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 Ceramic Coating Yacht Industry Guideline

ICOMIA publishes new industry guidelines
ICOMIA publishes new industry guidelines

ICOMIA has produced a Ceramic Coating Yacht Industry Guideline as a result of their work with leading manufacturers, paint manufacturers, independent inspectors, 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.

Continue reading “ICOMIA publishes Ceramic Coating Yacht Industry Guideline”

Guidance on RMI flagged yacht recreational fire appliances issued

Guidance on recreational fire appliances for yachts issued by RMI flag state
Guidance on recreational fire appliances for yachts issued by RMI flag state

The Republic of Marshall Islands has published its requirements for the design, installation and operation of Recreational Fire Appliances onboard RMI-flagged yachts.

The definition of Recreational Fire Appliances covers fireplaces which use wood, ethanol or LPG as a primary fuel source, or for ignition purposes. They include charcoal galley ovens, LPG or charcoal fire barbeques, spit roasts and fire pits.

Operational guidance

1. When Recreational Fire Appliances are installed or used onboard, a risk assessment must be conducted for each appliance type. This risk assessment must form part of the yacht’s Safety Management System (SMS).

Continue reading “Guidance on RMI flagged yacht recreational fire appliances issued”

World’s first battery-powered luxury boat using Williams Advanced Engineering tech

World’s first battery-powered luxury boat
World’s first battery-powered luxury boat

Williams Advanced Engineering (WAE) is working with fellow Oxfordshire-based firm, OXIS Energy Ltd, on the production of ‘cleaner, greener energy’, designed for an all-new 40ft electric battery-powered luxury boat.

The craft, from Yachts de Luxe (YdL) of Singapore and designed by Jean Jacques Coste, will be the world’s first ever battery-powered luxury boat to be powered by Lithium Sulfur (Li-S) cell and battery systems technology. The objective is to achieve a range between 70 and 100 nautical miles at cruising speed – setting new standards for range in electric boats.

WAE will be responsible for the state-of-the-art 400 kWh battery system, which comprises ultra-light, high-power/high-energy density Li-S cells – provided by OXIS Energy Ltd – and the battery management system (BMS). The design and manufacture of the cell modules, the BMS and its installation will be carried out by WAE at its dedicated battery facility in Grove. Continue reading “World’s first battery-powered luxury boat using Williams Advanced Engineering tech”

Shipowners creating a series of four podcasts about preventing yacht electrical fires

Shipowners creating a series of four podcasts about preventing yacht fires
Shipowners creating a series of four podcasts about preventing yacht fires

Since 2014 the Club has experienced 17 yacht fire claims. Of these claims, it was established that 10 were directly a result of an electrical fault, and 1 indirectly. These claims have the potential to demand a high quantum, with one such claim currently sitting at just under US$ 3 million. It is not just the financial implications of these incidents as yachts suffering from fire or smoke damage deprive their owner use of their asset. This Podcast mini-series has been created to generate awareness surrounding the causes of yacht electrical fires and provide guidance from industry experts on how these incidents may be avoided.

The guests and speakers each have different specialisms within the yacht industry, such as flag State, underwriting, and surveying, offering a variety of different perspectives and opinions to the discussions. Shipowners hopes that you find these podcasts informative and encourage further circulation of these materials to assist the common goal of mitigating incidents of this nature. Continue reading “Shipowners creating a series of four podcasts about preventing yacht electrical fires”

BOAT International World Superyacht Awards 2020 winners announced

BOAT International World Superyacht Awards 2020 winners announced
BOAT International World Superyacht Awards 2020 winners announced

The finest superyachts from across the globe have been recognised at the 15th annual edition of the International World Superyacht Awards. This year’s winners include Lady S (with the only Dolby 3D IMAX cinema ever installed on a superyacht) and the iconic 77.3-metre Pi, which accepted two Neptune awards for winning her individual class as well as the highly coveted prize of Motor Yacht of the Year.

The BOAT International World Superyacht Awards are said to recognise the ingenuity and craftsmanship of the most remarkable luxury yachts from across the world. The winners were revealed at a virtual ceremony. Some 57 nominees were presented to the panel of 20 current and former yacht owners.

“It’s been another exceptional year for the superyacht sector with some ground- Continue reading “BOAT International World Superyacht Awards 2020 winners announced”

RMI flagged vessels require cyber risk management measures from January 2021

RMI flagged vessels require cyber risk management measures from January 2021
RMI flagged vessels require cyber risk management measures from January 2021

The Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) has published a reminder that all RMI flagged ships, (including yachts), subject to the International Safety Management (ISM) Code, are required to integrate appropriate cyber risk management measures into their Safety Management Systems (SMS) by the first annual verification of the company’s Document of Compliance after 1 January 2021.

The ISM Code, supported by the IMO Resolution MSC.428(98), requires ship owners and managers to assess cyber risk and implement relevant measures across all functions of their safety management system. This resolution calls companies to Continue reading “RMI flagged vessels require cyber risk management measures from January 2021”

$200m for Brisbane marina to create super shipyard in superyacht building boom

$200m for Brisbane marina to create super shipyard in superyacht building boom
$200m for Brisbane marina to create super shipyard in superyacht building boom

A proposed AUS $200 million redevelopment of Brisbane’s Rivergate Marina in Murarrie would make the shipyard the largest superyacht refit and maintenance hub in the Asia-Pacific region, according to the Brisbane Times, in a superyacht building boom.

Documents lodged with Brisbane City Council show the 8.4-hectare shipyard and marina could be refurbished to include three massive sheds to house superyachts while they are repaired or refitted.

The application lodged by Rivergate Marina would be completed in several stages, with a code assessable application for the sheds and a AUS $35 million ship lift in Continue reading “$200m for Brisbane marina to create super shipyard in superyacht building boom”

Superyacht Life Foundation takes on the negative press surrounding the upscale yachting sector

Superyacht Life Foundation looks to set the record straight. Photo credit: Jeff Brown, Breed Media
Superyacht Life Foundation looks to set the record straight. Photo credit: Jeff Brown, Breed Media

What happens when there are editorial gaps in a newspaper? According to Mark de Jong, Marketing Manager for Superyacht Life Foundation, newspapers fill them in with ‘salacious stories’.

Mark is referring to the superyacht industry which hasn’t had an easy time growing up while represented by Bond villains and super-rich owners whose wealth makes them a natural target. De Jong believes the hereditary animosity about the superyacht industry has come from its tendency to be highly secretive. When you consider the products, the owners and the money involved, you can understand why. But, de Jong says, the secrecy has been taken to the extreme and that’s why the foundation has been set up, to counter the negativity and to shine a spotlight on the positives that the industry abounds with – like craftsmanship.

Continue reading “Superyacht Life Foundation takes on the negative press surrounding the upscale yachting sector”

Are sustainable flax and basalt fibers the future of marine composites and set to replace glassfibre in boat production?

The all-electric Voltaire 33 Sky utilizes flax fiber in a bioepoxy resin that can be fully recycled when the power cat is no longer in use.
The all-electric Voltaire 33 Sky utilizes flax and basalt fibers in a bioepoxy resin that can be fully recycled when the power cat is no longer in use.

At last year’s METSTRADE show, the InnovationLab hosted speakers proudly presenting projects which had deliberately moved away from glass fiber and/or polyester resin composites; the kind that have dominated the boat construction market for decades, and still don’t have an environmentally acceptable waste stream solution in order to deal with the ever-increasing volumes coming from end-of-use boats. Instead opting for flax and basalt fibers.

For instance, Amer Yachts announced their intentions to build from a basalt (volcanic fiber) based composite, while Greenboats presented their 27ft day sailer constructed from a flax/bio resin derived matrix. James Starkey from Norco Composites speaking on one of the Sustainability panels, emphasised the importance of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to determine what the real long term environmental impact of any given construction material will be. This means taking its entire life span into account, from raw material harvesting, through to eventual end-of-life impact. Continue reading “Are sustainable flax and basalt fibers the future of marine composites and set to replace glassfibre in boat production?”

ABS issues ballast water management for yachts guide

A ballast water management for yachts guide is freely available to read
A ballast water management for yachts guide is freely available to read

ABS has published a ballast water management for yachts guide now that they are now required to comply with the IMO International Convention for the Control and management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments (BWM Convention) which requires an approved ballast water management system.

As all vessels, yachts are included within the definitions of the BWM Convention according to Article 1.12, whereby a “Ship” means a vessel of any type whatsoever operating in the aquatic environment.

Specifically, the ballast water management for yachts guide highlights that new vessels (keel laying date after September 8, 2017) are r Continue reading “ABS issues ballast water management for yachts guide”

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