IIMS arranged a visit for a dozen members and non-members to the Royal Huisman superyacht yard in Vollenove, Netherlands on 6 and 7 April, followed by half a day’s training on day two.
The yard visit, which had been planned for some months, was hailed a great success by those who attended. To see and understand at first hand the challenges and high skills required to produce these iconic craft was a privilege indeed.
Continue reading “The inner workings of the Royal Huisman superyacht yard”
Sad news has reached IIMS that long standing member, Captain David (Dave) Green, who was recognised for his significant contribution to the Institute with Honorary Membership, has passed away.
Capt Ian Wilkins MM FNI HonMIIMS, pays tribute to his friend and has written this fitting obituary.
It was with great sadness that we learned of the passing of Captain David (Dave) Green peacefully at home on Sunday 26th March.
Continue reading “Captain David (Dave) Green, Master Mariner, obituary”
One of the best known ferry routes in the USA, if not the world, the Staten Island run, is due to have three new ferries following the awarding of a contract to Florida based Eastern Shipbuilding.
The instantly recognisable bright orange Staten Island run passenger ferries carry 70,000 people a day between St George and Whitehall Street, with sweeping views of the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn, Governor’s Island and the Manhattan skyline. The free boarding at the conveniently located terminal near Wall Street makes the short route a major tourist attraction.
Continue reading “New vessel contract for the iconic Staten Island run”
The New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has issued a notice announcing that all vessels arriving in New Zealand must have clean hulls from May 2018 as new biofouling regulations are set to become law. The Craft Risk Management Standard (CRMS) has been developed to provide guidance regarding compliance.
From May 2018, vessels must arrive in New Zealand with a clean hull. Vessels staying up to 20 days and only visiting designated ports (places of first arrival) will be allowed a slight amount of biofouling. Vessels staying longer and visiting other places will only be allowed a slime layer and goose barnacles.
Martek Marine has been awarded a ground breaking two year Remotely Piloted Aircraft Services (RPAS) contract from the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA). The services offered will fulfil part of the world’s largest ever maritime drone contract.
Part of a five year EMSA strategy of improving coastguard monitoring and surveillance of maritime activity valued at EUR 67 million, the service provision from Martek Marine not only includes the RPAS, commonly known as drones, but also the pilots, long-range antennae, mission control vehicles and ground crew. Video and drone sensor data will be streamed live to a control centre, to allow EU Member States to make prompt decisions on intervention actions. Continue reading “Martek Marine named on major €67M maritime drone contract”
The North of England P&I Association Limited (North of England P&I) has warned vessel operators that, despite new regulations in Singapore that make the use of Mass Flow Meters mandatory for bunker deliveries, operators should still utilise soundings before and after deliveries.
“The introduction of Mass Flow Meters for bunker operation in Singapore is a welcome development. Unfortunately it appears that although the equipment has changed, the behaviour of some unscrupulous suppliers has not,” said the P&I Club.
The organisation says, with reports that piping irregularities have been identified on some bunker tankers, it is possible that some quantity of bunkers could be syphoned back into the bunker vessel’s tanks during the process of bunkering.
Although the following account refers to a cargo survey the lessons to be learnt from it by a surveyor apply just as much to a yacht or small craft condition survey — indeed to any ‘fit for purpose’ survey, its is also important to report only what you know.
In 1985 a New Zealand company ordered just over 22,000 tonnes of compound fertiliser at a C & F cost of US$4.2 million. It was part loaded into the geared bulk-carrier Adelina (26,687 dw, built 1977) in Sweden with the balance in Tampa, Florida. SGS, of worldwide reputation, were the appointed surveyors to certify the holds as clean, dry and fit to receive the fertilizer.
The wreck of the Sewol ferry, which sank almost three years ago with over 300 people on board, could emerge from the water by early april, says the South Korea’s Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries.
The 6,825-ton Sewol tragically sank off Jindo Island on April 16, 2014, killing 304 people onboard, 250 of whom were high school students on a school trip.
Continue reading “The wreck of the Sewol ferry to be lifted by early April”
The IIMS Small Craft Working Group joined the Royal National Lifeboat Institution’s (RNLI) annual surveyor training conference and learned how marine surveyors are helping to save lives at sea. Following a detailed tour around the RNLI facility in Poole, the combined group of approaching 50 surveyors listened to a series of presentations and had the chance to network and share ideas amongst themselves. Both RNLI and IIMS felt the occasion was a great success and expressed a desire for the two organisations to work more closely together. As a direct result of that recent gathering, IIMS invited RNLI to write an article. Andrew Squibb MEng AMRINA AMIMarEST, Technical Surveyor RNLI picks up the story. Continue reading “Marine surveyors helping to save lives at sea: behind the scenes at the RNLI”
It’s been a busy start to 2017 at Shoreham Port with imports and exports flowing steadily through, new recruits joining the team and a number of development projects under way.
Recently, long-term plans at the Port have been in the spotlight. A framework for development for the Port over the next 20 years is set out in the Port’s Masterplan and in December the Masterplan underwent a ‘light touch review’ to bring the plans right up to date.
The Masterplan includes details of how Shoreham Port plans to meet its objectives as an ‘Eco-Port’ and improve the sustainability of all Continue reading “Shoreham Port unveils 20 year development plan”
Nobiskrug, the luxury German superyacht yard, has announced that it has delivered Sailing Yacht A, one of the world’s largest sail assisted superyachts and one of the most eagerly awaited launches of 2017.
Built for the the Russian billionaire, Andrey Melnichenko, the sail assisted superyacht measures almost 143 metres (468 ft) with a gross tonnage of about 12,600 GT.
Sailing Yacht A has been designed by Philippe Starck, who is known for creating unconventional vessels which challenge the expectations of conventional aesthetics ; he was responsible for Melnichenko’s previous superyacht, Motor Yacht A.
Sailing Yacht A is one of the world’s largest and the most advanced superyachts with unique features such as an underwater observation pod, hybrid diesel-electric propulsion system and state-of-the-art navigation systems.
The vessel’s distinctive three masts are the tallest and most highly loaded freestanding composite structures in the world. The mainmast towers 100 metres above the waterline.
Continue reading “Sailing Yacht A has been delivered by the German yard Nobiskrug”
According to Mike Ford, VP, Commercial Operations, at Wärtsilä Dynamic Positioning, trends are pointing towards harbour tugs being among the first vessel classes to become autonomous.
Mr Ford made the comments at the European Dynamic Positioning Conference in London, citing improvements in safety and lower operating costs through less crew as the reason harbour and terminals are likely to focus on developing autonomous tugs first.
Continue reading “Harbour tugs are likely to be the first class of vessels to become autonomous”
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