The UK’s Wight Shipyard Co, a specialist aluminum boatbuilder, has been formally presented with a Queen’s Award for Enterprise for International Trade. The award was presented by Mrs Susie Sheldon JP, Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of the Isle of Wight, to Peter Morton, Chief Executive of The Wight Shipyard Co. in a ceremony at the thriving yard in East Cowes. The award was in particular recognition of their outstanding short-term growth in the export market. Continue reading “Specialist aluminum boatbuilder recognised”
UK News
Most sustainable electric Spirit yacht handed to new owner
Spirit Yachts, located in the UK, has launched its new Spirit 30, its most sustainable electric spirit yacht yet. This 9.15m fully electric yacht is the company’s first hull to have flax lay-up and bio-resin incorporated into its build. Responding to demand for a smaller Spirit design, the first Spirit 30 has now been handed over to its new owner in the UK. Continue reading “Most sustainable electric Spirit yacht handed to new owner”
MPC offers advice to personal watercraft regulation consultation
The Maritime Professional Council (MPC) of the UK has responded to a recent Department for Transport (DfT) consultation on whether personal watercraft (PWC) users should be subject to the same safety obligations that exist for the operators of ships.
In principle, the MPC supports the DfT’s proposals that would ensure PWC come within the scope of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 (MSA) and has made a number of constructive observations aimed at achieving regulations that are fit for purpose. Continue reading “MPC offers advice to personal watercraft regulation consultation”
Canal & River Trust 2020/2021 Annual Report published
The Canal & River Trust 2020/21 Annual Report and Accounts document a year dominated by Covid-19, from the pandemic’s operational and financial impact on the Trust, to the lifeline the waterways and towpaths provided throughout for millions of people across England and Wales. The Canal & River Trust 2020/2021 Annual Report also looks ahead to the 2021/22 Government Grant Review, and demonstrating the waterways’ benefit to the nation.
The Trust’s income was £215.4 million in 2020/21 (2019/20: £216.1m), reflecting the actions taken in recent years to ensure that its income, vital for looking after the ageing waterways infrastructure, is secure. Whilst overall spend on charitable activities decreased year-on-year by £10.8m to £183.3m, partly the result of provisions for Toddbrook Continue reading “Canal & River Trust 2020/2021 Annual Report published”
Consultation for the carriage and charging of electric vehicles on Ro Ro ferries is now open
The consultation seeks your views on the draft Marine Guidance Note MGN 653(M) Electric Vehicles Onboard Passenger Ro-Ro Ferries. The increase in electric vehicle (EV) numbers in the UK has led to increasing demand for transit of EV onboard passenger Ro-Ro ferries (Ro-Pax). Currently, there are limited requirements specific to the charging of electric vehicles onboard UK vessels. However, noting the increasing popularity of electric vehicles it has become apparent that there is a potential for users of these vehicles to expect charging to be available onboard, and for operators of such vessels to consider offering this facility. This marine notice provides guidance for the safe carriage and charging EVs. Continue reading “Consultation for the carriage and charging of electric vehicles on Ro Ro ferries is now open”
Fishing vessel pilot highlights new safety management project
Leading provider of grants and support to the maritime community, The Seafarers’ Charity, has received funding for a pilot project to develop safety management onboard fishing vessels to the standard of the Fishing Safety Management (FSM) Code. The new service, Fishing First Safety Management by SafetyFolder, aims to improve safety in the UK fishing fleet.
The Seafarers’ Charity’s chief executive, Catherine Spencer says: “I am delighted that funding has been secured for this pilot project as the addition of an auditable safety standard that will transform vessel safety in the fishing industry. The Seafarers’ Charity is improving the lives of seafarers every day and ensuring fishers can work and return home safely from voyages without experiencing harm or accidents isa big part of that.” Continue reading “Fishing vessel pilot highlights new safety management project”
UN Convention on the Law of the Sea inquiry launched
An inquiry into the future of the United Nations on the Law of the Sea Convention (UNCLOS) and its applicability in 21st century has been launched by the UK House of Lords Select Committee on International Relations and Defence. The House of Lords inquiry is considering the extent to which the UNCLOS is fit for purpose in 2021 and is examining the enforcement of UNCLOS, its dispute resolution mechanisms, and the extent to which it has proved able to adapt to new and emerging challenges, including climate change, autonomous maritime systems, and issues of human rights and human security at sea.
The inquiry will explore the UK’s current policy towards UNCLOS and approach in practice, and consider which international partners and alliances will be important for the UK to address these challenges and uphold its interests. Continue reading “UN Convention on the Law of the Sea inquiry launched”
Practical aspects of the carriage of containers on dry bulk vessels
Mark Dunbar, Surveys Manager at West P&I Club, has highlighted practical aspects on the carriage of containers onboard dry bulk vessels. And as he says, individual cases will vary widely so the following should not be taken as exhaustive, but as an aide memoire for the major factors that need to be considered and addressed.
– Bridge visibility needs to meet SOLAS requirements.
– Vessel stability including bending moments and shear forces to be verified as within limits.
– Container stacking weights – check CSC plate for maximum allowable – US 53 foot containers are usually significantlylower than standard ISO containers.
– Strength of tanktop/hatch covers/deck plating – remember all the weight of a container is distributed Continue reading “Practical aspects of the carriage of containers on dry bulk vessels”
MAIB: Lack of boating experience was a factor when the Norma G boat capsized leading to fatality
MAIB have issued a report on the incident involving Norma G. On 25 May 2020, a family were enjoying a day out on the water in the Camel Estuary, Cornwall, on their 5.4m motor cruiser Norma G. The boat was capsized by a large wave close to the Doom Bar. The owner’s 17-year-old daughter became trapped in the cabin when the boat capsized, and she was unable to escape before the cabin filled with water and she sadly drowned.
Safety issues:
– the owner’s daughter died as a result of drowning after being trapped in the cabin of Norma G when it was capsized.
– Norma G’s owner’s limited boating experience meant he did not fully appreciate the dangers of being so close to the Continue reading “MAIB: Lack of boating experience was a factor when the Norma G boat capsized leading to fatality”
New chapter for safe disposal of marine flares from the pleasure boat sector
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency is to work with industry to develop local self-regulated schemes for the safe disposal of marine flares from the pleasure vessel sector. It follows a consultation (which concluded on 15 March) with the industry, industry regulators and boat-owners to seek ways considered acceptable to all for the effective means of disposing of flares.
The MCA supported a proposal for an industry-led, self-regulated disposal service that complies with existing legislation. It was also felt this was an opportunity for small regional businesses to tailor a disposal service that meets local needs, enabling an effective geographical spread of options available to boat-owners. Continue reading “New chapter for safe disposal of marine flares from the pleasure boat sector”
MAIB publishes its latest safety digest 2/2021
The MAIB has released its latest Safety Digest 2/202 featuring 25 essential case studies following maritime incidents and accidents. Introducing the MAIB Safety Digest 2/2021, Andrew Moll, Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents, says, “I would like to start by thanking Matthew Easton, John Clark and Iain Elliott for writing the introductions to the Merchant, Fishing and Recreational Craft sections of this digest. As always, their perspectives on maritime safety make compelling reading. There are many aspects to safe operations and, purely by coincidence, our three introduction writers have focused on different parts of the safety effort.
John Clark’s accident in 2013 was the trigger for him to focus on assessing risks and taking steps to reduce them. Continue reading “MAIB publishes its latest safety digest 2/2021”
Green boating ETB partnership secures new funding to electrify the UK Norfolk Broads
The ETB partnership, comprising researchers and Norfolk Broads businesses, has been announced as a winner of the Clean Maritime Competition, alongside 55 other projects to investigate how to decarbonise the maritime sector. As part of a range of measures to tackle climate change, the UK Government is planning to phase out the production of new fossil-fuel powered vessels by 2050. This funding will enable the ‘Electrifying The Broads’ – ETB partnership group to research how the transition to cleaner fuels and propulsion could take place in the Broads.
To date, electric motors are only widely used on small outboard vessels, electric day-boats and sailing yachts. The ‘cruiser’ fleet of private and hire boats is almost entirely fossil-fuel powered, and there are currently no environmentally-friendly options for hire vessels that Continue reading “Green boating ETB partnership secures new funding to electrify the UK Norfolk Broads”