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Cyber security goes under scrutiny in The Navigator

The 12th edition of The Navigator is out now
The 12th edition of The Navigator is out now

The hot topic of cyber security is examined in the twelfth issue of The Navigator. The magazine looks at how cyber security is developing and how navigators can protect themselves, their crew mates and vessel from the associated threats. Articles include a discussion on spoofing and hacking, advice on how to prepare for the worst and an insight into the use of smart technology, social media and the internet at sea.

Emma Ward, Editor of The Navigator, said: “With more advanced onboard technology, this subject should concern everyone. Targeted, malicious cyber attacks are not the only way a ship can come under threat. Risks can come from sources much closer to home, for example a crew member plugging a smart phone into a USB port on the ECDIS and disrupting the display, or an unsuspecting social media download introducing a virus. So, the more we know about cyber security, the better we can shore up our defences and stay safe at sea.”

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IMO issues advice regarding verification of gross mass of packed containers as deadline looms

Containers and Container shipsAn MSC circular on Advice to Administrations, port State control authorities, companies, port terminals and masters regarding the SOLAS requirements for verified gross mass of packed containers has been agreed by the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), following discussion on the pending entry into force of the requirements in SOLAS regulations VI/2.4 to VI/2/6 on the verification of the gross mass of packed containers on 1 July 2016.

Concerns were noted with regards to the application of the requirements to a container which was loaded before 1 July 2016 and then transhipped. The Committee, meeting for its 96th session (11-20 May), also noted delegations’ comments that, in the first few months after 1 July 2016, some leeway should be provided in order for any problems resulting from software updates, required for the electronic collection and transmittal of verified gross mass data, to be rectified without causing delays to containers being loaded.

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MED directive for domestic passenger ships and vessels consultation open

Will these life jackets meet the MED Directive? The consultation is open
Will these life jackets meet the MED Directive? The consultation is open

Marine equipment of a safety, or anti-pollution nature (such as lifejackets, fire extinguishers, oily water separators and ships’ radios and radars) installed onboard UK vessels must meet performance and testing standards to ensure it functions as required. Equipment required according to International Maritime Organisation (IMO) conventions is to be of an approved type and in the European Union (EU), this is achieved through Council Directive 96/98/EC2, otherwise known as the Marine Equipment Directive (MED).

Difficulties have been observed in implementing the MED Directive, particularly regarding protection of the EU market against non-compliant and fraudulent equipment and the communication of the applicable testing standards for equipment within the scope of the MED.

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Caterpillar Marine unveils new hybrid thruster in pursuit of efficiency

Caterpillar Marine has announced delivery of its first Cat Marine Hybrid Thruster system in search of ever increasing efficiencies
Caterpillar Marine has announced delivery of its first Cat Marine Hybrid Thruster system in search of ever increasing efficiencies

Caterpillar Marine has unveiled a new hybrid thruster concept which it claims can offer dramatic cost. Caterpillar Marine has announced that the first Cat Marine Hybrid Thruster system will be delivered to an undisclosed shipyard in Singapore and will be commissioned this year.

This new propulsion setup is claimed to outperform a straight diesel mechanical drive system in all partial load conditions and offers improved fuel economy and substantial through-life savings for a variety of offshore support vessels. Caterpillar claims that for vessels spending long periods of time in standby or DP (dynamic positioning) service, the annual fuel savings by adopting this hybrid system could be as high as 35% calculated across the entire operating profile of the vessel.

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Fairline Yachts signs new collaboration deals

A fairline yachtFairline Yachts has signed a contract with the Alberto Mancini Yacht Design studio in a bid to secure its collaboration to design new innovative yachts.

Alongside the deal with the Italian yacht designers, Fairline Yachts also confirmed a partnership with Dutch naval engineers, Vripack.

Andrew Pope, head of design at Fairline Yachts, said: “Alberto clearly demonstrated his understanding of the Fairline brand and we’re very excited to see him applying his talent and design language to our future new models.”

“The addition of Vripack and the excellence in naval engineering that they bring, will ensure each of our new models are at the leading edge of marine technology.”

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The importance of fire safety in engine rooms is highlighted

An engine room post fire

DNV GL has been considering the aspects of fire safety in engine rooms with respect to both new-build and ships in service and offers the following advice. Insulation, screening and the routing of pipes cannot be easily addressed in the design and approval phase. As a result, DNV GL are keen to remind people, including surveyors that these aspects require adequate attention during the new-build construction phase.

Insulation and screening deteriorate during the vessel’s operational phase and require extra attention during the vessel’s in service phase. Often, deficiencies within these two aspects are easy to detect during a survey. However, missing insulation or screening is not always easy to identify, especially on relatively new ships. Therefore, it is important that all requirements are met when the vessel is delivered – making follow-up during the ship’s lifetime simpler.

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RNLI meets IIMS

RNLI meets IIMS
RNLI meets IIMS

On Wednesday 25 May, a group of nearly 30 IIMS members met at the impressive Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) headquarters and training facility at Poole in Dorset, UK. Their mission? Firstly to have a close look first hand at the RNLI All-weather Lifeboat Centre and the various workshops to see and understand the activities going on. Then after lunch, the group combined with the surveyors at their conference for an invaluable afternoon of training and knowledge sharing.

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SCHOTTEL develops VarioDuct high performance nozzle

A test model of the new nozzle SCHOTTEL VarioDuct SDV45 in the towing tank
A test model of the new nozzle SCHOTTEL VarioDuct SDV45 in the towing tank

The new SCHOTTEL VarioDuct SDV45 high performance nozzle is now available in the Rudderpropeller range from the German propulsion specialist SCHOTTEL. It offers provable higher efficiency at open-water speed combined with very good bollard pull values. In conjunction with optimally designed propeller geometries, the outstanding performance characteristics of the nozzle come to the fore. Given the same propulsive power, it has a greater bollard pull than the thrust of previous nozzles and, at the same time, offers considerably greater efficiency in the medium and high speed range. The system, consisting of a Rudderpropeller and the new nozzle, thus contributes significantly to fuel savings.

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Canadian Government set to commit 289m to small craft harbours

A Canadian fishing portThe Canadian Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, Hunter Tootoo has announced an investment of C$289m ($219m) in small craft harbours across the country from 2016 to 2017.

The recent announcement adds an investment of C$32m ($24m) to an already committed value of C$149m ($113m), to be applied on small craft harbours (SCH) in the Canadian budget of this year.

SCH is a programme launched by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans across the nation to operate and maintain a national system of harbours offering safe and reliable access to coastal communities.

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Palma based refit companies rebrand as The North Dock

Eight marine businesses have joined forced to form The North Dock in Palma
Eight marine businesses have joined forced to form The North Dock in Palma

STP is one of the safest and most advanced Shipyard in Europe. It is a technical area of reference, set in the heart of Puerto de Palma, for the repair and maintenance of ships of up to 120 metres in length with travel-lifts of up to 700 tons. It is equipped with cutting edge and state of the art technology.

Now a group of eight independent marine businesses, which are equipped to offer a range of skills and products to the refit, repair and general yachting sectors, have joined together to form The North Dock.

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Sky-Futures and TU Delft University to collaborate on improving corrosion measurement by drone

Research and development facilities at Sky-Futures
Research and development facilities at Sky-Futures

Sky-Futures, the world leading drone inspection specialists for oil and gas, has announced they are funding a project with Dutch University, TU Delft to develop technology that will allow drones to accurately measure defects on structures through drone sensor technology and display the data collected.

Sky-Futures technology team, led by CTO Adrian Karl, already uses sophisticated software to automate the analysis of the data its drones gather, helping to identify potential problems in a rig and provide accurate corrosion forecasts. Clients access imagery and analysis through a cloud-hosted portal, together with expert input from Sky-Futures’ experienced engineers.

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Marine surveyor gives testimony on El Faro Steam Plant inspection

A containershipThe US Coast Guard Marine Board of Investigation into the loss of the El Faro continued with testimony from marine surveyors for the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), which provided classification and inspection services for the vessel.

Mark LaRose, a senior marine surveyor for ABS, performed a survey for the El Faro in June 2015, part of its continuous machinery survey program. Under the program, the ABS surveys 20 percent of the machinery on a ship every year for five years.

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