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.
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.
Continue reading “Elbit Systems introduces a multi mission unmanned surface vehicle system”
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.
Continue reading “Futuristic wind energy powered superyacht being pioneered by Inergy”
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.
Continue reading “Fairline Yachts established from failed Fairline Boats”
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).
Continue reading “New EU Watercraft Directive to replace RCD is now applicable”
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.
Continue reading “Concrete solutions for end-of-life boat dismantling”
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. Which has led to more marine installation safety training needed in diesel fuelled heating
Continue reading “Marine Installation Safety Training: Diesel fuelled heating”
The context of this article is in relation to improving the safety of operators and crew of existing inboard petrol powered vessels including from fuel hoses for petrol inboard engines 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.
In the last month I have come across two situations which highlight the potential problems with skin fittings, reports Eugene Curry. One vessel, a GRP sea angling charter boat, was a licenced Passenger Boat (12 passengers and 2 crew) permitted to operate up to 40 nautical miles offshore. The other vessel was an aluminium hulled yacht undergoing inspection for renewal of its passenger Boat Licence and permitted to operate up to 30 nautical miles offshore. In both instances the owners grumbled about the additional expense involved but changed their tune when problems were found.
UK Yacht builder, Fairline boats has entered administration, putting 450 jobs at risk. FRP Advisory LLP, a restructuring and business advisory firm, has been appointed as its administrators.
News of the administration comes only days after it was reported that staff had been moved out of Fairline’s head office in Oundle and into its factory. The majority of Fairline’s 450 staff are divided between Oundle and Corby in Northamptonshire, with a further testing site in Ipswich.
Gunboat International, a builder of high performance luxury sailing catamarans says it has filed for bankruptcy protection in a “perfect storm” of difficult business circumstances.
Company owner Peter Johnstone posted a letter on the Gunboat International Facebook page saying that a legal dispute with a boat building company was central to his own company’s financial problems.
“The Chinese built Gunboat 60 series cost Gunboat a fortune to sort out,” Johnstone wrote. “Gunboat felt an obligation to its customers and spent millions out of pocket, which proved to be a huge strain on our resources, focus and productivity.”
Continue reading “Luxury catamaran builder, Gunboat, files for bankruptcy”
385 Pendennis Shipyard has won two separate regional awards in the South West for its apprenticeship schemes.
Pendennis won the Apprenticeship and Training category at the Made in the South West Business Awards and the Best Apprenticeship trophy at the Western Morning News Business Awards.
Mike Carr, joint managing director, said: “Pendennis is very proud to have been recognised in both of these awards. Our Apprenticeships bring youth, enthusiasm and trained expertise to all areas of our business.”
Continue reading “Pendennis picks up awards for its apprenticeship schemes”
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