Passenger and fishing safety, new technologies and a greener future are the top priorities for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) for the coming year.
Reducing the numbers of deaths in the fishing industry, keeping people safe on-board ships, and continuing to drive forward greener maritime are all featured in the MCA Business Plan for 2022/23.
The Agency continues to focus on maritime safety, pledging to improve how it responds to search and rescue incidents, promising to prioritise safety inspections on domestic passenger ships and fishing vessels. Continue reading “MCA publishes new business plan”
UK News
MCA works to improve support for people to get UK approval for marine equipment
Manufacturers looking to make sure they get UK approval for the marine equipment they produce are being given a helping hand by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).
It will become mandatory from 1 January next year for all new marine equipment placed on board UK vessels to have the UK approval – previously it was covered by the EU regulations. The race is on for equipment producers to meet that deadline and – as it stands – there are not enough accredited organisations to do all the work.
Now there are plans to give the organisations – known collectively as Conformity Assessment Bodies (CAB) – currently going through the accreditation process provisional approval to do the work. Continue reading “MCA works to improve support for people to get UK approval for marine equipment”
Seadogz interim accident investigation report 2021 published by MAIB
On 22 August 2020 at 1011, the commercially operated high speed passenger craft Seadogz collided with the North-West Netley buoy in Southampton Water at a speed of 38.4kts. On board was the skipper and 11 passengers. During the collision two passengers were ejected overboard into the water where their lifejackets inflated. The remaining passengers and the skipper suffered varying degrees of impact injuries. A 15-year-old girl, was fatally injured when she was thrown against the handrail directly in front of her bench seat. Continue reading “Seadogz interim accident investigation report 2021 published by MAIB”
Diamond Emblem 1 Report involving loss of life published by MAIB
On 19 August 2020, a member of a family group on board the motor cruiser Diamond Emblem 1 fell overboard from the aft deck when the boat’s stern made hard contact against the embankment wall opposite the Great Yarmouth Yacht Station. She became entangled in rope and the propeller, suffering multiple injuries that resulted in her drowning.
Commenting on this case, Andrew Moll, Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents, said, “Following the investigation into the Diamond Emblem 1 investigation, Continue reading “Diamond Emblem 1 Report involving loss of life published by MAIB”
MCIB Investigation: FV Horizon catches fire and sinks
The Irish Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) has published its report on the fire and loss of “FV Horizon” off the old head of Kinsale, County Cork, which occurred on May 14th, 2021.
On 11 May 2021 at approximately 02.00 hrs a fishing vessel departed Union Hall, Co. Cork for a gill net fishing trip 30 to 50 NM south of Union Hall. There were four crew onboard and the boat was stocked with food and ice for a seven day trip. The fishing trip was uneventful, and the Skipper reported that there were no problems onboard until the time of the incident. On the evening of 13 May 2021, the vessel was fishing approximately 30 NM south Continue reading “MCIB Investigation: FV Horizon catches fire and sinks”
First UK e-marine hub for electric boats launches in Plymouth
The UK’s first ‘e-marine hub’ of shoreside charging facilities for electric vessels have been unveiled in Plymouth. The series of high-power DC electric charging stations have been switched on in prominent locations along the perimeter of the Plymouth Sound National Marine Park. This includes the world’s first 150kW charging facility at Mount Batten, the UK’s first 75kW site at MDL’s Queen Anne’s Battery and a 25kW installation at the Barbican landing stage.
Further installations are now being developed along the city’s waterfront, Continue reading “First UK e-marine hub for electric boats launches in Plymouth”
Loss of lubrication supply to engines crankshaft journal bearings and crankpins leads to Wight Sky engine failures
The UK Marine & Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has published its report on the two catastrophic engine failures on board ro-ro passenger ferry Wight Sky, one of which resulted in a fire.
At 1823 on 26 August 2018, Wight Sky left Yarmouth on its regular route across the Solent to Lymington. On board were a range of commercial and private vehicles, 117 passengers and 10 crew. ME1 and ME2 drove the VSP at the bow and ME3 drove the VSP at the stern. All three MEs were operating at their 1800rpm full speed setting. Continue reading “Loss of lubrication supply to engines crankshaft journal bearings and crankpins leads to Wight Sky engine failures”
Unsecured openings led to sinking of towing vessel Proassist III determines NTSB report
Unsecured openings in the deck of a towing vessel led to its eventual flooding and sinking off the coast of Puerto Rico are the findings from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
The towing vessel, Proassist III, suffered flooding in its stern compartments and sank near Puerto Yabucoa, Puerto Rico, on December 24, 2020, while transiting northbound off the coast. The three crewmembers on board were unable to pump out the water and eventually abandoned the vessel. No injuries were reported. The vessel was declared a total loss at $968,000. Continue reading “Unsecured openings led to sinking of towing vessel Proassist III determines NTSB report”
Brian Johnson to step down as CEO of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency
Brian Johnson has announced his retirement and is to formally step down from his role as CEO of the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) in October 2022.
He has been in the role for the last four years.
In a statement, he explained that becoming the chief executive of the MCA was an absolute dream come true.
“Being able to work to make a difference in the world of maritime safety, leading a group of people whose Continue reading “Brian Johnson to step down as CEO of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency”
Marine surveyors Van Ameyde McAuslands warn seized yachts must be decommissioned to mitigate safety and environmental risks
Seized maritime assets could pose a “significant risk” to ports, harbours and marinas if there is no requirement to ensure mega yachts detained under sanction rules are properly maintained, made safe, or deactivated, according to experienced marine surveyor, Albert Weatherill, managing director of Van Ameyde McAuslands and a long-standing IIMS member.
Safety concerns have been raised by Van Ameyde McAuslands, a global firm of marine surveyors and engineering consultants, following the seizure of a number of high-profile mega yachts thought to be owned by Russian oligarchs, Continue reading “Marine surveyors Van Ameyde McAuslands warn seized yachts must be decommissioned to mitigate safety and environmental risks”
Annual 406Day campaign celebrating 10 years of raising awareness about life-saving beacons
The annual 406Day campaign, a safety awareness day marked on 6 April, is celebrating a decade of bringing attention to the vital role of 406 MHz beacons.
The 10th 406Day campaign highlights how boaters and adventurers can benefit from the life-saving technology available in these emergency location devices and highlights the importance of EPIRBs (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons), PLBs (Personal Locator Beacons) and ELTs (Emergency Locator Transmitters). Continue reading “Annual 406Day campaign celebrating 10 years of raising awareness about life-saving beacons”
MAIB Safety Digest April 2022 published
The MAIB Safety Digest April 2022 features 25 case studies and draws the attention of the marine community to some of the lessons arising from investigations into recent accidents and incidents. It contains information that has been determined up to the time of issue.
This information is published to inform the merchant and fishing industries, the recreational craft community and the public of the general circumstances of marine accidents and to draw out the lessons to be learned. The sole purpose of the MAIB Continue reading “MAIB Safety Digest April 2022 published”