Report issued by MAIB into the fatal capsize of fishing vessel Anna-Marie II

The Anna-Maria II before the capsizing - Fatal capsize of fishing vessel Anna-Marie II
Fatal capsize of fishing vessel Anna-Marie II

At about 1550 on 23 September 2019, the 6.2m fishing vessel, Anna-Marie II, capsized as it entered the mouth of the Brora river while returning from its fishing grounds. The vessel broached and was capsized in unusually high waves, resulting in both its skipper and crewman entering the water. Neither was wearing a personal flotation device; the crewman managed to swim ashore but unfortunately the skipper drowned.

Our investigation determined that the skipper struck his head during the capsize, which may have affected his ability to swim. Had the skipper been wearing a lifejacket it would have helped keep his head out of the water and might have increased his likelihood of survival.

Safety issues
Crossing a river bar in a small boat can be extremely hazardous, particularly at low tide in large swells. The skipper’s extensive knowledge of the local Continue reading “Report issued by MAIB into the fatal capsize of fishing vessel Anna-Marie II”

Swedish Club reports a rescue boat drill ending with injuries due to a lack of SMS manual

The rescue boat drill in action - Swedish Club reports a rescue boat drill incident
Swedish Club reports a rescue boat drill incident

The Swedish Club has highlighted an incident in its July safety bulletin about the bizarre case of a vessel that conducted a rescue boat drill resulting in an incident as the company had no specific instructions in the training manual, SMS, PMS as to how the rescue boat should be launched.

The vessel concerned was in port and the Master wanted to conduct a rescue boat drill as none had been completed since the vessel was delivered a month earlier. According to the report, the weather was favourable and the harbour authority had given the vessel clearance to launch and maneuver the rescue boat in the harbour. Continue reading “Swedish Club reports a rescue boat drill ending with injuries due to a lack of SMS manual”

Can UK waterways business be saved?

Canal river boats
Canal river boats

“The patient is being left to die.” Those were the stark words used by Paul Rodgers to describe how grave he sees the situation that UK waterways holiday hire companies, boatyards, boatbuilders, training operations, marinas, boat clubs and other waterways businesses find themselves in thanks to the collapse in business following the COVID-19 related shutdown.

There are now fears among UK waterways bodies of the demise of much of the sector as a result of the loss of this summer’s business – unless an immediate rescue package is put together.

Continue reading “Can UK waterways business be saved?”

NTSB investigation identifies lack of a towing safety

NTSB has published an investigation report into an incident with crane barge
NTSB has published an investigation report into an incident with crane barge

NTSB has published an investigation report into an incident when a crane barge U1510, pushed by the towing vessel Goose Creek, made contact with overhead powerlines on the Elizabeth River in June 2019. The report has highlighted poor company oversight and the lack of a towing safety management system.

At 1134 local time on June 20, 2019, the crane barge U1510 (with three persons onboard), being pushed by the towing vessel Goose Creek (with three crew members onboard), struck three overhead power transmission lines while transiting to Precon Marine on the southern branch of the Elizabeth River in Chesapeake, Virginia.

There was neither pollution nor injuries. Damage to the powerlines and crane barge was estimated at $226,204. Continue reading “NTSB investigation identifies lack of a towing safety”

Bureau Veritas completes a remote marine survey on LNG dual fuel harbour tug PSA Aspen

Bureau Veritas completes a remote marine survey
Bureau Veritas completes a remote marine survey

Bureau Veritas Marine Singapore (BV), in collaboration with PSA Marine (Pte) Ltd (PSA Marine), has successfully completed a remote marine survey on ‘PSA Aspen’, an LNG dual fuel harbour tug. Supported by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), the project marks the first time a harbour tug registered under the Singapore Registry of Ships has undergone a fully accredited annual survey conducted remotely, without a surveyor physically present onboard the vessel.

Marine services provider and vessel owner, PSA Marine, has been working with leading classification Continue reading “Bureau Veritas completes a remote marine survey on LNG dual fuel harbour tug PSA Aspen”

Underwater examination and survey key requirements outlined by RMI Ship Registry

Underwater examination and survey key requirements
Underwater examination and survey key requirements

The Marshall Islands Ship Registry has issued a revised marine notice to outline the procedures and circumstances by which the underwater examination/survey of a passenger ship’s hull by divers in lieu of drydocking may be permitted.

Underwater Examination (UWE) is the inspection of the outside of the ship’s bottom while afloat as part of the Passenger Ship Safety Renewal survey while Underwater Survey (UWS) is the inspection of the outside of the ship’s bottom while afloat in lieu of a dry-docking, including measurements of shaft and rudder bearing clearances, as applicable.

Why Underwater Examination and Survey are important

Continue reading “Underwater examination and survey key requirements outlined by RMI Ship Registry”

Geoff Waddington takes over as IIMS President

Geoff Waddington
Geoff Waddington

At the Annual General Meeting of the International Institute of Marine Surveying held at Murrills House, Portchester on 16th June 2020, Geoff Waddington took up the position of IIMS President., a position he will hold for the next two years. Geoff replaces Dubai based Capt Zarir Irani who has held the position since 2018.

In normal times, a short ceremony would have taken place as the IIMS President’s medal was formally handed from the outgoing to the incoming President, but this year, for obvious reasons, the Annual General Meeting was held in an online only capacity. However, a short video had been pre-recorded showing Capt Zarir Irani seeming to hand the medal through a Zoom screen to Geoff Waddington who appeared to take delivery of it. The wonders of modern technology and a fun gesture not lost on the large online audience.

Continue reading “Geoff Waddington takes over as IIMS President”

Sea Start: Record engine failures as owners fail to prepare

Record high of engine failures reported to Sea Start
Record high of engine failures reported to Sea Start

The UK’s marine assistance breakdown service Sea Start has experienced one of its busiest periods, with call outs to engine breakdowns at sea amongst the busiest on record.

It’s blaming owners’ “desperate rush to feel freedom” overshadowing much of the normal spring preparation made by conscientious owners.

“The boating population have left their berths en masse,” observes founder and MD, Nick Eales, of Sea Start. “We have received a record number of call outs, many of them to report quite serious failures. It’s not a Continue reading “Sea Start: Record engine failures as owners fail to prepare”

Evinrude: Pandemic blamed for the demise of the famous brand of outboard engines

Evinrude demise blamed on pandemic
Evinrude demise blamed on pandemic

One of the most illustrious names in marine propulsion has breathed its last with BRP’s announcement today that it will discontinue production of Evinrude E-TEC and E-TEC G2 outboard engines.

A company spokesperson said: “Our outboard engines business has been greatly impacted by COVID-19, obliging us to discontinue production of our outboard motors immediately. This business segment had already been facing some challenges and the impact from the current context has forced our hand,” said José Boisjoli, President and CEO of BRP. “We will concentrate our efforts on new and innovative technologies and on the development of our boat companies, where we continue to see a lot of potential to Continue reading “Evinrude: Pandemic blamed for the demise of the famous brand of outboard engines”

IIMS: What a marine surveyor needs to know about on-off hire condition and bunker surveys handy guide published

IIMS publishes new handyguide
IIMS publishes new handyguide

IIMS has published the twenty-third guide in its series ‘What a marine surveyor needs to know about’, this one covering the important topic of on-off hire condition and bunker surveys.

Capt Allen Brink, a Past President of IIMS and a marine surveyor with many years’ big ship experience, has authored this impressive handy guide, now released for sale. Allen was a driving force in the early days and was one of those who worked hard behind the scenes to get the Institute off the ground nearly 30 years ago.

Running to 244 pages, this comprehensive handy guide takes the surveyor through the main parts and requirements of conducting on-off hire condition and bunker surveys. The handy guide contains examples of a number of templated reports which the surveyor can adapt for his/her use. There are photos to assist, diagrams and examples of the certification and documentation the surveyor needs to inspect too.

The handy guide also contains the most comprehensive appendix with a selection of marine terms to assist the marine surveyor when conducting inspections of ships for charter purposes.

Continue reading “IIMS: What a marine surveyor needs to know about on-off hire condition and bunker surveys handy guide published”

Island Queen III: Three safety concerns after bottom contact of passenger vessel issued by TSB

TSB release report on Island Queen III
TSB release report on Island Queen III

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) has published its investigation report into the bottom contact of the passenger vessel Island Queen III near Whiskey Island, Ontario, in August 2017. In addition, TBS has issued three safety concerns relating to the carriage of lifejackets, the evacuation of passengers during an emergency, and specialized training for crew members who are responsible for managing passengers during an emergency.

In the early afternoon of 8 August 2017, the passenger vessel Island Queen III left port for a planned three-hour cruise in the Thousand Islands area of the St. Lawrence River, sailing out of Kingston, Ontario with 290 people on board. Almost immediately after departing, the vessel encountered three separate fleets of local sailing school dinghies, causing it to deviate from the planned route. As the vessel moved through a narrow portion of the route, it strayed into shallow water and struck bottom, Continue reading “Island Queen III: Three safety concerns after bottom contact of passenger vessel issued by TSB”

RIBs continue to emerge as excellent workboats

RIBs continue to emerge as excellent workboats
RIBs continue to emerge as excellent workboats

According to Post Workboats, a Dutch boatbuilder and vessel operator, the Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) is emerging as a more mobile, efficient, flexible, safe, reliable and cost-effective solution for near-shore and offshore work.

RIBs are increasingly being used for work such as offshore cable landing points, especially in shallow water says Klaas Post, owner of Post Workboats.

A multifunctional, well-equipped RIB is quick and easy to deploy. In many cases, it is also more practical than a multipurpose vessel. A RIB built specifically for this work can even produce over two tons of pulling Continue reading “RIBs continue to emerge as excellent workboats”

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