Lithium batteries withdrawn following boating fires in France

Lithium batteries withdrawn following boating fires in France
Lithium batteries withdrawn following boating fires in France

Reports in France say that after a series of explosions and fires, the Prefecture of Pyrénées-Orientales in the south-west of the country has ordered the suspension of sales and recall of all lithium batteries of the ‘Energy Cases’ brand, marketed by SAS P.C.E, based in Perpignan.

The batteries were suspected of causing several explosions and fires that occurred over the past 10 months throughout France.

To date, the Departmental Directorate for the Protection of Populations (DDTM) of the Pyrénées-Orientales has identified at least six incidents involving the batteries. Included in this list was a fire that ravaged three 8m boats in the port of Lavandou in July 2020. Continue reading “Lithium batteries withdrawn following boating fires in France”

Queen’s Award given to the Wight Shipyard Company

Queen's Award given to the Wight Shipyard Company
Queen’s Award given to the Wight Shipyard Company

The Wight Shipyard Company, manufacturer of aluminium marine craft based in East Cowes, Isle of Wight, has been awarded the Queen’s Award for International Trade in recognition of its work to increase British exports. The company builds high-speed passenger ferries, tourist vessels and commercial workboats for the windfarm support vessel market, both domestically and internationally. It was formed by entrepreneur Sir Charles Dunstone and business partner Peter Morton in 2016, with a vision to restore the UK’s shipbuilding business.

“We are delighted to receive this recognition,” says Peter Morton, chief executive. “The overarching ambition was always to see a revival in British shipbuilding to compete on an international stage. To do so, we understood and drove the need for efficiencies whilst nurturing a completely new generation of shipbuilders in order to produce world-beating products for both the domestic and international markets.”

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New Australian national guidelines for complex maritime emergencies

New Australian national guidelines for complex maritime emergencies
New Australian national guidelines for complex maritime emergencies

The Australian Marine Safety Safety Authority has published new guidelines for complex maritime emergencies. As they stress, complex maritime emergencies are a persistent threat to the global maritime environment, and those who work on and by the sea.

We are periodically reminded of this threat by seemingly-random, catastrophic events ranging from collisions to offshore spills and even the loss of aircraft in remote areas.

AMSA recognises that in order to be truly effective in the management of complex maritime emergencies, we must work in a coordinated and collaborative fashion with numerous partners and stakeholders—many who bring advanced understanding of the operational environment, and many who do not.

This handbook has been designed to provide leaders with cross-jurisdictional, multi-cross-sectoral framework and conceptual guidance for managing complex maritime Continue reading “New Australian national guidelines for complex maritime emergencies”

Boat Works Stage 3 expansion drives job opportunities

Boat Works Stage 3 expansion drives job opportunities
Boat Works Stage 3 expansion drives job opportunities

Just one year after the completion of the $100 million marine infrastructure expansion which resulted in the world-class superyacht facility and marina berths, The Boat Works Stage 3 has been ushered in, a new services hub for marine professionals, representing an additional $30 million investment. The new workshop expansion is the final opportunity for marine businesses to secure tenancies in the two yards located in the Gold Coast Marine Precinct and demand is high, with over 60 percent already leased.

Construction has been spurred on due to the high demand of boats – an exponential growth triggered since opening the additional Continue reading “Boat Works Stage 3 expansion drives job opportunities”

Cyprus Shipping: Cyprus incentivises registration for boats and superyachts

Cyprus Shipping: Cyprus incentivises registration for boats and superyachts
Cyprus Shipping: Cyprus incentivises registration for boats and superyachts

The Cyprus Shipping Deputy Ministry (SDM) has updated its ship registration policy with the introduction of technical standards for four types of vessels. These new technical and safety standards are designed to attract boat and superyacht owners to the Registry of Cyprus Ships, as well as increasing safety standards.

The new technical standards specify technical requirements on areas not currently covered by national, European Union, or international legislation. They have been developed as part of government policy on the Registration of Vessels in the Cyprus Register of Ships and are applicable to the following categories of boats and superyachts: Continue reading “Cyprus Shipping: Cyprus incentivises registration for boats and superyachts”

Composites and recreational boating industry team up to make headway on circular economy

European Boating Industry (EBI) and the European Composites Industry Association (EuCIA), representing respectively the Recreational Boating and Composites industries at European level, have agreed on a new partnership. The aim is to jointly tackle the key challenges around circularity of composites used in the recreational boating industry and promote sustainable recycling solutions to the supply chain for end-of-life boats. Composites are the main material for manufacturing of recreational boats.

Following a common understanding of the importance of the circular economy and aiming to find solutions for end-of-life composites, EBI and EuCIA agreed a formal partnership. The aim will be to find common approaches to the key issues of dismantling, recycling, and the Continue reading “Composites and recreational boating industry team up to make headway on circular economy”

Australia’s domestic superyacht industry booming

Australia is experiencing a boom in its superyacht industry, doubling in size. Vessels have been attracted to Australia and its buoyant domestic charter market. With borders closed, many superyachts have moved to Australia to offer a luxury alternative to overseas travel. This increase in charter activity in Australian waters provides a huge economic lift for the country.

Seemingly this increase in vessel activity has a direct correlation to the new charter legislation passed by the federal government in December 2019. The passing of the Special Recreation Vessels (SRV) Act of 2019,  coupled with the closure of international borders have contributed to accelerated growth of the industry.

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New production facility as Oyster Yachts makes a significant investment

New production facility as Oyster Yachts makes a significant investment
New production facility as Oyster Yachts makes a significant investment

Oyster Yachts is undertaking a considerable expansion programme by acquiring an additional 27,000 sq ft at the Hythe Marine Park, Southampton. The additional space will be used to create a state-of-the-art production facility for the new Oyster 495 yacht.

“With several Oyster 495s already sold, investment in this dedicated production facility fits seamlessly with our growth strategy,” says Oyster’s CEO Richard Hadida. “We have great plans for Hythe Marine Park, this location is already a centre of excellence for boat building, and it is the ideal location for our expansion of Oyster.”

Oyster Yachts is moving into the historic Grade II listed Continue reading “New production facility as Oyster Yachts makes a significant investment”

First ever UKCA RCR certificate issued by HPi-CEproof

First ever UKCA RCR certificate issued by HPi-CEproof
First ever UKCA RCR certificate issued by HPi-CEproof

Oxfordshire-based company, HPi-CEproof has issued the Princess X95 with the first ever UKCA RCR certificate of conformity, following the new UK Recreational Craft Regulations which came into force on 1st January this year. HPi-CEproof is currently the only Approved Body empowered to issue ‘UKCA mark’ certificates, enabling compliance with the post-Brexit UK Recreational Craft Regulations.

Celebrating the significance of its appointment, HPi-CEproof auctioned the rights for a boatbuilder to be assessed for RCR certificate number one. Proceeds were split equally between the Blue Marine Foundation (BLUE) and British Divers Marine Life Rescue. No fees were charged for the assessment.

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Investigation report into collision between motor yachts Minx and Vision published by MAIB

Close-up view of the damage to motor yacht Minx’s bow

MAIB has published a report on the investigation into collision between motor yachts Minx and Vision.

In the evening on 25 May 2019, the Gibraltar registered motor yacht Vision collided with the UK registered motor yacht Minx, which was anchored at Île Sainte-Marguerite, near Cannes, France. Minx’s crewman was on the foredeck and there was nothing he could have done to prevent being fatally struck by Vision’s bow. The accident happened because Vision’s skipper underestimated the risk associated with attempting a fast, close pass by the anchored Minx, a manoeuvre intended to provide an opportunity for the guests to wave goodbye, as the charterer had asked. Vision’s skipper had also consumed cannabis, which is likely to have impaired his judgement. Continue reading “Investigation report into collision between motor yachts Minx and Vision published by MAIB”

IIMS launches a standalone Professional Qualification in Marine Corrosion

The Professional Qualification in Marine Corrosion sets a new standard
The Professional Qualification in Marine Corrosion sets a new standard

After many months of detailed product development, the International Institute of Marine Surveying (IIMS) is pleased to announce the launch of a new standalone, affordable professional qualification in marine corrosion – subtitled marine corrosion and prevention in small vessels, ships and offshore structure. Prospectus for the Professional Qualification in Marine Corrosion

The programme has been written primarily with marine surveyors in mind, those whose job it is to inspect, understand and report on corrosion. The new Professional Qualification in Marine Corrosion is pitched at education level 4.

The developer and content producer behind this new qualification is Mike Lewus, a name known to some members as he has presented at various IIMS events and seminars. Mike has an encyclopaedic knowledge of corrosion and has spent many years as a technical lead with the British Stainless Steel Association.

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ICOMIA publishes a yacht industry guideline for ceramic coatings

ICOMIA has produced a Ceramic Coating Yacht Industry Guideline as a result of their work with leading ceramic coating manufacturers, paint manufacturers, independent coating inspectors, coating supervisors and surveyors. The aim is to provide objective industry guidance on ceramic use on large yachts.

The yacht market has identified the need for an industry guidance document detailing key areas of information and considerations when using ceramic coatings or treatments on large yachts.

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