The MS innogy, the first vessel in Germany to be powered by methanol fuel cells, has been named. The passenger ferry, which will sail on Lake Baldeneysee, Essen, features a fuel cell system manufactured by the Danish fuel cell manufacture SerEnergy.
The ferry was built to showcase the potential of methanol as a fuel of the future and is the result of cooperation between energy company innogy and SerEnergy.
The Irish Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport issued a marine notice, providing guidance on the use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) installations on merchant vessels, fishing vessels, pleasure craft and other marine craft.
When handled incorrectly, the dangers associated with LPG systems include fire, explosion, burns and asphyxiation due to gas leakage from the system or accumulation of gas following flame failure in an appliance. Such incidents have caused loss of life and material damage.
Be aware that the Recreational Craft Regulations 2017 are now in law. Photo for display purpose only
On 3 August 2017, the new Recreational Craft Regulations 2017 finally joined the statute book and became law in the UK after much deliberation. This legislation is more generally known as the RCD, or Recreational Craft Directive (2013/53/EU) and this version updates and repeals the earlier 2004 regulations.
The 2017 Recreational Craft Regulations follow the requirements of the RCD, while also setting out the UK market surveillance responsibilities. This essentially relates to what trading standards can and will do to ensure compliance. Their powers to impose penalties on companies found in breach of the regulations are immense and could result in products being taken off the market, fines imposed and even imprisonment in some cases.
The MAIB has published its report and findings into a carbon monoxide poisoning incident onboard motor cruiser Vasquez moored in Cardiff Bay, which led to loss of life.
At approximately 1200 (UTC) on 12 November 2016, the owner of the 7.75m motor cruiser Vasquez fell unconscious after being overcome by carbon monoxide (CO) that had been emitted from failed rubber bellows that formed part of the inboard engine’s wet-exhaust system. Although rescuers came to his aid, it was not possible to save his life. The boat’s engine had not been regularly serviced and there was evidence that the exhaust system of the engine had been modified during the boat’s life. Continue reading “MAIB report into carbon monoxide poisoning on Vasquez”
Bart’s Bash registration is now open for the 2017 sailing event on 16/17 September
The Andrew Simpson Foundation, the UK-based Sailing Charity with a global reach, sits at the epicentre of the unique annual sailing event, the biggest sailing event in the world, Bart’s Bash, which this year takes place over the weekend of 16-17 September. The Registration for Bart’s Bash is now open.
The Bart’s Bash team is already busy fine-tuning plans to promote Bart’s Bash at Lendy Cowes Week where on Monday 31st July, the Official Charity Day, they will be running the ‘Cowes Bash’, a race for all competitors. At registration they can get decals and buy their ‘Simpson Sunnies’ and everyone is encouraged to grab a pair and wear them on Charity Day. All the race results from the first race of the day will be pooled in the same way as for Bart’s Bash to identify an overall winner for the day.
Following on after racing, everyone is invited to join in at The Big Bash, a huge party in Cowes Yacht Haven starting at 7pm and designed entirely around putting the FUN into FUNdraising with Olympic medallist and DJ Mark Covell on stage as Master of Ceremonies!
Oceanis 51.1 by Beneteau was designed by Olivier Racoupeau and is the first of the next generation
Beneteau has announced the first of a new generation of Oceanis sailing yachts which promise to be faster than previous models and feature up to 35% additional sail area.
Fitted with an extra-long carbon or aluminium mast, the customisable Oceanis 51.1 was designed by Olivier Racoupeau and has a stepped hull which creates additional interior space without changing the shape of the bottom.
BB Green is the world’s first fully air supported vessel
BB Green, the world’s first fully electric air supported vessel by Green City Ferries has been awarded the ‘electric and hybrid propulsion system of the year’ at the Electric & Hybrid Marine World Expo Conference 2017 in the Netherlands.
The fourth annual Electric & Hybrid Marine Awards took place in Amsterdam where a judging panel made up of leading international marine journalists, industry experts and academics, honoured the world’s finest engineers and innovative products in the electric and hybrid marine arena. The BB Green is used as a commuter ferry for up to 99 passengers on the inland waterways around Stockholm.
River Canal Rescue says it has noticed an increase in callouts to broken canal boats
Boats on the canals are suffering more often from engine, fuel, electrical and other problems, judging from the number of callouts responded to by waterways breakdown specialists River Canal Rescue.
It’s quite normal for River Canal Rescue to notice a rise in callouts to broken-down boats in the spring, as many leisure boaters make their first trip of the year and discover any problems which have developed over the winter months. But for the last couple of years, the spike has been getting higher – as has the overall total number of callouts. In 2015 it hit 140 calls a week at the peak; last year it crept up a shade to 144 per week, but this year with 100 more breakdowns than 2016 in April alone, the figure looks set to top that by a long way.
The WAAMpeller propeller will be based on a Promarin design that is typically found on a Damen Stan Tug 1606
Marking a major step forward in the application of 3D printing techniques in the maritime sector, Damen Shipyards Group has entered a cooperative consortium with RAMLAB, Promarin, Autodesk and Bureau Veritas. The goal of this group of forward-looking companies is to develop the world’s first class approved 3D printed ship’s propeller, to be called the WAAMpeller.
Ceramic coated parts for jaws and bases are now included in Spinlock products
The movement to smaller diameters of rope on board, increased loads and more powerful sails continues is putting increased demands on rope holding products.
To counteract this issue, Spinlock has now extended the use of ceramic coated parts to jaws and bases across its XX0812, XCS and XTS clutches.
“Confidence in the product is very high,” explained Doug Vincett, Spinlock technical sales and support. “Ceramic coated parts are being used in a lot more products, they give a better grip when using modern lines.”
And he explained how the ceramic coating parts allow the cam or jaws to engage quicker on a loaded line, taking up the load faster and with less creep.
Between 7 and 9 June 2016, the two occupants of the motor cruiser Love for Lydia died from carbon monoxide poisoning. The boat was moored alongside Wroxham Island, River Bure, Norfolk, and their bodies were found during the afternoon of 9 June in the boat’s forepeak cabin.
From steam to diesel and now electricity: Finland’s oldest ferry has become the nation’s first all-electric passenger vessel after being fitted with Visedo power.
The City of Turku has seen the historic Föri ferry relaunched, complete with a new zero-emission electric drivetrain that will deliver greater efficiency, less noise and reduced operating costs.
The Föri initially entered service in 1904 after the City of Turku commissioned local shipyards Aktiebolaget Vulcan to build a city commuter ferry to take passengers across the Aura River to Åbo.
