UK News

New conference and industry sector awards as Seawork International 2018 comes of age

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Seawork International will celebrate its 21st edition in 2018 as the ‘go to’ meeting place for the European commercial marine sector.

Seawork 2018 sees an increased focus on vessel construction and maintenance, new award categories for the European Commercial Marine Awards (ECMAs) and a new Vessel Operations Conference; embracing the new MCA Codes of Practice, Cost Saving through Operational Efficiencies and Techniques, and the Future of Hybrid Drives.

Best Project of the Year is a new ECMA award category for challenges in marine civils or vessel operations. Judged by a panel of industry experts, the ECMAs recognise excellence and achievement across the commercial marine sector.

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Fairline Yachts set to expand following taking over Hythe coastal complex

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British yard Fairline Yachts has announced its intention to begin building larger yachts after acquiring the Hythe coastal complex in Hampshire. The five-acre site was left vacant after its previous incumbents, Green Marine, went into liquidation in October 2017.

The complex, which covers an area of 20,000 square metres, is scheduled to open in mid-2018 and will be used to build models over 18.29 metres in length. The construction of models under 18 metres will continue at Fairline Yacht’s current base in Oundle, Northamptonshire.

Russell Currie, managing director of Fairline Yachts, explained, “As the global yachting market evolves, clients from across the world are Continue reading “Fairline Yachts set to expand following taking over Hythe coastal complex”

Risks of using non SOLAS or non-pyrotechnic distress flares highlighted in new MCA MIN

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The UK MCA has released a marine notice, MIN 542, which highlights the specific risks of using non SOLAS or non-pyrotechnic distress flares, for example Electronic Visual Distress Signals (EVDS).

To be effective, distress signals need to be internationally recognised. Not all EVDS provide a distress signal listed in COLREGS Annex IV (such as SOS), and the MCA knows of no EVDS device which is compliant with the SOLAS technical performance standards for distress flares. Consequently, the international carriage requirements do not recognise EVDS and the UK national carriage requirements have not been amended to formally recognise them either.

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MAIB report into the grounding of the CMA CGM Vasco de Gama published

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Ultra-large container vessel CMA CGM Vasco de Gama
Ultra-large container vessel CMA CGM Vasco de Gama

In the early hours of the morning on 22 August 2016, the 399m long ultra-large container vessel CMA CGM Vasco de Gama grounded on the western side of the Thorn Channel whilst approaching the Port of Southampton. The vessel was the largest UK-flagged vessel at the time and had two of the port’s specialist container ship pilots onboard.

The ship ran aground on a rising tide and on a flat shingle/sand sea-bed. A combination of tugs and ship’s engines enabled it to be re-floated soon after grounding.

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MAIB releases its report into the ground of Muros on Haisborough Sand

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At 0248 (UTC+1) on 3 December 2016, the bulk carrier Muros ran aground on Haisborough Sand on the east coast of the United Kingdom. Attempts to manoeuvre clear of the shallows were unsuccessful but the vessel was re-floated 6 days later with tug assistance. There were no injuries and no pollution, but damage to Muros’s rudder necessitated the vessel being towed to Rotterdam, Netherlands, for repair.

The MAIB investigation identified, inter alia:
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British yard Green Marine has folded with the loss of 46 jobs

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British boatbuilder and carbon fibre specialist Green Marine has ceased trading after going into voluntary liquidation, leading to the loss of 46 jobs.

Speaking to the BBC, a spokesperson for the company explained that Green Marine had been hoping to secure an order to build the hull and superstructure of a superyacht, which did not materialise.

Parent company Vitters, who bought Green Marine in 2010 and moved the yard to a new high-tech facility at Hythe Marina, confirmed the Continue reading “British yard Green Marine has folded with the loss of 46 jobs”

Feedback sought on the future of UK inland waterways boat licensing

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Can you help the Canal & River Trust in the final stage of their consultation on the future of boat licensing?
Can you help the Canal & River Trust in the final stage of their consultation on the future of boat licensing?

The UK Canal & River Trust is asking all boaters and boating groups to take part in the final stage of their consultation on the future of boat licensing, which has remained little changed for the past 20 years.

A series of licensing options based, on the feedback given by boaters in the first stages of consultation held during the spring and summer, has been drawn up. Canal & River Trust is now emailing or writing to all licence holders and other boating groups and relevant organisations to invite them to take part. Once complete, a final proposal will be put forward, including details of when any changes will come into effect.

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British yard Princess Yachts gives its first insight into Princess S78

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Princess presents first details of S78 sportsbridge yacht, the newest addition to its range of sportsbridge yachts. The 24.6m vessel follows on from its successful predecessors, the S60, S65 and S72, and will be the largest S Class to date. The sportsbridge range is designed to combine the benefits of a flybridge with the profile and large sunroof of a sportscruiser.

The S78 will feature spacious and stylish accommodation for up to eight people across the owner’s suite, two double cabins and a portside twin cabin, while there will be space for up to two staff in the crew quarters.

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MAIB issues an essential Safety Digest featuring 25 cases

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The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) examines and investigates all types of marine accidents to, or on board UK vessels worldwide and other vessels in UK territorial waters. This Safety Digest (02/17) draws the attention of the marine community to some of the lessons arising from investigations into recent accidents and incidents. It contains information which has been determined up to the time of issue.

In his introduction to the Safety Digest, Steve Clinch, Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents for the MAIB says, “A fire is one of the most frightening things that can happen at sea. Often, seafarers have no ready access to the emergency services when a fire breaks out and will need to rely on their own resources, courage and training to tackle and extinguish the blaze quickly to ensure the safety of the ship and everyone on board. After reading one of the cases while editing this edition of the Safety Digest, I found myself thinking about the recent fire that engulfed Grenfell Tower, a west London residential tower block. This was an horrific Continue reading “MAIB issues an essential Safety Digest featuring 25 cases”

IIMS LYSCWG Scotland training event details announced

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Once again, IIMS is pleased to announce the dates for its annual Large Yacht & Small Craft Working Group two day training event in Scotland. The event will take place on Monday 6 and Tuesday 7 November and is a mix of presentations and practical work. The venue is the well-appointed Inchinnan Cruising Club on the outskirts of Glasgow and adjacent to the airport. The nearest accommodation is The Normandy Hotel, which is within 200 metres of the Club. A group dinner will be arranged for the Monday evening.

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UK’s superyacht industry posts fifth consecutive year of growth with highest ever revenue figures

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New figures, released in a report by Superyacht UK came as UK businesses headed to Monaco Yacht Show to showcase the best of British.

Despite continued uncertainty that followed the EU referendum and recent General Election, the UK’s superyacht sector remains buoyant, posting its fifth consecutive year of growth, contributing £450m in Gross Value Added to UK GDP, while generating an estimated £186m in taxes for the UK exchequer.

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Fairline seeks expansion with the development of a shore side production facility

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Fairline Yachts is planning to build new shore side production facilities to keep up with global demand for plus size yachts.

The new shore side premises will enable Fairline to build yachts over 70ft which has not been possible at the firm’s existing Oundle, Northamptonshire location, because it is land-locked.

“This is the next big step in the upward journey of Fairline Yachts and proves our commitment to investing in British boatbuilding,” said Russell Currie, managing director of Fairline Yachts.

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