By Ian Bartle Ian is the Managing Director of Nobel Fire Systems Ltd. He has over 30 years’ experience in the fire industry from technical sales through to senior management. He has developed significant experience in a wide range of disciplines from detailed fire equipment and systems design to product fire testing and certification across the full spectrum of fire suppression systems including lithium-ion batteries.
The increase in Lithium-Ion batteries (LIB) technology is affecting every walk of life as we become surrounded by a myriad of differing formats and chemistries. With the millions of batteries already in circulation and the ever-increasing demand, incidents involving lithium-ion batteries are inevitably, becoming more common place. There is currently a thirst for knowledge around battery technology which means as incidents occur, they are very much thrust into the spotlight. We should however get some perspective around these incidents, acknowledging the quantity of them is still relatively small, and look to rationalise the reasons behind them. Continue reading “Lithium-Ion Batteries in Marine applications”
The most important of all international maritime safety conventions is the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (
Many agricultural bulk cargos and forestry products are required to undergo fumigation on board ships to prevent infestation. However, to achieve the efficacy, the fumigation operation started at the load port often needs to continue in transit to the discharge port. Such “in-transit fumigation” may endanger the safety and lives of crew members and shore based personnel if not handled properly. The toxicity of the fumigant makes it extremely important to raise awareness of the dangers of in transit fumigation.
The marine industry has long relied on the expertise and knowledge of cargo surveyors to ensure the safe and efficient transport of goods across the world’s oceans. In today’s rapidly evolving information age, knowledge and expertise is not just power—it is a strategic asset that drives innovation, growth, and competitive advantage. As marine survey businesses navigate an increasingly complex landscape, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to revolutionise the way knowledge is harnessed, analysed and applied across all industries, and the marine survey industry is no different. 
Based in the sunshine state of Florida, second generation marine surveyor, Craig Norton, is the President of InspectX. A SAMS® Accredited Marine Surveyor, RYA 200 ton Yachtmaster Offshore and MCA Y3 Chief Engineer, he decided he was fed up of duplicating his work when writing his reports, collecting the evidence in the field only to come home to have to make sense of his scribbled notes so he could write his report. His thought process led him to search for a solution so that a report could be generated whilst doing the survey to save those many hours in front of a laptop once home. The result is InspectX, a programme designed for surveyors by surveyors.