What caught my eye: August 2024

Iconic Greek island shipwreck at risk of disappearing

Image credit Wikipedia
Image credit Wikipedia

Like most other people, I hanker after a bit of nostalgia and this story took me back in time to a memorable holiday in the Greek islands. I was fortunate enough to visit the island of Zakynthos about 30 years ago. We took a boat trip out to Navagio Beach to view the iconic, badly rusted wreck of MV Panagiotis. My overwhelming memory was jumping from the side of the boat into the clear blue Ionian waters to swim the 50 metres to the shore fighting against a strong tide – and all to see a rusted, decaying hulk! The MV Panagiotis, which ran Continue reading “What caught my eye: August 2024”

IIMS marine surveying training receives international seal of approval

IIMS marine surveying training receives international seal of approval
IIMS marine surveying training receives international seal of approval

The International Institute of Marine Surveying (IIMS) has been awarded the globally recognised ISO 9001 standard for quality management of its training services.

ISO 9001 is the most widely used quality management standard with more than one million certificates issued to organisations around the world.

There are seven guiding principles of ISO 9001, which are customer focus, leadership, engagement of people, process approach, improvement, evidence-based decision making and relationship management. Continue reading “IIMS marine surveying training receives international seal of approval”

U.S. Coast Guard 2023 Flag State Control Domestic Report

USCG Logo - Flag State Control Domestic ReportThe U.S. Coast Guard’s Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance has published its 2023 Flag State Control Domestic Annual Report. This report highlights U.S. domestic fleet inspection, deficiency, and marine casualty statistics and serves as a powerful tool that highlights trends, identifies key performance indicators, and draws attention to findings over the past calendar year.

The report presents information reflecting the U.S. Flag fleet including barges, cargo vessels, passenger vessels, vessels operating on the Outer Continental Shelf, research and school ships, fishing vessels, and towing vessels. Continue reading “U.S. Coast Guard 2023 Flag State Control Domestic Report”

What caught my eye: July 2024

An Englishman’s home is his fort

The three Palmerston forts in The Solent off the UK’s south coast are iconic structures known to many, dating back to 1859 when they were built to counter the threat of invasion by the French. For me they are a familiar sight, but I have never had the opportunity to land on these extraordinary structures – only admire them from afar with extreme curiosity.

But knowing they had been for sale for a number of years unsuccessfully, Continue reading “What caught my eye: July 2024”

SOLAS amendments: Enhancing safety in pilot transfer

support vessel alongside ship - Photo Credit: BIMCO
Photo Credit: BIMCO

BIMCO has provided a comprehensive look at new SOLAS amendments, which are expected to be adopted later this year.

The IMO Sub-Committee on Navigation, Communications and Search and Rescue (NCSR) convened for its 11th session from 4 to 13 June, and finalised the draft amendments of SOLAS, Regulation V/23 and associated instruments to improve the safety of Pilot Transfer Arrangements. The amendments are expected to be adopted at the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) 109, in autumn this year, with an entry-into-force date as 1 January 2028. There is also a provision of voluntary early implementation for member states.

– PTAs installed on or after 1 January 2028 shall be designed, manufactured, constructed, secured and installed in accordance with the amended performance standards Continue reading “SOLAS amendments: Enhancing safety in pilot transfer”

IIMS President meets Sailors’ Society in Goa

Capt Manoj Joy (left) and Johan Smith (right) from Sailors' Society with Capt Ruchin Dayal in the eDOT office in Goa, India
Capt Manoj Joy (left) and Johan Smith (right) from Sailors’ Society with Capt Ruchin Dayal in the eDOT office in Goa, India

Recently I was delighted to meet with Captain Manoj Joy and Johan Smith from Sailors’ Society, my chosen charity as President of the IIMS, for the next two years, at my offices in Goa. Sailors’ Society is a vital organization that provides comprehensive support to seafarers and their families around the world. Their work encompasses a wide range of services, from emotional and practical assistance to crisis response, Chaplaincy support, and so on. Captain Manoj, their representative in India, and Johan, Head of Wellness from South Africa, presented an overview of their work, highlighting their commitment to seafarers’ well-being. Continue reading “IIMS President meets Sailors’ Society in Goa”

What caught my eye: June 2024

Be aware (and beware) that some lithium battery safety cases are not fit for purpose

If you follow my scribblings on a semi regular basis, you will know that the subject of lithium battery fires is one that concerns me greatly and is a topic I have written a great deal about. A recent performance test conducted by Yachting Pages on some of the leading safety cases revealed some startling and concerning findings.

With more than 1,000 lithium battery fires reported around the world every week, lithium battery safety cases are of paramount Continue reading “What caught my eye: June 2024”

IIMS AGM, Conference and Dinner 2024

IIMS AGm conference wrap upIn the first week of June, attendees from around the world gathered for this year’s IIMS AGM, Conference and Dinner.

Held at the beautiful Chilworth Manor Hotel near Southampton, the dinner was a chance for professionals from the marine surveying industry to meet and network.

Incoming President of the Institute, Captain Ruchin Dayal, addressed delegates that evening and announced his chosen charity the Sailors’ Society.

He said, “They are a recognised international organisation worthy of our collective support. Continue reading “IIMS AGM, Conference and Dinner 2024”

What caught my eye: March 2024

Floating sauna in Oslo fjord rescues occupants of sinking Tesla

This is a remarkable story, one of my favourites for ages, which fortunately had a happy ending. What caught my eye specifically were the details of the good Samaritan vessel – a floating sauna – which came to the aid of a sinking Tesla. I must have led a sheltered life as I was completely unaware that such craft existed and that they are indeed popular in Norway and can be hired by the hour! And being a skipper of a floating sauna sounds like a very cool job – never getting cold on the job either! Continue reading “What caught my eye: March 2024”

What caught my eye: January 2024

Ouch! Brand new superyacht crashes through door of Lürssen dry dock
Photo Credit: buten un binnen
Photo credit: buten un binnen

Things clearly went awry recently at the Lürssen shipyard in Bremen resulting in the shipbuilder unveiling project Ali Baba ahead of schedule due to an accident. A technical glitch in the dock gate was said to be the culprit as it forced water out of the dock, thereby pushing the nose of the 140m yacht into the dock curtain.

“Damage occurred to the dock door in the dry dock at the Lürssen site in Aumund, Bremen,” Lürssen said in a statement. Continue reading “What caught my eye: January 2024”

2023 Safety & Loss Prevention Briefings Compendium published

The third edition of the Safety & Loss Prevention Briefings Compendium, compiled and published by the International Institute of Marine Surveying (IIMS), covers the period between December 2022 and November 2023. It is available to download in pdf format or can be read online in eReader format.

Extending to 172 pages, Edition III builds on the success of the previous versions. The simple aim of the Compendium is to bring together a collection of incident and accident reports that have emerged over the year and to share the learnings. This is coupled with vital loss prevention information published by P&I Clubs and other parties. A calendar of some of the more eye-catching incidents completes the Compendium to highlight the continuing dangers of being at sea or on water, either for work or pleasure purposes.

Click to download the press release

IIMS President raises concerns about the growing tick box culture of marine survey reporting

Tick box marine survey reporting is becoming far more common than it used to be. That is the view of Peter Broad, President of the International Institute of Marine Surveying (IIMS). But are tick box marine survey reports fit for purpose, or are they lazy reporting?

Concerns about tick box surveys

Instagram Posts from the IIMS @iimsmarine

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