MCA amends its Code of Safe Working Practices

A high vis vest that says 'MCA Surveys and Inspections'
A high vis vest that says ‘MCA Surveys and Inspections’

The UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) has published an updated version of the ‘Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seafarers’. The amendments give advice on improving health and safety of seafarers, primarily for those on board UK registered ships. But surveyors should also take note.

The Code provides guidance on safe working practices for the many and numerous situations that occur on ships.

However, it should not be considered a comprehensive guide to safety and its advice should always be considered in conjunction with the Continue reading “MCA amends its Code of Safe Working Practices”

Burgess Marine partly rescued after falling into administration

Outside Burgess Marine offices
Outside Burgess Marine offices

Following falling into administration Burgess Marine assets have been partly sold off to Southampton Marine Services (SMS) saving some jobs at the company with maybe more to follow in the future.

The business and assets at three of the company’s trading locations – in Lowestoft, Avonmouth & Poole, have been transferred to SMS along with all of their works in progress, resulting in 45 jobs being saved.

But the administrator confirmed that at this time 106 employees have still been made redundant.

Continue reading “Burgess Marine partly rescued after falling into administration”

New conference and industry sector awards as Seawork International 2018 comes of age

Speedboat propellors
Speedboat propellors

Seawork International 2018 will celebrate its 21st edition as the ‘go to’ meeting place for the European commercial marine sector.

Seawork 2018 sees an increased focus on vessel construction and maintenance, new award categories for the European Commercial Marine Awards (ECMAs) and a new Vessel Operations Conference; embracing the new MCA Codes of Practice, Cost Saving through Operational Efficiencies and Techniques, and the Future of Hybrid Drives.

Best Project of the Year is a new ECMA award category for challenges in marine civils or vessel operations. Judged by a panel of industry experts, the ECMAs recognise excellence and achievement across the commercial marine sector.

Continue reading “New conference and industry sector awards as Seawork International 2018 comes of age”

Fairline Yachts taking over Hythe coastal complex

Aerial shot of Hythe Coastal Complex
Aerial shot of Hythe Coastal Complex

British yard Fairline Yachts has announced its intention to begin building larger yachts after acquiring the Hythe coastal complex in Hampshire. The five-acre site was left vacant after its previous incumbents, Green Marine, went into liquidation in October 2017.

The Hythe coastal complex, which covers an area of 20,000 square metres, is scheduled to open in mid-2018 and will be used to build models over 18.29 metres in length. The construction of models under 18 metres will continue at Fairline Yacht’s current base in Oundle, Northamptonshire.

Russell Currie, managing director of Fairline Yachts, explained, “As the global yachting market evolves, clients from across the world are increasingly demanding larger yachts than we’ve been able to create. Our new site will boast state-of-the-art facilities, giving us room to expand and create bigger boats whilst making the most of the existing boatbuilding skills in the location. Continue reading “Fairline Yachts taking over Hythe coastal complex”

MAIB report into the grounding of the CMA CGM Vasco de Gama published

Ultra-large container vessel CMA CGM Vasco de Gama
Ultra-large container vessel CMA CGM Vasco de Gama

In the early hours of the morning on 22 August 2016, the 399m long ultra-large container vessel CMA CGM Vasco de Gama grounded on the western side of the Thorn Channel whilst approaching the Port of Southampton. The vessel was the largest UK-flagged vessel at the time and had two of the port’s specialist container ship pilots onboard.

The ship ran aground on a rising tide and on a flat shingle/sand sea-bed. A combination of tugs and ship’s engines enabled it to be re-floated soon after grounding. Continue reading “MAIB report into the grounding of the CMA CGM Vasco de Gama published”

MAIB releases its report into the ground of Muros on Haisborough Sand

Muros containership
Muros containership

At 0248 (UTC+1) on 3 December 2016, the bulk carrier Muros ran aground on Haisborough Sand on the east coast of the United Kingdom. Attempts to manoeuvre clear of the shallows were unsuccessful but the vessel was re-floated 6 days later with tug assistance. There were no injuries and no pollution, but damage to Muros’s rudder necessitated the vessel being towed to Rotterdam, Netherlands, for repair.

The MAIB investigation identified, inter alia:
Continue reading “MAIB releases its report into the ground of Muros on Haisborough Sand”

Feedback sought on the future of UK inland waterways boat licensing

Can you help the Canal & River Trust in the final stage of their consultation on the future of boat licensing?
Can you help the Canal & River Trust in the final stage of their consultation on the future of boat licensing?

The UK Canal & River Trust is asking all boaters and boating groups to take part in the final stage of their consultation on the future of boat licensing, which has remained little changed for the past 20 years.

A series of licensing options based, on the feedback given by boaters in the first stages of consultation held during the spring and summer, has been drawn up. Canal & River Trust is now emailing or writing to all licence holders and other boating groups and relevant organisations to invite them to take part. Once complete, a final proposal will be put forward, including details of when any changes will come into effect.

Continue reading “Feedback sought on the future of UK inland waterways boat licensing”

British yard Princess Yachts gives its first insight into Princess S78

The Princess S78 in action
The Princess S78 in action

Princess presents first details of S78 sportsbridge yacht, the newest addition to its range of sportsbridge yachts. The 24.6m vessel follows on from its successful predecessors, the S60, S65 and S72, and will be the largest S Class to date. The sportsbridge range is designed to combine the benefits of a flybridge with the profile and large sunroof of a sportscruiser.

The Princess Yachts S78 will feature spacious and stylish accommodation for up to eight people across the owner’s suite, two double cabins and a portside twin cabin, while there will be space for up to two staff in the crew quarters.

Continue reading “British yard Princess Yachts gives its first insight into Princess S78”

MAIB issues an essential Safety Digest featuring 25 cases

MAIb Safety Digest
MAIb Safety Digest

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) examines and investigates all types of marine accidents to, or on board UK vessels worldwide and other vessels in UK territorial waters. This Safety Digest (02/17) draws the attention of the marine community to some of the lessons arising from investigations into recent accidents and incidents. It contains information which has been determined up to the time of issue.

In his introduction to the Safety Digest, Steve Clinch, Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents for the MAIB says, “A fire is one of the most frightening things that can happen at sea. Often, seafarers have no ready access to the emergency services when a fire breaks out and will need to rely on their own resources, courage and training to tackle and extinguish the blaze quickly to ensure the safety of the ship and everyone on board. After reading one of the cases while editing this edition of the Safety Digest, I found myself thinking about the recent fire that engulfed Grenfell Tower, a west London residential tower block. This was an horrific incident; 80 people are currently presumed to have died but the ferocity of the fire means that the final death toll may never be known for sure. Why the Grenfell Tower fire spread so quickly is the subject of intense debate but its source was attributed to a domestic fridge/freezer that overheated. Case 10 provides a reminder that fires can quite easily start in a similar way on a ship. In that case a fire was caused when a travel fridge was placed on the carpeted area of the deck in a cabin; the lack of air circulation around the unit caused the fridge to overheat… fortunately the crew were able to extinguish the fire without too much damage being done.” Continue reading “MAIB issues an essential Safety Digest featuring 25 cases”

UK’s superyacht industry posts fifth consecutive year of growth with highest ever revenue figures

Superyacht in water
Superyacht in water

Despite continued uncertainty that followed the EU referendum and recent General Election, the UK’s superyacht industry remains buoyant, posting its fifth consecutive year of growth, contributing £450m in Gross Value Added to UK GDP, while generating an estimated £186m in taxes for the UK exchequer. These ew figures, released in a report by Superyacht UK came as UK businesses headed to Monaco Yacht Show to showcase the best of British.

Continue reading “UK’s superyacht industry posts fifth consecutive year of growth with highest ever revenue figures”

Fairline seeks development of a shore side production facility

Faireline Speed boat
Faireline Speed boat

Fairline Yachts is planning to build new shore side production facility to keep up with global demand for plus size yachts.

The new shore side production facility will enable Fairline to build yachts over 70ft which has not been possible at the firm’s existing Oundle, Northamptonshire location, because it is land-locked.

“This is the next big step in the upward journey of Fairline Yachts and proves our commitment to investing in British boatbuilding,” said Russell Currie, managing director of Fairline Yachts.

Continue reading “Fairline seeks development of a shore side production facility”

IIMS scoops Golden Shield award for its education programme

The Golden Shield Certificte
The Golden Shield Certificte

The IIMS distance learning commercial ship and yacht and small craft education programmes were recently nominated for an Award in the International Maritime Club’s Golden Shield Excellence Awards 2017 in the ‘Leading Maritime Training Institute’ category. And at the ceremony itself on Friday 15 September 2017 at the Lloyd’s Old Library in London, IIMS was announced as the winner in this category.

Vice President, Capt Zarir Irani, accompanied by Allen Brink, stepped in for IIMS CEO, Mike Schwarz, to receive the award. Continue reading “IIMS scoops Golden Shield award for its education programme”

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