UK News Archives - Page 33 of 43 - The International Institute of Marine Surveying (IIMS)

MARPOL amendments for ship fuel oil reporting requirements, garbage classification and IOPP certificate now in force

Posted on March 6, 2018September 23, 2025 by News Hound

Requirements for ships to collect data on their fuel oil consumption entered into force on 1 March. Other important amendments to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) have also entered into force, covering the classification of garbage, including the addition of a new category of “e-waste”, and amendments to the International Oil Pollution Prevention Certificate.

Ship fuel oil consumption data reporting requirements
The ship fuel oil consumption data reporting requirements are the latest mandatory requirements aimed at enhancing the energy efficiency of international shipping.

The data collection will begin on 1 January 2019 with data reported at the end of each calendar year to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the United Nations agency with responsibility for regulating the safety, security and efficiency of shipping and preventing marine and atmospheric pollution from ships.

Continue reading “MARPOL amendments for ship fuel oil reporting requirements, garbage classification and IOPP certificate now in force”

MAIB report into Windcat 8 catastrophic damage and resulting fire published

Posted on February 28, 2018April 9, 2025 by News Hound

Windacat 8 before the icident - Photo credit: Image copyright 't schippertje — Photo credit: Image copyright ‘t schippertje

On 7 September 2017, the 15.87m crew transfer vessel, Windcat 8, was on passage to Grimsby, UK, from the Lynn Wind Farm in the North Sea with two crew and eight windfarm technicians on board. Shortly after setting off, the vessel’s port engine suffered catastrophic damage and caught fire.

The passengers were quickly transferred on to Windcat 31 and the fire was contained within the port engine space and soon extinguished. Windcat 8’s port engine was badly damaged and the vessel was towed to Grimsby by Windcat 30. There was no pollution and no injuries.

Continue reading “MAIB report into Windcat 8 catastrophic damage and resulting fire published”

Tritex NDT launches a thickness gauge for mounting onto drones

Posted on February 27, 2018September 23, 2025 by News Hound

Tritex NDT has launched a new ultrasonic metal thickness gauge specifically designed for mounting onto drones for high level inspections.

The gauge uses multiple echo to completely ignore coatings up to 20mm thick and the single crystal probe ensures accurate readings on curved surfaces, such as storage tanks and pipelines. Remaining metal thickness and corrosion levels can be quickly and more easily checked without the need for scaffolding or rope access.

The Multigauge 6000 Drone Thickness Gauge OEM transmits real time measurements wirelessly up to a distance of 500 metres using its integrated RF transmitter. The readings are displayed and stored on dedicated Communicator software within templates in a grid or string format.

The gauge weighs just 45 grams and the plastic probe weighs only 15 grams. Jon Sharland, Sales Manager at Tritex NDT Ltd, said Continue reading “Tritex NDT launches a thickness gauge for mounting onto drones”

Fleet of battery powered zero emissions barges set for French waterways

Posted on February 27, 2018July 27, 2021 by News Hound

A fleet of zero emissions 100t barges that operate solely on battery power are being built for canal trips in France.

UK company Backwater Cruising is currently constructing the first of 21 38m long vessels barges that will have a 300kWh battery bank powered by purpose-built canalside charging points to achieve zero carbon operation.

Isle of Wight-based Hybrid Marine will provide hybrid systems for the vessels, which Graeme Hawksley, founder and managing director, explained can ‘operate in serial hybrid mode, parallel hybrid mode and for five hours propulsion under battery alone along with air-conditioning’.

The hybrid system comprises twin Beta 105 parallel hybrid engines and a 49kVA generator. If an overnight charging point is not available then Continue reading “Fleet of battery powered zero emissions barges set for French waterways”

Operators and surveyors urged to test cargo hold’s bilge system to minimise claims

Posted on February 13, 2018February 13, 2018 by News Hound

Operators and surveyors urged to test cargo hold bilge systems to minimise claims

The UK P&I Club has reminded those working in the marine industry that significant insurance damage claims can result if a bulk cargo is damaged due to the leakage of the bilge system into a loaded bulk cargo hold.

To reduce the chance of such cargo damage, operators and surveyors are advised to inspect and test the cargo hold bilge system as part of the routine pre-loading checks of the cargo holds.

Inspection and testing of cargo hold bilge system non-return valves should be included in routine pre-loading checks of the holds. These non-return valves may not be seated tightly, because of the Continue reading “Operators and surveyors urged to test cargo hold’s bilge system to minimise claims”

Autonomous vessels – the challenges and opportunities in design

Posted on February 9, 2018September 23, 2025 by News Hound

Automation presents a set of unique challenges to designers, insurers and operators of ships. In this article, reprinted from the Shipowners P&I Club website Keir Gravil, a naval architect at Frazer-Nash Consultancy in Bristol, UK discusses some of the key issues that could face automated ships of the future from a design perspective.

It is a truth recognised by many industries that the future of transportation lies with greater automation. Over the last 50 years we have seen huge changes not only in shipping, but in every form of transportation and vehicle. Aircraft now incorporate automation routinely on flights around the world, cars are being developed to drive themselves and many railways have been totally automated for some time. As each step in the evolution of transportation progresses, the human element of control is reduced or eliminated altogether. But what of shipping? Surely an industry the size and scope of international shipping faces unique challenges in the realm of automation?

The background

It is often the job of ship designers, especially those in the naval defence industry, to think ahead and anticipate future technological changes. One could argue that Continue reading “Autonomous vessels – the challenges and opportunities in design”

UK Transport Secretary proposes Maritime 2050 vision

Posted on February 8, 2018November 19, 2025 by News Hound

Speaking at the UK Chamber of Shipping’s Annual Dinner, Chris Grayling MP, UK Secretary of State for Transport, contributed to a “radical” vision that will support the nation’s maritime industry for the future – Maritime 2050.

The UK Government will cooperate with industry bodies and businesses, and will publish a call for evidence that will provide a framework for engagement. An expert panel will also be appointed, Mr Grayling said.

“We need a clear path for the future, we need a strong partnership between this industry and government – and we’re calling it Continue reading “UK Transport Secretary proposes Maritime 2050 vision”

Improper maintenance could have led to double fatality says UK P&I Club

Posted on February 6, 2018September 23, 2025 by News Hound

Improper maintenance of ventilation system - Photo credit: UK P&I Club — Improper maintenance of ventilation system – Photo credit: UK P&I Club

In UK P&I Club’s latest ‘Lessons Learned’ series of case studies, Captain David Nichol presents the case regarding improper maintenance of ventilation after a maintenance operation, which could have led to the deaths of two surveyors during a third party survey on the emergency fire pump.

About the incident

During a third party survey, the surveyor made a request to test the emergency fire pump, which was arranged with the assistance of the chief engineer. The emergency fire pump was located in a recessed well in the steering gear compartment, approximately 3 metres deep and accessed by an inclined stairway. At the start of the test, the surveyor asked to observe the pump being started locally and operating before proceeding on deck to check the hoses rigged fore and aft.

Shortly after descending into the fire pump well, the chief engineer urgently ordered the surveyors to get out and by the time both men reached the steering compartment deck, they were Continue reading “Improper maintenance could have led to double fatality says UK P&I Club”

Luxury UK yacht builder Oyster Yachts is reported to have gone into liquidation

Posted on February 6, 2018September 23, 2025 by News Hound

The British luxury yacht builder Oyster Yachts is reported to have gone into liquidation as of 16.00 on Monday 5th February 2018 a statement said. A further announcement is expected on Tuesday 6th February.

Staff are said to have found out that all employees are to be made redundant. A spokesman for the company confirmed that a statement would be made on Tuesday 6th February but would not confirm or comment on the news.

Oyster Yachts recently launched their new model, the Oyster 745 at boot Düsseldorf, the German Boat Show at the end of January.

Continue reading “Luxury UK yacht builder Oyster Yachts is reported to have gone into liquidation”

Boat Safety Scheme certification charges set to rise as part of new four year business and investment plan

Posted on February 1, 2018September 23, 2025 by News Hound

The Boat Safety Scheme (BSS) Management Committee has agreed a new four-year business plan to resource its work to 2022 and invest in improvements that will have an even longer-term benefit. The plan also includes the first price rise in certification charges for eight years.

BSS Examiners will pay a new price of £36 (excluding VAT) for each certification they issue to a boat, which is a £7 rise that they will likely choose to pass onto customers.

The new price will apply from 1 April 2018 and the Scheme intends holding it for at least the whole of the four-year business plan period, which is designed to coincide with the four-year lifespan of BSS Certification.

The new BSS business plan includes additional support to BSS Examiners, projects to improve the quality of examinations and enhancements to customer service.

The Scheme acknowledges that times are tough and boaters face other price increases associated with their Continue reading “Boat Safety Scheme certification charges set to rise as part of new four year business and investment plan”

Maritime UK has established a Taskforce to increase the number of women within the UK maritime sector

Posted on January 31, 2018November 5, 2025 by News Hound

Maritime UK has established a Taskforce increase the number of women within the UK maritime sector

The Taskforce brings together leaders from across the maritime sector to identify practical steps to increase the number of women within the UK maritime sector, and crucially within senior roles across its shipping, ports, marine and business services industries.

Achieving a balanced workforce at all levels in the maritime sector will undoubtedly improve culture, behaviour, outcomes, profitability and productivity.

During London International Shipping Week, then Maritime Minister Rt Hon John Hayes MP called for industry to address gender imbalance in the sector. Government are represented on the Taskforce.

The Taskforce will make a series of recommendations and utilise Continue reading “Maritime UK has established a Taskforce to increase the number of women within the UK maritime sector”

Lifecord – a kill cord you will never forget – launched by Landau

Posted on January 29, 2018March 15, 2018 by News Hound

Lifecord is a newly designed kill cord providing the certainty and reliability of a tethered connection between a boat’s engine ignition kill switch and pilot, ensuring the vessel’s engine stops should the pilot be inadvertently thrown from the helm. However, unlike the typical passive kill cords commonly seen, Lifecord is a ‘smart’ kill cord incorporating detection technology designed to trigger an audible and visual warning alarm should Lifecord be connected to the boat’s kill switch but not the pilot, similar to the seat belt warning in your car.

Lifecord’s uniquely designed Key and Clasp connector is comfortable to wear and can be operated easily even while wearing gloves. It also offers a secondary method of pilot connection using Continue reading “Lifecord – a kill cord you will never forget – launched by Landau”

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