A comparative study of underwater radiated noise from electric and conventional boats

A comparative study of underwater radiated noise from electric and conventional boats
A comparative study of underwater radiated noise from electric and conventional boats

A new, peer-reviewed study conducted by University College London’s Department of Mechanical Engineering in collaboration with RAD, a UK-based electric marine propulsion company, examined underwater radiated noise across a range of operating speeds, comparing electric and conventional boats. Their aim? To discover if electric boats really are quieter.

The study, titled ‘A comparative study of underwater radiated noise from electric and conventional boats’, is published in the Journal of the Acoustical Society of America (JASA). It was conducted by UCL’s Department of Mechanical Engineering in collaboration with RAD, a UK-based electric marine propulsion company. Continue reading “A comparative study of underwater radiated noise from electric and conventional boats”

LR survey warns fatigue, inconsistent leadership and reluctance to speak are driving yacht safety risk

LR survey warns fatigue, inconsistent leadership and reluctance to speak are driving yacht safety risk
LR survey warns fatigue, inconsistent leadership and reluctance to speak are driving yacht safety risk

Inconsistent leadership and variable safety priorities, along with indications that formal procedures are not always followed, are creating avoidable yacht safety risks.

Additionally, current levels of crew engagement mean that opportunities to recognise and respond to both perceived and emerging risks are not being fully realised onboard.

These are findings from Lloyd’s Register’s (LR) Yacht Safety Culture and Wellbeing Survey, which gathered input from crew and shore-based professionals working across a broad range of yacht sizes (all over 24 metres) and operating models. Continue reading “LR survey warns fatigue, inconsistent leadership and reluctance to speak are driving yacht safety risk”

Workboat Code Edition 3 deadline – check the code, prepare the vessel, book the survey

Kerrie Forster, CEO Workboat Association
Kerrie Forster, CEO Workboat Association

Workboat owners and operators with vessels requiring a survey by December 2026 are being urged to act now to avoid missing the deadline for transition to the updated Workboat Code Edition 3 safety standards.

The message is being issued jointly by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and the Workboat Association to those affected by transitional arrangements to the Workboat Code Edition 3 ending on 13 December 2026.

The aim is to avoid demand for surveys at the end of the year causing a shortage of slots, and the potential for vessels having to be tied up while they wait to be seen by certifying authorities. Continue reading “Workboat Code Edition 3 deadline – check the code, prepare the vessel, book the survey”

Large Yacht & Superyachts: Analysis of the MYBA Sales Contract and Pitfalls

Large Yacht & Superyachts: Analysis of the MYBA Sales Contract and Pitfalls
Large Yacht & Superyachts: Analysis of the MYBA Sales Contract and Pitfalls

This analysis of the MYBA Sales Contract relates to the MYBA Memorandum of Agreement, a standard form published by the Mediterranean Yacht Brokers Association.

Overview of the MYBA MOA

The MYBA (Mediterranean Yacht Brokers Association) Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) is the industry-standard contract for the purchase and sale of large yachts. It is designed to balance the interests of buyer and seller, but imposes specific duties relating to survey, sea trials, and acceptance that the surveyor must navigate carefully. Although the surveyor is not  a party to the contract, their findings often trigger significant contractual consequences, including acceptance, rejection, renegotiation, or cancellation. Continue reading “Large Yacht & Superyachts: Analysis of the MYBA Sales Contract and Pitfalls”

Future of superyacht refits: Sustainability and smart tech

Future of superyacht refits: Sustainability and smart tech
Future of superyacht refits: Sustainability and smart tech

With the future of superyacht refits market evolving faster than ever, shipyards are under pressure to keep up with rising client expectations. Sustainability, advanced technology, and operational transparency have shifted from being optional extras to defining factors in determining where and how yacht owners choose to refit.

For many in the fast-paced world of yachting, gathering the insights needed to make informed refit decisions can be time-consuming and complex. That’s why, with the expertise of KRM Yacht Refit & Rebuild, Turkey’s first official superyacht rebuild and refit facility, Yachting Pages explores how priorities have changed, what truly makes a shipyard stand out, and how sustainability and smart technology can be marketed as a competitive edge in today’s market. Continue reading “Future of superyacht refits: Sustainability and smart tech”

MCA: MGN 710 (M) safety management systems for small workboats and pilot boats

The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has published MGN 710 (M) safety management systems for small workboats and pilot boats.

Guidance on how owners and operators of small workboats and pilot boats can meet the Safety Management System (SMS) requirements of the recently launched Workboat Code Edition 3 is now available. Continue reading “MCA: MGN 710 (M) safety management systems for small workboats and pilot boats”

Roadmap 2030: what will change for the French small boat sector?

Roadmap 2030: what will change for the French small boat sector?
Roadmap 2030: what will change for the French small boat sector?

At Grand Pavois 2025, the French government and the yachting industry published a joint roadmap outlining key priorities up to 2030. Ecological transition, attractiveness of professions and development of nautical practices: three structuring axes in an attempt to make yachting more sustainable and accessible but the real question is: what will change for the French small boat sector?

Today, boating and yachting are practiced by nearly 15 million people in France, including 4 million regular boaters. The industry employs Continue reading “Roadmap 2030: what will change for the French small boat sector?”

How a Navy doctor revolutionized high-speed boat safety

How a Navy doctor revolutionized high-speed boat safety Photo Credit: Ullman Dynamics
How a Navy doctor revolutionized high-speed boat safety Photo Credit: Ullman Dynamics

For years, operators of high-speed boats have silently endured the physical toll of their profession. Repeated slamming impacts from rough seas caused serious injuries, many of them life-altering. However, one Navy doctor saw these challenges not as an unavoidable consequence but as a problem that could be solved. His solution? A seat that would change the course of high-speed boat safety. This article is about how a Navy doctor revolutionized high-speed boat safety. Continue reading “How a Navy doctor revolutionized high-speed boat safety”

EV harbor tugboat development project launched in Japan

EV harbor tugboat development project launched in Japan
EV harbor tugboat development project launched in Japan. Source: Marindows Inc.

Tokyo Kisen Co., Ltd. and Marindows Inc. have officially launched Japan’s first pure battery-powered EV harbor tugboat development project.

The EV harbor tugboat will operate in the ports of Yokohama and Kawasaki and aims to contribute to “zero GHG emissions from the ports” in accordance with the Carbon Neutral Port (CNP) policy.

In January 2023, Tokyo Kisen put into service TAIGA — Japan’s first series-hybrid electric-powered tugboat equipped with a large-capacity Continue reading “EV harbor tugboat development project launched in Japan”

Small craft sector must educate customers of dangers to avoid passenger injury

Small craft sector must educate customers of dangers to avoid passenger injury
Small craft sector must educate customers of dangers to avoid passenger injury

Poor posture, inadequate seating and a host of other factors can lead to life- changing injuries on RIBs as passenger safety is pulled sharply into focus by recent events in the small craft sector. If the sector ’s reputation is to survive accidents like Seadogz, owners and operators need to start owning best practice, controlling the risks and demonstrating that their trips are safe, says MAIB (Marine Accident Investigation Branch) as it cracks down on the small craft sector saying ‘Small craft sector must educate customers of dangers to avoid passenger injury’.

When you are trying to promote the fun element of an activity, telling your customers that it can be hazardous might appear counterproductive. This could explain the reluctance of the ‘small-craft passenger/ experience ride’ industry to acknowledge and take action on the findings from recent accident investigations. Continue reading “Small craft sector must educate customers of dangers to avoid passenger injury”

The benefits and challenges of electric propulsion for recreational boats

The benefits and challenges of electric propulsion forrecreational boats - recreational boat using electric propulsions
The benefits and challenges of electric propulsion for recreational boats – recreational boat using electric propulsions

Electric propulsion systems are making waves in the world of recreational boating. As technology evolves, these systems bring plenty of perks compared to traditional internal combustion engines. At the same time, they also come with their own set of challenges. Let’s dive into the benefits and hurdles of electric propulsion for recreational boats, giving boating enthusiasts and industry folks a clear picture of what’s on the horizon. Continue reading “The benefits and challenges of electric propulsion for recreational boats”

What’s behind the latest spate of boat fires?

Marseille yacht fire. Image Credit: Tom Moreau/Marine Nationale
Marseille yacht fire. Image Credit: Tom Moreau/Marine Nationale

IIMS CEO, Mike Schwarz, has been alarmed at what seems to be a growing number of destructive yacht and boat fires incidents reaching his desk since the start of 2025. Mike has been motivated to write this article so he can set out and catalogue some of the higher profile fire incidents, as well as some of the less well publicised ones.

This is an expanded article following the introduction I wrote for the IIMS June News Bulletin on this subject. It may have passed you by, but there seems to have been a string of eye-catching large yacht and boat fires erupting around the world since the start of 2025 with devastating consequences. So, what is behind this surge in yacht and boat fires? Is there a common thread? Not sure yet, is the simple answer. Continue reading “What’s behind the latest spate of boat fires?”

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