Workboats

Wake and currents the cause of Swedish pilot boat capsize

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A preliminary investigation into the capsize of the pilot boat L242 has determined that the craft did not collide with the vessel it was approaching at the time of the accident. Instead, a combination of swells, the wake from the nearby ship and powerful currents led to the capsize of the boat and the death of two individuals on board. Based on information gathered so far, investigators believe that the boat was pushed over to 90 degrees by the combination of these forces. It remained at this angle temporarily, then fully capsized.

At 1700 hours on December 8, the Swedish Maritime Rescue Center Helsinki received notification that a pilot boat had capsized east of Helsinki. The Finnish Border Guard dispatched boat units from Suomenlinna and Porvoo, along with helicopters from Helsinki and the Continue reading “Wake and currents the cause of Swedish pilot boat capsize”

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

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Seawork International will celebrate its 21st edition in 2018 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”

Inspecting hull integrity remotely with a new submersible is now possible with Deep Trekker ™

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Deep Trekker ™ means underwater hull integrity inspections can be made remotely
Deep Trekker ™ means underwater hull integrity inspections can be made remotely

Deep Trekker ™ has added to its fleet of portable, robust underwater drone robots; the DT640 Utility Crawler is designed to perform a multitude of underwater tasks.

This is a brand new inspection and service robot and is said to be the first three-wheeled vehicle of its kind. Its modular construction allows for the unit to be equipped with multiple operative attachments making the DT640 more than just an inspection vehicle. The Utility Crawler can be outfitted with magnetic wheels, pressure washer, vacuum, thickness gauge and a dozer.

Continue reading “Inspecting hull integrity remotely with a new submersible is now possible with Deep Trekker ™”

Smallest Surface Effect Ship Sea Puffin under construction by ESNA

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What is thought to be the smallest SES (Surface Effect Ship) workboat is being built in Denmark for operations on wind farms. With a length of just 15.8 metres, this new SES is being built for operators Wind Partner who plan to charter the boat out to operators.

The design for this SES, called Sea Puffin, has been developed by naval architects Espeland & Skomedal (ESNA) of Norway and features a catamaran hull with fabric skirts enclosing the air cushion between the hulls. It is designed to be capable of being launched with a standard 15 tonne single point davit system.

Continue reading “Smallest Surface Effect Ship Sea Puffin under construction by ESNA”

Gas engine for Dutch ferry completes performance tests

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The first two pre-production units of a Rolls-Royce mobile MTU gas engine for Rederij Doeksen have completed performance tests. The engines, which will be used for Rederij Doeksen’s Wadden Sea ferries service in The Netherlands, have completed over 5,000 hours on the test bench.

Paul Melles, managing director of Rederij Doeksen, said: “We are very happy with the test run. All the key engine parameters, such as the extremely dynamic acceleration behaviour, have now been verified by MTU.”

Continue reading “Gas engine for Dutch ferry completes performance tests”

Hybrid electric vessel Vision of the Fjords wins award

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The iconic Vision of the Fjords has picked up an award
The iconic Vision of the Fjords has picked up an award

Hybrid electric vessel Vision of the Fjords has won an award recognising its accessibility and environmental achievements.

The 400-passenger capacity vessel, owned and operated by The Fjords DA, secured the Norwegian Centre for Design and Architecture (DOGA) Universal Design ‘transport’ award for its commitment to optimal passenger accessibility, experience and environmental sustainability.

Rolf Sandvik, CEO of The Fjords, said: “We ensured that the ‘path’ passengers use to ascend the ship, and really immerse themselves in the sensory delights of the nature here, is as accessible to those in wheelchairs, or of limited mobility, as it is to all.

Continue reading “Hybrid electric vessel Vision of the Fjords wins award”

Report into the total loss of tug Thomas Dann published

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Thomas Dann tug (Dann Ocean Towing). Photo credit: Birk Thomas
Thomas Dann tug (Dann Ocean Towing). Photo credit: Birk Thomas

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released an accident report about the outbreak of fire onboard the towing vessel Thomas Dann that led to a constructive total loss.

The incident
On July 22, 2016, at 1700 local time, a fire broke out in the upper engine room aboard the towing vessel Thomas Dann while it was engaged in towing operations offshore near St. Augustine, Florida, en route to Cape Canaveral, Florida. No one was injured, nor was any pollution reported. However, due to the extent of the fire damage, the vessel, which was valued at an estimated $2.5 million, was declared a constructive total loss.

Continue reading “Report into the total loss of tug Thomas Dann published”

World’s first electric aquaculture support vessel powered by PBES

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Powered by PBES, the Elfrida is the world's first electric aquaculture support vessel
Powered by PBES, the Elfrida is the world’s first electric aquaculture support vessel

Plan B Energy Storage (PBES) has announced a milestone project in the aquaculture industry. The award of the contract for energy storage aboard the electric fish farm vessel Elfrida underscores the ongoing trend toward adoption of green technology in Norway.

“We see this as crucial preparation for a low-carbon future,” says Roger Bekken, Managing Director of Salmar, the vessel’s owner and leading Norwegian aquaculture company. “In keeping with our forward thinking management, and focus on operational efficiency, adding battery technology to our vessels brings cost savings and environmental stewardship together in one package.”

Continue reading “World’s first electric aquaculture support vessel powered by PBES”

Salmon processing and transportation vessel set to be the world’s first with a hybrid battery solution

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New salmon processing and transportation vessel for Hav Line AS, Norway, is the world’s first of its kind with a hybrid/battery solution
New salmon processing and transportation vessel for Hav Line AS, Norway, is the world’s first of its kind with a hybrid/battery solution

Technology group Wärtsilä has been contracted to deliver the ship design for a new processing and transportation vessel to be built at the Balenciaga shipyard in Spain on behalf of Hav Line AS of Norway. In addition to the design, Wärtsilä will also supply an integrated solution comprising a 10-cylinder Wärtsilä 31 main engine, auxiliary engines, propulsion machinery, the propulsion remote control system, and the electrical & automation system. The delivery of the Wärtsilä solutions will be during autumn 2017 and the vessel is scheduled for delivery in summer 2018.

Notable environmental gains are made possible by a Wärtsilä hybrid propulsion solution supported by batteries, which results in very low emission levels. This is the world’s first processing and transportation vessel for the fish farming industry to utilise this solution. By Continue reading “Salmon processing and transportation vessel set to be the world’s first with a hybrid battery solution”

New £48m workboat contract will support UK carriers and jobs

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UK Defence Minister, Harriett Baldwin, has announced a £48 million contract for the next generation of workboats that will support both British ships and British jobs.

The fleet of up to 38 workboats will assist Royal Navy ships from UK bases and on operations all over the world. Able to carry up to 36 passengers at one time, the workboats can be stowed inside the carriers and winched to and from the water using on-board lifting equipment, allowing them to support the enormous ships either in port or on operations.

Building and supporting the boats will also sustain 60 British jobs, including 15 at Atlas Elektronik UK near Dorchester in Dorset where Continue reading “New £48m workboat contract will support UK carriers and jobs”

Rolls-Royce MTU engines power new Harbour tugs with 90 tonnes of bollard pull

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Impression of the new Harbour tug to be powered by Rolls-Royce MTU engines. Image courtesy of Rolls-Royce
Impression of the new Harbour tug to be powered by Rolls-Royce MTU engines. Image courtesy of Rolls-Royce

Rolls-Royce and Sanmar Shipyards in Turkey have signed a contract for the delivery of eight MTU engines 4000 engines Series 4000 for four new terminal tugs, including an option for a further four engines. The tugs will each be fitted with two 16V 4000 M73L MTU engines, each delivering an output of 2,700 kW (at 1,850 rpm). The MTU brand is part of Rolls-Royce Power Systems.

Ali Gürün, Projects Director of Sanmar Shipyards, commented: “We were impressed by MTU’s technical support, the service and the reliability of the MTU engines, which is why we will also be equipping our new Robert Allen/ Rastar 2900sx tugs with MTU engines.” Sanmar and MTU have been working closely together since 2009.

Continue reading “Rolls-Royce MTU engines power new Harbour tugs with 90 tonnes of bollard pull”

Recent meeting of Fishing Industry Safety Group proposes development of a voluntary safety management system

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New SMS proposed by the Fishing Industry Safety Group
New SMS proposed by the Fishing Industry Safety Group

At a recent meeting of the Fishing Industry Safety Group in York, the group has proposed the development of a voluntary safety management system (SMS) to help co-ordinate the preparation of the ILO C188 Work in Fishing Convention due early in 2018.

The Convention will apply to every fisherman and vessel owner in the UK with requirements for the first time on items such as medicals, crew agreements and safety management.

David Dickens, Chief Executive at the Fishermen’s Mission stated: “The Fishermen’s Mission welcomes ILO C188 particularly for the focus Continue reading “Recent meeting of Fishing Industry Safety Group proposes development of a voluntary safety management system”

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