On 7 September 2017, the 15.87m crew transfer vessel, Windcat 8, was on passage to Grimsby, UK, from the Lynn Wind Farm in the North Sea with two crew and eight windfarm technicians on board. Shortly after setting off, the vessel’s port engine suffered catastrophic damage and caught fire.
The passengers were quickly transferred on to Windcat 31 and the fire was contained within the port engine space and soon extinguished. Windcat 8’s port engine was badly damaged and the vessel was towed to Grimsby by Windcat 30. There was no pollution and no injuries.
Tritex NDT launches a thickness gauge for mounting onto drones
Tritex NDT has launched a new ultrasonic metal thickness gauge specifically designed for mounting onto drones for high level inspections.
The gauge uses multiple echo to completely ignore coatings up to 20mm thick and the single crystal probe ensures accurate readings on curved surfaces, such as storage tanks and pipelines. Remaining metal thickness and corrosion levels can be quickly and more easily checked without the need for scaffolding or rope access.
The Multigauge 6000 Drone Thickness Gauge OEM transmits real time measurements wirelessly up to a distance of 500 metres using its integrated RF transmitter. The readings are displayed and stored on dedicated Communicator software within templates in a grid or string format.
Fleet of battery powered zero emissions barges set for French waterways
A fleet of zero emissions 100t barges that operate solely on battery power are being built for canal trips in France.
UK company Backwater Cruising is currently constructing the first of 21 38m long vessels barges that will have a 300kWh battery bank powered by purpose-built canalside charging points to achieve zero carbon operation.
Isle of Wight-based Hybrid Marine will provide hybrid systems for the vessels, which Graeme Hawksley, founder and managing director, explained can ‘operate in serial hybrid mode, parallel hybrid mode and for five hours propulsion under battery alone along with air-conditioning’.
New initiative and project on marine energy biofouling announced
The International Centre of Island Technology (ICIT) and the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) have joined forces in a year-long project to tackle biofouling in the marine renewable energy sector.
Under the auspices of the Biofouling in Renewable Energy Environments – Marine (BioFREE) project researchers will look at practical strategies to minimise the impacts of biofouling which can decrease the efficiency of energy generation and lead to corrosion of renewable technologies.
Operators and surveyors urged to test cargo hold bilge systems to minimise claims
The UK P&I Club has reminded those working in the marine industry that significant insurance damage claims can result if a bulk cargo is damaged due to the leakage of the bilge system into a loaded bulk cargo hold.
To reduce the chance of such cargo damage, operators and surveyors are advised to inspect and test the cargo hold bilge system as part of the routine pre-loading checks of the cargo holds.
Autonomous vessels – the challenges and opportunities in design
Automation presents a set of unique challenges to designers, insurers and operators of ships. In this article, reprinted from the Shipowners P&I Club website Keir Gravil, a naval architect at Frazer-Nash Consultancy in Bristol, UK discusses some of the key issues that could face automated ships of the future from a design perspective.
It is a truth recognised by many industries that the future of transportation lies with greater automation. Over the last 50 years we have seen huge changes not only in shipping, but in every form of transportation and vehicle. Aircraft now incorporate automation routinely on flights around the world, cars are being developed to drive themselves and many railways have been totally automated for some time. As each step in the evolution of transportation progresses, the human element of control is reduced or eliminated altogether. But what of shipping? Surely an industry the size and scope of international shipping faces unique challenges in the realm of automation?
UK Transport Secretary proposes Maritime 2050 vision
Speaking at the UK Chamber of Shipping’s Annual Dinner, Chris Grayling MP, UK Secretary of State for Transport, contributed to a “radical” vision that will support the nation’s maritime industry for the future.
The UK Government will cooperate with industry bodies and businesses, and will publish a call for evidence that will provide a framework for engagement. An expert panel will also be appointed, Mr Grayling said.
British Marine and environmental charity, the Environment Investigation Agency (EIA), are to meet to discuss teak compliance issues.
The EIA alleges that some UK boat builders are using Burmese teak that has been imported illegally in breach of the European Union Timber Regulation.
However Howard Pridding, British Marine CEO says it is a very complex issue and the boatbuilders are not contravening any regulations. In addition, focusing on the boatbuilders is damaging the marine industry.
In UK P&I Club’s latest ‘Lessons Learned’ series of case studies, Captain David Nichol presents the case regarding improper ventilation after a maintenance operation, which could have led to the deaths of two surveyors during a third party survey on the emergency fire pump.
About the incident
During a third party survey, the surveyor made a request to test the emergency fire pump, which was arranged with the assistance of the chief engineer. The emergency fire pump was located in a recessed well in the steering gear compartment, approximately 3 metres deep and accessed by an inclined stairway. At the start of the test, the surveyor asked to observe the pump being started locally and operating before proceeding on deck to check the hoses rigged fore and aft.
The British luxury yacht builder Oyster Yachts is reported to have gone into liquidation as of 16.00 on Monday 5th February 2018 a statement said. A further announcement is expected on Tuesday 6th February.
Staff are said to have found out that all employees are to be made redundant. A spokesman for the company confirmed that a statement would be made on Tuesday 6th February but would not confirm or comment on the news.
Oyster Yachts recently launched their new model, the Oyster 745 at boot Düsseldorf, the German Boat Show at the end of January.
First hydrogen fuelled passenger vessel to be passed by a class society launched
‘Hydroville’ is a custom designed and built 14m high speed displacement catamaran and, according to its builders, BWSeaCat, is the first vessel in the world to be passed by a class society to operate with passengers using Hydrogen fuel in her propulsion engines. Consequently it produces no CO2, particulate matter or sulphur oxides.
Built in the UK by BWSeaCat Ltd for owners CMB Technologies of Antwerp Belgium, using a Hydrogen system supplied and installed by Revolve of Essex UK and in close collaboration with Lloyds, Belgian Flag, Air Liquide and Naval Architect Steven Lee, the vessel was launched late last year.
Boat Safety Scheme certification charges set to rise as part of new four year business and investment plan
The Boat Safety Scheme (BSS) Management Committee has agreed a new four-year business plan to resource its work to 2022 and invest in improvements that will have an even longer-term benefit. The plan also includes the first price rise in certification charges for eight years.
BSS Examiners will pay a new price of £36 (excluding VAT) for each certification they issue to a boat, which is a £7 rise that they will likely choose to pass onto customers.
The new price will apply from 1 April 2018 and the Scheme intends holding it for at least the whole of the four-year business plan period, which is designed to coincide with the four-year lifespan of BSS Certification.
The new BSS business plan includes additional support to BSS Examiners, projects to improve the quality of examinations and enhancements to customer service.
