IIMS News

Morco gas water heaters the subject of an urgent product recall

Posted on by News Hound
Morco gas water heaters have been recalled
Morco gas water heaters have been recalled

A safety issue has been identified with Morco open-flued gas water heaters which may be installed in canal boats and houseboats as well as in domestic and commercial settings.

The product presents a risk of fire, explosion and injuries. There is a risk of gas leaking which, if ignited, may cause burns, explosions and injuries. The products are not in conformity with the requirements of Regulation 2016/426.

Morco has initiated an urgent recall for the affected appliances. Continue reading “Morco gas water heaters the subject of an urgent product recall”

Allianz Risk Barometer 2025: Cyber risk climbs to the top

Posted on by News Hound

Cyber incidents are the top global risk for 2025 and by a higher margin than ever before – making it the fourth year in a row that cyber is ranked as the number one risk across industries, according to the Allianz Risk Barometer 2025.

Top global risks overview
Cyber incidents consolidate their position as the most important risk – with 38% of responses, a record 7% points ahead. Notably, the risk impact of new technologies and developments in artificial intelligence (AI) is a new entrant in the top 10 global risks at #10. Closely interlinked to cyber, business interruption is ranked #2 (31%), just ahead of another related risk, natural catastrophes at #3 (29%). Continue reading “Allianz Risk Barometer 2025: Cyber risk climbs to the top”

Marshall Islands issues fatal falls from height warning

Posted on by News Hound
Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administrator has published Yacht Safety Advisory 13-24
Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administrator has published Yacht Safety Advisory 13-24

The Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administrator has published Yacht Safety Advisory 13-24 on fatalities due to falls from height.

Since 2019, falls from height on RMI-flagged commercial vessels have been the leading very serious marine casualty (VSMC) by incident type. It accounts for 31% of VSMCs and has resulted in 22 deaths. In the last two years, 11 seafarers have died falling from height. The maritime authority has stressed the importance of wearing fall protection equipment when a risk of falling from height exists.

Recommendations:
• The Administrator strongly recommends that the owner or the owner’s representative review and amend, as necessary, onboard safe Continue reading “Marshall Islands issues fatal falls from height warning”

UK MCA publishes acceptable chart system update

Posted on by News Hound
The MCA acceptable chart system has been updated
The MCA acceptable chart system has been updated

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has published an amendment accepting electronic chart systems for commercial fishing and small vessels up to 24 metres in length.

The update goes under MGN 319 (M+F) Amendment 2 – Acceptance of electronic chart systems for fishing vessels and small vessels in commercial use (code boats) up to 24 metres in load line length (SV-ECS).

The MCA will accept electronic chart systems complying with the Small Vessel Electronic Chart System (SV-ECS) performance standard as satisfying the chart carriage requirements stipulated within SOLAS Chapter V Regulation 19 for applicable vessels. Continue reading “UK MCA publishes acceptable chart system update”

What caught my eye: January 2025

Posted on by CEO

Safety check carried out on one of Britain’s most haunted canal tunnels

Harecastle tunnel in what caught my eye: January 2025Let’s face it, we all love a good ghost story, don’t we? Engineers (along with a different branch of the surveying family) have braved spooks and spectres to inspect the Harecastle Tunnel in Staffordshire, UK to ensure it is safe for waterway users to navigate, this and other things caught my eye in January 2025.

Harecastle Tunnel has the reputation of being one of the most haunted canal tunnels in Britain. Folklore has it that a woman arrived in Kidsgrove on her way to join her husband in London. She accepted a lift with some boatmen and was murdered for the valuables in her Continue reading “What caught my eye: January 2025”

Safety recommendations for Emission Capture and Control

Posted on by News Hound
OCIMF says the adoption of Emission Capture and Control (ECC) can bring environmental advantages to maritime operations
OCIMF says the adoption of Emission Capture and Control (ECC) can bring environmental advantages to maritime operations

OCIMF has issued an interim information paper to provide minimum functional requirements for the safe application of barge-based Emission Capture and Control (ECC) to oil, chemical and oil product tankers operating at onshore conventional berths, such as piers, jetties and quays.

According to OCIMF, the adoption of Emission Capture and Control (ECC) can bring environmental advantages to maritime operations in ports and terminals. By using ECC while at berth, ships can reduce their emissions, contributing to improved local air quality and aiding in compliance with environmental regulations. Continue reading “Safety recommendations for Emission Capture and Control”

New IACS requirement on monitoring and safety functions for Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (M86)

Posted on by News Hound
IACS has released a new unified requirement for monitoring and safety functions for Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (M86).
IACS has released a new unified requirement for monitoring and safety functions for Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (M86).

The International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) has released a new unified requirement for monitoring and safety functions for Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (M86).

Marine air pollution regulations typically require the use of low-sulfur fuel to reduce SOx gaseous emissions. The use of Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (EGCS) technology is generally permitted as an alternative means of compliance.

EGCS – SOx Scrubbers can be effective in complying with regulations that require the use of 0.5 percent sulfur fuel globally and 0.1 percent in Emission Control Areas (ECA). The following requirements apply to the arrangements intended for the safeguard of the ship in case of malfunction of the EGCS. Continue reading “New IACS requirement on monitoring and safety functions for Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (M86)”

MB92 Group acquires superyacht coatings specialist Pinmar

Posted on by News Hound
MB92 Group has bought GYG Ltd., the company that trades under the Pinmar, Pinmar Yacht Supply and Technocraft brands
MB92 Group has bought GYG Ltd., the company that trades under the Pinmar, Pinmar Yacht Supply and Technocraft brands

Leading superyacht refit, repair, and maintenance company MB92 Group has bought GYG Ltd., the superyacht coatings specialist, service and supply company that trades under the Pinmar, Pinmar Yacht Supply and Technocraft brands. MB92 reports that all brands will continue to operate independently across Europe and the US.

MB92’s acquisition of GYG follows other strategic developments for the group including MB92 taking over the Golfe-Juan shipyard in the South of France in October 2024. Continue reading “MB92 Group acquires superyacht coatings specialist Pinmar”

Marshall Islands publishes Blue Cecil report after enclosed space entry deaths

Posted on by News Hound
Blue Cecil report published after enclosed space entry deathsSource: Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administrator
Blue Cecil report published after enclosed space entry deaths Source: Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administrator

The Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administrator has released its Blue Cecil report after enclosed space entry deaths in 2023.
The vessel’s C/E, ETO and Fitter died after they were found unconscious inside of Cargo Hold No. 1. Despite a rescue attempt, with all three being recovered from the hold, they were unresponsive and did not respond to CPR. A post-mortem examination by the Philippine authorities determined their deaths was “asphyxia by suffocation.”

The following lessons learned were identified:
a) Entering a loaded cargo hold without authorization and without following established shipboard enclosed space entry and rescue procedures is extremely hazardous and should not be attempted. Continue reading “Marshall Islands publishes Blue Cecil report after enclosed space entry deaths”

CEO blog: January 2026

Posted on by CEO

Dear member and fellow maritime professionals

Already half way through January, but welcome to 2026; and a belated Happy New Year to you and your family. In a turbulent world, may it be a good one for you.

IIMS celebrates its 35th anniversary later this year. That’s something to be proud of, and as an Institute we have come a long way in a little over a third of a century. I was curious to research and discover what a 35th wedding anniversary is known as. To Continue reading “CEO blog: January 2026”

Counterfeit pilot ladders lead to USCG warning

Posted on by News Hound
Fraudulent certification placard for counterfeit pilot ladder. Source: USCG
Fraudulent certification placard for counterfeit pilot ladder. Source: USCG

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) has issued a safety alert after discovering counterfeit pilot ladders during a Port State Control examination at the Port of Baltimore. The identification plate on the ladder contained several errors, including referencing ISO 779-1 instead of the correct standard, ISO 799-1, and lacking the ISO 799-1 designation type.

Additionally, while the serial number on the ladder matched the accompanying certificate, the number of steps and the length of the ladder did not align with the specifications listed on the certificate. The plate and certificate indicated that the ladder was produced by Continue reading “Counterfeit pilot ladders lead to USCG warning”

Lloyd’s Register: New directive 2023/946 for ro-ro passenger ships

Posted on by News Hound
The European Union has adopted Directive 2023/946
The European Union has adopted Directive 2023/946

The European Union has adopted Directive 2023/946, which amends the “water on deck” damage stability requirements for ro-ro passenger ships in Directive 2003/25/EC.

This new directive is intended to align the EU’s stability requirements with the enhanced standards established by SOLAS 2020.

Since 5 December 2024, the new directive 2023/946 is applicable for new and existing ro-ro passenger ships engaged on international voyages that operate regularly to or from a port of an EU Member State, and which have never been certified in accordance with this directive or the previous Directive Continue reading “Lloyd’s Register: New directive 2023/946 for ro-ro passenger ships”

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