UK News

MAIB issues urgent safety bulletin about the death of two men caused by carbon monoxide poisoning

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On 4 December 2019 two men returned to 9.18m privately owned motor cruiser Diversion, which was moored on the river Ouse in York. The diesel fuelled heater had been leaking exhaust fumes into the boat’s cabin while they were ashore, and both men were overcome by a high level of carbon monoxide poisoning and died shortly after they entered the boat’s cabin.

Safety Issues
1) no carbon monoxide alarm was fitted;

2) the cabin heater had been installed by the vessel’s owner, but the installation had not been professionally checked and no servicing had been carried out. Continue reading “MAIB issues urgent safety bulletin about the death of two men caused by carbon monoxide poisoning”

New electric ferries take to the water in Plymouth and Paris

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New electric ferries take to the water in Plymouth and Paris
New electric ferries take to the water in Plymouth and Paris

The UK’s first sea-going electric ferries has set sail for the first time in Plymouth. Plymouth Boat Trips and Voyager Marine, Cornwall has partnered with the University of Plymouth, the University of Exeter, Teignbridge Propellers, MarRi-UK and EV Parts UK to make the project come to life.

Funded through the £1.4m Clean Maritime Call, a Maritime Research and Innovation UK (MarRI-UK) initiative supported by the Department for Transport (DfT), the project’s part of the UK’s goal of zero emission shipping.

The boat has been completely rebuilt over several months and will undergo rigorous trials – including assessments of its emissions – before it carries its first paying passengers in April 2021. Continue reading “New electric ferries take to the water in Plymouth and Paris”

Small Craft Standards Bulletin published by ICOMIA

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The International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA) has released its latest Small Craft Standards Bulletin. The bulletin provides industry stakeholders with early notification on changes to existing standards or new work items that are developed and maintained by the ISO Technical Committee for Small Craft Standards (TC 188).

This edition includes an additional appendix at the end which covers various platforms available to use to access the ISO TC 188 Small Craft Standards.

Continue reading “Small Craft Standards Bulletin published by ICOMIA”

900,000 UK boaters set to be hit by post-Brexit travel rules is RYA survey finding

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Almost 900,000 UK boaters are due to be hit by post-Brexit travel rules on how long they can stay in Europe after the Brexit transition period ends on 31 December 2020, a new survey by the RYA has found.

With the end of the free movement of people, UK citizens, including boaters, will be restricted to spending no more than 90 days in a rolling 180-day period in the Schengen Area (the Schengen rule) before they have to obtain a visa for each Schengen country they plan to visit.

The RYA’s survey shows that of the estimated 1.2 million UK boaters who currently boat in the Schengen Area, 74% spend more than 90 days in 180 in the Area either boating or on other leisure or travel activities. This equates to almost 900,000 UK boaters whose plans will be disrupted by the change in travel rules on 31 December. Responding to specific questions in the survey, 53% of UK boaters boating abroad said they will be ‘greatly affected’ by the limitations of the Schengen rule. Continue reading “900,000 UK boaters set to be hit by post-Brexit travel rules is RYA survey finding”

Varkan Ege: COLREGs implementation called into question after vessels collide reveals MCIB investigation

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MCIB report on 'Varkan Ege'
MCIB report on ‘Varkan Ege’

Ireland’s MCIB has published an investigation report on the collision between the tanker ‘Varkan Ege’ and the sailing vessel ‘Medi Mode’ in Irish waters during August 2019. The investigation attributed the incident to a mix of misunderstanding, inefficient lookout and poor knowledge of COLREGs.

On Saturday, 22 August 2019 at 10.45 hrs, the sailing vessel ‘Medi Mode’ departed from Arklow and was on route to Kilmore Quay. A decision was made to change the destination from Kilmore Quay to Howth as the weather had deteriorated, and due to an impending night arrival in Kilmore Quay.

At 17.45 hrs on 22 August, abeam of Rosslare, a course was set for the home port of Howth. The vessel Continue reading “Varkan Ege: COLREGs implementation called into question after vessels collide reveals MCIB investigation”

MCA: Bilge water alarms consultation under way

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MCA: Bilge water alarms consultation under way
MCA: Bilge water alarms consultation under way

The Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA) have released information about their new proposed regulation for Bilge Water Alarms.

Consultation is due to begin on draft legislation that intends to reduce the risk of an accident arising as a result of water coming into a vessel without the crew knowing it is happening.

The new regulations would mean that all vessels greater than 24 metres in length but less than 500 gross tonnage would have to be fitted with bilge alarms.
Owners of vessels less than 500 gross tonnage would still have to formally assess the risks to crew Continue reading “MCA: Bilge water alarms consultation under way”

MAIB Safety Digest lessons from Marine Accidents reports October 2020 published

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MAIB Safety Digest lessons from Marine Accidents reports October 2020 published
MAIB Safety Digest lessons from Marine Accidents reports October 2020 published

In an extract from the introduction to the latest and second MAIB Safety Digest October 2020, Andrew Moll, Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents said, “This has been a challenging year for us all, and some sectors of the marine industry have been very hard hit by the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic.

It therefore pains me to say that overall this year there seems to be very little change in the overall rate at which accidents and incidents are occurring. The need to improve safety is therefore very much with us.

Continue reading “MAIB Safety Digest lessons from Marine Accidents reports October 2020 published”

The bizarre account of how RCR saved 49 boats on the River Avon in an18 hour shift

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RCR saved 49 boats on the River Avon in an18 hour shift
RCR saved 49 boats on the River Avon in an18 hour shift

A report at Somerset Live reveals how the RCR (River Canal Rescue) team managed to pull off a huge logistical feat to save 49 canal boats in one 18 hour shift in Bath. Disaster struck on the Kennet and Avon Canal when a sluice gate broke at Twerton at September 15. Water rapidly drained from the canal and in the space of an hour no more than a trickle was left.

Several boats were capsized completely when their tight moorings pulled them in the wrong direction as the water disappeared. In total 49 canal boats became stranded in thick silt for several days, with boats perched precariously on concrete slabs, on their sides or submerged in filthy water.

RCR is regularly called in to attend incidents with canal boats often involving Continue reading “The bizarre account of how RCR saved 49 boats on the River Avon in an18 hour shift”

Canal & River Trust set to spend £45 million on waterways works this winter

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Canal & River Trust set to spend £45 million on waterways works
Canal & River Trust set to spend £45 million on waterways works

The Canal & River Trust is planning to carry out a £45.1 million programme of repairs on waterways across England & Wales this winter, replacing lock gates, dredging to ensure the water is deep enough for boats, and carrying out a host of tasks to keep the 200-year old network open and help ensure its resilience to climate change.

Despite forecasting a reduction of income of around 10% (£20 million) due to the pandemic, the trust has been able to prioritise spending to maintain a full winter works programme of 128 large-scale repairs across 50 canal and river navigations. Carried out by their in-house team and specialist contractors, the works take in the World Heritage Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, famous lock flights Caen Continue reading “Canal & River Trust set to spend £45 million on waterways works this winter”

UK Ship Register showcases new look as it launches online registration

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A new logo for the UK Ship Register is one of many new improvements following digitisation
A new logo for the UK Ship Register is one of many new improvements following digitisation

The UK Ship Register has released a new look Red Ensign alongside its complete online registration system.  The upgrade is part of the continued modernisation of its services to ship owners and operators worldwide and bolsters its international offer.

From this week customers will be invited to use the digital UKSR portal which offers self-serve capability for registering a new vessel and renewing registration. Owners will also be able to provisionally check a vessel’s name and request transcripts online. The launch follows months of development and testing, throughout which customers were consulted and helped to shape the tool, which will add real value to their operations.

Continue reading “UK Ship Register showcases new look as it launches online registration”

UK to accept CE-certified products with Recreational Craft Directive until end of 2021

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UK to accept CE-certified products with Recreational Craft Directive until end of 2021
UK to accept CE-certified products with Recreational Craft Directive until end of 2021

IMCI, the Brussels-based International Marine Certification Institute, has issued a statement to say that all products that are certified under the Recreational Craft Directive (RCD) by IMCI will be able to be placed on the UK market with the CE mark until 1 January 2022.

According to new guidance released by the UK government, industry will be able to use the CE marking until 31 December 2021 if any of the following apply:

– CE marking is applied to goods on the basis of self-declaration
– a mandatory third-party conformity assessment was carried out by an EU-recognised Notified Body Continue reading “UK to accept CE-certified products with Recreational Craft Directive until end of 2021”

Cockwells Modern & Classic Boatbuilding acquires Hardy Marine

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Hardy Marine has been acquired by Cockwells Modern & Classic Boatbuilding
Hardy Marine has been acquired by Cockwells Modern & Classic Boatbuilding

Cockwells Modern & Classic Boatbuilding has acquired Hardy Marine in a deal that will result in the further expansion of this award-winning Cornish company that celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2021. With a heritage spanning four decades, Hardy Marine has earned its reputation for building sturdy, high quality, all-weather motor boats that combine excellent engineering with impressive seakeeping and elegant interiors from its Norfolk base.

Delivering a range of boats that meet a variety of requirements, the Hardy name has become synonymous with quality, comfort, strength and experience. This, together with superlative after-sales support, has translated into a loyal customer base, repeat business and robust brokerage values. Continue reading “Cockwells Modern & Classic Boatbuilding acquires Hardy Marine”

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