Waterborne transport declaration made by EU Transport Ministers

Waterborne transport declaration made by EU Transport Ministers
Waterborne transport declaration made by EU Transport Ministers

EU transport ministers held a meeting in Croatia and adopted a declaration on guidelines for the development of EU maritime policy, calling for an emissions trading scheme to cover ships from all countries with a target of achieving a carbon-neutral and zero pollution waterborne transport sector.

The European Community Shipowners’ Associations has expressed its support, saying, “The declaration clearly shows that the ministers place a huge importance on the competitiveness of the European shipping sector, in view of the vital and strategic role it plays in the EU economy, global trade and the common market.” Continue reading “Waterborne transport declaration made by EU Transport Ministers”

Rothen Group completes complex canal wall repair following inclement weather

Rothen Group completes complex canal wall repair
Rothen Group completes complex canal wall repair

The Rothen Group was called upon to help repair a stretch of the Llangollen Canal after heavy rain caused substantial damage to the canal wall. A 20m section of the canal, which links north wales and south Cheshire, was damaged during Storm Miguel resulting in erosion that threatened to close the busy stretch near Marbury. When Kier was contracted by the Canal & River Trust to undertake the work, it became rapidly apparent that the rural location presented challenges.

“The nature and location of the site meant that what should have been a Continue reading “Rothen Group completes complex canal wall repair following inclement weather”

IIMS Canada Branch Vancouver conference voted a great success

The Lonsdale Quay Hotel hosted the IIMS Canada Branch Conference
The Lonsdale Quay Hotel hosted the IIMS Canada Branch Conference

A group of 40 plus attendees (including online delegates) and marine industry experts gathered for the first full-scale IIMS Canada Branch Vancouver conference on 6/7 March. Judging by the positive feedback from those who attended, the event was a great success.

The Lonsdale Quay Hotel in North Vancouver with its quirky market and food stalls on the ground floor proved to be a highly popular choice of venue and their hospitality team worked hard to satisfy everyone with a non-stop stream of coffee, pastries and savoury food.

Unable to join in person for business reasons, Regional Director, Ed O’Connor, said a few words to open the conference, before inviting Continue reading “IIMS Canada Branch Vancouver conference voted a great success”

MAIB issues warning about discharge of aerosol firefighting

MAIB safety bulletin - sudden discharge of condensed aerosol fire extinguishing system
MAIB safety bulletin – sudden discharge of condensed aerosol fire extinguishing system

The UK MAIB has published a safety bulletin highlighting a potentially serious hazard associated with condensed aerosol firefighting suppressant particles. The warning comes after a fatal accident on the fishing vessel ‘Resurgam’ in November 2019 which is currently being investigated by the Branch.

On 15 November 2019, the UK registered fishing vessel Resurgam was in Newlyn, England undergoing maintenance. An engineer and an apprentice from the owner’s shore-based support team were working on the main engine in the engine room. Also working there were two contractors installing a new FirePro condensed aerosol fire extinguishing system.

Continue reading “MAIB issues warning about discharge of aerosol firefighting”

Jet boat accident stresses need of proper maintenance of mechanical equipment highlights report

TAIC report on the jet boat 'Discovery 2'
TAIC report on the jet boat ‘Discovery 2’

New Zealand’s Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) has published its accident report on the contact of the jet boat ‘Discovery 2’ with Skippers Canyon wall while operating on the Shotover River in February 2019. Passengers onboard were injured. The incident highlighted that jet boating is a high-risk activity that leaves very little margin for error when navigating at high speeds in narrow channels and rivers.

On 23 February 2019, the commercial jet boat Discovery 2 was operating on the Shotover River in the vicinity of Skippers Canyon with nine passengers onboard. The boat was on its return leg when the driver was required to negotiate a series of bends in a section of the river about 10 metres wide. Approaching a left-hand bend, Continue reading “Jet boat accident stresses need of proper maintenance of mechanical equipment highlights report”

Biofouling: a global challenge that needs rethinking

Impact of biofouling
Impact of biofouling

The rapid pace of technological innovation has had a growing impact on the shipping industry. But as owners and fleet managers face increasing pressure to improve environmental performance, new technologies will be necessary to ensure a profitable and sustainable future. The impact of biofouling on ship fuel use and emissions has generated increasing attention. According to the Clean Shipping Coalition, fouled hulls cost the shipping industry as much as $30 billion per year.

Dr. Volker Bertram, Senior Project Manager at DNV GL, notes that a more proactive technology is needed to curb the build-up of marine Continue reading “Biofouling: a global challenge that needs rethinking”

Poor hull maintenance linked to flooding of towing vessel Tom Bussler says NTSB report

Poor hull maintenance linked to flooding of towing vessel
Poor hull maintenance linked to flooding of towing vessel

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has published an investigation report on the flooding and sinking of towing vessel ‘Tom Bussler’ on Tennessee River in January 2019. The incident stressed issues associated with poor hull maintenance and repair.

On January 7, 2019, about 2030 local time, the towing vessel Tom Bussler was transiting in light boat condition (no tow) upbound on the Tennessee River at mile 15 near Calvert City, Kentucky, when it began flooding and quickly sank in the channel. Both crew members aboard abandoned the Continue reading “Poor hull maintenance linked to flooding of towing vessel Tom Bussler says NTSB report”

MFV Suzanne II: MCIB publish report on the fire and loss

MFV Suzanne II
MFV Suzanne II

Ireland’s Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) has released its investigation report on the fire and loss of MFV Suzanne II, east of Arklow, in May 2019. While the exact source of the fire is unknown, the report highlights that the quick response of the crew and their knowledge on when to abandon ship was key to their successful rescue.

On 2 May 2019 the MFV Suzanne II, a fishing vessel, was stopped 30 nautical miles east of Arklow and the crew were taking a break between fishing activities when a crew member observed smoke coming from an engine room vent. The skipper went Continue reading “MFV Suzanne II: MCIB publish report on the fire and loss”

Red Falcon collision moored yacht at Cowes published

Red Falcon report
Red Falcon report

At 0811 on 21 October 2018, when navigating in severely reduced visibility in Cowes Harbour, the master of the ro-ro passenger ferry Red Falcon lost orientation when his vessel swung out of control, departed the navigable channel and was spun around through 220°. In his confusion the master drove the ferry in the wrong direction resulting in a collision with the moored yacht Greylag which was sunk on its mooring as a result.

Safety issues

the master became fixated upon the information displayed on his electronic chart Continue reading “Red Falcon collision moored yacht at Cowes published”

HS2: Inland Waterways Association pledges to protect UK canal network

IWA pledges to protect UK canal network from HS2
IWA pledges to protect UK canal network from HS2

Following the UK Government’s recent announcement that the High Speed Rail project HS2 will now go ahead, the Inland Waterways Association (IWA) says it will continue their decade-long campaign to protect the waterways from the worst effects of its construction and operation.

IWA has already achieved several changes to the project since 2010 but continues to be concerned about its noise impacts on many waterways and its damaging effects on some canal restoration schemes. Continue reading “HS2: Inland Waterways Association pledges to protect UK canal network”

Foxton Locks open its gates to the public

Step down into the drained Foxton Locks
Step down into the drained Foxton Locks

The Canal & River Trust (CRT) is inviting the public to step down into the drained Foxton Locks for a chance to see what it takes to keep the 200-year-old famous flight of locks working smoothly.

Over the next two months CRT is completing important works at Foxton, the longest and steepest ‘staircase’ of locks in the UK, including replacing a number of giant oak lock gates. The programme of works will see new lock gates lifted into seven of the site’s ten locks as well as repairs to historic brickwork and other parts of the lock structures. Continue reading “Foxton Locks open its gates to the public”

British Marine: UK marine sector growth outpaces national average

British Marine stats
British Marine stats

According to British Marine, the marine sector’s export growth has outpaced the national average (3.5% according to the Office for National Statistics), hitting the £1.5bn mark in 2018/19.

The Key Performance Indicators for the Leisure, Superyacht & Small Commercial Marine Industry Report show that new and used boat sales now account for 78% of the industry’s exports, while exports to Europe account for 74% of the total and now stand at a value of more than £1bn. Continue reading “British Marine: UK marine sector growth outpaces national average”

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