RMI alerts on fire incidents onboard commercial yachts

The marshall islands registry logoIn 2019, four fire incidents occurred onboard commercial yachts registered under the Republic of Marshall Islands (RMI) that resulted in the total constructive loss of the vessel. As a consequence, RMI has shared key areas of concern and best practices.

Two incidents occurred while the yachts were moored, one happened while the vessel was underway, and one while it was in the shipyard. There were no deaths or injuries as a result of any of these fires.

Areas of concern

Although causes of the incidents are different, the RMI investigation findings highlight three major areas of concern:
1. fire prevention;
2. ensuring fire detection and extinguishing systems are fully functional; and
3. ensuring yacht crews are prepared to respond to a fire. Continue reading “RMI alerts on fire incidents onboard commercial yachts”

Registered Marine Coatings Inspector standard five year revalidation gets underway

RMCI logoUntil the Registered Marine Coatings Inspector (RMCI) standard was introduced in late 2014, there were no specific qualifications for marine coatings Inspectors – especially in the superyacht, leisure and pleasure vessel sectors. Over that period more than 120 industry professionals have achieved the qualification.

The formal RMCI qualification is a collaboration between the International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA) and the International Institute of Marine Surveying (IIMS), in conjunction with the SuperYacht Builders Association (SYBAss) and managed by the Marine Surveying Academy (MSA). The course, the qualification and the certification system were produced in response to the request from these bodies and industry.

Following a meeting of these key stakeholders, the process of RMCI revalidation was discussed and agreed. Continue reading “Registered Marine Coatings Inspector standard five year revalidation gets underway”

Anti-fouling escapade leaves $79m luxury superyacht partially sunk

Photo by Triangle News
Photo by Triangle News

A luxury superyacht owned by a Saudi Prince has dramatically capsized and partially sunk while it was docked at a repair yard in Perama, Greece. The yacht, Nourah of Riyad, owned by Prince Turki bin Mohammed bin Fahd Al Saud, was being lifted out of the water for repairs when it capsized.

The $79m USD yacht has 11 cabins for up to 22 guests and a crew of 18, a master suite, a VIP stateroom, a jacuzzi on deck and a cinema on board. There was no marine pollution as a result of the incident according to Greek City Times. The yacht turned at a 45-degree angle, the luxury superyacht becoming partially sunk in the water. The unfortunate and expensive accident happened as the vessel was undergoing anti-fouling works. Continue reading “Anti-fouling escapade leaves $79m luxury superyacht partially sunk”

IMO Tier III certification for a megayacht achieved by the first Italian shipyard; CRN

IMO Tier III certification for a CRN
IMO Tier III certification for a CRN

CRN, part of Ferretti Group, is the first shipyard in Italy to receive IMO Tier III certification for the CRN M/Y 137, a soon-to-be-delivered fully custom steel and aluminium 62-metre megayacht. This success is a well-earned reward for an industrial strategy firmly centred on environmental stewardship and sustainable development.

IMO Tier III is the International Maritime Organisation standard that enshrines the naval industry’s commitment to safeguarding the environment; CRN has attained certification right from its first pleasure vessel to be delivered in early 2020. Continue reading “IMO Tier III certification for a megayacht achieved by the first Italian shipyard; CRN”

British Marine: UK marine sector growth outpaces national average

British Marine stats
British Marine stats

According to British Marine, the marine sector’s export growth has outpaced the national average (3.5% according to the Office for National Statistics), hitting the £1.5bn mark in 2018/19.

The Key Performance Indicators for the Leisure, Superyacht & Small Commercial Marine Industry Report show that new and used boat sales now account for 78% of the industry’s exports, while exports to Europe account for 74% of the total and now stand at a value of more than £1bn. Continue reading “British Marine: UK marine sector growth outpaces national average”

Moonrise: Largest Dutch superyacht ever built is launched

Moonrise, the largest yacht by waterline to be built in the Netherlands
Moonrise, the largest yacht by waterline to be built in the Netherlands

As the worldwide demand for megayachts seems undiminished, Dutch shipyard Feadship has launched the 99.95-metre (327.91-foot) Moonrise, the largest yacht by waterline to be built in the Netherlands. The vessel successfully marries sleek sensual lines with a modern masculine profile. A wide range of luxurious details, long hull windows, a glorious grey hull and striking vertical bow add to the elegance of the design by Studio De Voogt.

Moonrise has a very impressive volume thanks to a 15.50-metre beam. This has generated great interior space for 16 people across eight staterooms. There is also exceptionally high-end crew accommodation for up to 32 crew, which are bathed in Continue reading “Moonrise: Largest Dutch superyacht ever built is launched”

Netherlands Maritime Technology provides new home for Dutch yards after the collapse of HISWA

Following the collapse of HISWA, Netherlands Maritime Technology provides new home for Dutch yards
Following the collapse of HISWA, Netherlands Maritime Technology provides new home for Dutch yards

Netherlands Maritime Technology (NMT), a grouping of 400-plus expert maritime companies, showed Dutch superyacht builders and their suppliers a new home last week following the collapse of their HISWA Holland Yachting Group.

NMT has created Dutch Yachting Society (DYS), a stand-alone NMT unit to handle the global branding and export promotion of Dutch superyacht makers and their supply chain.

Around 60 companies have already registered to join DYS. Businesses have until 1st February to make up their minds. NMT officials said they expect 40 to 50 to actually join. They wooed them at a meeting this week by briefing them on NMT house rules and explaining the Continue reading “Netherlands Maritime Technology provides new home for Dutch yards after the collapse of HISWA”

Pleasure craft safety equipment recommendations

Advisory safety equipment for pleasure craft
Advisory safety equipment for pleasure craft

For pleasure yachts of less than 13.7 meters in length there are no statutory requirements for safety equipment other than those required under SOLAS V. Safety equipment is an important part of preparing a boat. It is advisable that all pleasure craft skippers check that their vessel is properly equipped.

The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) recommends it is essential that you properly equip your boat prior to going on the water and that you ensure that the craft is Continue reading “Pleasure craft safety equipment recommendations”

The Expected Life Span of Yacht Enclosures

What is the expected life span of an enclosure? There are a lot of variances, and this article is prepared to give you the information needed to determine the life of a given enclosure.

Soft Enclosures

The least expensive of boats will typically have roll vinyl curtains. These are made from a clear pvc material that typically comes 51” wide on a roll and can be .015, .020 or .030 in thickness. It is soft and the life span is very short and unremarkable.

Better boats may have pressed polished sheets. These are made using the roll vinyl Continue reading “The Expected Life Span of Yacht Enclosures”

US Navy develops corrosion Topside Drone detection system

Topside Drone
Topside Drone

The US Navy’s Office of Naval Research has recently worked with the operator of the retired WWII-era carrier USS Midway to test a drone-based corrosion detection system.

ONR’s fast-prototyping division, TechSolutions, has developed a sensor package and processing system called Topside Drone that can detect corrosion and anomalies on hull surfaces automatically, saving time in surveys. The technology will be used to inspect and detect material defects, corrosion, warping and other forms of deterioration.

In a manner broadly similar to technology under development by ABS, Topside Continue reading “US Navy develops corrosion Topside Drone detection system”

Lithium-ion batteries linked to fire in superyacht’s garage says new report

Lithium-ion batteries linked to fire of 'MY Kanga'
Lithium-ion batteries linked to fire of ‘MY Kanga’

Transport Malta’s Marine Safety Investigation Unit (MSIU) has published an investigation report on a garage fire onboard the supertyacht ‘MY Kanga’ while at anchor off Croatia, in September 2018. The investigation concluded that in all probability, the seat of the fire was the Lithium-ion batteries. Transport Malta recommended a review of the Commercial Yacht Code of 2015 on the storage of Li-ion batteries, as well as closed ventilation systems.

MY Kanga was at anchor in the coastal area of Dubrovnik, Croatia, on the morning of 7 September 2018. While the first officer was on the bridge, the fire panel gave off an alarm, indicating a fire in the garage. He immediately went down to inspect and was overwhelmed by the presence of heat and smoke in the garage. The main fire Continue reading “Lithium-ion batteries linked to fire in superyacht’s garage says new report”

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”

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