UK News

Cygnus Instruments: Famous Face Gets a Lesson on Surveying and UTG

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Cygnus Instruments: Famous Face Gets a Lesson on Surveying and UTG (Sir Tony Robinson pictured left)
Cygnus Instruments: Famous Face Gets a Lesson on Surveying and UTG (Sir Tony Robinson pictured left)

Cygnus Instruments developed the Multiple Echo technique in the 1980s in conjunction with IACS (International Association of Classification Societies).  This special ultrasonic technique uses a “single crystal” probe utilising multiple back wall reflections to both ignore coatings (such as anti-fouling paint) and to give an accurate and reliable result on metal thickness.

Mr John Heath, a highly experienced and respected marine surveyor with over 40 years’ experience is the IIMS Technical Director and a board member.  He recalls using his first piece of Cygnus equipment back in the 1980s.  “I certainly remember using the very large oscilloscopes, pencil and tracing paper to conduct diminution surveys – and naturally, I recall what a revolution it was for our industry. Continue reading “Cygnus Instruments: Famous Face Gets a Lesson on Surveying and UTG”

Warnings of double VAT for extended cruises

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Sir Robin Knox-Johnston warns of double VAT for extended cruises
Sir Robin Knox-Johnston warns of double VAT for extended cruises

In a letter published in The Times, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, patron of the Cruising Association (CA), has highlighted the devastating effect of HMRC’s demands for VAT on boats returning to the UK including extended cruises. This includes all British boats that had been out of the UK for three years having to pay VAT again on their return.

His letter is counter-signed by many other sailing names including Sir Ben Ainslie, Mike Golding OBE, Pip Hare, Dee Caffari MBE, Libby Purves OBE, Paul Heiney and Bob Shepton, in addition to the president of the CA, Julian Dussek.

The text of Knox-Johnston’s letter says:

“The freedom for yachtsmen and women to sail from the United Kingdom and return a few years later has been struck a deadly blow by Continue reading “Warnings of double VAT for extended cruises”

Research project to develop automated verification of wind turbine blade defects

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Research project to develop automated verification of wind turbine blade defects
Research project to develop automated verification of wind turbine blade defects

DNV has launched a new collaborative research project to develop an automated data processing procedure for verification of detected wind turbine blade defects, with the aim of building trust and generating broader acceptance of automated data processing techniques across the industry and to inform future regulation.

The research project, which is being conducted in partnership with the University of Bristol and Perceptual Robotics, will investigate the automated verification, validation and processing of inspection data, collected by autonomous drones, to improve inspection quality and performance. The project aims to contribute to the development of the UK automated inspection industry.

Continue reading “Research project to develop automated verification of wind turbine blade defects”

London maritime arbitration adapts to the changing times

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London maritime arbitration adapts to the changing times
London maritime arbitration adapts to the changing times

A special webinar entitled ‘Maritime Arbitration in London – Present and Future Challenges’, hosted by law firm HFW, attracted an audience of over 300 listeners from 43 countries at this year’s London International Disputes Week (LIDW21) in mid-May.

Following introductory remarks by HFW Partner and webinar host Jonathan Webb, webinar chairman Lord Hamblen, UK Supreme Court Justice and a leading shipping lawyer at the Bar before becoming a judge, introduced Ian Gaunt, Arbitrator and Past President of the London Maritime Arbitrators Association (LMAA).

Gaunt began the panel discussion by pointing out that the LMAA had reacted quickly to the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic last year by Continue reading “London maritime arbitration adapts to the changing times”

New London Maritime Arbitrators Association terms announced

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New London Maritime Arbitrators Association terms announced
New London Maritime Arbitrators Association terms announced

With reports of 3,010 arbitrator appointments, 2020 recorded the highest number of London Maritime Arbitrators Association arbitrator appointments since 2015, thus confirming that the LMAA remains a popular forum for dispute resolution in the shipping industry.

The London Maritime Arbitrators Association has published a new set of terms for all of the ‘full’ procedures (the LMAA Terms 2021), the LMAA Intermediate Claims Procedure 2021 and the LMAA Small Claims Procedure 2021. All take effect from 1 May 2021 and will apply to new arbitrations commenced after that date.

Though certain amendments are simple fine tuning of the rules, others are particularly important in view of the recent challenges arising from by the COVID 19 pandemic. The amendments have again been spearheaded by David Owen QC, and the revised full terms and procedures can be found on the London Maritime Arbitrators Association website. Continue reading “New London Maritime Arbitrators Association terms announced”

Post-Brexit boat certification requirements clarified

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UK and EU Flag
UK and EU Flag

Following the successful cooperation on VAT and customs, the leading European, British, and international leisure marine associations continue to provide clarity on the new post-Brexit trade relationships, including the Post-Brexit boat certification.

The International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA), European Boating Industry (EBI), European Boating Association (EBA), British Marine (BM) and the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) have now issued clarification on certification requirements for second-hand boats in trade between the EU and UK post-Brexit. Continue reading “Post-Brexit boat certification requirements clarified”

Revised UK Hire Boat Code for the design, construction and operation published

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Revised UK Hire Boat Code for the design, construction and operation published
Revised UK Hire Boat Code for the design, construction and operation published

British Marine and the Association of Inland Navigation Authorities (AINA) are pleased to announce the launch of a revised Hire Boat Code to ensure the continued safe operation of hire boats for all.

The Hire Boat Code outlines the standards for boats let for hire on UK inland waterways and carrying 12 people or less. Developed by British Marine and AINA, it provides the framework for continued safe business operations of hire boats on inland waterways, and clarifies the responsibilities of operators, navigation authorities and users. It also helps businesses by the consistent application of licensing and registration requirements through inland navigation authority waterways in the UK. Importantly, the Maritime & Coastguard Agency has been actively involved throughout the development of the Hire Boat Code and is supportive of its purpose and Continue reading “Revised UK Hire Boat Code for the design, construction and operation published”

New gate rudder technology claims to make a fuel saving of save up to 30%

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New gate rudder technology claims to make a fuel saving of save up to 30%
New gate rudder technology claims to make a fuel saving of save up to 30%

A more efficient gate rudder system, designed at the University of Strathclyde, will be demonstrated as part of a €6 million EU-funded research project. The GATERS project led by the University of Strathclyde under the Horizon 2020 Fund, will see the gate rudder – a novel propulsion and steering system – retro-fitted to a commercial vessel as part of a trial.

Unlike a traditional rudder which sits behind a ship’s propellers to steer the vessel, the U-shaped gate rudder – essentially two separate rudders – sits astride the propeller which, as a result, acts like a nozzle around the propeller and generates additional thrust.

Both rudders can be independently controlled to provide better steering as well as providing additional crabbing ability when docking.

Continue reading “New gate rudder technology claims to make a fuel saving of save up to 30%”

Queen’s Award given to the Wight Shipyard Company

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Queen's Award given to the Wight Shipyard Company
Queen’s Award given to the Wight Shipyard Company

The Wight Shipyard Company, manufacturer of aluminium marine craft based in East Cowes, Isle of Wight, has been awarded the Queen’s Award for International Trade in recognition of its work to increase British exports. The company builds high-speed passenger ferries, tourist vessels and commercial workboats for the windfarm support vessel market, both domestically and internationally. It was formed by entrepreneur Sir Charles Dunstone and business partner Peter Morton in 2016, with a vision to restore the UK’s shipbuilding business.

“We are delighted to receive this recognition,” says Peter Morton, chief executive. “The overarching ambition was always to see a revival in British shipbuilding to compete on an international stage. To do so, we understood and drove the need for efficiencies whilst nurturing a completely new generation of shipbuilders in order to produce world-beating products for both the domestic and international markets.”

Continue reading “Queen’s Award given to the Wight Shipyard Company”

IIMS CEO answers questions Marine Corrosion Qualification

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Corroded ships
Corroded ships

We put some questions to Mike Schwarz, Chief Executive Officer of the International Institute of Marine Surveying (IIMS), about the new Marine Corrosion Professional Qualification which is launching in June 2021.

What prompted IIMS to develop this new qualification?

“IIMS has a proud record of delivering training and education to marine surveyors going back 20 years and we were the first organisation to provide such opportunities to professionals working in this field. The award-winning IIMS diploma in marine surveying is highly regarded to this day and is constantly being updated and refreshed.

Continue reading “IIMS CEO answers questions Marine Corrosion Qualification”

100 years on since the RNLI used tractors to launch lifeboats, the Institution looks back

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Photo of a tractor 100 years ago - Image credit: British Illustrations
Image credit: British Illustrations

This year marks 100 years since the RNLI used tractors to launch its lifeboats and the technology nowadays – with the very latest Shannon Launch and Recovery System (SLRS) – is unrecognisable to all those years ago.

RNLI lifeboats often take centre stage in rescues, however, many can’t launch without a tractor and the dedicated shore crew. Operators often launch the lifeboat in raging seas and darkness, and a safe, quick launch can make the difference between life and death. The lifeboat and crew might get the public’s attention, but the tractor and the shore crew are the unsung heroes who more than pull their weight – literally.

Continue reading “100 years on since the RNLI used tractors to launch lifeboats, the Institution looks back”

Remote inspections accelerating to meet challenging times

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Remote inspections accelerating to meet challenging times
Remote inspections accelerating to meet challenging times

Bureau Veritas’ white paper, entitled “Remote inspections – A solution for the present, an opportunity for the future” is now available and can be downloaded below. It outlines how important it is for companies to rely on remote inspections to ensure business continuity and thei vision goes much wider than the maritime sector and across industry in general.

Organizations worldwide are rethinking the way they do business, following the rapid acceleration of digitalization trends and uptake of remote working. This has created both challenges and opportunities across sectors, driving a shift towards remote inspection that has revealed multiple advantages says Bureau Veritas.

Continue reading “Remote inspections accelerating to meet challenging times”

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