As IIMS and MSA start to work remotely, CEO, Mike Schwarz, has released a short video for the various communities the organisations serve. Watch the video below:
IIMS News
IMO Secretary-General asks for pragmatic approach in response to COVID-19
IMO Secretary-General, Kitack Lim, has issued a statement and broadcast a video (see below) on COVID-19, stressing the essential need to maintain commerce by sea and protect seafarers’ welfare.
The IMO secretary-General said, “The spread of the coronavirus has placed the entire world in an unprecedented situation. To slow the spread of the disease and mitigate its impacts, travel is being curtailed and borders are being closed. Transport hubs are being affected. Ports are being closed and ships denied entry.”
He added that, it is crucial that the flow of commerce by sea should not be unnecessarily disrupted. At the same time, the safety of life at Continue reading “IMO Secretary-General asks for pragmatic approach in response to COVID-19”
School boat for children in remote Pacific atoll of Fakaofo launched
Children on the remote atoll of Fakaofo in Tokelau will soon be travelling to school in style on a new school boat built in Christchurch with support from the Pacific Maritime Safety Programme. The Director of Maritime NZ Keith Manch said the boat will provide safe, reliable transport for around 50 children who must cross a lagoon to get to school each day.
The design and construction of the vessel, by ICON Custom Boats in Christchurch, was jointly funded by the Government of Tokelau and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
The 12.5m school boat has been named Te Kaniva, a name describing the traditional Continue reading “School boat for children in remote Pacific atoll of Fakaofo launched”
MCA approach to survey and certification of UK vessels during COVID-19 covered by MIN 612
The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has published MIN 612, a marine information notice which sets out the policy of the MCA with respect to UK Vessels which are prevented from arranging the relevant surveys, inspections and audits required for compliance with the appropriate Statutory Instruments due to the current pandemic.
In MIN 612 the MCA sets out contingency plans to mitigate disruption to essential statutory activities during the current pandemic. The aim of the notice is to provide a basis for the continued operation of UK vessels during this time.
Disability badge scheme for boaters developed by CRT
Following the rumours that the Canal & River Trust (CRT) was considering a boating equivalent of the disabled blue badges (disability badge) seen in UK car windows, the Trust has now launched the scheme after developing it with the help of a series of meetings and an online Q&A session with disabled boaters.
A ‘Canal & River Trust Aware’ window disability badge (pictured) will be sent to all boaters with an ‘agreed equality adjustment’ – which usually means an agreement with CRT that the requirements to move (to conform with CRT’s interpretation of the legal requirement for boats without a home mooring to cruise) have been Continue reading “Disability badge scheme for boaters developed by CRT”
Anti-fouling escapade leaves $79m luxury superyacht partially sunk
A luxury superyacht owned by a Saudi Prince has dramatically capsized and partially sunk while it was docked at a repair yard in Perama, Greece. The yacht, Nourah of Riyad, owned by Prince Turki bin Mohammed bin Fahd Al Saud, was being lifted out of the water for repairs when it capsized.
The $79m USD yacht has 11 cabins for up to 22 guests and a crew of 18, a master suite, a VIP stateroom, a jacuzzi on deck and a cinema on board. There was no marine pollution as a result of the incident according to Greek City Times. The yacht turned at a 45-degree angle, the superyacht becoming partially sunk in the water. The unfortunate and expensive accident happened as the vessel was undergoing anti-fouling works. Continue reading “Anti-fouling escapade leaves $79m luxury superyacht partially sunk”
Waterborne transport declaration made by EU Transport Ministers
EU transport ministers held a meeting in Croatia and adopted a declaration on guidelines for the development of EU maritime policy, calling for an emissions trading scheme to cover ships from all countries with a target of achieving a carbon-neutral and zero pollution waterborne transport sector.
The European Community Shipowners’ Associations has expressed its support, saying, “The declaration clearly shows that the ministers place a huge importance on the competitiveness of the European shipping sector, in view of the vital and strategic role it plays in the EU economy, global trade and the common market.” Continue reading “Waterborne transport declaration made by EU Transport Ministers”
MV Leopold LD: Total loss of power while underway linked to poor crew familiarization says Transport Malta report
Transport Malta has published its investigation report on the total loss of power of the bulk carrier MV Leopold LD following the failure of the auxiliary engines and the emergency generator while underway in March 2019. The investigation identified lack of crew familiarization with the correct operation of the compensation damping tank.
MV Leopold LD was en route from the port of Saldanha Bay, South Africa, to Hamburg, Germany, carrying iron ore. On 14 March 2019, the only running Continue reading “MV Leopold LD: Total loss of power while underway linked to poor crew familiarization says Transport Malta report”
Rothen Group completes complex canal wall repair following inclement weather
The Rothen Group was called upon to help repair a stretch of the Llangollen Canal after heavy rain caused substantial damage to the canal wall. A 20m section of the canal, which links north wales and south Cheshire, was damaged during Storm Miguel resulting in erosion that threatened to close the busy stretch near Marbury. When Kier was contracted by the Canal & River Trust to undertake the work, it became rapidly apparent that the rural location presented challenges.
“The nature and location of the site meant that what should have been a Continue reading “Rothen Group completes complex canal wall repair following inclement weather”
IIMS Canada Branch Vancouver conference voted a great success
A group of 40 plus attendees (including online delegates) and marine industry experts gathered for the first full-scale IIMS Canada Branch Vancouver conference on 6/7 March. Judging by the positive feedback from those who attended, the event was a great success.
The Lonsdale Quay Hotel in North Vancouver with its quirky market and food stalls on the ground floor proved to be a highly popular choice of venue and their hospitality team worked hard to satisfy everyone with a non-stop stream of coffee, pastries and savoury food.
Unable to join in person for business reasons, Regional Director, Ed O’Connor, said a few words to open the conference, before inviting Continue reading “IIMS Canada Branch Vancouver conference voted a great success”
Cold straightening of bent shafts may save time and money
The Gard P&I club believe cold straightening of bent shafts may save time and money. Some casualties involve damage to machinery parts which are considered very difficult to repair or deemed irreparable. This includes various types of shafts, such as propeller shafts and rudderstock. Large diameter shafts are subject to bending, which can occur during manufacturing, processing or through subsequent use. Such bending can occur in the rough forging of the shaft and when machining to final dimensions. In lively forgings the final cut for a keyway or similar can create bends. In some circumstances, the shafts will become bent after a period of use, or for Continue reading “Cold straightening of bent shafts may save time and money”
IMO agrees to changes to SOLAS guidelines on ship systems
The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has held the 7th session of the Sub-Committee on Ship Systems and Equipment (SSE), held from 2 – 6 March 2020. ICOMIA has released a report from the meeting and the main items of interest to the superyacht and leisure marine industry are as follows:
On board lifting appliances and winches (OLAW)
During this session, minor modifications were made to the SOLAS amendments in order to align with the draft guidelines which were agreed to at this session. The guidelines address the testing, operation and maintenance of lifting equipment and are broadly in line with the guidance contained in the Code of Safe Working Continue reading “IMO agrees to changes to SOLAS guidelines on ship systems”