UK News

New interim Chief Executive of MCA, Damien Oliver, appointed

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Damien Oliver has been appointed interim CEO of the MCA
Damien Oliver has been appointed interim Chief Executive of the MCA

Damien Oliver has been appointed as the interim Chief Executive of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). He begins his new role on Monday 17 October, following the retiremet of MCA Chief Executive Brian Johnson.

MCA Chairman and board member Christopher Rodrigues said: “Damien has had a number of high-profile roles within the MCA since joining in 2001 and he will bring a wealth of maritime experience and knowledge.

“Damien has been responsible for major projects and programmes, procurement, commercial management and innovation, maritime business development which includes the UK Shipping Register and Shipping Concierge within the MCA. Continue reading “New interim Chief Executive of MCA, Damien Oliver, appointed”

Marine Engineer Gives Time to Maritime Volunteers

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MVS members onboard Melita with Glen Jones form DOCKSPEC Marine Ltd. (The Bigger Picture Agency)
MVS members onboard Melita with Glen Jones form DOCKSPEC Marine Ltd. (The Bigger Picture Agency)

Glen Jones, a marine engineer who has worked all over the world on some of the largest vessels afloat has relocated his business to the North East and pledged his expertise and support to a local nautical charity.

Originally from the shipbuilding town of Barrow in Furness, Glen studied for his qualifications from apprentice to Chief Engineer at South Shields Marine College, a career spanning more than 30 years in the marine industry. His career from sea to shore took him through deep sea voyages, shore side placements in Singapore, Cyprus and latterly Dubai, where he worked for Drydocks World Dubai Continue reading “Marine Engineer Gives Time to Maritime Volunteers”

New Workboat 3 code from the MCA is open for consultation

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New proposed Workboat 3 code from the Maritime & Coast Guard Agency is open for consultation
New proposed Workboat 3 code from the Maritime & Coast Guard Agency is open for consultation

Rules governing workboats, pilot boats and remotely operated vessels have been revised and remade to support innovation in industry. The revised Merchant Shipping (Workboats, Pilot Boats and Remotely Operated Unmanned Vessels) Regulations 2022 and accompanying Workboat 3 Code is now going out for consultation across the marine industry. Continue reading “New Workboat 3 code from the MCA is open for consultation”

Canal & River Trust Annual Report 2021/22 published

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Canal & river Trust - Annual Reports & Accounts 2021/22The Canal & River Trust 2021/22 Annual Report & Accounts document a continued rise in use of the towpath with nearly 800 million individual visits across the year and a record summer for boating once the waterways were able to re-open in May 2021 for unrestricted navigation. It is also the second year to be severely affected by Covid-19.

Accounting for variances relating to the pandemic, income for the year remained broadly stable, and the Trust was able to increase the amount spent on core maintenance and repair works Continue reading “Canal & River Trust Annual Report 2021/22 published”

MAIB safety digest 2/2022 published

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MAIB Safety digest 2/2022Andrew Moll OBE, Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents at the Marine Accident Investigation Branch writes, “Welcome to MAIB’s second Safety Digest of 2022. I will start in the usual manner by thanking Julian Hughes, Jim Portus and Rachel Andrews for their respective introductions to the merchant, fishing and recreational sections of this edition. Each is an expert in their own field, and their industry insights to safety help bring contemporary context to the cautionary tales in the following pages. I hope you will find time to read the whole edition – there is something here for every mariner – but please do read the section introductions. And, when you have finished, please pass the digest on so others can benefit too. Continue reading “MAIB safety digest 2/2022 published”

West P&I Club advice on how to conduct a proper gas measurement of coal cargoes

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Screenshot of the Gas measurement of coal cargoes video

When carrying coal cargoes, it is vital to obtain accurate gas measurements to determine the correct ventilation requirements. In a short video less than four minutes long, West P&I Club explains the correct way to undertake the gas measurement of coal cargoes.

According to West Club, coal may self-heat or emit significant amounts of methane, and occasionally, it may do both. Incorrect ventilation can also lead to cargo fire or cargo explosion, which makes it crucial to obtain accurate gas measurements to determine the correct ventilation requirements. While this may appear straight forward, West Club’s experience is that these measurements are often not taken correctly. Continue reading “West P&I Club advice on how to conduct a proper gas measurement of coal cargoes”

MPC Summary Report on Kind Leadership

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MPC Summary Report on kind leadershipThe Maritime Professional Council of the UK (MPC) has published a summary report on Kind Leadership. This research was carried out for and on behalf of the MPC, triggered by the recent treatment of seafarers highlighted by the media, and the need to promote the professional standards required of leaders, both at sea, and ashore. The aim of this report is to stimulate industry debate and commitment on how training is transformed to focus on leadership skills and the ethos of same, rather than on today’s mostly technical focused training. The report has been compiled and authored by Steve Cameron CMR, and Capt. John Wright. Continue reading “MPC Summary Report on Kind Leadership”

MAIB: The flooding and sinking of survey workboat Bella

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Bow to stern view of 5.6m open glass reinforced plastic survey workboat Bella moored alongside gravel pathway
Image courtesy of Geosight Ltd

On 6 July 2021, the UK survey workboat Bella flooded and sank while carrying out hydrographic survey operations in the approaches to Lynmouth, England. Bella’s crew abandoned into the liferaft and were rescued uninjured by a local boat owner; there was no pollution.

Safety Issues

– The survey workboat Bella was vulnerable to swamping, even in moderate sea conditions because its multibeam echo sounder gantry reduced its forward freeboard.
– Despite being issued with the necessary certification, Bella was not compliant with The Workboat Code; shortcomings in construction and means of flotation were missed during the certifying survey due to the surveyor’s overreliance on Recreational Craft Directive documentation. Continue reading “MAIB: The flooding and sinking of survey workboat Bella”

Two new ISOs set to be added to the list of designated standards to the Recreational Craft Regulations

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Department for Business, Energy & Industrial StrategyThe Department of Business Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has published an update to the list of designated standards to the RCR (Recreational Craft Regulations). It has stated its intentions to add the following two ISO standards to the list of designated standards to the Recreational Craft Regulations (RCR).

They are:
– EN ISO 8666:2020/A11:2021 – Small craft – Principal data Continue reading “Two new ISOs set to be added to the list of designated standards to the Recreational Craft Regulations”

MCA consultation on requirements for fixed aerosol fire extinguishing systems in small vessel machinery spaces

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The Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) has opened a public consultation seeking views and opinions for MGN 657 (M+F) Requirements for Aerosol fire extinguishing systems for use in Small Vessel Machinery
The Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) has opened a public consultation seeking views and opinions for MGN 657 (M+F) Requirements for Aerosol fire extinguishing systems for use in Small Vessel Machinery

The Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) has opened a public consultation seeking views and opinions for MGN 657 (M+F) Requirements for aerosol fire extinguishing systems for use in small vessel machinery. The draft MGN publishes the test requirements for future approvals of these systems and requires that tests are witnessed by an Approved Body appointed by the MCA. Continue reading “MCA consultation on requirements for fixed aerosol fire extinguishing systems in small vessel machinery spaces”

First glass fibre composites recycling centre in the UK set to open

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First glass fibre composites recycling centre in the UK set to open
First glass fibre composites recycling centre in the UK set to open

The National Composites Centre is aiming to create the UK’s first glass fibre composites recycling and re-use facility of its kind. The organisation is supporting a new consortium that has been formed to address the growing challenge of decarbonisation and recycling of composite materials in the marine industry and beyond.

The Blue Composites Project is made up of the UK’s leading marine and maritime companies, composites specialists, academic institutions and local government organisations, led by Blue Parameters, a Guernsey based marine consultancy. Continue reading “First glass fibre composites recycling centre in the UK set to open”

Despite decreasing marine casualties the Irish authorities remain cautious

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Irish authorities remain cautious despite decreasing marine casualties
Irish authorities remain cautious despite decreasing marine casualties

Marine casualties and fatalities in Irish waters have reduced in the past ten years, but investigators warn this could change if voluntary codes of conduct are ignored. The Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) reports that fatalities have been on a downward trend to zero in 2021 from a high of 13 in 2012. However, this may not remain the case as the number of serious incidents involving kayakers and canoeists continues to rise.

In 2020 the MCIB urged water sports clubs to ensure that all codes of practice, guidelines and recommendations were followed.  Continue reading “Despite decreasing marine casualties the Irish authorities remain cautious”

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