Certifying Authority

MCA Workboat Code edition 3 becomes law

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The new edition of the code will be statutory from 13th December 2023
The new edition of the code will be statutory from 13th December 2023

Following many months of protracted discussions and consultation earlier this year, Workboat Code edition 3 is set to become law from 13 December 2023. From this date onwards this Code must only be used for new workboats and pilot boats.

Existing vessels that are certificated under the Brown Code, its equivalent standard published in the technical Annex to MGN 280(M), or Workboat Code Edition 2, Amendment 1 shall meet the requirements of Workboat Code edition 3 by the vessel’s next renewal examination or three years after the date of entry into force of the Code, Continue reading “MCA Workboat Code edition 3 becomes law”

Angry response voiced at Seawork over proposed new MCA Workboat Code 3

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The proposed MCAs Workboat Code 3 has drawn angry responses
The proposed MCAs Workboat Code 3 has drawn angry responses

Anger erupted and spilled over at the MCAs handling of the Workboat Code 3 consultation process at the Seawork conference. Accusations were made that the MCA (Maritime & Coastguard Agency) is not communicating new coding regulations that could have disastrous consequences for small workboats.

There was standing room only at the UK’s Maritime & Coastguard Authority Workboat Code 3 update presentation at Seawork as the Workboat Association teetered close to expressing a vote of no confidence in the UK’s statutory body. Something of a showdown with Continue reading “Angry response voiced at Seawork over proposed new MCA Workboat Code 3”

BV issues rules for the classification of harbour equipment

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This Rule Note gives the requirements for construction and classification of harbour equipment intended to be operated as floating dock, floating bridge, floating door and other storage or working unit floating in smooth stretches of waters. NR612 is to be applied for structural elements of the hull and for components of the machinery and electrical installations of harbour equipment.

Main changes in NR612 – Rules for the classification of Harbour Equipment

In generalN612 - March 2023
1. Harmonisation of Rules’ content, structure, wording and terminology with NR217 Rules for
the classification of inland vessels.
2. Extension of Rules application to hull materials other than steel: aluminium (A), composite
(C), wood (W) and concrete (CR).

Classification and Surveys – PART A
1. Implementation of a new service notation “Floating plant” together with related additional
service features defining the plant type
2. Implementation of new additional service features for units: Continue reading “BV issues rules for the classification of harbour equipment”

ClassNK releases comprehensively revised structural rules

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Leading Classification Society ClassNK released a comprehensively revised version of Part C of its Rules and Guidance for the Survey and Construction of Steel Ships setting the requirements for hull structures on 1 July 2022.

ClassNK is constantly revising its Rules and Guidance in order to reflect the latest results from relevant research and development projects, feedback from damage investigations, requests from industry, as well as changes made to the relevant regulations such as international conventions. Continue reading “ClassNK releases comprehensively revised structural rules”

Latest flag state performance table published by International Chamber of Shipping

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Latest flag state performance table published by ICS
Latest flag state performance table published by ICS

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has published the latest flag state performance table (2020/2021) which finds that many of the largest flag states, including the Marshall Islands, Hong Kong (China), Singapore as well as the Bahamas and Cyprus, continue to perform to an exceptionally high standard, with traditional flags and open registers performing equally well.

ICS Secretary General, Guy Platten, says: “The flag state performance table clearly indicates that distinctions between ‘traditional’ flags and open registers are no longer meaningful. Alongside several European registers, and flags such as Japan, we have seen many open registers amongst the very top performers”. Continue reading “Latest flag state performance table published by International Chamber of Shipping”

MCA releases the outcome of the review of the standards relating to older domestic passenger vessels

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MCA release results of second public consultation
MCA release results of second public consultation

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) carried out a second public consultation, which ran from 29 May 2019 to 10 July 2019, on proposals resulting from a review of the standards relating to older domestic passenger vessels, which are currently less stringent in some areas than those which are applied to newbuild vessels. Some proposals had been revised in the light of comments received during the first consultation, which ran from 6 November 2018 to 29 January 2019.

In some cases, there is a safety gap between the standards for new ships and those for older vessels. The review seeks to bring the standards applied to existing vessels into line, wherever possible, with those which apply to new vessels in key safetyareas.

These proposals are to narrow the gap by means of new Regulations which amend Continue reading “MCA releases the outcome of the review of the standards relating to older domestic passenger vessels”

Denmark cancels registration fee for Danish Register in attempt to boost fleet size

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The aim of this amendment is to increase the attractiveness of the Danish Flag
The aim of this amendment is to increase the attractiveness of the Danish Flag

The Danish Parliament adopted a legislative amendment on 26 of April, which cancels the registration fee for vessels in the Danish Registers of Shipping. The aim of this amendment is to increase the attractiveness of the Danish Flag.

Denmark supports that this measure will indeed increase the attractiveness of the Danish Flag, as it now offers the same benefits as foreign Flags.

This amendment also provides increased economic activity and international influence, when the Danish Flag attracts more vessels from both national as foreign shipowners.

The amendment will enter into force on the Continue reading “Denmark cancels registration fee for Danish Register in attempt to boost fleet size”

ClassNK publishes guidelines for use of drones in class surveys

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ClassNK publishes guidelines for use of drones in class surveys
ClassNK publishes guidelines for use of drones in class surveys

Leading classification society ClassNK has released its Guidelines for Use of Drones in Class Surveys. These guidelines incorporate the applicable range and procedures for use of drones in class surveys, the technical considerations for safe operation and the requirements for drone service suppliers.

Because drone-related technologies are improving at an extremely rapid pace, application in diverse fields is increasingly expected. In the maritime industry as well, efforts aimed at utilization in the field of inspections and surveys are being carried out.

At the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), discussions on the use of Remote Inspection Techniques (RIT) including drones in class surveys are already underway, and IACS Rec. 42 (Guidelines for Use of Remote Inspection Technics for Surveys) was revised in June of 2016. A revision of the related IACS Unified Requirements has also been completed and will take effect in January 2019.

On the other hand, when flying a drone in places such as Continue reading “ClassNK publishes guidelines for use of drones in class surveys”

ABS launches digital e-certificates

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ABS launches digital e-certificates
ABS launches digital e-certificates

ABS launches e-Certificates. Continuously available, tamper-proof, independently verifiable and secure digital equivalents of traditional ABS paper certificates, e-Certificates are now available to ABS’ entire classed-fleet, subject to individual Flag Administrations’ authorisation. Traditional paper certificates are always still available.

“E-Certificates are the latest product from ABS’ FutureClassTM program. Defining the future of class focuses on the utilization of data and digital technology to deliver benefits for our clients,” said ABS Chairman, President and CEO, Christopher J. Wiernicki. “ABS’ e-Certificates are a perfect example of how we strive to add value and operating efficiencies for our customers.”

Uniquely, ABS’ e-Certificate system allows a simultaneous, vessel-wide view of all applicable certificates, rather than requiring the user to look up each certificate individually.

Fully compliant with IMO Guidelines, ABS e-Certificates will reduce Continue reading “ABS launches digital e-certificates”

Problems with skin fittings

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Surveyors should be aware of the issues caused by faulty skin fittings
Surveyors should be aware of the issues caused by faulty skin fittings

In the last month I have come across two situations which highlight the potential problems with skin fittings, reports Eugene Curry. One vessel, a GRP sea angling charter boat, was a licenced Passenger Boat (12 passengers and 2 crew) permitted to operate up to 40 nautical miles offshore. The other vessel was an aluminium hulled yacht undergoing inspection for renewal of its passenger Boat Licence and permitted to operate up to 30 nautical miles offshore. In both instances the owners grumbled about the additional expense involved but changed their tune when problems were found.

Continue reading “Problems with skin fittings”

IIMS Certifying Authority training day

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Marine surveyors at the IIMS Certifying Authority training day
Marine surveyors at the IIMS Certifying Authority training day

Twenty plus marine surveyors who are IIMS Certifying Authority examiners met for their twice yearly training day at Portchester Sailing Club in mid May.

With the many changes now in place as a result of the implementation of the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (MLC 2006) legislation, it was an opportunity to review the procedures and to learn more about the convention.

Mark Towl from the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) was the key presenter in the morning session. During his presentation he stressed that the MCA is still reviewing many aspects of MLC 2006 and further changes were inevitable. He also stressed that, in his view, the MCA have taken the most liberal view to how MLC 2006 is being interpreted.

Continue reading “IIMS Certifying Authority training day”

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