An electric launch by Scruffie Marine takes to the water
Feature written by Derek Ellard of Scruffie Marine
Electric boats operate at a fraction of the cost of conventional fossil-fuel powered boats. They offer maximum torque through the whole rev range and ride in silence with no emissions. This means that marinas and waterways will be cleaner and quieter. No noise and no fumes from conventional engines to contend with. Are electric boats the thing of the future? Derek Ellard of Scruffie Marine, based in North Tamborine, Queensland, Australia thinks so and is involved in building them.
A major new boating show ‘Club Marine Perth International Boat Show’ has been announced for Western Australia to be held at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre and nearby Elizabeth Quay over four days of the Queen’s Birthday long weekend from 22-25 September, 2017.
The new show, the Club Marine Perth International Boat Show, is an initiative of the Boating Industry Association of Western Australia (BIAWA) and will be managed by Premiere Events, the organisers of the Mandurah Boat Show and related outdoor shows. It will be sponsored by Club Marine Insurance with support from the City of Perth, Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre, and the Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority.
Dress appropriately when antifouling and use the right PPE equipment
Everyone using antifoul should wear the right personal equipment – that’s the message from the British Coatings Federation, (BCF), which along with the RYA and British Marine, has launched a new DIY Safe Antifouling Initiative.
The objective of this initiative is to inform and educate boat owners regarding the hazards associated with antifouling their boats and follows on from an online survey carried out on the DIY use of antifouling paints in the UK.
The survey showed the majority of respondents wore protective clothing but also highlighted areas where improvements could be made, such as providing better guidance and information on how to minimise the risk of skin contact with antifoul paint.
The recently formed IIMS Large Yacht & Small Craft Working Group is pleased to announce another training event and has been fortunate to secure an opportunity to visit the Dutch superyacht builder, Royal Huisman yard at Vollenhove in the Netherlands.
Royal Huisman has built some of the most iconic, striking and stylish craft to set to sea in recent years. They boast a facility of 30,000 square metres, which houses the modern equipment and infrastructure required for large custom yacht building and refitting. This state-of-the-art facility, set in Holland’s internationally renowned concentration of specialist maritime businesses, includes many advanced design and engineering software programmes for rapid communication with clients and the design team on systems design, engineering and construction processes. Naval architects and designers have access to the people with the experience, expertise and specialist skills that will enable them to realise their vision in the most intricate detail. IIMS has been granted permission to bring a group to the facility and this is a unique opportunity to have a look into their exciting and dynamic world at close quarters.
The factors leading to the sinking of Inuk II in Greenland have been released in a report by the DMAIB
On August 14, 2016, the tour boat, Inuk II, sank in the bay of Ilulissat, Greenland. The 23 passengers were safely evacuated, wet and cold, onto another tour boat. However, the accident highlighted issues with the design and emergency procedures of such vessels.
The accident investigation conducted by the Danish Maritime Accident Investigation Board determined that the incident occurred because a hose connecting the aft deck drain to the discharge pipe was removed and then not mounted again. On the day of the accident, Inuk II was transporting the maximum number of passengers which increased the draught to such an extent that the hull discharge pipe was submerged. Inuk II gradually lost all buoyancy as water flowed into the steering gear/storage compartment and subsequently into the engine room.
What is believed to be the world’s first electric powered trawler is being developed by Trondheim Trawlers
With an eye on extended voyages and rough weather, the Trondheim 40 Trawler is being billed as the world’s first electric powered trawler and will be able to go into shallow and icy waters such as Alaska or the Norwegian fjords. The trawler is 40-foot long and has a steel hull and is powered by two Torqeedo electric motors.
This innovative design should come as no surprise to those who know of the work and reputation of Russian designer, Max Zhivov.
“The main idea of our project Trondheim Trawler is a revision of classic trawler design and usage of innovative electric technologies,” explained Zhivov, who believes this is the first electric powered trawler.
The Canal and River Trust has released its 2015/2016 heritage report focusing on the actions it is taking to preserve its areas’ historic significance for the future.
In the heritage report it’s reported that at the end of 2015/16 there were 24 individual assets on the national and local Heritage at Risk (HaR) registers, as well as 31 conservation area HaRs through which its waterways pass.
“It’s heartening to see that the passion, expertise and hard work of our employees and volunteers is having a positive effect on the heritage in our care,” said Richard Parry, chief executive at the Canal & River Trust.
Wärtsilä has developed a new water lubricated seal, Enviroguard SLR, which provides cost-effective reliability for small workboats.
Available in nine standard sizes that suit 75mm-306mm of shaft size, the new seal is expected to provide more reliability to smaller workboats, fishing boats, motorised barges, and super yachts.
The Wärtsilä Enviroguard SLR water lubricated seal is also designed to survive large shaft movements and to tolerate aggressive waters that are heavy with silt or sand.
What to do with end of life boats remains a challenge and the problem is mounting
There are currently 13,000 end of life boats in Holland, a figure that is predicted to rise to 75,000 by 2030. In France 500 boats were dismantled last year however there is still a backlog of at least ten to 15 years.
These are just some of the quantities affecting the industry the METSTRADE Sustainability in the Marine Industry conference was told. But Industry leaders also heard how some progress is now being made with end of life boats – albeit on a limited scale.
MAIB is conducting a preliminary assessment of a fatal carbon monoxide poisoning accident that occurred on a privately owned cabin cruiser at Cardiff Yacht Club on Saturday 12 November 2016. Shortly after midday the boat’s owner was found collapsed on the boat and despite the efforts of fellow club members and emergency services he did not regain consciousness.
At the time of the accident the boat was secured to a club pontoon. The inboard petrol engine was running and the canvas cockpit canopy was fully closed except for one zip that was undone.
With effect from 1 January 2017, IIMS has announced that its SCWG (Small Craft Working Group) will become known as LYSCWG (Large Yacht & Small Craft Working Group).
IIMS Chairman of Yacht & Small Craft, John Excell, who was behind the decision to rebrand, explained, “There has been a significant shift in the market place with the continuing and exciting developments in the superyacht industry. A number of IIMS members who worked in the sub 24 metre vessels sector have progressed into the area of superyacht surveying, or are interested to do so. It is therefore entirely logical that we Continue reading “IIMS set to rebrand its SCWG as LYSCWG”
Sunseeker International has announced its intention to use the London Boat Show in January 2017 to launch and showcase its new Manhattan 66 model.
The Manhattan 66 model has a brand new deep V hull which offers signature Sunseeker performance and seakeeping whilst its open-plan layout provides enough space on board to rival much larger yachts.
Sean Robertson, sales director at Sunseeker International, said: “We’re really looking forward to launching the all new Manhattan 66 which is already generating substantial interest. Following the success of the Manhattan 52 which was the first in a series of new Manhattan models, it underlines our ability to keep giving our customers the best in class across every segment we operate in.”
