New survey set to examine the economic, social and health benefits of boating in the UK

Survey to examine economic, social and health benefits of boating
Survey to examine economic, social and health benefits of boating

British Marine is inviting members, the wider leisure marine industry and end-consumers to take part in a survey for a major new report alongside the Canal & River Trust examining the economic, social and health benefits of boating and watersports in the UK, and the contribution they make to wellbeing.

Within the industry, the physical and mental health benefits of being on or near the water are already well-known. However, with Government increasingly factoring well-being into their decision making, this piece of research will demonstrate with empirical evidence the contribution that being on the water makes to societal wellbeing. Continue reading “New survey set to examine the economic, social and health benefits of boating in the UK”

World Health Organisation offers free Covid-19 management courses

World Health Organisation offers free Covid-19 management courses
World Health Organisation offers free Covid-19 management courses

The World Health Organisation has developed two free Covid-19 management courses. The first, Promoting Public Health Measures in Response to Covid-19 on Cargo Ships and Fishing Vessels, will enable learners to describe the public health measures that may protect seafarers throughout their journey to the vessel, on the vessel, and on the way home. It also looks at preventing and managing an outbreak of Covid-19 disease on board a cargo ship or fishing vessel.

This course is primarily for seafarers, shipowners, unions and associations, and competent authorities for health and transport and can be accessed online.

The second WHO course, Operational Considerations for Managing Covid-19 Cases and Outbreaks on Board Ships, will help learners to Continue reading “World Health Organisation offers free Covid-19 management courses”

Funding campaign launched to save the oldest floating Clyde-built vessel in the UK

Funding campaign launched to save the oldest floating Clyde-built vessel in the UK
Funding campaign launched to save the oldest floating Clyde-built vessel in the UK

The Scottish Maritime Museum has launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise funds for vital repairs to, what it believes, is the oldest floating Clyde-built vessel in the UK.

Built by John Fullerton & Co. at Paisley, the 1872 cargo coaster MV Kyles is a rare survivor from the 19th century, a transformational period on the River Clyde when shipyards embraced the possibilities of steam power to become important to shipbuilding.

Kyles, which is moored on Irvine Harbourside at the Scottish Maritime Museum’s main site, reaches its 150th birthday in 2022. But a hard working life, being adapted for different roles across the UK by 24 different owners, has taken a huge toll. Essential repairs are now needed if this historic vessel is to remain part of Scotland’s living maritime heritage. Continue reading “Funding campaign launched to save the oldest floating Clyde-built vessel in the UK”

World’s first battery-powered luxury boat using Williams Advanced Engineering tech

World’s first battery-powered luxury boat
World’s first battery-powered luxury boat

Williams Advanced Engineering (WAE) is working with fellow Oxfordshire-based firm, OXIS Energy Ltd, on the production of ‘cleaner, greener energy’, designed for an all-new 40ft electric battery-powered luxury boat.

The craft, from Yachts de Luxe (YdL) of Singapore and designed by Jean Jacques Coste, will be the world’s first ever battery-powered luxury boat to be powered by Lithium Sulfur (Li-S) cell and battery systems technology. The objective is to achieve a range between 70 and 100 nautical miles at cruising speed – setting new standards for range in electric boats.

WAE will be responsible for the state-of-the-art 400 kWh battery system, which comprises ultra-light, high-power/high-energy density Li-S cells – provided by OXIS Energy Ltd – and the battery management system (BMS). The design and manufacture of the cell modules, the BMS and its installation will be carried out by WAE at its dedicated battery facility in Grove. Continue reading “World’s first battery-powered luxury boat using Williams Advanced Engineering tech”

MAIB Chief Inspector, Capt Andrew Moll, makes a statement at the start of Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week 2020

Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week 2020 aims to keep this issue in the minds of surveyors and the public
Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week 2020 aims to keep this issue in the minds of surveyors and the public

MAIB recently published a safety bulletin about the tragic deaths of two sailors on board Diversion due to carbon monoxide poisoning. As we continue our investigation it is vital that we remain alert to the silent danger carbon monoxide poses to the maritime community and the steps we can take to protect ourselves.

Over the past ten years MAIB has investigated six incidents involving carbon monoxide poisoning resulting in the tragic loss of ten lives. The majority of these incidents occurred on board motor cruisers used for recreation. In this time safety action has been taken and MAIB has made 12 safety recommendations focussed on preventing further, needless loss of life.

Continue reading “MAIB Chief Inspector, Capt Andrew Moll, makes a statement at the start of Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week 2020”

UK inland waterways sustainability requires investment

A canal with a mooring sign
A canal with a mooring sign

The installation of 300 shore power mains connection charging sites is just one recommendation for the UK Government from the Inland Waterways Association (IWA) to make boating more sustainability plan. The infrastructure investment would improve air quality by reducing the emissions from stoves for heating and engines run for charging batteries, as well as enabling a move towards more boats with electric propulsion, says the IWA’s Sustainable Propulsion Group.

Other recommendations in inland waterways sustainability plan include a national dredging programme across Britain’s inland waterways, working with navigation authorities, to make propulsion more efficient.

Continue reading “UK inland waterways sustainability requires investment”

The Canal & River Trust annual report shows progress despite significant challenges

Canal & River Trust annual report shows progress despite significant challenges
Canal & River Trust annual report shows progress despite significant challenges

Boating numbers and income are up for 2019/20 according to the annual report and accounts published by the Canal & River Trust. The report charts a year when income, volunteering, and spend on the trust’s charitable activities grew to record levels. Income increased by £6.1m to £216.1m and spend on charitable activities increased by £10.9m, with underlying expenditure on maintenance, repairs and infrastructure works continuing to grow.

Whilst boating was put on hold for most during the initial stages of the Covid-19 lockdown, there was a small growth in boat numbers and income from boating and Continue reading “The Canal & River Trust annual report shows progress despite significant challenges”

Fatalities caused by carbon monoxide poisoning

The Moored Diversion cruiser after the carbon monoxide poisoning
The Moored Diversion cruiser after the carbon monoxide poisoning

On 4 December 2019 two men returned to 9.18m privately owned motor cruiser Diversion, which was moored on the river Ouse in York. The diesel fuelled heater had been leaking exhaust fumes into the boat’s cabin while they were ashore, and both men were overcome by a high level of carbon monoxide poisoning and died shortly after they entered the boat’s cabin.

Safety Issues

1) no carbon monoxide alarm was fitted;

2) the cabin heater had been installed by the vessel’s owner, but the installation had not been professionally checked and no servicing had been carried out. Continue reading “Fatalities caused by carbon monoxide poisoning”

Small Craft Standards Bulletin published by ICOMIA

ICOMIA Small craft standards Bulletin guide
ICOMIA Small craft standards Bulletin guide

The International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA) has released its latest Small Craft Standards Bulletin. The bulletin provides industry stakeholders with early notification on changes to existing standards or new work items that are developed and maintained by the ISO Technical Committee for Small Craft Standards (TC 188).

This edition includes an additional appendix at the end which covers various platforms available to use to access the ISO TC 188 Small Craft Standards.

Continue reading “Small Craft Standards Bulletin published by ICOMIA”

900,000 UK boaters set to be hit by post-Brexit travel rules is RYA survey finding

900,000 UK boaters set to be hit by post-Brexit travel rules is RYA survey finding
900,000 UK boaters set to be hit by post-Brexit travel rules is RYA survey finding

Almost 900,000 UK boaters set to be hit by post-Brexit travel rules on how long they can stay in Europe after the Brexit transition period ends on 31 December 2020, a new survey by the RYA has found.

With the end of the free movement of people, UK citizens, including boaters, will be restricted to spending no more than 90 days in a rolling 180-day period in the Schengen Area (the Schengen rule) before they have to obtain a visa for each Schengen country they plan to visit.

The RYA’s survey shows that of the estimated 1.2 million UK boaters who currently boat in the Schengen Area, 74% spend more than 90 days in 180 in the Area either boating or on other leisure or travel activities. This equates to almost 900,000 UK boaters whose plans will be disrupted by the change in travel rules on 31 December. Responding to specific questions in the survey, 53% of UK boaters boating abroad said they will be ‘greatly affected’ by the limitations of the Schengen rule. Continue reading “900,000 UK boaters set to be hit by post-Brexit travel rules is RYA survey finding”

Varkan Ege: COLREGs implementation called into question after vessels collide reveals MCIB investigation

MCIB report on 'Varkan Ege'
MCIB report on ‘Varkan Ege’

Ireland’s MCIB has published an investigation report on the collision between the tanker ‘Varkan Ege’ and the sailing vessel ‘Medi Mode’ in Irish waters during August 2019. The investigation attributed the incident to a mix of misunderstanding, inefficient lookout and poor knowledge of COLREGs.

On Saturday, 22 August 2019 at 10.45 hrs, the sailing vessel ‘Medi Mode’ departed from Arklow and was on route to Kilmore Quay. A decision was made to change the destination from Kilmore Quay to Howth as the weather had deteriorated, and due to an impending night arrival in Kilmore Quay.

At 17.45 hrs on 22 August, abeam of Rosslare, a course was set for the home port of Howth. The vessel Continue reading “Varkan Ege: COLREGs implementation called into question after vessels collide reveals MCIB investigation”

MCA: Bilge water alarms consultation under way

MCA: Bilge water alarms consultation under way
MCA: Bilge water alarms consultation under way

The Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA) have released information about their new proposed regulation for Bilge Water Alarms.

Consultation is due to begin on draft legislation that intends to reduce the risk of an accident arising as a result of water coming into a vessel without the crew knowing it is happening.

The new regulations would mean that all vessels greater than 24 metres in length but less than 500 gross tonnage would have to be fitted with bilge alarms.
Owners of vessels less than 500 gross tonnage would still have to formally assess the risks to crew Continue reading “MCA: Bilge water alarms consultation under way”

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