UK News

Non adequate fire protection on boats is a concern says Sea-Fire

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“In many ways, it is understandable that fire suppression on board is overlooked. The actual percentage of boat fires in relation to boat usage is very small”.
“In many ways, it is understandable that fire suppression on board is overlooked. The actual percentage of boat fires in relation to boat usage is very small”.

Most marine insurance policies state that boats must have adequate fire protection says Sea-Fire’s Richard Duckworth.

But he says many boatbuilders are fitting the minimum protection they can get away with and crossing their fingers it will never be put to the test.

“For the last 20 years, major production boat builders have recognised they have a duty of care to protect their customers and to fit as standard a comprehensive engine room fire suppression system using fully tested and marine approved components,” says Richard.

“Unfortunately, this is not mirrored across all the industry.”

And he said safety and fire suppression should Continue reading “Non adequate fire protection on boats is a concern says Sea-Fire”

RCR cites lack of vessel maintenance as reason for increasing number of call outs

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RCR engineers frequently come across vessels with no smoke or CO alarms that have fire risks and ventilation issues.
RCR engineers frequently come across vessels with no smoke or CO alarms that have fire risks and ventilation issues.

River Canal Rescue (RCR) is urging boaters to pay more attention to vessel maintenance and safety following an increase in the number of call-outs for faults caused by what it describes as a general lack of maintenance.

In 2016, this amounted to 948 call-outs, in 2017 there were 1031 and in 2018 RCR had 1081 call-outs due to lack of maintenance and safety, together with continuing fires and CO poisoning incidents.

“Boaters who fail to maintain their vessels or pay attention to boat safety put themselves and others at risk,” said RCR operations director, Jay Forman.

He said, “With Continue reading “RCR cites lack of vessel maintenance as reason for increasing number of call outs”

Beware the dangers of aluminium dross

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If the product meets the Class 4.3 criteria, it should be declared as UN 3170, noting the application of Special Provision 244 regarding ventilation and protection against water ingress throughout the intended journey.
If the product meets the Class 4.3 criteria, it should be declared as UN 3170, noting the application of Special Provision 244 regarding ventilation and protection against water ingress throughout the intended journey.

The UK P&I Club and the TT Club have published advice following an incident involving a consignment of aluminium pellets (or dross) that was found at the port of loading with the doors and sides of the container blown out. The terminal arranged to test the samples, as there was no evidence that the unit had been dropped during handling.

The test results indicated that aluminium dross is highly susceptible to a reaction with chlorides when moisture is present. The commodity produces gases when exposed to moisture and the build-up of gasses was considered the most likely cause of the container exploding.

The container was damaged beyond repair and it is understood that some lines and ports are refusing this cargo commodity.

According to the UK Club, at the time the material is tested, before filling the container and subsequent shipping, the moisture level is such that the reaction with the commodity does not generate Continue reading “Beware the dangers of aluminium dross”

New SOSREP at the helm to oversee response to accidents at sea

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Picture credit to Maritime & Coastguard Agency/MCA
Picture credit to Maritime & Coastguard Agency/MCA

A former Coastguard with a wealth of experience has been appointed to the vital role of Secretary of State’s Representative (SOSREP) for Maritime Salvage & Intervention, which oversees the response to accidents at sea.

Stephan Hennig had previously been working with the Maritime & Coastguard Agency’s Counter Pollution Branch since 2012 and was appointed Deputy to the SOSREP in 2017.

The SOSREP is responsible for reducing the risk to safety and the environment arising from accidents at sea. Incidents which were overseen by previous SOSREPs include the Transocean Winner rig grounding off the Isle of Lewis in 2016 and the Hoegh Osaka car carrier incident in the Solent in 2015. Continue reading “New SOSREP at the helm to oversee response to accidents at sea”

Clipper Ventures has acquired the Hamble School of Yachting

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The announcement follows the setting up of Clipper China, Clipper Ventures’ Chinese sail training division aimed to meet the country’s growing participation in offshore sailing.

“The decision to buy the Hamble School of Yachting is part of a wider strategy to develop our offering within the offshore sailing industry,” said Clipper Race chairman and co-founder Sir Robin Knox-Johnston.

“Clipper Ventures is the world’s leading provider of offshore sail training and Continue reading “Clipper Ventures has acquired the Hamble School of Yachting”

New workboat code edition 2 is published by MCA

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Following collaboration with a number of interested parties to gather industry feedback on the draft MSN for the Workboat Code: Edition 2, the MCA has now published the new Code. This Code applies to small workboats used commercially that operate at sea and to pilot boats of any size operating either at sea or in categorised waters (i.e. inland). It applies to United Kingdom vessels wherever they may be at, and to non-United Kingdom vessels in UK waters or operating from UK ports.

The workboat code edition 2 amends the original Code, “The Safety of Small Workboats and Pilot Boats – A Code of Practice” introduced in 1998, and applies to small workboats and pilot boats, the keels of which are laid, or are at a similar stage of construction, on or after 31 December 2018. This is defined in the Merchant Shipping Notice issued in accordance with the regulation 3(1) of the enabling regulations. From that date, this code supersedes the original Code, and also the use of Marine Guidance Note MGN 280(M)1 “Small Commercial Vessels and Pilot Boat Code of Practice” for small workboats and pilot boats and the Workboat Code Industry Working Group Technical Standard published in June 2014.

Continue reading “New workboat code edition 2 is published by MCA”

The MCA UK code of practice for intended pleasure craft in temporary commercial use at sea has come into force

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A new code came into force on 1 January 2019 allowing pleasure craft to be in temporary commercial use at sea for a number of defined purposes.

The Intended Pleasure Vessels (IPV) Code, which permits the temporary use of  pleasure craft in temporary commercial use such as businesses purposes and as race support without the current requirement for inspection, marks a huge step forward for the UK’s leisure marine sector.

Testing, trialling and delivery of sea-going vessels legally will now be cheaper and easier for boatbuilders, brokers, surveyors, repairers, delivery companies and equipment service providers under the exemptions laid out in Part 1 of the new Code. It delivers an easier and clearer way for businesses to comply with regulation and will have resulting, long-term benefits for the end-user.

As the significance of this Code spans the breadth of boating, from manufacturer to boat owner, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) developed it in partnership with the sector’s leading associations and representatives. These include British Marine, Royal Yachting Association (RYA), Yacht Brokers, Designers and Surveyors Association (YBDSA), British Rowing and British Canoeing. Continue reading “The MCA UK code of practice for intended pleasure craft in temporary commercial use at sea has come into force”

First 2019 IIMS training events are open for booking

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IIMS is pleased to announce its first three training events of 2019 taking place over the next six weeks are open for booking. They are available to members and non-members.

18/19 January 2019
IIMS Baltimore Conference
Available to real-time and online-only delegates
Cost: US$ 225 for both days attendance real-time or US$ 200 for online delegates.

James Renn, IIMS Regional Director, has assembled 15 speakers covering an impressive array of surveying topics for the two day Conference to be held at The Marine Conference Center, MITAGS-Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies, 692 Maritime BLVD, Linthicum Heights MD 21090. More distant delegates are invited to join live via zoom and take an active part, receiving a copy of Continue reading “First 2019 IIMS training events are open for booking”

Canal & River Trust finalises sale of BWML

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LDC is the UK’s leading mid-market private equity investor
LDC is the UK’s leading mid-market private equity investor

The Canal & River Trust has finalised the sale of its wholly-owned marina subsidiary, BWML, in a transaction that sees Lloyds Development Capital (LDC) invest in the business, supporting the existing management team.

Stuart Mills, Chief Investment Officer at the Canal & River Trust, says: “We are delighted to have completed the sale of BWML and will be investing the proceeds into other income-generating assets to support our core work of caring for the nation’s canals and rivers.

“BWML is performing well and we believe its prospects for future growth are good. Coupled with the expertise of LDC we believe the business will benefit and, by extension, its boating customers will Continue reading “Canal & River Trust finalises sale of BWML”

Free registration has opened for Ocean Business 2019

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Ocean Business 2019, taking place at the National Oceanography Centre in Southampton from 9-11 April 2019, has just launched free online registration. Ocean Business promises to be an incredible global show offering the very latest technologies, water-based demonstrations and learning opportunities, as well as Offshore Survey, Ocean Careers, key international associated industry events and an amazing line-up of social opportunities for networking.

Ocean Business 2019 is expected to be the best show yet with such demand from its 360+ international exhibitors that exhibitor space sold out over a year ago. As well as this, record levels of interest in training and demonstration sessions meant that the organisers have had to Continue reading “Free registration has opened for Ocean Business 2019”

Boat Safety Scheme (BSS) management committee set to introduce new CO alarm requirements from April 2019

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Strong support for the changes was demonstrated in the responses to the consultation with 84 per cent in favour of introducing a requirement for suitable working CO alarms.
Strong support for the changes was demonstrated in the responses to the consultation with 84 per cent in favour of introducing a requirement for suitable working CO alarms.

Representatives from the Boat Safety Scheme (BSS), a public safety initiative owned by the Canal & River Trust and the Environment Agency, are urging the industry to take onboard safety seriously following the deaths of three inland boaters.

Ahead of issuing the latest advice on carbon monoxide (CO) detection, communications manager Rob McLean has shared that three boaters died in 2018 as a result of onboard fires whilst several more were taken to hospital following fires, explosions and carbon monoxide poisoning.

In light of this and following a public consultation in the autumn, the BSS management committee has decided to introduce new CO alarm requirements from next April.

BSS manager, Graham Watts, thanked Continue reading “Boat Safety Scheme (BSS) management committee set to introduce new CO alarm requirements from April 2019”

Boat made from plastic bottles wins environmental green award

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Michael Bennet (l) from PGT Reclaimed Vietnam presents the Green Apple Award to Plaswood's Katherine Lorek-Wallace and Hubbub's Adam Robinson Photo: The Green Organisation
Michael Bennet (l) from PGT Reclaimed Vietnam presents the Green Apple Award to Plaswood’s Katherine Lorek-Wallace and Hubbub’s Adam Robinson Photo: The Green Organisation

Polythene film recycler, RPC bpi recycled products and environmental charity, Hubbub, have won a Green Apple Environment Award 2018 for its 100% recycled plastic boat.

The Poly-Mer is made from Plaswood, a lumber made entirely from recycled materials, used as an educational tool for school children to raise awareness of the growing levels of plastic pollution in Britain’s waterways.

“To be singled out for a Green Apple Award is an honour,” said Katherine Lorek-Wallace, Plaswood general manager at RPC bpi recycled products.

“It is also testament to the ingenuity and creativity of Hubbub and our unique product. We have always Continue reading “Boat made from plastic bottles wins environmental green award”

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