CTV shortage as offshore wind growth accelerates

CTV shortage
CTV shortage due offshore wind growth

A naval architect has warned that as European offshore wind growth continue to expand with larger and more ambitious projects, there is a looming shortage of Crew Transfer Vessels (CTV).

Chartwell Marine said that expedient investment in new builds will be required to tackle a shortage of 22m – 24m offshore wind crew transfer vessels, especially as build slots at yards are limited. Many of these existing vessels, commonly used for UK CTV operations, have reached retirement or require a refit following over 10 Continue reading “CTV shortage as offshore wind growth accelerates”

Keel failure and capsize of charter yacht Tyger of London MAIB report published

Tyger of London keel matrix photo taken from the MAIB report
Tyger of London keel matrix photo taken from the MAIB report

At 0930 on 7 December 2017, the skippered charter yacht Tyger of London departed San Sebastian, La Gomera, bound for Marina San Miguel, Tenerife, with four paying passengers acting as crew on board.

At about 1700, 1 nautical mile south of Punta Rasca, the crew heard a loud bang. Tyger of London immediately heeled to starboard, capsized and inverted. The crew released their lifelines, fell from the cockpit into the water and their lifejackets automatically inflated. One crew member was briefly trapped below the yacht but managed to swim clear.

The skipper of another yacht, St Barbara V, which was 200m to the west, raised the alarm and rescued the crew from the water. Once landed in Tenerife, they were treated by Spanish emergency services before being released. There were no serious injuries. Continue reading “Keel failure and capsize of charter yacht Tyger of London MAIB report published”

Safe Return to Port: Surveyor expertise produces guidance

REG publish guidance Safe Return to Port
REG publish guidance Safe Return to Port

Guidance to help surveyors interpret rules governing Safe Return to Port has been published by the Red Ensign Group. It follows work done by individual members of the REG and its Technical Forum which has now signed off the guidance for publication.

Safe Return to Port requires passenger vessels which are 120 metres or longer or with three or more main vertical zones to be designed for improved survivability. The rules are designed to make sure cruise ships and large yachts can get back to Continue reading “Safe Return to Port: Surveyor expertise produces guidance”

Corrosion nightmare in tanks, and how to mitigate

Corrosion is a concern for tank container owners and operators
Corrosion is a concern for tank container owners and operators

Corrosion nightmare in tanks and for tank container owners and operators. The stainless steel construction is resistant to staining and corrosion, but may be vulnerable to pitting from certain cargoes or certain cleaning and maintenance operations. Visually minor pitting may conceal development of substantial or even catastrophic corrosion below the surface.

It may be expected that UN Class 8 dangerous cargoes (Corrosive Substances) are the predominant challenge where corrosion of UN portable tanks (tank containers) is concerned, although such commodities are not alone in presenting risk. In terms Continue reading “Corrosion nightmare in tanks, and how to mitigate”

IBM backs new autonomous research vessel for historic transatlantic voyage

IBM joins effort to build an autonomous research vessel
IBM joins effort to build an autonomous research vessel

IBM has announced that it is joining an effort to build an autonomous research vessel for an historic transatlantic crossing. In honour of the fourth centennial of the famous voyage of settlers from England to the Americas, it will be named the Mayflower.

The five-ton, wing sail/solar/diesel powered Mayflower Autonomous Ship (MAS) is designed to make 20 knots on its eastbound voyage. Over the course of the 12-day crossing, it will take water samples for research on ocean microplastics, and its sensors will return data on water temperature and nutrient levels. For navigation Continue reading “IBM backs new autonomous research vessel for historic transatlantic voyage”

IUMI says Time to take action on container ship fires

IUMI speaks out about container ship fires
IUMI speaks out about container ship fires

The shipping industry has witnessed many fire incidents on container ships this year, some of which have resulted in fatalities and others in significant economic losses. At a recent conference, IUMI took the chance to alert and feedback on the situation and call the shipping industry to improve its onboard firefighting systems and seafarers’ training and overall to take action on container ship fires.

Gard P&I Club organised a conference in Arendal, Norway on 17-18 October 2019. The event attracted many shipping stakeholders, including IMO, flags states, shipowners and insurers. Their aim? To push for more discussions on preventing Continue reading “IUMI says Time to take action on container ship fires”

HPI-CEproof: the merging of two leading global marine compliance companies

HPI-CEproof: HPi Verification Services (HPiVS) and CEproof Group
HPI-CEproof: HPi Verification Services (HPiVS) and CEproof Group

Two leading organisations in the global marine compliance industry, HPi Verification Services (HPiVS) and CEproof Group, have merged to create HPI-CEproof.

It’s been a milestone 12 months for EU Notified Body HPiVS, which completed accreditation with The Irish National Accreditation Board (INAB) in 2018 for HPi Verification Services (Ireland) Ltd to ISO 17065 so that it can continue to certify products to the EU Recreational Craft Directive (RCD) and the EU Pressure Equipment Directive. This has enabled HPiVS to provide continuity of service, irrespective of Britain’s future status in the EU.

Recreational Craft Directive specialist, CEproof, has enjoyed an equally successful period. Its core UK operation and 10 global offices have continued to develop its Continue reading “HPI-CEproof: the merging of two leading global marine compliance companies”

LNG-fuelled VLCCs owners need oil majors backing, says Affinity

Affinity says oil majors need to back owners on LNG-fuelled VLCCs
Affinity says oil majors need to back owners on LNG-fuelled VLCCs

Shell, ExxonMobil and Total could do more to remove the need for speculative orders, says Affinity (Shipping).

Oil majors need to provide more support to owners looking to order LNG-powered tonnage, or the projects will fail to get off the ground, a top broker has warned.

“All of Shell, Exxon and Total have theoretical newbuilding requirements for dual-fuel VLCCs but, getting them to commit at numbers and for durations that make Continue reading “LNG-fuelled VLCCs owners need oil majors backing, says Affinity”

MCIB report says Non-compliance linked to fatal vessel sinking

MCIB publishes report on the fatal sinking involving the fishing vessel 'Beal Sruthan'
MCIB publishes report on the fatal sinking involving the fishing vessel ‘Beal Sruthan’

Ireland’s Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) has published an investigation report on the fatal sinking involving the fishing vessel ‘Beal Sruthan’ off Craugh Island, Galway Bay, in May 2018. Although the actual cause of the accident cannot be determined, it is probable that the failure to properly blank off the redundant stern tube by failing to properly seal both ends led to the sinking.

On the 23rd May 2018, the casualty, operating a 21-foot open boat departed from an unidentified location near Clifden, believed to be a pier close to the townland of Coolacloy, Co. Galway, to commence laying lobster pots. Continue reading “MCIB report says Non-compliance linked to fatal vessel sinking”

How to survey wooden boats

How to survey wooden boats: Image 1
How to survey wooden boats: Image 1

You are now considering how to survey wooden boats; whether you have been involved in the marine industry all your life or you have come to marine surveying through a career-change having completed and passed the IIMS Diploma Course. If so, you should be prepared to engross yourself in the technology and language of wooden boats construction and timber technology. There are several ways in which you are able to achieve this. If you have not been involved in building wooden boats before becoming a surveyor, one option for learning the required practical skills and complex terminology is to enrol on one of the excellent courses at various centres which have been established around the UK. Continue reading “How to survey wooden boats”

ITIC: Ten Golden Rules of Loss Prevention for Expert Witnesses

Ten Golden Rules of Loss Prevention for Expert Witness as recommended by ITIC
Ten Golden Rules of Loss Prevention for Expert Witness as recommended by ITIC

ITIC was formed in 1992 through the merger of CISBA CLUB, a mutual insurer of shipbrokers, founded in 1925, and Transport Intermediaries Mutual Insurance Association (TIM). Transport Intermediaries Mutual Insurance Association was formed in 1985 by Thomas R. Miller & Sons partnership with a view to expanding the sources and availability of liability insurance for all professionals in the transport industry. Since 1992, ITIC has grown steadily and has nearly 2,300 members in over 100 countries. Below are ITIC’s ‘Ten Golden Rules of Loss Prevention’.

Today ITIC is managed by ITIM Co Ltd, a subsidiary of Thomas Miller & Co Ltd. Continue reading “ITIC: Ten Golden Rules of Loss Prevention for Expert Witnesses”

UK marine industry figures by British Marine make gloomy reading

British Marine
British Marine

New figures published by British Marine, the trade association for the UK leisure, superyacht and small commercial marine industry, highlight the number of British marine businesses reporting an increase in revenue sinking to 22%, 10% less than November 2018. The new figures also show static profit margins for marine businesses, with just 6% of companies enjoying an increase in profits, 6% less than November 2018. Business confidence within the sector is at its lowest level since autumn 2016.

Domestically focused UK businesses, especially marine services, continue to experience flat markets with 7% of companies experiencing an increase in revenue over the last six months. The domestic market has previously benefited from Continue reading “UK marine industry figures by British Marine make gloomy reading”

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