Marine News

MAIB report into the Hoegh Osaka grounding published

Posted on by News Hound
The capsized Hoegh Osaka
The capsized Hoegh Osaka

At 2109 on 3 January 2015, the pure car and truck carrier Hoegh Osaka was rounding West Bramble buoy in The Solent when it developed a significant starboard list causing some cargo shift and consequent flooding.

With the list in excess of 40°, the ship lost steerage and propulsion, and subsequently drifted onto Bramble Bank, grounding at 2115.

Hoegh Osaka had sailed from the port of Southampton, bound for Bremerhaven, at 2006. A pilot was embarked and there were 24 crew on board. Following the accident, all crew were successfully evacuated from the ship or recovered from the surrounding waters. There was no pollution. A major salvage operation successfully refloated Hoegh Osaka and it was subsequently taken to a safe berth in Southampton on 22 January.

Continue reading “MAIB report into the Hoegh Osaka grounding published”

Electrical safety: An evaluation of electrical hazards

Posted on by News Hound
A series of electrical hazards
A series of electrical hazards

In its latest Safety Bulletin, published in March 2016, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) tackles the issue of electrical hazards full on. Although aimed at those working onboard in an electrical capacity, it serves as a timely reminder of the potential electrical hazards a surveyor may be faced with too.

Electrical hazards can lead to deaths and injuries such as shocks and burns. They can also lead to shipboard fires, explosions and the disabling (through blackouts) of essential equipment and services on board which can compromise safety. Ensuring that the right controls and mitigation measures are in place is critical for maintaining safe operations. To be effective, control measures need to be developed at the organisational, technical and individual levels.

Continue reading “Electrical safety: An evaluation of electrical hazards”

The next generation of superyachts unveiled by Mathis Ruhl Architecture Navale

Posted on by News Hound
The breathtaking new superyacht concept from Mathis Ruhl Architecture Navale
The breathtaking new superyacht concept from Mathis Ruhl Architecture Navale

Mathis Ruhl Architecture Navale has unveiled its concept for the exciting, next generation of superyachts.

Measuring 77 metres in length, the latest sailing superyacht concept from Mathis Ruhl Architecture Navale is the R77. She has been designed with a very specific design brief: to create a vessel able to sail both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans by means of passing through the Panama Canal, a passage that most large sailing yachts are sometimes limited with due to the 62.5 metre air draft limit placing restrictions on rig height.

Continue reading “The next generation of superyachts unveiled by Mathis Ruhl Architecture Navale”

Lake District National Park Authority decides not to adopt BSS

Posted on by News Hound
Lake District Dock
Lake District Dock

At a recent meeting of the Lake District National Park Authority, it was decided not to adopt the Boat Safety Scheme (BSS) following the Marine Accident Investigation Board’s (MAIB) recommendation, as the scheme is not an effective comprehensive method of addressing the important issue of boat safety.

A media statement released said;
While we support many of the scheme’s initiatives, these alone would not necessarily ensure public safety. Our reasons for not adopting the Boat Safety Scheme include:
• The BSS inspection is not a full condition survey and does not provide a fit for purpose evaluation
• It is not a mandatory condition to install a carbon monoxide or smoke detector on-board a boat under the BSS scheme
• The BSS inspection is only conducted every four years. This would not necessarily ensure safety of users
• For the BSS to be adopted it requires byelaw changes. Byelaws are designed to address local issues and must not attempt to address issues that are of national concern.

Continue reading “Lake District National Park Authority decides not to adopt BSS”

Contract awarded for the first phase rebuild of the Maid of the Loch

Posted on by News Hound
The march to rebuild the Maid of the Loch is finally underway
The march to rebuild the Maid of the Loch is finally underway

The first contract to be awarded in the £5.5 million project to rebuild the Loch Lomond Scotland) Paddle Steamer, the Maid of the Loch, has been signed. The contract ahead of the actual rebuild has been awarded to OSD-IMT Ltd, of Dundee, and is for marine consultancy services. OSD will provide the necessary naval architecture, engineering, structure, and outfitting expertise to produce all the required calculations, drawings, and designs to ensure that the rebuild meets all regulatory requirements.

John Beveridge, founder of the Loch Lomond Steamship Company, the charitable trust that owns the Maid of the Loch, said, “This is a landmark event for us. It is almost exactly 20 years since the charity took ownership of the Maid of the Loch, and we are now able to start work on returning this unique ship back into steam operating condition. It is hugely exciting for everyone and our thanks for all the wonderful support we have had. This is a major investment for Loch Lomond”.

Continue reading “Contract awarded for the first phase rebuild of the Maid of the Loch”

MCA issues MGN 543: Safety of Navigation: Offshore Renewable Energy Installations

Posted on by News Hound
Offshore Wind turbines
Offshore Wind turbines

The UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency has issued guidance note MGN 543 to highlight issues that need to be taken into consideration when assessing the impact on navigational safety and emergency response (search and rescue, salvage and towing, and counter pollution) caused by offshore renewable energy installation developments. It applies to proposals in United Kingdom internal waters, Territorial Sea and Exclusive Economic Zone.

Offshore Renewable Energy Installations (OREI) include offshore wind farms, tidal energy converters (including tidal range devices), wave energy converters and any associated infrastructure with the potential to affect marine navigation and emergency response, proposed in United Kingdom (UK) internal waters, Territorial Sea and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

Continue reading “MCA issues MGN 543: Safety of Navigation: Offshore Renewable Energy Installations”

Closer inspections for corrosion of kill cord metal components essential

Posted on by News Hound
Closer inspections for corrosion of kill cord metal components essential
Closer inspections for corrosion of kill cord metal components essential

One third of skippers have experienced kill cord or kill switch failure, according to the results of a recent survey, most of these due to corrosion of kill cord metal components. The survey also showed that closer inspection of the emergency engine cut-outs is needed to reduce the likelihood of failure.

The majority of respondents stated that they had never experienced a kill cord or kill switch failure, however a third described experiencing a failure of either the kill cord, kill switch or both, with problems occurring across the board in terms of engine size (sub-4hp to 150+hp) and with 73% of problems reportedly occurring in engines aged 2-10 years.

Continue reading “Closer inspections for corrosion of kill cord metal components essential”

First vessel to comply with IMO polar code approved by DNV GL

Posted on by News Hound
First vessel to comply with IMO polar code approved by DNV GL
First vessel to comply with IMO polar code approved by DNV GL

After a successful survey, DNV GL and the Danish Maritime Authority have confirmed that the AHTS Magne Viking, owned by Viking Supply Ships, is the first vessel to comply with IMO polar code approved.

“Having followed the development of the Polar Code for some years, it is a great achievement to finally survey the first vessel to comply with the Code,” said Morten Mejlænder-Larsen, who is responsible for Arctic and Polar activities at DNV GL – Maritime.

Continue reading “First vessel to comply with IMO polar code approved by DNV GL”

Generous donation of Scottish timber means Nelson’s flagship, HMS Victory, will fight on

Posted on by News Hound
Timber donated from three Scottish estates will help to preserve HMS Victory for future generations
Timber donated from three Scottish estates will help to preserve HMS Victory for future generations

Timber has long been a vital backbone for shipbuilding and famously HMS Victory was built from over 5,500 oak trees, 250 years ago. It even inspired the Royal Navy’s anthem Hearts of Oak. That strong tradition will now continue with a generous donation of timber from three estates in Aberdeenshire that will ensure that the ship survives for the foreseeable future.

The timber, from eleven elm trees and ten oak trees, is due to be felled shortly and embark on its long journey south. In the 250th year of her launch in 1767, HMS Victory is in the midst of a 15 year conservation project and in need of the very best quality materials to ensure she survives a further 250 years.

Continue reading “Generous donation of Scottish timber means Nelson’s flagship, HMS Victory, will fight on”

US Coast Guard issues policy letter about sea strainers on small passenger vessels

Posted on by News Hound
Two boats racing through the water
Two boats racing through the water

The US Coast Guard issued a policy letter concerning sea strainers constructed of nonmetallic materials for use on small passenger vessels.

Sea strainers containing nonmetallic components have been installed on small passenger vessels for several decades without incident. However, the regulations were amended to require vital piping systems to be made of a ferrous material on board ”new” small passenger vessels.

Continue reading “US Coast Guard issues policy letter about sea strainers on small passenger vessels”

Futuristic wind energy powered superyacht being pioneered by Inergy

Posted on by News Hound
Inergy is looking to the future through its new Gemma series of superyachts
Inergy is looking to the future through its new Gemma series of superyachts

US wind turbine manufacturer, Inergy, has given an enticing glimpse into the future of environmentally friendly superyachts, which will be powered by wind energy. Gemma One, measuring just over 30 metres, will be the flagship vessel for the new Gemma series of environmentally friendly superyachts developed by Inergy.

The Gemma One is a new generation clean vessel. It is a practical, safe, conservatively styled, amenity-rich and highly automated boat that can be 100% powered by renewable energy, offering nearly unlimited remote operation.

Continue reading “Futuristic wind energy powered superyacht being pioneered by Inergy”

MAIB issues safety warning about close fitting jacketed synthetic fibre ropes

Posted on by News Hound
Photograph showing LNG carrier Zarga at sea by Fotoflite.com
Photograph showing LNG carrier Zarga at sea by Fotoflite.com

The MAIB has issued a second safety warning after a mooring line failure on board LNG tanker Zarga resulted in serious injury to a deck officer.

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch is carrying out an investigation into the mooring line failure on board LNG tanker Zarga while alongside South Hook LNG terminal, Milford Haven on 2 March 2015, which resulted in serious injury to a deck officer.

Close fitting jacketed synthetic fibre ropes with low twist constructions are more prone to failure under normal operating conditions than other mooring rope constructions. This is especially the case where the diameter to diameter (D:d) ratio between a ship’s deck fittings and its mooring ropes, is less than that recommended by the rope’s manufacturer. The nature of the close fitting jacket precludes visual inspection of the rope’s core for signs of degradation. Operators of vessels using close-fitting jacketed synthetic fibre mooring ropes are strongly advised to contact the rope’s manufacturer/supplier to:

Continue reading “MAIB issues safety warning about close fitting jacketed synthetic fibre ropes”

Instagram Posts from the IIMS @iimsmarine