Marine guidance on electric vehicles onboard passenger RO-RO ferries released by MCA
The UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) carried out a public consultation on its proposed draft Marine Guidance into electric vehicles (EVs) onboard passenger Ro-Ro ferries, which ran from 25 October to 20 December 2021.
New tax rules affecting red diesel coming into effect on 1 April 2022
The leisure boat industry is being urged to read up on new tax rules affecting red diesel coming into effect on 1 April 2022. Consequently, the leisure boat industry is being urged to read up on new tax rules affecting red diesel.
From 1 April 2022, diesel used for propelling private pleasure craft can no longer benefit from a reduced rate of duty and it’s subject to duty at the full rate.
Start issue led to the contact between an oil tanker and a loading dock
The National Transportation Safety Board published a report of an incident during which an incorrect solution to address a main engine start issue led to the contact between an oil tanker and a loading dock in the Port of Corpus Christi. Damage to the vessel was estimated at $550,000, while the estimated property damage to the facility was $7M.
The MCA have updated “A Master’s guide to the UK Flag”
The MCA has published a document called ‘A Masters Guide to the UK Flag – Large Yacht’ and has just updated it and released edition 4. The purpose of the 34 page guide is to provide easy to use information regarding United Kingdom merchant shipping regulations and administrative procedures. UK regulations and procedures may differ from those of other Flag Administrations and this guide will help to comply with UK requirements.
A public consultation by the Boat Safety Scheme (BSS) on proposals to a clarified and improved set of BSS examination checking procedures has opened. The consultation will run until 31 May 2022.
A stream of green projects is helping the marine sector mark the shift towards Thames Estuary zero emissions.
Net Zero Marine Services (NZMS) has secured capital from UK Power Networks’ Green Recovery Fund programme to support its power infrastructure along the Thames. NZMS are developing seven shore power locations in central London. These locations will create a network of high Continue reading “Thames Estuary zero emissions operations are gearing up”
A recent lifejacket clinic found 50% of the devices defective. Photo: RNLI
This story, alarmingly, is not the first of its kind to reach IIMS. A similar lifejacket clinic at Eastbourne a couple of years ago also revealed a high level of defective flotation devices, some with serious flaws. But is seems the public is not listening and learning.
A recent lifejacket clinic organised by Fowey RNLI found an astonishing 50% were faulty or condemned. The lifejacket clinic invited a team from Ocean Safety Ltd in Plymouth to carry out vital safety checks on a total of 169 lifejackets.
River Canal Rescue has published its 2021 statistics and reports it responded to 171 major incidents during the year with emergency situations either involving submerged, partially sunken or grounded craft, plus salvage work.
In support of the announcement of the new national shipbuilding strategy Prince William is pictured setting a plasma cutting machine to work on the first plate of steel for the third Type 26 frigate
The UK’s shipbuilding industry will be revitalised through a refreshed national strategy, the UK government has announced.
First published in 2017, the National Shipbuilding Strategy outlined ambitions to transform naval procurement, securing export and design contracts for British naval ships. Building on that success, the new release outlines the government’s further ambitions to reinvigorate the whole British shipbuilding industry while contributing to its levelling up mission to boost productivity, pay, jobs and living standards across the country.
In recent weeks the UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency has published a number of revised and amended documents, as well as announcing a new Statutory Instrument (SI).
Issued on 10 January 2022
MSIS 27 – Annex 1 – Under 15 m LOA FV Inspection Regime (Rev. 12/21) Click for more details
An engine room fire aboard a towing vessel started when diesel fuel spray hit an uninsulated section of the engine’s exhaust system, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) report has revealed.
On March 17, 2021, the towing vessel Miss Dorothy was pushing 14 barges upbound on the Lower Mississippi River, north of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, when a fire broke out in the engine room. The eight crewmembers aboard briefly attempted to fight the fire but were unsuccessful and evacuated to the barges. No pollution or injuries were reported and the vessel was declared a total loss at $2.4 million. Continue reading “NTSB report determines probable cause in Miss Dorothy vessel towing fire”
Bramble Energy – a hydrogen fuel cell technology startup – has secured just under £1million (£994,050) in government funding as part of the BEIS (Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy) Energy Entrepreneurs Fund. The money will be used to further develop their hydrogen fuel cell technology, to replace diesel engines in boats, potentially saving 50,000 tonnes of CO2 per year. The unique fuel cell will be the basis for a fully compliant demonstrator vessel, crucial for the rapid adoption of hydrogen within inland waterways. Continue reading “Hydrogen fuel cell startup receives government funding to tackle maritime decarbonisation”