The US Coast Guard issued a policy letter concerning sea strainers constructed of nonmetallic materials for use on small passenger vessels.
Sea strainers containing nonmetallic components have been installed on small passenger vessels for several decades without incident. However, the regulations were amended to require vital piping systems to be made of a ferrous material on board ”new” small passenger vessels.
Drawing on world class know-how derived from generations of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) design, development and operation and its naval capabilities, Elbit Systems’ newest offering in the unmanned platform field is Seagull, an organic, modular, highly autonomous, multi-mission Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) system.
Seagull is a 12-metre USV with replaceable mission modules, with two vessels capable of being operated and controlled in concert using a single Mission Control System (MCS), from manned ships or from the shore.
Continue reading “Elbit Systems introduces a multi mission unmanned surface vehicle system”
US wind turbine manufacturer, Inergy, has given an enticing glimpse into the future of environmentally friendly superyachts, which will be powered by wind energy. Gemma One, measuring just over 30 metres, will be the flagship vessel for the new Gemma series of environmentally friendly superyachts developed by Inergy.
The Gemma One is a new generation clean vessel. It is a practical, safe, conservatively styled, amenity-rich and highly automated boat that can be 100% powered by renewable energy, offering nearly unlimited remote operation.
Continue reading “Futuristic wind energy powered superyacht being pioneered by Inergy”
The MAIB has issued a second safety warning after a mooring line failure on board LNG tanker Zarga resulted in serious injury to a deck officer.
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch is carrying out an investigation into the mooring line failure on board LNG tanker Zarga while alongside South Hook LNG terminal, Milford Haven on 2 March 2015, which resulted in serious injury to a deck officer.
Close fitting jacketed synthetic fibre ropes with low twist constructions are more prone to failure under normal operating conditions than other mooring rope constructions. This is especially the case where the diameter to diameter (D:d) ratio between a ship’s deck fittings and its mooring ropes, is less than that recommended by the rope’s manufacturer. The nature of the close fitting jacket precludes visual inspection of the rope’s core for signs of degradation. Operators of vessels using close-fitting jacketed synthetic fibre mooring ropes are strongly advised to contact the rope’s manufacturer/supplier to:
Continue reading “MAIB issues safety warning about close fitting jacketed synthetic fibre ropes”
Deep Ocean Engineering, Inc., based in the USA has revealed its newest addition to its family of underwater drones, the Phantom T5 ROV.
The applications for use of the Phantom T5 span a broad spectrum of industries, but include port security, vessel inspection, salvage and SAR.
“The Phantom T5 open-frame architecture makes mechanical integrations a breeze, while the dedicated expansion bulkhead connectors, used for both power and telemetry, are provided as standard. In addition, an optional tool skid allows the customer to ‘bolt on’ their sensors or tools by plugging into the expansion bulkhead connectors for nearly limitless, task-specific, expansion possibilities” said John Bergman, Deep Ocean Engineering, Vice President of Engineering.
Continue reading “Phantom T5 ROV deep sea drone makes its debut”
The report relates to the MAIB’s investigation of the collapse of a mezzanine deck on the Wightlink ferry St Helen, at Fishbourne ferry terminal, Isle of Wight, on 18 July 2014. The passengers and vehicles on board the cross Solent roll-on roll-off passenger ferry St Helen were in the process of disembarking at Fishbourne ferry terminal on the Isle of Wight when the vessel’s starboard forward mezzanine deck collapsed. The deck collapsed because one of its steel wire lifting ropes parted. The lifting rope parted because it had not been routinely lubricated and the mezzanine deck had not been properly maintained.
A crewman and 11 cars, with their seated passengers, were on the deck when it collapsed. The crewman suffered a minor head injury and was temporarily rendered unconscious; several passengers suffered minor impact related injuries. The mezzanine deck was structurally damaged and was later removed from the vessel.
On 14 March 2015, the barge Lasqueti Daughters with 17 people on board, departed Campbell River, British Columbia. Partway into the voyage, the sea conditions deteriorated. Water began shipping on board via the spaces between the bow ramp, the bulwarks, and the main deck, and then downflooded into the forward storage compartment. The Lasqueti Daughters flooded but remained afloat, was abandoned, and was eventually towed to shore and intentionally beached. There were no injuries. The vessel was declared a constructive total loss.
The investigation revealed that the vessel had not been inspected nor was it certified as required by the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 (CSA 2001) and its regulations.
Baleària, the ferry company head quartered at Denia, Spain, is to build a 232.2 m x 30.4 m LNG fuelled “smart ship” at Spain’s LaNaval shipyard.
It will be the largest ferry operating in the Mediterranean and among the largest in the world and is scheduled to start operations in 2019. It will have a capacity for 1,600 passengers (70% of whom can be accommodated in cabins), plus 340 vehicles.
Baleària decided to use liquefied natural gas and solar power as energy sources to “reinforce the idea of the pleasure of travelling compatible with the respect for the environment,” said Baleària Chairman Adolfo Utor.
Continue reading “Baleària orders giant LNG fuelled ‘smart ferry’”
The European Union has released new operational guidelines for ships in need of assistance at the Seas, Rivers, Islands and Coastal Areas (SEARICA) Intergroup meeting in European Parliament.
The guidelines were developed by a committee comprising of Member States’ competent authorities with additional support from industry stakeholders.
It aims to promote better integration and coordination among the maritime authorities involved in response to an incident concerning a ship in need of assistance.
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A technical newsletter has been written and published by DNV GL to give an insight and to make recommendations on how to avoid safety risks due to severe corrosion of vessel’s steel structure by way of the box cooler. In the most severe cases that DNV GL has encountered, the bolted flange of the top plate of the cooling box was involved. This led to increased risk of collapse of the top plate.
Extent of damage
A box cooler eliminates the secondary cooling water circuit of sea water inside the engine room. The cooling effect is achieved by natural circulation of the surrounding sea water and is considered to be a cost-effective alternative.
Continue reading “DNV GL issues advice about combating corrosion due to box cooler”
The Swedish P&I Club has issued its Monthly Safety Scenario for February 2016 that relates to an accident caused by leaking hatch covers. As a result it recommends new measures proposed following accident caused by leaking hatch covers.
The vessel comprised loaded up wire coils. When loading was complete the crew taped across the transverse beams of all the cargo holds with Ram-Nek. During the vessel’s transit it sailed through heavy weather that lasted for about two days. During this time the vessel was pitching and rolling and the cargo hatches were covered in water.
Continue reading “New measures proposed following accident caused by leaking hatch covers”
Fairline Boats, which had seemed to be on the verge of disappearing just a few weeks ago, has been saved following the intervention by two Russian investors.
A new company, Fairline Acquisitions, funded by two UK based Russian investors with a background in the marine sector, is to take on the failed company’s order book and initially plans to recruit around 100 of the 380 staff who were made redundant before Christmas following the collapse. The new company plans to trade as Fairline Yachts.
The new business will be run by Russell Currie. He has been a Fairline dealer for the past 18 years.
Continue reading “Fairline Yachts established from failed Fairline Boats”
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