Small Craft News

CWind launches world’s first hybrid surface effect ship CWind Pioneer

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CWind Pioneer. Image courtesy of CWind
CWind Pioneer. Image courtesy of CWind

CWind Pioneer is the world’s first hybrid powered Surface Effect Ship (SES) and has been delivered by CWind, a leading provider of project services, CTVs and GWO-accredited training courses to the offshore wind industry.

Named the CWind Pioneer to demonstrate its position at the forefront of crew transfer vessel innovation, the vessel was developed in response to an industry-wide push to develop and deploy innovative technologies that reduce CO2 emissions, while cost-effectively servicing windfarms located further offshore. The CWind Pioneer achieves this through a hybrid diesel and battery electric power system which enables the vessel to operate purely on battery power while in harbour or at standby in the windfarm, resulting in a decrease in fuel burn and CO2.

Continue reading “CWind launches world’s first hybrid surface effect ship CWind Pioneer”

Engine failure caused fire on another towing vessel says NTSB report

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Engine failure causes fire on another towing vessel says NTSB report
Engine failure causes fire on another towing vessel says NTSB report

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released an investigation report on the engine room fire aboard the towing vessel City of Cleveland on the Lower Mississippi River in February 2020. The investigation has identified that catastrophic engine failure caused fire along with crankcase breach of the port main engine.

On 26 February 2020, the towing vessel City of Cleveland was pushing 18 dry cargo barges (15 loaded and 3 empty) upbound on the Lower Mississippi River, approximately 15 miles south of Natchez, Mississippi, when the vessel experienced a main engine failure followed by an engine room fire. All nine crew members safely evacuated to the barges and were rescued by nearby Good Samaritan vessels, which worked to extinguish the fire. The City of Cleveland was later towed to the operator’s facility in Rosedale, Mississippi. There was no pollution or injuries. Damage to the vessel was estimated at $2 million.

Probable cause

Continue reading “Engine failure caused fire on another towing vessel says NTSB report”

Catastrophic engine failure aboard Susan Lynn led to fire and explosion reveals report

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Catastrophic engine failure aboard Susan Lynn led to fire and explosion
Catastrophic engine failure aboard Susan Lynn led to fire and explosion

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has published its investigation report on the fire and explosion which occured onboard the towing vessel Susan Lynn off Lousiana in October 2019. The investigation has identified a catastrophic engine failure as the key cause of the accident.

On 8 October 2019, at about 0600 local time, the Susan Lynn was docked and in layup status at Tom’s Marine & Salvage yard on the Barataria Waterway in Lafitte, Louisiana, when a fire started in the engine room. The vessel’s watchman could not contain the fire and evacuated the vessel. Local firefighters extinguished the fire. No pollution or injuries were reported. Damage to the vessel was estimated at $1,350,000.

Probable cause

The NTSB determines that the probable cause of the fire onboard the Susan Lynn was a catastrophic engine failure resulting in an oil reservoir breach and an ensuing fire Continue reading “Catastrophic engine failure aboard Susan Lynn led to fire and explosion reveals report”

Cruising Association says boat owners are caught ‘in perfect storm’

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Boat owners caught in a perfect storm post Brexit. Photo: Cruising Association
Boat owners caught in a perfect storm post Brexit. Photo: Cruising Association

Robin Baron, chairman of the Cruising Association RATS committee, has said that cruising yachtsmen are in the middle of ‘a perfect storm’. His words come at the end of months of COVID-19 restrictions, a VAT ‘trap’ and new visa rules exacerbating everything. Amid a surge of enquiries about Brexit which has seen the Cruising Association run a seminar and respond to multiple questions from members in unfolding territory, Baron has settled on a plan to at least help members negotiate visa arrangements. He’s looking to exert pressure from within.

Since 1 January 2021, people can only stay 90 days in any 180-day period within the Schengen area. The 180-day reference period is not fixed. It is a moving window, based on the approach of looking backwards at each day of the Continue reading “Cruising Association says boat owners are caught ‘in perfect storm’”

Physical surveys: Keep ‘boots on deck’ for better inspections, surveys and crew morale says Idwal

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Importance of physical surveys - Idwal Chief Executive Officer Nick Owens (pictured)
Importance of physical surveys – Idwal Chief Executive Officer Nick Owens (pictured)

The pandemic has demonstrated the value of remote working but the industry must recognise the importance of physical connection to the ship. Idwal, a provider of ship inspection services, is calling on the industry to recognise the positive contribution that physical surveys make to vessel quality and crew morale.

Idwal provides blended remote and in-person vessel surveys on behalf of shipowners, banks, owners, brokers and charterers and believes that over-reliance on remote inspection technology creates risks for operators and worsens conditions for already over-stretched crews.

Last year saw a sharp rise in enquiries to deliver ‘internal inspection’ campaigns for owners and managers, suggesting owners wish to keep a closer eye on their vessels’ condition while their own people can’t travel. But the impact on crews of more remote inspections is increasing and the results are not always positive. Continue reading “Physical surveys: Keep ‘boots on deck’ for better inspections, surveys and crew morale says Idwal”

New chief executive appointed by Inland Waterways Association

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New chief executive appointed by Inland Waterways Association
New chief executive appointed by Inland Waterways Association

The Inland Waterways Association has appointed Phil Hornsey as its new chief executive. Hornsey is an experienced leader with a strong strategic, development and marketing background. He has a 20-year career across corporate and not-for-profit sectors.

As director of membership and community at British Rowing, Hornsey led the national delivery of programmes to engage, support and grow the sport, achieving record levels of participation, paying members, and unrestricted income for the organisation. Prior to joining British Rowing, Hornsey held senior management positions at O2, EE and Betfair. Continue reading “New chief executive appointed by Inland Waterways Association”

Historic steam-driven tug set to return to service

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Historic steam-driven tug set to return to service. Photo credit: Thorndon Bearings
Historic steam-driven tug set to return to service. Photo credit: Thorndon Bearings

One of the world’s oldest tugboats, the 117-year-old, steam-driven tug Daniel Adamson, is set to return to service offering short cruises along the River Weaver, a tributary of the Mersey River in England, after the completion of a project to install new propeller shaft bearings.

The 1903-built steamship, rescued from scrap merchants 15 years ago, was fully restored in 2016 at Birkenhead’s Cammell Laird yard, the original builder of the vessel. Thordon Bearings’ SXL water lubricated propeller shaft bearings were installed last year after competitor bearings failed.

Thordon SXL water lubricated bearings were supplied in April of 2020, but due to the COVID-19 crisis, the project was delayed until Continue reading “Historic steam-driven tug set to return to service”

Consultation about safe disposal of time expired flares opened by MCA

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Consultation about safe disposal of time expired flares opened by MCA
Consultation about safe disposal of time expired flares opened by MCA

The Department for Transport (DfT), in collaboration with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), has published a consultation about the safe disposal of time expired marine pyrotechnics (flares) from the pleasure boat sector. The consultation remains open until 15 March 2021.

The consultation seeks feedback to decide the next course of action when, in Dec 2021, the MCA’s current interim arrangements for the safe disposal of time expired flares are set to end. The consultation doesn’t hold back in assessing where the problem of who pays for the pollution has arisen, saying the industry has failed to organise itself effectively.

Continue reading “Consultation about safe disposal of time expired flares opened by MCA”

New safety requirements for local pleasure vessels in Hong Kong

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The Marine Department of Hong Kong has published a circular about the recent safety requirements and regulations for all local pleasure vessels, which will be applied from 1st of April 2021.

According to the circular all pleasure vessels licenced to carry more than 12 passengers that are let for hire or reward shall have on-board a suitable first aid kit, as stipulated in “Code of Practice IV” Chapter X – Part 2 with effect from 1st April 2021. Continue reading “New safety requirements for local pleasure vessels in Hong Kong”

MCA targets uncoded race yachts

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MCA LogoAction will be taken against uncoded commercially operated race yachts, the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) has warned, following the conclusion of legal proceedings against two vessels.

The MCA has agreed to discontinue prosecution against two boats on the condition both enter into a written agreement to ensure their vessels are coded when engaged in any commercial activity.

The outcome reaffirms the agency’s committed position to ensuring all vessels hold the correct documentation and that uncoded race yachts are punished. Continue reading “MCA targets uncoded race yachts”

First ever UKCA RCR certificate issued by HPi-CEproof

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First ever UKCA RCR certificate issued by HPi-CEproof
First ever UKCA RCR certificate issued by HPi-CEproof

Oxfordshire-based company, HPi-CEproof has issued the Princess X95 with the first ever UKCA RCR certificate of conformity, following the new UK Recreational Craft Regulations which came into force on 1st January this year. HPi-CEproof is currently the only Approved Body empowered to issue ‘UKCA mark’ certificates, enabling compliance with the post-Brexit UK Recreational Craft Regulations.

Celebrating the significance of its appointment, HPi-CEproof auctioned the rights for a boatbuilder to be assessed for RCR certificate number one. Proceeds were split equally between the Blue Marine Foundation (BLUE) and British Divers Marine Life Rescue. No fees were charged for the assessment.

Continue reading “First ever UKCA RCR certificate issued by HPi-CEproof”

IIMS launches a Professional Qualification in Marine Corrosion

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The Professional Qualification in Marine Corrosion sets a new standard
The Professional Qualification in Marine Corrosion sets a new standard

After many months of detailed product development, the International Institute of Marine Surveying (IIMS) is pleased to announce the launch of a new standalone, affordable professional qualification in marine corrosion – subtitled marine corrosion and prevention in small vessels, ships and offshore structure. Prospectus for the Professional Qualification in Marine Corrosion

The programme has been written primarily with marine surveyors in mind, those whose job it is to inspect, understand and report on corrosion. The new Professional Qualification in Marine Corrosion is pitched at education level 4.

The developer and content producer behind this new qualification is Mike Lewus, a name known to some members as he has presented at various IIMS events and seminars. Mike has an encyclopaedic knowledge of corrosion and has spent many years as a technical lead with the British Stainless Steel Association.

Continue reading “IIMS launches a Professional Qualification in Marine Corrosion”

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