UK News

New Static Letting Licence introduced for boat renting by the Canal & River Trust

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In response to changing market conditions, the Canal & River Trust has launched a Static Letting Licence
In response to changing market conditions, the Canal & River Trust has launched a Static Letting Licence

The Canal & River Trust has introduced a new static letting licence in the UK to ensure the safety of the increasing number of people living and staying on rented boats.

Canal & River Trust has responded to the numbers of boats for rent in London and further afield as people try to find alternatives to rising housing costs. A second market has sprung up with the advent website letting sites, which regularly feature listings of boats for rent, while anecdotal evidence from boaters shows that it’s becoming more common.

Continue reading “New Static Letting Licence introduced for boat renting by the Canal & River Trust”

MAIB report published on the grounding of Transocean Winner rig after the loss of tow

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Oil rigAt 0652 on 8 August 2016, the Marshall Islands registered semi-submersible rig Transocean Winner grounded on the Isle of Lewis following the loss of tow from the Dutch registered tug ALP Forward. The tug and tow was on passage from Stavanger, Norway to Valletta, Malta when it encountered severe weather west of the Hebrides. The effect of the wind and waves on Transocean Winner led to the loss of ALP Forward’s ability to control the direction and speed of the tug and tow. After being dragged backwards by the tow for over 24 hours, the tow line, weakened by the repeated sudden loadings, parted and the tug was unable to pick up the emergency towline.

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Recreational Craft Regulations 2017 now UK law

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Be aware that the Recreational Craft Regulations 2017 are now in law. Photo for display purpose only
Be aware that the Recreational Craft Regulations 2017 are now in law. Photo for display purpose only

On 3 August 2017, the new Recreational Craft Regulations 2017 finally joined the statute book and became law in the UK after much deliberation. This legislation is more generally known as the RCD, or Recreational Craft Directive (2013/53/EU) and this version updates and repeals the earlier 2004 regulations.

The 2017 Recreational Craft Regulations follow the requirements of the RCD, while also setting out the UK market surveillance responsibilities. This essentially relates to what trading standards can and will do to ensure compliance. Their powers to impose penalties on companies found in breach of the regulations are immense and could result in products being taken off the market, fines imposed and even imprisonment in some cases.

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MAIB publishes its report into carbon monoxide poisoning on motor cruiser Vasquez

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The Motor Cruiser, VazquezThe MAIB has published its report and findings into a carbon monoxide poisoning incident onboard motor cruiser Vasquez moored in Cardiff Bay, which led to loss of life.

At approximately 1200 (UTC) on 12 November 2016, the owner of the 7.75m motor cruiser Vasquez fell unconscious after being overcome by carbon monoxide (CO) that had been emitted from failed rubber bellows that formed part of the inboard engine’s wet-exhaust system. Although rescuers came to his aid, it was not possible to save his life. The boat’s engine had not been regularly serviced and there was evidence that the exhaust system of the engine had been modified during the boat’s life. Continue reading “MAIB publishes its report into carbon monoxide poisoning on motor cruiser Vasquez”

Effectiveness of lifejackets called into question by MAIB report on the foundering of fishing vessel Louisa

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Photograph of Louisa recovery
Photograph of Louisa recovery

Early on 9 April 2016, the fishing vessel Louisa foundered, with the loss of three lives, while anchored close to the shore in Mingulay Bay in the Outer Hebrides.

The skipper and crew, who had been working long hours before anchoring late the previous evening, had woken suddenly as the vessel was sinking rapidly by the bow. They were able to escape to the aft deck, activate the emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB), and to don lifejackets. However, they were unable to inflate the liferaft as they abandoned the vessel.

Continue reading “Effectiveness of lifejackets called into question by MAIB report on the foundering of fishing vessel Louisa”

Lack of surveyors at UK MCA highlighted as a programme of modernisation gets underway

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UK FlagThe UK’s Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) is modernising the way the UK Ship Register operates with a number of new initiatives being rolled out as the Agency is also addressing the issue of lack of surveyors on its books.

At the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Maritime and Ports, attendees were informed that the MCA is considering increasing the fee structure for the UK Ship Register to above 2016 levels.

The registry is working to improve the response time for enquiries to one working day, while for complex issues it will take three working days. Increasing ship registry fees would match the higher levels of service being offered, the MCA said. The register also plans to roll out a package fee option in April 2018. Further, a new online ship registry service is expected to be completed by Christmas this year. Continue reading “Lack of surveyors at UK MCA highlighted as a programme of modernisation gets underway”

Grant awarded to Teignbridge Propellers for research into propeller efficiency

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A purpose designed 14m catamaran will allow Teignbridge Propellers to test propeller efficiency
A purpose designed 14m catamaran will allow Teignbridge Propellers to test propeller efficiency

Teignbridge Propellers received a £3m grant to research propeller efficiency last year with much of the work to be carried out from a new vessel due to be launched later this summer.

The grant to Teignbridge Propellers from the Energy Technologies Institute (ETI) comprised 50% from industry finance and 50% from the UK Government and will enable the company to look for energy and CO2 savings of 8% in the UK’s heavy-duty vessel fleet.

Testing of a range of propellers for various vessels is due to begin in the Autumn. And while initially this will be for ships, the efficiencies will inevitably filter down to the pleasure industry says Teignbridge Propellers MD Mark Phare.

Continue reading “Grant awarded to Teignbridge Propellers for research into propeller efficiency”

Sam Newington, son of Fairline founder, passes away peacefully

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Picture of Sam NewingtonSam Newington, the man who built Fairline into one of Britain’s leading boat manufacturers, has died peacefully at home aged 82. The family’s involvement with the marine industry began in 1964 when Sam’s father Jack Newington converted a gravel pit in Oundle, digging a trench to link it to the River Nene. Oundle Marina was created, the basis for a small inland waterways and marina business that hired and repaired boats. It was originally something of a hobby alongside the family’s main business of frozen foods. In 1966 Jack bought a mould for a 19ft glass fibre boat from a failing company. That boat became the Fairline 19 and Fairline was born.

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MAIB publishes report into grounding and evacuation of domestic passenger vessel Surprise

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A tug boat surrounded by lifeboats
Photo credit: Mark Harcum

Summary of the incident
At 1135 on 15 May 2016, the passenger vessel Surprise suffered hull damage and started flooding when it grounded at Western Rocks, Isles of Scilly. All 48 passengers were safely evacuated to shore. The flooding was contained by the passenger vessel Surprise,  own bilge pumps and it returned to harbour under its own power.

Resulting safety issues
A passage plan had not been prepared for the trip. Passage planning is essential for every voyage to ensure all navigational hazards are identified and avoided.
Continue reading “MAIB publishes report into grounding and evacuation of domestic passenger vessel Surprise”

River Canal Rescue reports that canal boat breakdowns are on the increase in the UK

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River Canal Rescue says it has noticed an increase in callouts to broken canal boats
River Canal Rescue says it has noticed an increase in callouts to broken canal boats

Boats on the canals are suffering more often from engine, fuel, electrical and other problems, judging from the number of callouts responded to by waterways breakdown specialists River Canal Rescue.

It’s quite normal for River Canal Rescue to notice a rise in callouts to broken-down boats in the spring, as many leisure boaters make their first trip of the year and discover any problems which have developed over the winter months. But for the last couple of years, the spike has been getting higher – as has the overall total number of callouts. In 2015 it hit 140 calls a week at the peak; last year it crept up a shade to 144 per week, but this year with 100 more breakdowns than 2016 in April alone, the figure looks set to top that by a long way.

Continue reading “River Canal Rescue reports that canal boat breakdowns are on the increase in the UK”

MAIB report published about the fire on board fishing vessel Ardent II

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The wrecked fishing vessel Ardent IIAt approximately 0500 on 16 August 2016, a fire started in the crew mess room of the fishing vessel Ardent II while alongside in Peterhead. The three crew sleeping on board escaped without injury but the vessel was extensively damaged and later declared a constructive total loss.

The MAIB investigation identified that:
– An electrical fault or failure of a multi-socket adapter in the crew mess was the most likely cause of the fire
– There was no smoke detector fitted in the crew mess room and it was fortunate one of the crew awoke and discovered the fire

Continue reading “MAIB report published about the fire on board fishing vessel Ardent II”

MAIB published its report on the Love for Lydia carbon monoxide deaths tragedy

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Photograph of motor cruiser Love For Lydia
Photograph of motor cruiser Love For Lydia

Between 7 and 9 June 2016, the two occupants of the motor cruiser Love for Lydia died from carbon monoxide poisoning. The boat was moored alongside Wroxham Island, River Bure, Norfolk, and their bodies were found during the afternoon of 9 June in the boat’s forepeak cabin.

The MAIB investigation identified that:
• The source of the carbon monoxide was exhaust fumes from the boat’s eight-cylinder petrol engine, which contained high levels of the gas even when the engine was ‘idling’.
Continue reading “MAIB published its report on the Love for Lydia carbon monoxide deaths tragedy”

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