Effectiveness of lifejackets called into question by MAIB report on the foundering of fishing vessel Louisa

Photograph of Louisa recovery
Photograph of Louisa recovery

Early on 9 April 2016, the fishing vessel Louisa foundered, with the loss of three lives, while anchored close to the shore in Mingulay Bay in the Outer Hebrides.

The skipper and crew, who had been working long hours before anchoring late the previous evening, had woken suddenly as the vessel was sinking rapidly by the bow. They were able to escape to the aft deck, activate the emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB), and to don lifejackets. However, they were unable to inflate the liferaft as they abandoned the vessel.

Continue reading “Effectiveness of lifejackets called into question by MAIB report on the foundering of fishing vessel Louisa”

USCG announces Subchapter M for towing vessels now opertational

The US Coast Guard has confirmed that from 20 July 2017 a portion of Subchapter M is now fully operational for towing vessels with keels laid, or major conversions on or after July 20. These vessels are now required to meet 46 CFR Subchapter M and must obtain a Certificate of Inspection (COI) prior to operating.

Additionally, starting July 20, 2018, a portion of existing towing vessels will have one year to meet all of Subchapter M and obtain COIs. As discussed in Subchapter M, owners or managing operators of more than one existing towing vessel, required to have a COI, must ensure that each existing towing vessel under their ownership or control is issued a valid COI, according to the following schedule:
Continue reading “USCG announces Subchapter M for towing vessels now opertational”

IIMS Certifying Authority two day training event in November set to focus on workboat coding

The IIMS Certifying Authority has put together what promises to be an informative and valuable two day programme on 20/21 November 2017. The programme is relevant to coding surveyors who currently survey workboats, but is equally likely to appeal to those wanting more knowledge in this crucial and growing area. This event is a mix of hands on surveying coupled with classroom based training with informative presentations to conclude day two.

IIMS is especially grateful to Mike Proudlove MIIMS (and his colleagues), who have agreed to host this special workboat themed training event at his place of work, Offshore Turbine Services Ltd (OTS). The OTS yard is located at 3 Maypool Building, Dartside Quay, Galmpton, Nr Brixham TQ5 0GD. Continue reading “IIMS Certifying Authority two day training event in November set to focus on workboat coding”

MAIB publishes report into grounding and evacuation of domestic passenger vessel Surprise

Photo credit: Mark Harcum
Photo credit: Mark Harcum

Summary of the incident
At 1135 on 15 May 2016, the passenger vessel Surprise suffered hull damage and started flooding when it grounded at Western Rocks, Isles of Scilly. All 48 passengers were safely evacuated to shore. The flooding was contained by the vessel’s own bilge pumps and it returned to harbour under its own power.

Resulting safety issues
A passage plan had not been prepared for the trip. Passage planning is essential for every voyage to ensure all navigational hazards are identified and avoided.
Continue reading “MAIB publishes report into grounding and evacuation of domestic passenger vessel Surprise”

The world’s first fully electric air supported vessel picks up the award for the electric and hybrid propulsion system of the year

BB Green is the world's first fully air supported vessel
BB Green is the world’s first fully air supported vessel

BB Green, the world’s first fully electric air supported vessel by Green City Ferries has been awarded the ‘electric and hybrid propulsion system of the year’ at the Electric & Hybrid Marine World Expo Conference 2017 in the Netherlands.

The fourth annual Electric & Hybrid Marine Awards took place in Amsterdam where a judging panel made up of leading international marine journalists, industry experts and academics, honoured the world’s finest engineers and innovative products in the electric and hybrid marine arena. The BB Green is used as a commuter ferry for up to 99 passengers on the inland waterways around Stockholm.

Continue reading “The world’s first fully electric air supported vessel picks up the award for the electric and hybrid propulsion system of the year”

Rolls-Royce and Svitzer demonstrate the world’s first remotely operated commercial vessel

 The world's first remotely operated commercial vessel has been demonstrated by Rolls-Royce and Svitzer
The world’s first remotely operated commercial vessel has been demonstrated by Rolls-Royce and Svitzer

Rolls-Royce and global towage operator Svitzer have successfully demonstrated the world’s first remotely operated commercial vessel in Copenhagen harbour, Denmark. The companies have also signed an agreement to continue their cooperation to test remote and autonomous operations for vessels, such as autonomous navigation, situational awareness, remote control centre and communication.

Earlier this year, one of Svitzer´s tugs, the 28m long Svitzer Hermod, safely conducted a number of remotely controlled manoeuvres, RR informed. From the quay side in Copenhagen harbour the vessel’s captain, stationed at the vessel’s remote base at Svitzer headquarters, berthed the vessel alongside the quay, undocked, turned 360°, and piloted it to the Svitzer HQ, before docking again.

Continue reading “Rolls-Royce and Svitzer demonstrate the world’s first remotely operated commercial vessel”

Seawork reports a successful 20th anniversary edition of the show

Seawork International, Europe’s largest commercial marine and workboat exhibition, closed yesterday and was hailed a resounding success. Its usual warm, sunny weather saw over 630 exhibitors and 7,000 maritime professions coming together to meet and do business over the three days, 13-15 June in Southampton, UK.

What makes Seawork unique globally is the more than 70 vessels and floating plant are on display, afloat for trial. This year saw the Southampton skyline dominated by the immense 60m x 28m Skylift 3000 jack-up submersible platform being demonstrated by Dutch based Ravestein BV.

Continue reading “Seawork reports a successful 20th anniversary edition of the show”

British Marine announce first ever research into UK’s small commercial marine sector

The size of the UK's small commercial marine sector is the subject of new research by British Marine
The size of the UK’s small commercial marine sector is the subject of new research by British Marine

British Marine has published key findings for the UK’s small commercial marine sector in response to an industry call for a clear barometer measuring the performance of the entire sector. This is deemed pivotal for businesses future planning and ultimately, ensuring the prosperity of the UK industry.

According to the research, the sector generated a turnover of £182 million in 2015-16, employing 1,876 people across 395 businesses. It also reveals that over half (53.7%) of the sector’s turnover was generated by companies within the supply chain, whilst nearly a third (32.9) was from commercial marine builders and the remaining 13.4% was secured by business services.

Continue reading “British Marine announce first ever research into UK’s small commercial marine sector”

New CTV unveiled by Umoe Mandal

The new Wavecraft CTV  from Norwegian firm Umoe Mandal
The new Wavecraft CTV from Norwegian firm Umoe Mandal

Umoe Mandal in Norway has unveiled a new design, the Wavecraft, a series of high-speed, all-composite service vessels designed for fast crew transport. The company says the high-speed craft offers offshore operators “a long range economical, commercially feasible and safe alternative to helicopters.”

The company says the Wavecraft “delivers substantially Continue reading “New CTV unveiled by Umoe Mandal”

Inaugural eCMID Conference report

Lead tutor, Capt Ian Coates, addressing the first eCMID conference
Lead tutor, Capt Ian Coates, addressing the first eCMID conference

IIMS in conjunction with Marine Surveying Academy delivered a hugely successful first eCMID one day Conference, which took place in Amsterdam by Schiphol Airport on 25 April.

The feedback from the event, which drew around 40 delegates, was extraordinarily positive. On behalf of IMCA, Chris Baldwin said how delighted he was with the number of Accredited Vessel Inspectors that have already come forward to join and be accepted on the scheme. He praised IIMS for their delivery of the programme and its robustness.

eCMID AVIs play a key role inspecting and auditing offshore vessels in the oil and gas and renewables sectors. The Conference was a chance for some of them to come together to network with other AVIs and to learn abut the programme and its constituent components.

Continue reading “Inaugural eCMID Conference report”

Small Craft Surveyors Forum programme at Seawork announced

The Small Craft Surveyors Forum, comprising of RINA, IMarEST, IIMS, SCMS, NI and YDSA, is pleased to announce its speaker programme for its annual Seawork Exhibition Seminar.

The seminar will be held within the show onboard the ‘Ocean Scene’ vessel in the marina from 13.15 to 16.15 on Wednesday 14 June.

The event is free to attend, but you are required to register your attendance so that the organisers can comply with health and safety requirements, catering and seating.

Continue reading “Small Craft Surveyors Forum programme at Seawork announced”

Registration for Seawork, the largest European commercial workboat show and conference, is open

Meet IIMS at Seawork, Europe's largest commercial workboat show
Meet IIMS at Seawork, Europe’s largest commercial workboat show

Seawork International, Europe’s largest commercial workboat show and conference, is a one-stop-shop for the commercial marine sector, providing a unique opportunity to see the latest solutions for businesses in the commercial marine industry all in one place, at one time, at one easy-to-access location.

Seawork International will return from 13-15 June 2017 at the prestigious Mayflower Park venue in Southampton, UK, for the second year running.

Continue reading “Registration for Seawork, the largest European commercial workboat show and conference, is open”

Instagram Posts from the IIMS @iimsmarine