MAIB Safety Digest lessons from Marine Accidents reports October 2020 published
In an extract from the introduction to the latest and second MAIB Safety Digest October 2020, Andrew Moll, Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents said, “This has been a challenging year for us all, and some sectors of the marine industry have been very hard hit by the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic.
It therefore pains me to say that overall this year there seems to be very little change in the overall rate at which accidents and incidents are occurring. The need to improve safety is therefore very much with us.
RCR saved 49 boats on the River Avon in an18 hour shift
A report at Somerset Live reveals how the RCR (River Canal Rescue) team managed to pull off a huge logistical feat to save 49 canal boats in one 18 hour shift in Bath. Disaster struck on the Kennet and Avon Canal when a sluice gate broke at Twerton at September 15. Water rapidly drained from the canal and in the space of an hour no more than a trickle was left.
Several boats were capsized completely when their tight moorings pulled them in the wrong direction as the water disappeared. In total 49 canal boats became stranded in thick silt for several days, with boats perched precariously on concrete slabs, on their sides or submerged in filthy water.
Canal & River Trust set to spend £45 million on waterways works
The Canal & River Trust is planning to carry out a £45.1 million programme of repairs on waterways across England & Wales this winter, replacing lock gates, dredging to ensure the water is deep enough for boats, and carrying out a host of tasks to keep the 200-year old network open and help ensure its resilience to climate change.
Despite forecasting a reduction of income of around 10% (£20 million) due to the pandemic, the trust has been able to prioritise spending to maintain a full winter works programme of 128 large-scale repairs across 50 canal and river navigations. Carried out by their in-house team and specialist contractors, the works take in the World Heritage Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, famous lock flights Caen Continue reading “Canal & River Trust set to spend £45 million on waterways works this winter”
Hardy Marine has been acquired by Cockwells Modern & Classic Boatbuilding
Cockwells Modern & Classic Boatbuilding has acquired Hardy Marine in a deal that will result in the further expansion of this award-winning Cornish company that celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2021. With a heritage spanning four decades, Hardy Marine has earned its reputation for building sturdy, high quality, all-weather motor boats that combine excellent engineering with impressive seakeeping and elegant interiors from its Norfolk base.
Delivering a range of boats that meet a variety of requirements, the Hardy name has become synonymous with quality, comfort, strength and experience. This, together with superlative after-sales support, has translated into a loyal customer base, repeat business and robust brokerage values. Continue reading “Cockwells Modern & Classic Boatbuilding acquires Hardy Marine”
Fishing vessel owners found guilty of safety breaches in MCA prosecution
The company owners of two UK-registered fishing vessels which went to sea without the correct certification have been found guilty in a MCA prosecution and fined a total of £4,000.
Philomena Trawlers Ltd and D&G Seafoods Ltd were represented by defence lawyer Paul Rogers at the hearing at Southampton Magistrates Court on Friday, August 28.
The paddle steamer Waverley following her boiler refit
Paddle steamer Waverley, has made a triumphant return to passenger service on the Clyde with a two-week series of cruises from Glasgow and other piers on the river.
The inaugural cruise of the ship’s 2020 season left the ship’s base at the Glasgow Science Centre for Rothesay and Kilcreggan on Friday 21 August, following the fitting of new boilers and the successful completion of sea trials.
Other cruises will serve destinations such as Lochranza, Loch Fyne and Tighnabruaich. All bookings have to be made in advance, on-line, with a phone system being used for passengers joining for part-day cruises from smaller piers.
President Geoff Waddington cuts the ribbon at Murrills House official celebrations
As the Institute has finally taken ownership in recent weeks of Murrills House as its new flagship headquarters, President, Geoff Waddington, arrived (pictured right) to perform the ribbon cutting duties and ceremony to officially mark the completion.
The work to restore this magnificent Grade II listed, 500-year-old building to its former glory will begin shortly. Completion on the deal took far longer than was anticipated, but the outcome marks something of a triumph for the Institute. IIMS is soon to make a significant financial investment in essential maintenance and repair work which will only add to the value of this new asset.
Discussions have taken place with a local construction firm and the scope of work has been drawn up and agreed. The building survey threw up some key maintenance work that needs to be done with a degree of urgency, but nothing that was a major surprise to the team. Because the property is a Grade II listed building, it means for some items, such as replacement of the old wooden windows which are rotten, planning permission from the local borough council is required. Currently, IIMS is in discussion with the conservation planning officer at Fareham Council to seek the necessary permissions. Continue reading “President Geoff Waddington cuts the ribbon at Murrills House”
The new Carriage of Dangerous Goods on Workboats good practice guide released by the Workboat Association
The Workboat Association has published a good practice guide and it is printed and ready for distribution.
“The Carriage of Dangerous Goods on Workboats good practice guide has been developed between the industry and regulators, providing a zero to hero knowledge on both the regulations and best practice associated with the transport of Dangerous Goods by sea on board Workboats,” said Kerrie Forster, Workboat Association CEO.
Written with Seafarers, the vessel management, stakeholders and end-clients all in mind, this guide is set to be an unmissable tool from the education and training of those wishing to operate, work with or contract workboats of any nature.
Fishing vessels detained: Zara Annabel (pictured) has been detailed by MCA surveyors
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency has detained a further UK flagged fishing vessel following its failure to get its mandatory intermediate survey done in time. Owners of the scallop dredger, Zara Annabel, have been served with the notice to ensure the vessel makes for the nearest suitable port and to notify the crew that its UK Fishing Vessel Certificate is no longer valid. It brings to a total of six the number of UK flagged fishing vessels detained by the MCA over the past two weeks after being found to be non-compliant with multiple areas of legislation under the Merchant Shipping Act.
Tony Goldsmith has been appointed as Head of Marine and Trade at UK headquartered international law firm Hill Dickinson. Tony Goldsmith is a former seagoing master mariner who joined Hill Dickinson in 1993 and became founder and managing partner of the firm’s Singapore office when it opened in 2009. He will succeed the firm’s current Head of Marine, David Wareing, who is due to retire in the autumn having held the position since 2017.
“I am absolutely delighted to be taking over the helm from David, with the full support of the team,” said Goldsmith. “Our Marine Group has benefited hugely from David’s wise stewardship, helping to reinforce our position as an industry leader in the many sectors for which we are known. There are exciting and challenging times ahead as the world emerges from lockdown, and it is a privilege that I have been entrusted to take over the baton.”
Murrills House is the new permanent flagship headquarters for IIMS
The news has been so downbeat and tragic for so many people in recent months for the reasons we all know, so it is a good feeling to be able to share a rather more positive news story about our new office’s Murrills House.
Back in 2018, IIMS members at the AGM voted and mandated me to find office accommodation to purchase as an asset for the Institute when our rental term expired. Little did I know that a little over two years on, we would complete the purchase of Murrills House (offices we had rented for the past 10 years) and which we now own. Yes, on Friday 31st July 2020, we formally completed the deal and are now the proud owners of a delightful Grade II Continue reading “IIMS finally secures its new flagship head office, Murrills House”
Terror, the new 22-tonne cargo tender for the upcoming British research vessel Sir David Attenborough, was recently launched on the Exeter Ship Canal for her maiden voyage and to undergo a series of technical and engineering tests to check sea-worthiness, stability and crane operations.
The cargo tender will play a critical role onboard the polar research ship, Sir David Attenborough, which, in addition to its scientific role, will support the resupply of the five Antarctic research stations operated by British Antarctic Survey.
