Small Craft News

Two prominent British membership organisations join the campaign to challenge HMRC’s post-Brexit plans

Posted on by News Hound
Two prominent British membership organisations join the campaign to challenge HMRC’s post-Brexit plans
Two prominent British membership organisations join the campaign to challenge HMRC’s post-Brexit plans

The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) and British Marine (BM) are adding their voices to the campaign to challenge HMRC’s post-Brexit plans for private leisure craft and the implications thereof.

The marine industry bodies say that they’ve been working for some time to establish what the future holds for recreational boaters now that the transition period has ended and to clarify what measures the Government intends to put in place for VAT, import duty, Returned Good Relief (RGR) and Temporary Admission (TA).

With a view to address the issues of concern and develop workable guidance, the RYA and BM have endeavoured to engage with various HMRC policy teams to provide sector knowledge and experience. Continue reading “Two prominent British membership organisations join the campaign to challenge HMRC’s post-Brexit plans”

Report reveals fire on Finlandia Seaways ro-ro cargo vessel caused by catastrophic main engine failure

Posted on by News Hound
Report reveals fire on Finlandia Seaways ro-ro cargo vessel caused by catastrophic main engine failure
Report reveals fire on Finlandia Seaways ro-ro cargo vessel caused by catastrophic main engine failure

At 2003 on 16 April 2018, the Lithuanian registered ro-ro cargo vessel Finlandia Seaways sufered a catastrophic main engine failure that caused serious structural damage to the engine and a fire in the engine room. The vessel’s third engineer, who was on duty in the engine room at the time, sufered serious smoke-related lung, kidney and eye injuries during his escape.

Finlandia Seaways was 11nm east of Lowestoft on a regular voyage from Zeebrugge to Rosyth when one of the main engine’s connecting rods broke. Several of the engine’s major internal rotating components were thrown through the side of the crankcase into the engine room, and a short but intense fire occurred. Within 20 minutes the crew had conducted a muster, sealed the engine room, activated its carbon dioxide fxed fire-fighting system and extinguished the fire. The third engineer was recovered Continue reading “Report reveals fire on Finlandia Seaways ro-ro cargo vessel caused by catastrophic main engine failure”

Preventing human errors (DPO) when changing Dynamic Positioning control modes

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Preventing human errors (DPO) when changing Dynamic Positioning control modes
Preventing human errors (DPO) when changing Dynamic Positioning control modes

There have been several reports of incidents on Dynamic Positioning (DP) vessels where control was lost because the DP operator (DPO) failed to correctly switch control between different operating stations, notes Mr. John Southam, Loss Prevention Executive at North P&I Club.

Investigations rarely find the cause to be a technical malfunction or an issue with the DP system set up, such as a network error. It is more often caused simply by the incorrect actions of the DPOs.

The importance of redundancy

In some cases, these incidents have been a result of a momentary lapse in concentration, which can happen to anyone. But just like the DP system itself, bridge teams Continue reading “Preventing human errors (DPO) when changing Dynamic Positioning control modes”

Failure of emergency stop on rescue boat davit winch alert

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Failure of emergency stop on rescue boat davit winch alert
Failure of emergency stop on rescue boat davit winch alert

A failure of the winch remote control and emergency stop during recovery of a rescue boat to the davit onboard has been recorded by IMCA in its regular publication of safety issues. Investigation revealed that the davit winch was being repeatedly switched on and off for very short time intervals, causing a burn out. The incident occurred on completion of rescue boat testing in good weather. The personnel in the small boat were disembarked at sea level and used a ladder to access the main deck.

The AB started recovery of the boat using a remote control. When close to the final stowage position, the remote control failed and the limit switch did not activate as designed. The main power supply switch was then operated to isolate the power supply to the winch. Continue reading “Failure of emergency stop on rescue boat davit winch alert”

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”

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