshore qualifier
keel failure results in capsize during an overnight offshore qualifier

The crew of the first Farr X2 have been rescued after the boat lost its keel on an overnight offshore qualifier. Nexba Racing, a new 30ft grand prix racer aimed at the short-handed market, was sailing in a 100nm qualifier off the coast of New South Wales, Australia in a light to moderate breeze and 1-2m seas when the keel attachment failed resulting in the boat capsizing. The two female crew were rescued after spending 15 hours drifting. The 9.2-metre boat is the latest project from Farr Yacht Design. She was built in Singapore by XSP and launched in May.

“We are very thankful that the two crew were safely recovered and for the swift action of the Royal Australian Navy Destroyer Continue reading “Keel failure results in capsize”

Seadogz interim accident investigation report 2021 published by MAIB

On 22 August 2020 at 1011, the commercially operated high speed passenger craft Seadogz collided with the North-West Netley buoy in Southampton Water at a speed of 38.4kts. On board was the skipper and 11 passengers. During the collision two passengers were ejected overboard into the water where their lifejackets inflated. The remaining passengers and the skipper suffered varying degrees of impact injuries. A 15-year-old girl, was fatally injured when she was thrown against the handrail directly in front of her bench seat. Continue reading “Seadogz interim accident investigation report 2021 published by MAIB”

Loss of lubrication supply to engines crankshaft journal bearings and crankpins leads to Wight Sky engine failures

Report published on Wight Sky engine failures
Report published on Wight Sky engine failures

The UK Marine & Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has published its report on the two catastrophic engine failures on board ro-ro passenger ferry Wight Sky, one of which resulted in a fire.

At 1823 on 26 August 2018, Wight Sky left Yarmouth on its regular route across the Solent to Lymington. On board were a range of commercial and private vehicles, 117 passengers and 10 crew. ME1 and ME2 drove the VSP at the bow and ME3 drove the VSP at the stern. All three MEs were operating at their 1800rpm full speed setting. Continue reading “Loss of lubrication supply to engines crankshaft journal bearings and crankpins leads to Wight Sky engine failures”

Canada Safe Boating Awareness Week 21-27 May 2022

Safe Boating Awareness week 21-27 May 2022
Safe Boating Awareness week 21-27 May 2022

The 2022 Safe Boating Awareness campaign will still be reaching out to Canadian boaters but, may be a little different in many ways.

Boating is not quite into full gear yet, with some areas of the country open and some soon to open. Because many are getting onto the water in time for Canada Safe Boating Awareness week, we want to remind you of not just our 5 key messages for boating safely, we will also want you to keep in mind recommendations related to physical distancing and who should be and not be on your boat. Continue reading “Canada Safe Boating Awareness Week 21-27 May 2022”

Annual 406Day campaign celebrating 10 years of raising awareness about life-saving beacons

Annual 406Day campaign notches up 10 years of raising awareness about life-saving beacons
Annual 406Day campaign notches up 10 years of raising awareness about life-saving beacons. Image: ACR Electronics

The annual 406Day campaign, a safety awareness day marked on 6 April, is celebrating a decade of bringing attention to the vital role of 406 MHz beacons.

The 10th 406Day campaign highlights how boaters and adventurers can benefit from the life-saving technology available in these emergency location devices and highlights the importance of EPIRBs (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons), PLBs (Personal Locator Beacons) and ELTs (Emergency Locator Transmitters). Continue reading “Annual 406Day campaign celebrating 10 years of raising awareness about life-saving beacons”

UK red diesel tax changes

New tax rules affecting red diesel coming into effect on 1 April 2022
New tax rules affecting red diesel coming into effect on 1 April 2022

The leisure boat industry is being urged to read up on new tax rules affecting red diesel coming into effect on 1 April 2022. Consequently, the leisure boat industry is being urged to read up on new tax rules affecting red diesel.

From 1 April 2022, diesel used for propelling private pleasure craft can no longer benefit from a reduced rate of duty and it’s subject to duty at the full rate.

In Great Britain, a private pleasure craft may continue to use rebated Continue reading “UK red diesel tax changes”

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