Small Craft News

Sunseeker International set to introduce vacuum bagging techniques

Posted on by News Hound
Sunseeker confirms it will use the vacuum bagging technique on its yachts
Sunseeker announces it will use the vacuum bagging technique on its yachts

Sunseeker International is to join the other big boatbuilders and start using PRO-SET epoxy and vacuum bagging techniques on its yacht decks.

It made the decision following a new case study by West System International (WSI), which revealed that the technique would provide optimal finish across all of its yacht decks.

The luxury yacht builder will now use PRO-SET ADV-170 Adhesive and vacuum bagging as standard for pre-fabricated teak deck installation across some 200 boats a year.

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ESNA granted R&D funding for Surface Effect Ships

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ESNA has won funding to research the next generation of Surface Effect Ships
ESNA has won funding to research the next generation of Surface Effect Ships

Sørlandet Knowledge Foundation and the Regional Research Council Agder has granted ESNA funding to develop the next generation of Surface Effect Ships for offshore service operations. ESNA, an independent naval architects and ship design company for high speed vessels, specialises in air cushioned catamaran Surface Effect Ships.

ESNA operates at the crossroads between advanced military and commercial high speed craft technology and the market for offshore renewable energy and maritime operations. The company develops designs with outstanding performance, seakeeping and comfort, higher speed and with lower power consumption and emissions for a greener future.

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Lake District National Park Authority decides not to adopt BSS

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Lake District Dock
Lake District Dock

At a recent meeting of the Lake District National Park Authority, it was decided not to adopt the Boat Safety Scheme (BSS) following the Marine Accident Investigation Board’s (MAIB) recommendation, as the scheme is not an effective comprehensive method of addressing the important issue of boat safety.

A media statement released said;
While we support many of the scheme’s initiatives, these alone would not necessarily ensure public safety. Our reasons for not adopting the Boat Safety Scheme include:
• The BSS inspection is not a full condition survey and does not provide a fit for purpose evaluation
• It is not a mandatory condition to install a carbon monoxide or smoke detector on-board a boat under the BSS scheme
• The BSS inspection is only conducted every four years. This would not necessarily ensure safety of users
• For the BSS to be adopted it requires byelaw changes. Byelaws are designed to address local issues and must not attempt to address issues that are of national concern.

Continue reading “Lake District National Park Authority decides not to adopt BSS”

Closer inspections for corrosion of kill cord metal components essential

Posted on by News Hound
Surveyors are urged to make close inspections to identify weakening of this vital piece of equipment
Surveyors are urged to make close inspections to identify weakening of this vital piece of equipment

One third of skippers have experienced kill cord or kill switch failure, according to the results of a recent survey. The survey also showed that closer inspection of the emergency engine cut-outs is needed to reduce the likelihood of failure.

The majority of respondents stated that they had never experienced a kill cord or kill switch failure, however a third described experiencing a failure of either the kill cord, kill switch or both, with problems occurring across the board in terms of engine size (sub-4hp to 150+hp) and with 73% of problems reportedly occurring in engines aged 2-10 years.

Continue reading “Closer inspections for corrosion of kill cord metal components essential”

US Coast Guard issues policy letter about sea strainers on small passenger vessels

Posted on by News Hound
Two boats racing through the water
Two boats racing through the water

The US Coast Guard issued a policy letter concerning sea strainers constructed of nonmetallic materials for use on small passenger vessels.

Sea strainers containing nonmetallic components have been installed on small passenger vessels for several decades without incident. However, the regulations were amended to require vital piping systems to be made of a ferrous material on board ”new” small passenger vessels.

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Elbit Systems introduces a multi mission unmanned surface vehicle system

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Seagull is a new unmanned surface vehicle system craft launched by Elbit Systems
Seagull is a new unmanned surface vehicle system craft launched by Elbit Systems

Drawing on world class know-how derived from generations of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) design, development and operation and its naval capabilities, Elbit Systems’ newest offering in the unmanned platform field is Seagull, an organic, modular, highly autonomous, multi-mission Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) system.

Seagull is a 12-metre USV with replaceable mission modules, with two vessels capable of being operated and controlled in concert using a single Mission Control System (MCS), from manned ships or from the shore.

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Futuristic wind energy powered superyacht being pioneered by Inergy

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Inergy is looking to the future through its new Gemma series of superyachts
Inergy is looking to the future through its new Gemma series of superyachts

US wind turbine manufacturer, Inergy, has given an enticing glimpse into the future of environmentally friendly superyachts, which will be powered by wind energy. Gemma One, measuring just over 30 metres, will be the flagship vessel for the new Gemma series of environmentally friendly superyachts developed by Inergy.

The Gemma One is a new generation clean vessel. It is a practical, safe, conservatively styled, amenity-rich and highly automated boat that can be 100% powered by renewable energy, offering nearly unlimited remote operation.

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Fairline Yachts established from failed Fairline Boats

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Fairline Yachts has emerged from the collapse of Fairline Boats following investment from two Russian businessmen
Fairline Yachts has emerged from the collapse of Fairline Boats following investment from two Russian businessmen

Fairline Boats, which had seemed to be on the verge of disappearing just a few weeks ago, has been saved following the intervention by two Russian investors.

A new company, Fairline Acquisitions, funded by two UK based Russian investors with a background in the marine sector, is to take on the failed company’s order book and initially plans to recruit around 100 of the 380 staff who were made redundant before Christmas following the collapse. The new company plans to trade as Fairline Yachts.

The new business will be run by Russell Currie. He has been a Fairline dealer for the past 18 years.

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New EU Watercraft Directive to replace RCD is now applicable

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The new EU Watercraft Directive comes into force from 18 January 2016
The new EU Watercraft Directive comes into force from 18 January 2016

The new EU Watercraft Directive (formerly known as the Recreational Craft Directive or RCD) 2013/53/EU has become applicable from Monday 18 January 2016.

As a result, the European Boating Industry and International Council of Marine Industry Associations’ (ICOMIA) invaluable ‘RCD Guide’ is now applicable to boating professionals intending to manufacture, import, distribute and sell products on the EU single market as well as Iceland, Norway, Lichtenstein and Switzerland (as part of the European Economic Area/European Free Trade Association), and Turkey (candidate EU member).

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Concrete solutions for end-of-life boat dismantling

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Boat dismantling is a tricky and contentious issue. Photo courtesy of Gwynnie Griffiths
Boat dismantling is a tricky and contentious issue. Photo courtesy of Gwynnie Griffiths

How to approach the global problem of boat dismantling was under discussion at the recent ‘Boat’s end-of-life, truly the end?’ conference.

The event, held at the Nautic Paris International Boat Show on 8 December 2015, was organised by the European Boating Industry, the French federation FIN and Reed Exposition.

It brought together exhibitors, companies, visitors and public authorities who all heard the clear message that concrete solutions were available for boat’s end-of-life while more work was necessary at EU level to address remaining technical, legal and financial issues.

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Marine Installation Safety Training: Diesel fuelled heating

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The safety of diesel fuelled heating systems in boats is challenged as never before
The safety of diesel fuelled heating systems in boats is challenged as never before

The history

For over 40 years diesel fuelled heating has enjoyed a faultless safety record within the marine industry. This has been achieved despite being largely ignored by most regulating bodies.

So why are we writing this? Heaters are safe right? Well, yes, if installed and maintained correctly, diesel fuelled heating is still one of the safest forms of heating you can use.

Unfortunately, in recent years a worrying trend has started to develop, fuelled by a glut of cheap second hand vehicle diesel heaters and dubious internet knowledge.

Continue reading “Marine Installation Safety Training: Diesel fuelled heating”

Fuel hoses for petrol inboard engines

Posted on by News Hound
workboat on fire
Workboat on fire

The context of this article is in relation to improving the safety of operators and crew of existing inboard petrol powered vessels including auxiliary petrol motors and fuel hoses from the possibility of explosion resulting in death or injury.

As one of our clients stated: “This vessel has only exploded once in all my 40 years of fishing. The explosion throwing me backwards onto the net board, so my vessel is perfectly safe!”

This particular case was the result of the fuel tank breather line falling off the fuel tank connection with the resulting fumes allowing free passage through the open boat structure as no bulkheads were included in the construction of the vessel finally allowed to gathering in the bilge under the motor. This nearly resulted in a personal space shuttle, he was lucky.

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