UK News Archives - Page 27 of 43 - The International Institute of Marine Surveying (IIMS)

Clipper Ventures calls for independent inquiry

Posted on August 14, 2019September 23, 2025 by News Hound

Clipper ventures yacht — Simon Speirs was lost overboard while working forward when tragically his tether line hook distorted and released. Image © Clipper Race

Following an investigation into the tragic death of Simon Speirs, Clipper Ventures has called on the Department for Transport to hold an independent inquiry to establish the full extent of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) investigatory teams’ failure of professionalism, impartiality and honesty.

On the 18th November 2017, Simon Speirs, a 60 year old retired solicitor, fell overboard whilst helping to reduce sail. The yacht, CV30, owned by Clipper Ventures, was participating in an around the world race and was experiencing increasing winds and sea state in the Southern Ocean. Mr Speirs was tethered to the boat but fell overboard due to a freak failure of a tether safety clip. Mr Speirs was recovered but could not be resuscitated. Continue reading “Clipper Ventures calls for independent inquiry”

West of England P&I Club says More can be done to prevent engine room fires

Posted on July 30, 2019October 22, 2025 by News Hound

West of England P&I Club says that it is well known that fires on ships require a lot of effort to address. And they risk all those on board, presenting extreme danger to the vessel. Engine room fires are especially challenging to put out because of the potential confined nature of the scene and an abundance of fire triangle elements; namely heat, fuel and air. Now, condition surveys conducted by the West of England P&I Club repeatedly present worrying examples of substandard fire safety in engine rooms which can easily be avoided and more can be done to prevent engine room fires.

The main sources of ignition in the engine room include hot exhaust manifolds of engines, boilers and indicator valves of the engines. When flammable Continue reading “West of England P&I Club says More can be done to prevent engine room fires”

Maritime Annual Report 2018-2019 published by the UK Government

Posted on July 19, 2019September 23, 2025 by News Hound

The UK Government has released its Maritime Annual Report 2018-2019 and Nusrat Ghani MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary for Transport, Minister for Maritime, says in her introduction:

“As Maritime Minister over the past year I have had the privilege to see first-hand the extraordinary work done across the sector. I am delighted to say that this period has seen Government deliver ground breaking work, and this report shines
a spotlight on a number of these outstanding achievements.

This year we have published Maritime 2050, a long-term strategy that lays out our ambitions for the sector. It is the first strategy of its kind in a generation, and it is indicative of the type of ambitious, original Continue reading “Maritime Annual Report 2018-2019 published by the UK Government”

Tiger One report by MAIB says impact of collision lessened by the use of a kill cord and robust construction

Posted on July 18, 2019October 22, 2025 by News Hound

The MAIB has published its report into the incident on the River Thames involving Tiger One. At 1738 on 17 January 2019, the commercially operated rigid inflatable boat Tiger One hit a mooring buoy on the River Thames in London, England, at a speed of about 26 knots in darkness. Two passengers and the boat’s two crew were taken to hospital with minor injuries. Tiger One was severely damaged, luckily the impact of collision lessened by the use of a kill cord.

Tiger One was one of two 12m RIBs owned and Continue reading “Tiger One report by MAIB says impact of collision lessened by the use of a kill cord and robust construction”

Murrills House set to become the Institute’s permanent home as IIMS opens crowdfunding opportunity

Posted on July 18, 2019July 18, 2019 by News Hound

Murrills House is set to become the permanent home for IIMS

In a strange turn of events, Murrills House in Portchester, UK, is set to become the new Head Quarters of the IIMS. But wait a minute I hear you say. IIMS is already headquartered in Murrills House isn’t it? Yes you are right of course. IIMS has been renting these offices for the past decade since its move from Gosport. But with the end of the lease looming, IIMS entered into talks with the landlord earlier this year with a view to the Institute acquiring the freehold of the property and adjacent land. The outright purchase of suitable office accommodation rather than renting one was something that the membership voted in favour of at the 2018 AGM.

So now IIMS would like your help. We are reaching out to the members and supporters of the Institute to invite them to make a financial donation towards the essential maintenance we would like to undertake upon completion of the deal to secure Murrills House as the Continue reading “Murrills House set to become the Institute’s permanent home as IIMS opens crowdfunding opportunity”

MAIB Annual Report 2018 and review published

Posted on July 17, 2019May 20, 2025 by News Hound

MAIB Annual Report 2018 has been published

The MAIB 2018 Annual Report has been published and is available to read in full as a 104 page pdf document which can be downloaded below.

Captain Andrew Moll, Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents of the Marine Accident Investigation Branch, says in the MAIB Annual Report 2018 introduction:

“2018 was a challenging year for the MAIB, though to some extent it was business as usual. The year saw 1227 accidents reported, just a few less than the previous year; and 23 investigations started, up from 21 in 2017 but still lower than 2016 when the Branch started 29 Continue reading “MAIB Annual Report 2018 and review published”

Zero emission ships in UK waters given ambitious deadline of 2025

Posted on July 15, 2019September 23, 2025 by News Hound

Maritime Minister Nusrat Ghani plans for zero emission

All new ships for UK waters ordered from 2025 should be zero emission ships designed with ‘zero-emission capable technologies’, in ambitious plans set out by Maritime Minister Nusrat Ghani to cut pollution from the country’s maritime sector.

The commitment is set out in the Clean Maritime Plan published in early July. The government is also looking at ways to incentivise the transition to zero-emission shipping and will consult on this next year.

The plan also includes a £1 million competition to find innovative ways to reduce maritime emissions and is published alongside a call for evidence to reduce emissions on UK waterways and domestic vessels.

Continue reading “Zero emission ships in UK waters given ambitious deadline of 2025”

IIMS played a leading role in the ‘Trailblazer’ scheme

Posted on July 10, 2019September 23, 2025 by News Hound

ew Marine Surveyor 'Trailblazer' apprenticeship scheme — Marine Surveyor ‘Trailblazer’ apprenticeship scheme

IIMS has played a leading role as part of a small but dedicated team that has worked hard over the past two years to develop the framework for an apprenticeship scheme (‘Trailblazer’) for the marine surveying profession in the UK.

The working group has been chaired by Alan Cartwright, Blabey Engineering Ltd, with Mike Schwarz, IIMS CEO, in attendance from the outset. More recently, Alan Larsen, SCMS, joined the working group to help shape its direction. Di Fitch from John Moores University in Liverpool in conjunction with Mark Aberdein has been ever present and has brought her considerable specialist knowledge in the area of Continue reading “IIMS played a leading role in the ‘Trailblazer’ scheme”

IIMS recognises IMCA’s Technical Director with a Blue Water Award

Posted on June 28, 2019November 5, 2025 by News Hound

Mark Ford (pictured left) is presented with his Blue Water Award by Mike Schwarz

Mark Ford, Technical Director of the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) was caught by surprise when he was recently awarded an IIMS (International Institute of Marine Surveying) Blue Water Award at the IIMS London 2019 Conference Dinner held at 10/11 Carlton House Terrace in central London.

Mike Schwarz, CEO of IIMS quotes from his speech on the night:

“…….Talking about having good people around us, I am also reminded that we have some brilliant partners who we work with and they with us. One of our key partners who we have developed a solid relationship with going back five years is IMCA, the International Marine Contractors Association. We entered into dialogue with IMCA back in early 2014 and the result is the now acclaimed eCMID Accredited Vessel Inspector scheme. I am proud that with IMCA’s help we have been able to play a vital role in cleaning up what was once an unregulated offshore inspection sector. Vessel operators now know who is boarding their ships and boats and where the inspector’s competencies lie. It is testament that organisations such as Siemens, Vattenfall and Orsted, to name but three, have publicly backed the scheme. 600 people have come forward for accreditation. Continue reading “IIMS recognises IMCA’s Technical Director with a Blue Water Award”

MAIB issues urgent bulletin for owners of boats with retractable keels

Posted on June 27, 2019September 23, 2025 by News Hound

A retractable keel - Photo courtesy of MAIB — Photo courtesy of MAIB

The MAIB has issued a safety bulletin on retractable keels after the capsize of a sailing boat on Windermere with the loss of one life on 12 June 2019. The bulletin contains details on the background of the accident, initial findings, action taken and a safety lesson.

At approximately 1220 on 12 June 2019, a RS Venture Connect sailing boat fully inverted, its crew comprised an assistant instructor and an experienced disabled crewman. The boat was knocked down in the windy conditions on the day and heeled to such an extent that the keel fully retracted. During the subsequent capsize, the disabled crewman became trapped under the inverted boat. The safety boat crew saw the accident and attended the scene quickly, but had difficulty righting the boat and so were unable to reach the crewman in sufficient time to effect a successful rescue. Continue reading “MAIB issues urgent bulletin for owners of boats with retractable keels”

Sunseeker appoints Andrea Frabetti as new CEO

Posted on June 24, 2019July 8, 2025 by News Hound

Andrea Frabetti has taken over as Sunseeker International CEO following the resignation of Christian Marti.

Andrea Frabetti, formerly chief technical officer at Sunseeker, will work with chief financial officer Mike McMillan and chief operations officer Michael Straughan to form a new strategic committee focusing on developing a strategic framework for the business.

The committee will continue to work with the current executive management team of Adrian Powell, Sean Robertson, Barbara Baker (as interim HR director) and Sian Dodds on return from maternity leave, to formalise a more ‘product-facing organisation structure and a robust global distribution network’. Continue reading “Sunseeker appoints Andrea Frabetti as new CEO”

RCR urges boat owners to fit bilge filters to stop contamination

Posted on May 31, 2019May 20, 2025 by News Hound

River Canal Rescue (RCR) is urging boat owners to take action to install bilge filters to stop the contamination of inland waterways through the accidental spilling of fuel and oil.

RCR estimates that more than 120,000 litres of fuel and oil make their way into the waterway system every year, contaminating 120 billion litres of water – the equivalent of the entire UK daily water supply.

RCR operations director, Jay Forman, said, “Boat owners with poorly-maintained bilge areas, no filters or a facility to discharge contaminants into a holding tank are adding to, rather than addressing, the pollution issues. Continue reading “RCR urges boat owners to fit bilge filters to stop contamination”

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