MCA publishes new guidance on enclosed space entry

Enclosed space entry guidance published by the MCA
Enclosed space entry guidance published by the MCA

Seafarers will be better protected as new UK rules come into force to tighten up safety for those involved in enclosed space entry onboard vessels. The updated legislation goes further than that currently required under international maritime law and is part of the ongoing commitment by the UK to seafarer welfare.

Enclosed spaces include chain lockers, cargo holds, duct keels and water tanks – or any area that has been left closed for any length of time without ventilation.

Six people have died over a ten-year period from 2009 to 2019 in UK ports Continue reading “MCA publishes new guidance on enclosed space entry”

UK based cruising community benefits from VAT changes

The Cruising Association has announced that HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has followed through its proposed positive change to the application of Returned Goods Relief (RGR) for recreational craft resulting in many boat owners no longer becoming liable to pay VAT on the return of their boats to the UK.

The changes have considerable benefits for the UK based cruising community, says the association.

Where a boat currently abroad is eligible to obtain relief from VAT through RGR, there will be no requirement to return the boat to the UK by 30 Continue reading “UK based cruising community benefits from VAT changes”

Report on fatal collision between rigid inflatable boat Rib Tickler and a personal watercraft published

Rib Tickler and a personal watercraft collided at high speed in the Menai Strait
Rib Tickler and a personal watercraft collided at high speed in the Menai Strait

On 8 August 2020, the rigid inflatable boat Rib Tickler and a personal watercraft collided at high speed in the Menai Strait, Wales. A passenger onboard Rib Tickler was struck by the personal watercraft and fatally injured. The personal watercraft had been jumping across Rib Tickler’s wake when the rigid inflatable boat altered course across the personal watercraft’s path. The two craft were operating too closely to each other at high speed and neither Rib Tickler’s driver nor the personal watercraft rider understood the other’s intentions. Furthermore, the knowledge and skill levels of the persons in control or overseeing the two craft were not appropriate to the manoeuvres being undertaken. Continue reading “Report on fatal collision between rigid inflatable boat Rib Tickler and a personal watercraft published”

Marine surveying and IIMS stalwart Jeffrey Casciani-Wood has passed away

Jeffrey Casciani-Wood pictured, who has sadly passed away
Jeffrey Casciani-Wood pictured, who has sadly passed away

News reached the IIMS Head Office late in the evening on 16th February to inform us that Eur.Ing Jeffrey Casciani-Wood CEng, FRINA, HonMIIMS, FLLA, FIDiagE 1930-2022 (known simply to some as Mog) had passed away peacefully following a short illness.

Known to many in the marine surveying and diagnostic engineering fields, Jeffrey’s passing leaves a huge hole in the IIMS family. His longevity and desire to continue to contribute to Institute life into his 90s marks him out as a unique and inspirational character. He was IIMS President from 1997-2000. There are many superlative adjectives and words that could be used to describe Mog, and all would be appropriate. Words and phrases such as a heavyweight, a legend, a giant, a humourist, consummate author, ‘good bloke’ and gentleman all Continue reading “Marine surveying and IIMS stalwart Jeffrey Casciani-Wood has passed away”

Recreational Sectoral Group 2022 Guidelines to aid compliance for recreational craft published

2022 Guidelines published by the Recreational Sectoral Group
2022 Guidelines published by the Recreational Sectoral Group

The Recreational Sectoral Group (RSG) has published the new 2022 Guidelines for the general application of the conformity assessment procedures by Notified Bodies and Manufacturers. The aim is to prepare and assist with the conformity assessment procedures undertaken by Notified Bodies for recreational craft, personal watercraft, their components and their engines, in accordance with the Recreational Craft Directive (RCD) 2013/53/EU.

Due to the variety of watercraft, the RSG has considered the applicability of various parts of harmonised standards. Where suitable standards are not available, the RSG has established uniform guidelines to assist with demonstrating conformity with the Essential Continue reading “Recreational Sectoral Group 2022 Guidelines to aid compliance for recreational craft published”

UK inland waterways popularity surges according to the Annual Lockage Report

The Annual Lockage Report has been published by the Canal & River Trust
The Annual Lockage Report has been published by the Canal & River Trust

The Canal & River Trust says that waterways activity in 2021 surged in popularity post lockdown. The Canal & River Trust’s Annual Lockage Report for 2021 shows that as Covid-19 restrictions lifted in the spring, most places recorded counts that were close to pre-pandemic levels and a boom in lock use.

“The last two years have been like no other, with the lifting of pandemic restrictions resulting in increases in lock use that are unprecedented in the 21 years of preparing this report,” said Adam Comerford, national hydrology manager at the Canal & River Trust.

The Annual Lockage Report, now in its 21st year, shows how many times locks were used across the charity’s 2,000 miles of waterways compared to the Continue reading “UK inland waterways popularity surges according to the Annual Lockage Report”

MCA releases guidance on Safety Bulletin 24 – Non-SOLAS lifejacket servicing requirements

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has published guidance on safety bulletin 24 – Non-SOLAS lifejacket servicing requirements. The MCA has published this guidance based on a recent survey of a fishing vessel which highlighted that the vessel’s complement of inflatable, non-SOLAS lifejackets had not been serviced in accordance with the requirements of MGN 553: Inflatable Non-SOLAS Liferafts and Life-saving Appliances. The lifejackets had undergone servicing with a service provider that did not hold manufacturer’s approval for that particular make and model. Continue reading “MCA releases guidance on Safety Bulletin 24 – Non-SOLAS lifejacket servicing requirements”

Announcing Roy McFarlane as Britain’s new Canal Laureate 2022

Together with the Poetry Society, the Canal & River Trust is delighted to announce the appointment of Roy McFarlane as Britain’s new Canal Laureate 2022.

Poet Roy grew up in Birmingham and the Black Country, surrounded by canals. He says: “I lived, played and loved by canals and rivers and am looking forward to recapturing those stories; tales of diverse communities in urban settings who lived with canals in their backyard.”

Roy began his role as Canal Laureate 2022 in December 2021, following in the wake of poets Nancy Campbell (Canal Laureate 2018-9), 2021 Continue reading “Announcing Roy McFarlane as Britain’s new Canal Laureate 2022”

UK Coastguard celebrates 200 years of service

Modern day Coastguard at work
Modern day Coastguard at work

From its beginnings with coastal lookouts to today’s hi-tech national network of coordination centres, from small localised beginnings to international players – one thing has stayed the same for two centuries – Her Majesty’s Coastguard seeks to search, to rescue and to save.

Two hundred years of saving lives along the UK coast and at sea, as well as coordinating rescues for those in distress in international waters, is being marked this year as HM Coastguard celebrates its milestone anniversary.

It was on 15 January 1822, that HM Coastguard was formally brought into existence and has been working to keep people safe at the coast Continue reading “UK Coastguard celebrates 200 years of service”

Over 5,000 lost Royal Navy vessels are now searchable on a database

Royal Navy Logo The British Royal Navy has been around since the 16th century and over that time has lost its fair share of warships to accidents and enemy fire. In fact the full list of lost Royal Navy vessels is over 5,000. Working with the Maritime Archaeology Sea Trust, it has compiled a full list of the thousands of vessels it has lost over the centuries and has released the searchable database to the public for use in further research.

The new Royal Navy Loss List covers about 5,100 warships and fleet auxiliaries lost in Britain’s naval service since 1512. It is limited to the Royal Navy’s own vessels – not Royal Air Force, Army, Coastguard and merchant vessels which may have had Royal Navy crewmembers. It excludes ships captured by the enemy, lost in the service of other navies or converted to merchant vessels after their naval service.

Created by the Trust in 2011, the list was originally intended to help legal and conservation experts protect Royal Navy wrecks around the globe. Its Continue reading “Over 5,000 lost Royal Navy vessels are now searchable on a database”

IIMS subsidiary, the Marine Surveying Acamadey Ltd, acquires the Institution of Diagnostic Engineers

The International Institute of Marine Surveying has announced that the Marine Surveying Academy Ltd (MSA), a wholly-owned subsidiary of IIMS, has acquired the now liquidated Institution of Diagnostic Engineers with immediate effect, to include the intellectual property, brand name and organisation’s assets.

The Institution of Diagnostic Engineers (affectionately known worldwide as DIAGS) was founded in April 1981 by the late Dr. Ralph Collacott and notched up its fortieth year in 2021.

In recognition of the special knowledge and skills needed for the diagnosis of deterioration of plant and machinery and the development of Continue reading “IIMS subsidiary, the Marine Surveying Acamadey Ltd, acquires the Institution of Diagnostic Engineers”

MCA opens consultation for the inclusion of new guidance for meeting the needs of persons with reduced mobility on small passenger vessels

A consultation has opened for meeting the needs of persons with reduced mobility
A consultation has opened for meeting the needs of persons with reduced mobility

On 5 January 2022 the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) published a consultation on an amendment to update MGN 306(M) Designing and Operating Smaller Passenger Vessels: Meeting the needs of persons with reduced mobility. The reason for looking to publish an amended version of the MGN is to update it in certain areas due to changes in legislation, documentation, practice and to obtain the views of interested parties. Continue reading “MCA opens consultation for the inclusion of new guidance for meeting the needs of persons with reduced mobility on small passenger vessels”

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