Marine News

The first vessel in Germany to be powered by methanol fuel cells has been named

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Menthol cells on the boat
Menthol cells on the boat

The MS innogy, the first vessel in Germany to be powered by methanol fuel cells, has been named. The passenger ferry, which will sail on Lake Baldeneysee, Essen, features a fuel cell system manufactured by the Danish fuel cell manufacture SerEnergy.

The ferry was built to showcase the potential of methanol as a fuel of the future and is the result of cooperation between energy company innogy and SerEnergy.

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IMO updates guidelines for abandon ship drills using lifeboats

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Lifeboat ready for deployment
Photo credit: Riley Huntley/wikipedia.org

At the 98th Session of its Maritime Safety Committee earlier this year, IMO plans to enshrine a range of amendments in to the guidelines relating to abandon ship drills using lifeboats with the aim of reducing related accidents.

The Committee approved the Guidelines on safety during abandon ship drills using lifeboats, following the amalgamation of annex 1 to the Measures to prevent accidents with lifeboats and the Interim Recommendation on conditions for authorization of service providers for lifeboats, launching appliances and on-load release gear in the Requirements for maintenance, thorough examination, operational testing, overhaul and repair of lifeboats and rescue boats, launching appliances and release gear.

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Report into the total loss of tug Thomas Dann published

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Thomas Dann tug (Dann Ocean Towing). Photo credit: Birk Thomas
Thomas Dann tug (Dann Ocean Towing). Photo credit: Birk Thomas

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released an accident report about the outbreak of fire onboard the towing vessel Thomas Dann that led to a constructive total loss.

The incident
On July 22, 2016, at 1700 local time, a fire broke out in the upper engine room aboard the towing vessel Thomas Dann while it was engaged in towing operations offshore near St. Augustine, Florida, en route to Cape Canaveral, Florida. No one was injured, nor was any pollution reported. However, due to the extent of the fire damage, the vessel, which was valued at an estimated $2.5 million, was declared a constructive total loss.

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Guidance on the use of LPG installations on merchant vessels, fishing vessels, pleasure and other craft issued

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The Bow Clipper, ship
The Bow Clipper, ship

The Irish Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport issued a marine notice, providing guidance on the use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) installations on merchant vessels, fishing vessels, pleasure craft and other marine craft.

When handled incorrectly, the dangers associated with LPG systems include fire, explosion, burns and asphyxiation due to gas leakage from the system or accumulation of gas following flame failure in an appliance. Such incidents have caused loss of life and material damage.

The scope of recommendations includes:

Installation and Testing: To help prevent accidents with LPG installations, such systems should be installed at least in accordance with the International Standard ISO 10239:2014 (Small craft – Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) systems). It is recommended that an inspection and test of such systems and associated alarm systems be carried out at least monthly to ensure correct operation. Continue reading “Guidance on the use of LPG installations on merchant vessels, fishing vessels, pleasure and other craft issued”

Lürssen delivers the gigantic 123 metre superyacht Al Lusail

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Photo of Al Lusail by Jan Oddvar Eide
Photo of Al Lusail by Jan Oddvar Eide

First sighted in October 2016, those who monitor and are fascinated by the superyacht world were sent spinning! The sheer size of Al Lusail is the first thing one will notice and at 123 meters in length she can lay claims to being one of the 25 largest superyachts in the world.

Her styling is unusual and grabs one’s attention, described by Lürssen as sporty and aggressive. The exterior was designed by H2 Yacht Design the interior by March and White. She is now berthed in Kristiansand, Norway, somewhere that superyachts often sail to following delivery from European yards. The superyacht takes her name Al Lusail from a new city in Qatar and she flies the Qatari flag from her stern.

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Reactivating vessels after a period of lay-up guidance issued

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Inactivated vessels
Inactivated vessels

The Shipowners’ Club has issued a guidance note, regarding the reactivation process for a vessel following a period of lay-up. In the guidance note, Shipowners recognises no matter if it be an offshore or any other type of support vessel, reactivation and bringing back into service requires careful management in assessing the risks following a period of lay-up.

As explained, the vessel reactivation specifications should be defined based upon the following elements:

– Lay-up Preservation Plan framework in place and Lay-up logbook records. Lay-up plan to be preferably approved by class.
– Last classification society survey report, docking report or any other survey report as applicable.
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World’s first electric aquaculture support vessel powered by PBES

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Powered by PBES, the Elfrida is the world's first electric aquaculture support vessel
Powered by PBES, the Elfrida is the world’s first electric aquaculture support vessel

Plan B Energy Storage (PBES) has announced a milestone project in the aquaculture industry. The award of the contract for energy storage aboard the electric fish farm vessel Elfrida underscores the ongoing trend toward adoption of green technology in Norway.

“We see this as crucial preparation for a low-carbon future,” says Roger Bekken, Managing Director of Salmar, the vessel’s owner and leading Norwegian aquaculture company. “In keeping with our forward thinking management, and focus on operational efficiency, adding battery technology to our vessels brings cost savings and environmental stewardship together in one package.”

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Salmon processing and transportation vessel set to be the world’s first with a hybrid battery solution

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Salmon processing and transportation vessel set to be the world’s first with a hybrid battery solution
Salmon processing and transportation vessel set to be the world’s first with a hybrid battery solution

Technology group Wärtsilä has been contracted to deliver world’s first with a hybrid battery solution to be built at the Balenciaga shipyard in Spain on behalf of Hav Line AS of Norway. In addition to the design, Wärtsilä will also supply an integrated solution comprising a 10-cylinder Wärtsilä 31 main engine, auxiliary engines, propulsion machinery, the propulsion remote control system, and the electrical & automation system. The delivery of the Wärtsilä solutions will be during autumn 2017 and the vessel is scheduled for delivery in summer 2018.

Notable environmental gains are made possible by a Wärtsilä hybrid propulsion solution supported by batteries, which results in very low emission levels. This is the world’s first processing and transportation vessel for the fish farming industry to utilise this solution. By absorbing most of the engine’s load fluctuations and vessel load variations through batteries, the engines can be operated close to its optimum design point, thereby providing the highest level of efficiency, which in turn minimises the exhaust emissions. Continue reading “Salmon processing and transportation vessel set to be the world’s first with a hybrid battery solution”

Rolls-Royce MTU engines power new Harbour tugs with 90 tonnes of bollard pull

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Rolls-Royce MTU engines power new Harbour tugs with 90 tonnes of bollard pull. Image courtesy of Rolls-Royce
Rolls-Royce MTU engines power new Harbour tugs with 90 tonnes of bollard pull. Image courtesy of Rolls-Royce

Rolls-Royce and Sanmar Shipyards in Turkey have signed a contract for the delivery of eight Rolls-Royce MTU enginesto  power new Harbour tugs, including an option for a further four engines. The tugs will each be fitted with two 16V 4000 M73L MTU engines, each delivering an output of 2,700 kW (at 1,850 rpm). The MTU brand is part of Rolls-Royce Power Systems.

Ali Gürün, Projects Director of Sanmar Shipyards, commented: “We were impressed by MTU’s technical support, the service and the reliability of the MTU engines, which is why we will also be equipping our new Robert Allen/ Rastar 2900sx tugs with MTU engines.” Sanmar and MTU have been working closely together since 2009.

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Hull Treatment Carrier is a new coating process by Blohm+Voss

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Blohm+Voss set to roll out its new Hull Treatment Carrier process
Blohm+Voss set to roll out its new Hull Treatment Carrier process

Blohm+Voss is, exclusively, the first European shipyard to launch state-of-the-art technology for the coating of hulls developed by Hubert Palfinger Technologies (HPT). The new, cost-saving process, the Hull Treatment Carrier, sets new standards in quality and efficiency and makes a sustainable contribution to environmental and occupational safety. Hull Treatment Carrier is now available to Blohm+Voss customers for all repair and refit projects.

Removal with high-pressure water up to 3,000 bar, automated application up to 1,200 m. per hour per Hull Treatment Carrier, up to 30 percent less coating needed – Blohm+Voss, in cooperation with Palfinger, is setting the stage for new standards in the refit and repair sector by introducing to the market a new Hull Treatment Carrier system for surface treatment and colour application.

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Effectiveness of lifejackets called into question by MAIB report on the foundering of fishing vessel Louisa

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Photograph of Louisa recovery
Photograph of Louisa recovery

Early on 9 April 2016, the fishing vessel Louisa foundered, with the loss of three lives, while anchored close to the shore in Mingulay Bay in the Outer Hebrides.

The skipper and crew, who had been working long hours before anchoring late the previous evening, had woken suddenly as the vessel was sinking rapidly by the bow. They were able to escape to the aft deck, activate the emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB), and to don lifejackets. However, they were unable to inflate the liferaft as they abandoned the vessel.

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USCG announces Subchapter M for towing vessels now opertational

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USCg Yacht
USCg Yacht

The US Coast Guard has confirmed that from 20 July 2017 a portion of Subchapter M is now fully operational for towing vessels with keels laid, or major conversions on or after July 20. These vessels are now required to meet 46 CFR Subchapter M and must obtain a Certificate of Inspection (COI) prior to operating.

Additionally, starting July 20, 2018, a portion of existing towing vessels will have one year to meet all of Subchapter M and obtain COIs. As discussed in Subchapter M, owners or managing operators of more than one existing towing vessel, required to have a COI, must ensure that each existing towing vessel under their ownership or control is issued a valid COI, according to the following schedule:
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