IBM backs new autonomous research vessel for historic transatlantic voyage

IBM joins effort to build an autonomous research vessel
IBM joins effort to build an autonomous research vessel

IBM has announced that it is joining an effort to build an autonomous research vessel for an historic transatlantic crossing. In honour of the fourth centennial of the famous voyage of settlers from England to the Americas, it will be named the Mayflower.

The five-ton, wing sail/solar/diesel powered Mayflower Autonomous Ship (MAS) is designed to make 20 knots on its eastbound voyage. Over the course of the 12-day crossing, it will take water samples for research on ocean microplastics, and its sensors will return data on water temperature and nutrient levels. For navigation Continue reading “IBM backs new autonomous research vessel for historic transatlantic voyage”

IUMI says Time to take action on container ship fires

IUMI speaks out about container ship fires
IUMI speaks out about container ship fires

The shipping industry has witnessed many fire incidents on container ships this year, some of which have resulted in fatalities and others in significant economic losses. At a recent conference, IUMI took the chance to alert and feedback on the situation and call the shipping industry to improve its onboard firefighting systems and seafarers’ training.

Gard P&I Club organised a conference in Arendal, Norway on 17-18 October 2019. The event attracted many shipping stakeholders, including IMO, flags states, shipowners and insurers. Their aim? To push for more discussions on preventing Continue reading “IUMI says Time to take action on container ship fires”

Hybrid SES: First hybrid powered Surface Effect Ship to be used for crew transfer

Hybrid SES
Hybrid SES

CWind has announced a long-term charter contract agreement with Ørsted, delivering by mid 2020, the world’s first hybrid powered Surface Effect Ship (SES) to Borssele 1 and 2 offshore wind farms. The agreement between the world’s leading windfarm operator Ørsted and CWind, part of the Global Marine Group, covers an initial three-year firm charter with options available for a further two years. The Hybrid SES crew transfer vessel will be operating from the Dutch port of Vlissingen, to Borssele 1 and 2, located 23km from the Dutch coast in the North Sea.

The development of the Hybrid SES for use as a crew transfer vessel is in response to an industry-wide push to develop and deploy innovative technologies that reduce Continue reading “Hybrid SES: First hybrid powered Surface Effect Ship to be used for crew transfer”

DNV GL: Performance of EALs triggers update to shaft alignment rules

DNV GL will update its shaft alignment design rules
DNV GL will update its shaft alignment design rules

Classification society DNV GL will update its shaft alignment design rules to differentiate between Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants (EALs) and mineral oils in stern tubes. The update, effective 1 July 2019, is based on the phase 1 findings from the joint development project (JDP) DNV GL has been running in cooperation with marine insurers The Swedish Club, Norwegian Hull Club, Gard and Skuld to test the potential influence of EALs on failures in stern tube bearings.

The JDP was prompted by an upsurge in stern tube bearing Continue reading “DNV GL: Performance of EALs triggers update to shaft alignment rules”

Norwegian Maritime Authority issues warning about lithium-ion power following ferry fire and explosion

Norwegian Maritime Authority issues warning after fire
Norwegian Maritime Authority issues warning after fire

The Norwegian Maritime Authority has published an alert concerning a small fire that erupted in the battery room onboard the MF Ytterøyningen passenger ferry. The Norwegian Maritime Authority is warning shipowners, operators and other stakeholders and interested parties about the dangers associated with lithium-ion battery systems after a fire and subsequent gas explosion on board a diesel-electric ferry in Norway.

The small fire was reported October 10 in the battery room of the Norled passenger ferry MF Ytterøyningen. The ferry returned to harbour under its own power where passengers and crew were evacuated to land. Overnight, however, a serious gas explosion rocked the battery room causing significant damage.

Specifically, on October 10, a small fire erupted onboard the ferry. Norwegian broadcasting company NRK reported at the time that twelve Continue reading “Norwegian Maritime Authority issues warning about lithium-ion power following ferry fire and explosion”

HPI-CEproof: the merging of two leading global marine compliance companies

HPI-CEproof: HPi Verification Services (HPiVS) and CEproof Group
HPI-CEproof: HPi Verification Services (HPiVS) and CEproof Group

Two leading organisations in the global marine compliance industry, HPi Verification Services (HPiVS) and CEproof Group, have merged to create HPI-CEproof.

It’s been a milestone 12 months for EU Notified Body HPiVS, which completed accreditation with The Irish National Accreditation Board (INAB) in 2018 for HPi Verification Services (Ireland) Ltd to ISO 17065 so that it can continue to certify products to the EU Recreational Craft Directive (RCD) and the EU Pressure Equipment Directive. This has enabled HPiVS to provide continuity of service, irrespective of Britain’s future status in the EU.

Recreational Craft Directive specialist, CEproof, has enjoyed an equally successful period. Its core UK operation and 10 global offices have continued to develop its Continue reading “HPI-CEproof: the merging of two leading global marine compliance companies”

An open letter to the worldwide manufacturing industries written by IIMS

IIMS would like to see the worldwide yacht and boat industry coming together to act responsibly with the treatment of latent defects
IIMS would like to see the worldwide yacht and boat industry coming together to act responsibly with the treatment of latent defects

All worldwide manufacturing industries fundamentally face the same basic key challenges. They must be competitive within the markets they operate in, which requires them to produce the best possible products within strict financial constraints, ensuring they make a profit to enable them to continue to invest in research and development to create new products.

Some worldwide manufacturing industries through choice approach this challenge by producing the best possible high-quality product with a top end price. They have a well-defined strategy of selling less units using a marketing approach to create a unique market position and a cachet around the brand. Put in simple terms, at the top end are the elite where only a limited amount of a product is manufactured with a high price tag. At the other end of the scale are the mass-produced, low-cost products with a throw away price tag by comparison.

Continue reading “An open letter to the worldwide manufacturing industries written by IIMS”

Report into deadly Butiraoi ferry sinking says the vessel was unsafe

The Butiroai ferry dockedAn independent commission has released its report into the loss of the ferry Butiraoi in the South Pacific off the coast of Kiribati last year, finding that the vessel was “unsafe” and could reasonably be “expected” to sink in the conditions it experienced. 95 passengers and crew lost their lives when she broke up and sank off the atoll of Nonouti.

On January 18, 2018, the wooden catamaran ferry Butiraoi took aboard 89 passengers, 13 crew and about 30 tonnes of cargo at Nonouti. She had recently gone aground three times without any immediate follow-up or repairs, and two weeks earlier, a local marine surveyor had ordered her not to carry passengers due to an insufficient number of lifejackets. Even if Butiraoi had been licensed to carry passengers on the accident voyage, the number on board was in excess of permitted limits.

Continue reading “Report into deadly Butiraoi ferry sinking says the vessel was unsafe”

TSB Canada release video about tug girding in light of many incidents

Video about tug girding by TSB Canada
Video about tug girding by TSB Canada

Between 2005 and 2018, the TSB Canada received reports of 26 girding (also known as girting) situations resulting in 21 capsizings. Girding occurs when a vessel is pulled broadside by a towline force and is unable to manoeuvre out of this position. The TSB has produced a video to illustrate the factors leading to girding and the recovery methods that can be taken in this eventuality.

Girding happens quickly and is a high impact event. When it does happen, the consequences can be serious. According to the video, when the TSB is called to a scene when girding has occurred, they often see that few operators have received Continue reading “TSB Canada release video about tug girding in light of many incidents”

Tug capsizes due to lack of training and oversight says report by TSB Canada

Tug capsizes
Tug capsizes

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada discusses a capsize incident where the tug George H Ledcor was towing another barge and resulted to the former’s capsize. The event resulted to a seriously injured crewmember and an unknown quantity of oil spill.

The George H Ledcor, on August 13th 2018, was towing the loaded gravel barge Evco 55, with the assist tug Westview Chinook pushing to an unloading facility in the north arm of the Fraser River, British Columbia.

At about 2210 local time, the George H Ledcor girded and capsized after being Continue reading “Tug capsizes due to lack of training and oversight says report by TSB Canada”

MCIB report says Non-compliance linked to fatal vessel sinking

MCIB publishes report on the fatal sinking involving the fishing vessel 'Beal Sruthan'
MCIB publishes report on the fatal sinking involving the fishing vessel ‘Beal Sruthan’

Ireland’s Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) has published an investigation report on the fatal sinking involving the fishing vessel ‘Beal Sruthan’ off Craugh Island, Galway Bay, in May 2018. Although the actual cause of the accident cannot be determined, it is probable that the failure to properly blank off the redundant stern tube by failing to properly seal both ends led to the sinking.

On the 23rd May 2018, the casualty, operating a 21-foot open boat departed from an unidentified location near Clifden, believed to be a pier close to the townland of Coolacloy, Co. Galway, to commence laying lobster pots. Continue reading “MCIB report says Non-compliance linked to fatal vessel sinking”

Lithium-ion batteries linked to fire in superyacht’s garage says new report

Lithium-ion batteries linked to fire of 'MY Kanga'
Lithium-ion batteries linked to fire of ‘MY Kanga’

Transport Malta’s Marine Safety Investigation Unit (MSIU) has published an investigation report on a garage fire onboard the supertyacht ‘MY Kanga’ while at anchor off Croatia, in September 2018. The investigation concluded that in all probability, the seat of the fire was the Lithium-ion batteries. Transport Malta recommended a review of the Commercial Yacht Code of 2015 on the storage of Li-ion batteries, as well as closed ventilation systems.

MY Kanga was at anchor in the coastal area of Dubrovnik, Croatia, on the morning of 7 September 2018. While the first officer was on the bridge, the fire panel gave off an alarm, indicating a fire in the garage. He immediately went down to inspect and was overwhelmed by the presence of heat and smoke in the garage. The main fire Continue reading “Lithium-ion batteries linked to fire in superyacht’s garage says new report”

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