ITIC: Ten Golden Rules of Loss Prevention for Expert Witnesses

Ten Golden Rules of Loss Prevention for Expert Witness as recommended by ITIC
Ten Golden Rules of Loss Prevention for Expert Witness as recommended by ITIC

ITIC was formed in 1992 through the merger of CISBA CLUB, a mutual insurer of shipbrokers, founded in 1925, and Transport Intermediaries Mutual Insurance Association (TIM).

Transport Intermediaries Mutual Insurance Association was formed in 1985 by Thomas R. Miller & Sons partnership with a view to expanding the sources and availability of liability insurance for all professionals in the transport industry. Since 1992, ITIC has grown steadily and has nearly 2,300 members in over 100 countries.

Today ITIC is managed by ITIM Co Ltd, a subsidiary of Thomas Miller & Co Ltd. Continue reading “ITIC: Ten Golden Rules of Loss Prevention for Expert Witnesses”

The dangers of overplating

Surveyors take note - overplating does not constitute a repair on a steel hull
Surveyors take note – overplating does not constitute a repair on a steel hull

Feature article written by Alan Broomfield MIIMS, who tackles the thorny subject of overplating on steel hulled vessels, in particular Dutch barges and Narrowboats.

It is common practice when in the field surveying steel vessels to find mild steel plates welded to the hull, a practice regularly carried out on leisure vessels as a permanent repair. If any defects are found on the shell of a metal boat during a survey, surveyors are all too quick to recommend that the area concerned be overplated. Marine surveyors who deal with steel vessels will find that very often – Dutch barges and canal boats in particular – are frequently heavily overplated and should remember at all times that such overplating does NOT constitute a repair. It merely hides the defect.

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An introduction to synthetic rigging for marine surveyors

Synthetic rigging will replace wire and marine surveyors need to understand this disruptive new technology
Synthetic rigging will replace wire and marine surveyors need to understand this disruptive new technology

Feature article written by Nick Parkyn

Synthetic rigging (also referred to as composite rigging) is disruptive technology that in time will replace stainless steel wire rigging. Since marine surveyors will increasingly come into contact with this type of rigging, they need to understand this new technology to enable them to carry out surveys on craft which use it.

Many new types of synthetic fibres have been discovered in recent years. Typically, they are initially used in aerospace applications and later become available for other application where high performance is required. Most of the high performance fibres are characterised by impressive tensile properties, which with the exception of carbon fibre significantly exceed their compressive strength. With yacht Continue reading “An introduction to synthetic rigging for marine surveyors”

The importance of understanding enclosed space working

Enclosed space working and entry in the marine environment is still costing too many lives
Enclosed space working and entry in the marine environment is still costing too many lives

Feature article written by Capt Michael Lloyd RD**, MNM, FNI

Enclosed space working and entry and the resulting deaths caused by poor procedures and/or lack of knowledge each year is a vexing subject and one that the International Institute of Marine Surveying has highlighted before. However, it seems insufficient progress is being made in this area and the number of casualties remains stubbornly high. Capt Michael Lloyd has become passionate about the subject of enclosed space working and is now something of an authority in the field. In this article, Michael shares his current thoughts on the matter and offers some practical tips and advice for surveyors.

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Report only what you know

Feature article written by Capt Barry Thompson HONFIIMS

Although the following account refers to a cargo survey the lessons to be learnt from it by a surveyor apply just as much to a yacht or small craft condition survey — indeed to any ‘fit for purpose’ survey.

In 1985 a New Zealand company ordered just over 22,000 tonnes of compound fertiliser at a C & F cost of US$4.2 million. It was part loaded into the geared bulk-carrier Adelina (26,687 dw, built 1977) in Sweden with the balance in Tampa, Florida. SGS, of worldwide reputation, were the appointed surveyors to certify the holds as clean, dry and fit to receive the fertilizer.

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The secret life of an electric launch by Scruffie Marine

An electric launch by Scruffie Marine takes to the water
An electric launch by Scruffie Marine takes to the water

Feature written by Derek Ellard of Scruffie Marine

Electric boats operate at a fraction of the cost of conventional fossil-fuel powered boats. They offer maximum torque through the whole rev range and ride in silence with no emissions. This means that marinas and waterways will be cleaner and quieter. No noise and no fumes from conventional engines to contend with. Are electric boats the thing of the future? Derek Ellard of Scruffie Marine, based in North Tamborine, Queensland, Australia thinks so and is involved in building them.

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Debunking the myths of the safety management system

A key requirement of the ISM code is an effective safety management system
A key requirement of the ISM code is an effective safety management system

Article written by Nippin Anand PhD MSc Master Mariner FNI

In January 2015, the pure car and truck carrier (PCTC) Hoegh Osaka developed a severe list on departing from Southampton, and was left stranded outside the port for more than 19 days. The official investigation revealed how decision making became the victim of production pressures. The vessel sailed from port without determining accurately the stability conditions upon completion of cargo. It was a routine practice to leave this task to be carried out once the vessel was out at sea; a practice that appears to be common within the PCTC industry. The weights of the cargoes declared at the time of loading were significantly different from the actual weights; a practice that extends even beyond the PCTC industry. The port captain never felt the need to involve the chief officer in the preparation of the stowage plan. The chief officer, on the other hand, did not feel he had the authority to question the pre-stowage plan.

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The hidden dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning afloat

Feature written by Susan Stockwell, Director, Nereus Alarms Ltd

Carbon monoxide poisoning is sometimes called death by stealth and there have been some high profile marine cases that have made unpleasant media headlines in recent times. Victims are unaware that they are being poisoned and the symptoms are hard to spot. In this specially commissioned feature, Susan Stockwell, Director of Nereus Alarms Ltd, discusses how CO is produced and offers readers some background to this hidden killer. She also gives essential advice that surveyors will surely find invaluable.

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Marine surveyors helping to save lives at sea… behind the scenes at the RNLI

One of the RNLI Shannon class vessels undergoing inspection
One of the RNLI Shannon class vessels undergoing inspection

The IIMS Small Craft Working Group joined the Royal National Lifeboat Institution’s (RNLI) annual surveyor training conference. Following a detailed tour around the RNLI facility in Poole, the combined group of approaching 50 surveyors listened to a series of presentations and had the chance to network and share ideas amongst themselves. Both RNLI and IIMS felt the occasion was a great success and expressed a desire for the two organisations to work more closely together. As a direct result of that recent gathering, IIMS invited RNLI to write an article. Andrew Squibb MEng AMRINA AMIMarEST, Technical Surveyor RNLI picks up the story. Continue reading “Marine surveyors helping to save lives at sea… behind the scenes at the RNLI”

Bridging the gap between trade and conformity: ICOMIA and the recreational craft directive

ICOMIA has been refining and developing the Recreational Craft Directive for a quarter of a century
ICOMIA has been refining and developing the Recreational Craft Directive for a quarter of a century

ICOMIA brings together national boating federations in one global organisation and represents them at an international level, presenting a strong and united voice when dealing with issues challenging the industry.

No less than 35 national federations across the world are full members of ICOMIA today. Its members include the vast majority of the industrialised countries from North America across to Japan and China and from Finland to New Zealand.

ICOMIA’s working committees predominantly consist of its member associations and provide forums where the national associations can share their experiences and most importantly plan collectively to address issues facing the industry worldwide. ICOMIA’s objectives are to provide a forum for the exchange of views between the different national marine industry associations; to produce internationally agreed standards to ensure high quality and safety of industry’s products; to remove all barriers to trade, wherever they may exist; to promote boats and to give guidelines where appropriate.

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Engine crankshaft deflection measurement

Understanding engine crankshaft deflection measurement will aid a diagnostic engineer
Understanding engine crankshaft deflection measurement will aid a diagnostic engineer

At some time in his career the Diagnostic Engineer may well have to examine the running of a compression ignition engine. Many of the defects that occur on such units are down to wear in the main bearings causing the crankshaft to change its longitudinal straightness. Usually the first diagnostic test on such an engine is to take a series of measurements between the crank webs at various points round the circle of rotation called somewhat in correctly crankshaft deflections. If a driving engine is of the compression ignition type with a cylinder bore above about 250 mm (10 inches), it is also necessary to consider the alignment of its crankshaft. Below that size, the overall stiffness and small size of the unit and the fact that the crankshaft itself is an integral forging make the measurement of crankshaft deflections both extremely difficult and unnecessary.

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Updated third generation silicone fouling release coatings

Feature article prepared by the Research & Development Department, Hempel A/S, February 2016 (Original paper published in 2008)

Traditional fouling release coatings consist of a silicone elastomer (PDMS) and rely on a low surface tension (hydrophobic) and a low modulus of elasticity, usually with a good initial foul free performance. With time, the coatings ability to self-clean is lowered, which results in a higher hull skin friction. The invention behind the 3rd generation fouling release coatings is a unique blend of silicone polymers that has and maintains a more hydrophilic surface, with fouling release performance that lasts. The foul free period is longer, and required speed for self-cleaning is lower. This results in a lower hull skin friction over time with potentially lower fuel consumption.

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