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RYA leads call for limited and controlled access to marinas

Posted on by News Hound
RYA Logo
RYA Logo

With the current COVID-19 pandemic forcing the country into lockdown, the Royal Yachting Aassociation has received a considerable number of enquiries from concerned members who are not able to gain access to their boats now that most marinas have controlled access.

RYA is acutely aware that their members currently have valid concerns about the inability to undertake checks in respect of security and essential maintenance. In response, the RYA is writing to key Government Ministers seeking definitive guidance that will give a clear and practical way forward to give owners immediate access to their boats whilst respecting current measures to control COVID-19.

Continue reading “RYA leads call for limited and controlled access to marinas”

The Stretch Duck 7 sinking: Initial investigation findings

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The Stretch Duck 7 is hauled out of the water in 2018 at Table Rock Lake in Branson, Mo. St. Louis Post-Dispatch — J.B. Forbes
The Stretch Duck 7 is hauled out of the water in 2018 at Table Rock Lake in Branson, Mo. St. Louis Post-Dispatch — J.B. Forbes

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has recently issued its preliminary findings concerning the tragic events that led to the sinking of the DUKW amphibious passenger boat, “Stretch Duck 7”. NTSB has held a virtual meeting on 28 April to discuss the matter in detail.

On 19 July 2018, at about 1908 central daylight time, a 33-foot-long, modified World War II-era DUKW amphibious passenger vessel, “The Stretch Duck 7” sank during a storm with heavy winds that developed rapidly on Table Rock Lake near Branson, Missouri.

Of the 31 persons that were onboard, there were reported 17 fatalities. As the NTSB reported, the vessel’s operator, Ride the Ducks of Branson continued to operate waterborne tours despite a severe thunderstorm Continue reading “The Stretch Duck 7 sinking: Initial investigation findings”

The Swedish Club shares lessons learned about an oil spill incident while bunkering

Posted on by News Hound
The Swedish Clue - oil spill incident whilst bunkering
The Swedish Clue – oil spill incident whilst bunkering

The Swedish Club has analysed an incident of an accidental oil spill while bunkering in its recent club bulletin. The subsequent report by The Swedish Club highlights that the crew did not deploy the oil boom because of the potential cost implications. As a result the oil spread across the harbour.

The vessel in question was starboard side alongside and carrying out a cargo operation. The Chief Engineer had ordered a fuel barge to bunker 350 MT of fuel oil. The fuel barge came alongside on the port side in the morning. A hose was connected from the barge to the portside bunker station. The Chief Engineer had Continue reading “The Swedish Club shares lessons learned about an oil spill incident while bunkering”

St Clair: Engine room fire on bulk carrier while in layup status report published

Posted on by News Hound
St Clair - Photo courtesy of duluthshippingnews.com
St Clair – Photo courtesy of duluthshippingnews.com

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has published an investigation report on the engine room fire aboard the bulk carrier St Clair whilst in layup status at TORCO dock in Maumee River, Toledo, in February 2019. The investigation has highlighted a lack of operating procedures for continuous monitoring of the vessel while in layup.

About 2010 local time on February 16, 2019, a fire was reported on the bulk carrier St Clair while the vessel was laid-up for the winter at the CSX TORCO Iron Ore Terminal (TORCO dock) at the mouth of the Maumee River in Toledo, Ohio. No one was onboard. The fire was extinguished approximately 36 hours Continue reading “St Clair: Engine room fire on bulk carrier while in layup status report published”

RMI alerts on fire incidents onboard commercial yachts

Posted on by News Hound
The marshall islands registry logo
The marshall islands registry logo

In 2019, four fire incidents occurred onboard commercial yachts registered under the Republic of Marshall Islands (RMI) that resulted in the total constructive loss of the vessel. As a consequence, RMI has shared key areas of concern and best practices.

Two incidents occurred while the yachts were moored, one happened while the vessel was underway, and one while it was in the shipyard. There were no deaths or injuries as a result of any of these fires.

Areas of concern

Although causes of the incidents are different, the RMI investigation findings highlight three major areas of concern:
1. fire prevention;
2. ensuring fire detection and extinguishing systems are fully functional; and
3. ensuring yacht crews are prepared to respond to a fire. Continue reading “RMI alerts on fire incidents onboard commercial yachts”

Red diesel future for boaters in the UK

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The future of red diesel for boaters in the UK
The future of red diesel for boaters in the UK

The Cruising Association’s Regulations and Technical Services group (RATS) has been in communication with HMRC and confirmed, as a result of the March Budget Statement, that it is their intention to legislate that red diesel in the United Kingdom can only be used in agricultural equipment, on the railways and for non-commercial heating from 1st April 2022.

Since the propulsion of waterborne craft does not fit into these categories, it is HMRC’s intention that they will have to use white diesel for this purpose. The duty on white diesel for boats will be the same as the full rate paid on white road diesel in the UK. This means that the present so called ’60/40′ fuel duty split will disappear but commercial vessels, such as fishing boats, will still be able to claim a rebate on the full rate through their ‘Marine Voyages Relief’ scheme.

HMRC are exploring the issues involved in introducing a scheme that allows private pleasure craft to pay Continue reading “Red diesel future for boaters in the UK”

Static towing assembly guidelines published by OCIMF

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Static towing assembly guidelines published
Static towing assembly guidelines published

Static towing assembly guidelines: This information paper supplements the OCIMF publication Guidelines to Offshore Tanker Operations (GOTO) and should be read along with the relevant guidance for static towing operations.

The purpose of this information paper is to provide technical guidance on selecting fit for purpose towing assemblies that minimise risk of injury to crew members or damage to equipment, and to optimise the effectiveness of static towing operations.

This paper discusses the technical factors that tug operators should consider, in collaboration with terminal operators, when selecting the components of towing assemblies for static towing operations at both Single Point Mooring (SPM) and Floating (Production) Storage and Offloading(F(P)SO) terminals.

The recommendations in this information paper come from extensive industry data gathering and a Continue reading “Static towing assembly guidelines published by OCIMF”

COVID-19 Safety Working Guide – latest IIMS update

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Covid-19 Info
Covid-19 Info

The points made in this updated COVID-19 Safety Working Guide produced by IIMS are essentially common sense suggestions and do not carry any official or authorised backing. Also, remember that advice will change periodically around the world in what is a fast moving situation. Thanks are due to Maurice Pickles, Capt Chris Kelly and the Workboat Association as additional reference sources.

The health and safety of marine surveyors, not just IIMS members, and other related personnel at this time is of primary importance and must not be compromised, especially when coming into contact with others during the course of their work, which is the key focus of our COVID-19 Safety Working Guide. Whilst many marine surveyors are idle at this time, some have still been working in various parts of the world. But as Governments start to look at progressively loosening lockdown procedures, now is not a time to become complacent. COVID-19 remains active in our communities and is likely to remain a challenge for many months until a reliable vaccine is found; so great care should be taken for the foreseeable future to avoid contracting or spreading the disease. No matter if you are currently working, or plan to resume surveying and inspecting soon, here is some practical, common sense advice to help you keep safe. Below is a summary of our COVID-19 Safety Working Guide: Continue reading “COVID-19 Safety Working Guide – latest IIMS update”

Registered Marine Coatings Inspector standard five year revalidation gets underway

Posted on by News Hound
RMCI logo
RMCI logo

Until the Registered Marine Coatings Inspector (RMCI) standard was introduced in late 2014, there were no specific qualifications for marine coatings Inspectors – especially in the superyacht, leisure and pleasure vessel sectors. Over that period more than 120 industry professionals have achieved the qualification.

The formal RMCI qualification is a collaboration between the International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA) and the International Institute of Marine Surveying (IIMS), in conjunction with the SuperYacht Builders Association (SYBAss) and managed by the Marine Surveying Academy (MSA). The course, the qualification and the certification system were produced in response to the request from these bodies and industry.

Following a meeting of these key stakeholders, the process of RMCI revalidation was discussed and agreed. Continue reading “Registered Marine Coatings Inspector standard five year revalidation gets underway”

Workboat Association publishes a Coronavirus Good Practice Guide

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COVID-19 Good Practice Guide for Workboats published by the Workboat Association
COVID-19 Good Practice Guide for Workboats published by the Workboat Association

A new COVID-19 Good Practice Guide for Workboats has been published by the Workboat Association to help minimise the spread of COVID-19, protect people’s health and maximise efficiency when responding to an COVID-19-related emergency situation.

The Workboat Association Good Practice Guide says:

It is recommended that Workboat Operators implement the following controls within their organisations to minimise the spread of COVID-19 on board and within the workplace, protect the health of employees [seafarers], passengers and public, and to maximise efficiency when responding to an emergency situation related to COVID-19.

This Good Practice Guide has been created based upon the current industry best practice and guidance Continue reading “Workboat Association publishes a Coronavirus Good Practice Guide”

The RIVER project designed to elimate CO2 emissions underway

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The RIVER project underway
The RIVER project underway

Engineers at Aqueduct Marina have won a tender to work on the RIVER project, a new initiative they believe could help shape the development of the next generation of boat engines.

The RIVER project, of which a new boat to be built by Aqueduct Marina for the Canal & River Trust will play a major part, consists of nine partners from five EU states and five associated partners involved in the capture, storage, treatment of CO2 and waterways.

The project aims to develop internal combustion engines to virtually eliminate CO2 emissions. Continue reading “The RIVER project designed to elimate CO2 emissions underway”

Overpressurization and rupture of cargo tank onboard Fairchem Filly report published

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Overpressurization onboard Fairchem Filly report
Overpressurization onboard Fairchem Filly report

NTSB issued an investigation report on the overpressurization and rupture of a cargo tank on the cargo ship Fairchem Filly while at Houston Ship Channel, in May 2019. Investigators stressed that the vessel and terminal personnel involved were not following procedures related to cargo discharge and nitrogen-blanketing operations.

On 30 May 2019, about 0750 local time, the Marshall Islands-flagged chemical tanker Fairchem Filly, with a crew of 22, experienced an overpressurization of the number 3 port and starboard cargo tanks while discharging liquid hexene at Vopak Terminal in Deer Park, Texas.

The overpressurization resulted in damage to the number 3 port cargo tank and the tank top (deck). All cargo was contained on board the double-hulled vessel, with no pollution or injuries reported. Damage to Continue reading “Overpressurization and rupture of cargo tank onboard Fairchem Filly report published”

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