Red diesel future for boaters in the UK

The future of red diesel for boaters in the UK
The future of red diesel for boaters in the UK

The Cruising Association’s Regulations and Technical Services group (RATS) has been in communication with HMRC and confirmed, as a result of the March Budget Statement, that it is their intention to legislate that red diesel in the United Kingdom can only be used in agricultural equipment, on the railways and for non-commercial heating from 1st April 2022.

Since the propulsion of waterborne craft does not fit into these categories, it is HMRC’s intention that they will have to use white diesel for this purpose. The duty on white diesel for boats will be the same as the full rate paid on white road diesel in the UK. This means that the present so called ’60/40′ fuel duty split will disappear but commercial vessels, such as fishing boats, will still be able to claim a rebate on the full rate through their ‘Marine Voyages Relief’ scheme.

HMRC are exploring the issues involved in introducing a scheme that allows private pleasure craft to pay Continue reading “Red diesel future for boaters in the UK”

Static towing assembly guidelines published by OCIMF

Static towing assembly guidelines published
Static towing assembly guidelines published

Static towing assembly guidelines: This information paper supplements the OCIMF publication Guidelines to Offshore Tanker Operations (GOTO) and should be read along with the relevant guidance for static towing operations.

The purpose of this information paper is to provide technical guidance on selecting fit for purpose towing assemblies that minimise risk of injury to crew members or damage to equipment, and to optimise the effectiveness of static towing operations.

This paper discusses the technical factors that tug operators should consider, in collaboration with terminal operators, when selecting the components of towing assemblies for static towing operations at both Single Point Mooring (SPM) and Floating (Production) Storage and Offloading(F(P)SO) terminals.

The recommendations in this information paper come from extensive industry data gathering and a Continue reading “Static towing assembly guidelines published by OCIMF”

Workboat Association publishes a Coronavirus Good Practice Guide

COVID-19 Good Practice Guide for Workboats published by the Workboat Association
COVID-19 Good Practice Guide for Workboats published by the Workboat Association

A new COVID-19 Good Practice Guide for Workboats has been published by the Workboat Association to help minimise the spread of COVID-19, protect people’s health and maximise efficiency when responding to an COVID-19-related emergency situation.

The Workboat Association Good Practice Guide says:

It is recommended that Workboat Operators implement the following controls within their organisations to minimise the spread of COVID-19 on board and within the workplace, protect the health of employees [seafarers], passengers and public, and to maximise efficiency when responding to an emergency situation related to COVID-19.

This Good Practice Guide has been created based upon the current industry best practice and guidance Continue reading “Workboat Association publishes a Coronavirus Good Practice Guide”

MCA approach to survey and certification of UK vessels during COVID-19 covered by MIN 612

MIN 612 details the MCA approach to survey and certification of UK vessels during COVID-19
MIN 612 details the MCA approach to survey and certification of UK vessels during COVID-19

The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has published MIN 612, a marine information notice which sets out the policy of the MCA with respect to UK Vessels which are prevented from arranging the relevant surveys, inspections and audits required for compliance with the appropriate Statutory Instruments due to the current pandemic.

In MIN 612 the MCA sets out contingency plans to mitigate disruption to essential statutory activities during the current pandemic. The aim of the notice is to provide a basis for the continued operation of UK vessels during this time.

Continue reading “MCA approach to survey and certification of UK vessels during COVID-19 covered by MIN 612”

Disability badge scheme for boaters developed by CRT

CRT disability badge
CRT disability badge

Following the rumours that the Canal & River Trust (CRT) was considering a boating equivalent of the disabled blue badges (disability badge) seen in UK car windows, the Trust has now launched the scheme after developing it with the help of a series of meetings and an online Q&A session with disabled boaters.

A ‘Canal & River Trust Aware’ window disability badge (pictured) will be sent to all boaters with an ‘agreed equality adjustment’ – which usually means an agreement with CRT that the requirements to move (to conform with CRT’s interpretation of the legal requirement for boats without a home mooring to cruise) have been Continue reading “Disability badge scheme for boaters developed by CRT”

Rothen Group completes complex canal wall repair following inclement weather

Rothen Group completes complex canal wall repair
Rothen Group completes complex canal wall repair

The Rothen Group was called upon to help repair a stretch of the Llangollen Canal after heavy rain caused substantial damage to the canal wall. A 20m section of the canal, which links north wales and south Cheshire, was damaged during Storm Miguel resulting in erosion that threatened to close the busy stretch near Marbury. When Kier was contracted by the Canal & River Trust to undertake the work, it became rapidly apparent that the rural location presented challenges.

“The nature and location of the site meant that what should have been a Continue reading “Rothen Group completes complex canal wall repair following inclement weather”

Cold straightening of bent shafts may save time and money

Cold straightening of bent shafts may save time and money
Cold straightening of bent shafts may save time and money

The Gard P&I club believe cold straightening of bent shafts may save time and money. Some casualties involve damage to machinery parts which are considered very difficult to repair or deemed irreparable. This includes various types of shafts, such as propeller shafts and rudderstock. Large diameter shafts are subject to bending, which can occur during manufacturing, processing or through subsequent use. Such bending can occur in the rough forging of the shaft and when machining to final dimensions. In lively forgings the final cut for a keyway or similar can create bends. In some circumstances, the shafts will become bent after a period of use, or for Continue reading “Cold straightening of bent shafts may save time and money”

MAIB issues warning about discharge of aerosol firefighting

MAIB safety bulletin - sudden discharge of condensed aerosol fire extinguishing system
MAIB safety bulletin – sudden discharge of condensed aerosol fire extinguishing system

The UK MAIB has published a safety bulletin highlighting a potentially serious hazard associated with condensed aerosol firefighting suppressant particles. The warning comes after a fatal accident on the fishing vessel ‘Resurgam’ in November 2019 which is currently being investigated by the Branch.

On 15 November 2019, the UK registered fishing vessel Resurgam was in Newlyn, England undergoing maintenance. An engineer and an apprentice from the owner’s shore-based support team were working on the main engine in the engine room. Also working there were two contractors installing a new FirePro condensed aerosol fire extinguishing system.

Continue reading “MAIB issues warning about discharge of aerosol firefighting”

Biofouling: a global challenge that needs rethinking

Impact of biofouling
Impact of biofouling

The rapid pace of technological innovation has had a growing impact on the shipping industry. But as owners and fleet managers face increasing pressure to improve environmental performance, new technologies will be necessary to ensure a profitable and sustainable future. The impact of biofouling on ship fuel use and emissions has generated increasing attention. According to the Clean Shipping Coalition, fouled hulls cost the shipping industry as much as $30 billion per year.

Dr. Volker Bertram, Senior Project Manager at DNV GL, notes that a more proactive technology is needed to curb the build-up of marine Continue reading “Biofouling: a global challenge that needs rethinking”

North P&I Club publishes cargo care checklists for nickel ore, grain and coal cargoes

The North P&I Club has published three helpful checklists
The North P&I Club has published three helpful checklists

The North P&I Club has published three different and helpful checklists about the care of nickel ore, grain and coal cargoes giving details of how to deal with these types of shipments.

North P&I Club Cargo Care Checklist for Nickel Ore

Prior to loading documentation received from shipper is needed.
Also, the Club advises that visual inspection should be conducted before it is loaded to ensure it is safe. Continue reading “North P&I Club publishes cargo care checklists for nickel ore, grain and coal cargoes”

Former IIMS member Kelly Tolhurst is appointed as new UK Maritime Minister

Kelly Tolhurst MP is pictured with Prime Minister, Boris Johnson
Kelly Tolhurst MP is pictured with Prime Minister, Boris Johnson

IIMS is delighted at the news that Kelly Tolhurst, an Institute member for ten years when a practicing marine surveyor, was appointed as the new UK Maritime Minister on 13 February 2020. Kelly who has been the Conservative member of parliament (MP) for Rochester and Strood since 2015, relinquished her membership only last year. She takes up this key role at an interesting time with the huge political upheaval currently underway in the UK post Brexit and IIMS would like to congratulate Kelly and wish her much success in her new role.

Prior to being appointed as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Transport, Kelly Tolhurst was Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy from 19 July 2018.

Continue reading “Former IIMS member Kelly Tolhurst is appointed as new UK Maritime Minister”

Red Falcon collision moored yacht at Cowes published

Red Falcon report
Red Falcon report

At 0811 on 21 October 2018, when navigating in severely reduced visibility in Cowes Harbour, the master of the ro-ro passenger ferry Red Falcon lost orientation when his vessel swung out of control, departed the navigable channel and was spun around through 220°. In his confusion the master drove the ferry in the wrong direction resulting in a collision with the moored yacht Greylag which was sunk on its mooring as a result.

Safety issues

the master became fixated upon the information displayed on his electronic chart Continue reading “Red Falcon collision moored yacht at Cowes published”

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