MARCH 2023

IIMS N E W S
BULLETIN
Dear Member

Welcome to this News Bulletin from the International Institute of Marine Surveying (IIMS). This and previous bulletins are available
in PDF and eReader format at https://bit.ly/3LQdDOw. It aims to keep members and non-members up to date with information
on a monthly basis. Members are encouraged to share and forward this newsletter to colleagues, who they think might like to
join the Institute, or who may be interested in its content. For more information about the Institute visit: www.iims.org.uk

VIEW fr m the HELM

Dear Colleague

Well, 2023 has certainly got off to a busy start at IIMS and the team is beavering away on a number of exciting
projects. We are pleased to be finally hitting the road again and have plans to deliver some meaningful
training events and a Conference too - most offering both the possibility of a face-to-face experience, but
with the option to join online via Zoom. I do
hope that across the year we will meet some
members in real-time. It has been far too long!

As mentioned, there are a number of

forthcoming events in the next couple of
months I hope will attract you including the
Yacht & Small Craft Spring Training Seminar
on 30 March, The Ian Nicolson Lecture live on
13 April, the Western Mediterranean Working
Group in Palma on 26/27 April and, of course,
the first Conference for four years set to take
place on June 6/7 (more details in this bulletin).
There are some good speakers already lined up
to share their knowledge this year and more
to be announced soon. There has been some
positive early feedback to Conference, so I
would encourage you to join us at the event
either in-person or as an online only delegate.
All are welcome to attend. Full details about
these and other IIMS events during the year
can be found on the website events page at
https://bit.ly/35an0n8.
Whilst touching on events, I’d like to confirm the dates of two Annual General Meetings. First up is the online only
Canada Branch 2023 AGM (followed by some free seminars) on 1 April. The second is the hybrid IIMS 2023 Annual
General Meeting scheduled to take place on 7 June from 08.30 (London, UK time). Watch for further details about
both events.

The number of maritime accidents and incidents occurring during January, many of which are highlighted in brief
in this bulletin, seems exceptionally high. You know how keen I am to share this type of information for I believe
it is important that surveyors can see and understand the scale of the accidents and incidents that are frequently
occurring. The challenge of keeping people and assets safe at sea remains huge. There have certainly been some
harrowing events to record too, some of them sadly involving loss of life. Just four examples you will read about
are “Four missing after tug sank in the Caribbean,” “Chinese general cargo ship sank off Jeju with large numbers
of crew missing,” “Seven missing following tanker explosion in Thailand” and “Tanker split in half after explosion
with two missing.” The loss of human life is incalculable, of course. Our thoughts, as always, are with the bereaved
loved ones and families. Who knows what the combined financial loss of these valuable marine assets will amount
to and the ensuing insurance claims. We all know that accidents frequently happen at seas and lives are lost, but
this is something to ponder on and we should never lose sight of it.

Lithium-ion batteries remain one of the hottest topics of discussion in the marine world right now, and justly so
given there has been a spate of accidents last year linked to this rapidly emerging technology. So, it is interesting
to learn that Havila Kystruten, the specialist Norwegian cruise ship operator, has recently decided that only cars
and motor vehicles that use fossil fuel can be transported on board the company’s ships in selected ports along
the Norwegian coastal route. The full article can be read elsewhere in this bulletin, but at a time when it seems
we are full steam ahead with this technology, one company appears to have slammed on the brakes. I find that
intriguing. It would seem to be a bold move but is purely motivated by their safety concerns. As Havila Kystruten
CEO, Bent Martini, says, “The company reached this decision after a pure safety assessment, and the conclusion of
the risk analysis shows that a possible fire in fossil vehicles will be able to be handled by the systems and the crew
we have on board.” It is hard to disagree with his statement
and we should applaud it. One wonders if others will follow
this initiative and make similar decisions until the technology
is proven.

Survey well.
Mike Schwarz
Chief Executive Officer

OUT NOW: Report Magazine

March - edition 103
Edition 103 of the Report Magazine has been published
and is now available to download and read. Extending to
well over 100 pages, there is something to interest marine
surveyors from all areas of the profession. Here’s a short
overview of some of the articles and features that await you:

- Minimum steel thickness for narrowboats: Special feature

- The opportunities and challenges presented by report
writing software
- Is lithium-ion the ideal battery?
- State the facts and only the facts in post incident reporting
- Volvo Penta unveils their vision and future concept of
boating for everyone Download The Report
- Key trends driving marine insurance claims activity from
fire to inflation Magazine in pdf or
- Beware of the danger of in-transit fumigation view the publication
- Automation and situational awareness: Key considerations
- Firefighting at sea – Towards a safe ship concept
in eReader format at
- What lessons could be learned by the Suez Canal https://bit.ly/2WQTosu
Authorities from the Ever Given grounding?
- Finding the cracks before they appear
The annual CPD year deadline for
2022 is fast approaching
This is a gentle reminder to all IIMS members that the final deadline for
claiming Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points for last year
is 31 March 2023. You may make your final claims through the CPD App,
accessible via the Institute’s website.

Although IIMS does not make CPD mandatory, professionals from all walks
of life are encouraged to maintain CPD and IIMS urges its members to think
seriously about recording those activities that have helped them to learn new skills
or brush up on old ones.

And for those who have obtained the necessary requirements (15 points) over the year, they will be
rewarded by having the CPD logo displayed on their website and app profile pages. This is your opportunity
to show the maritime world that are take CPD seriously.

The full list of activities that are accepted for CPD and the points awarded for each can be viewed at
https://bit.ly/34tVp4j.

Yacht & Small Craft

Spring training
seminar
IIMS has organised an essential one-day
seminar for marine surveyors of small
craft to be held on 30th March 2023 at
PETA, a purpose-built meeting venue
near Portsmouth, UK.

Delegates are invited to attend in-person, or online via Zoom. There is also an option to purchase the videos
for later viewing.

The speaker line up with details of their presentations is as follows:

09.30 Update on IIMS activities and initiatives by Mike Schwarz, IIMS Chief Executive Officer.
10.00 Battling biofouling the technological mix by Darren Jones, Sonihull.
Darren will cover the regulatory and technological journey of recent years and where it is heading
over the next decade. He will highlight the rapid change in approach and the mix of technologies
that are going to be required to reduce the impact of biofouling.
11.00 Key considerations when surveying large yachts by Phil Duffy.
11.45 Minimum steel thickness for narrowboats by Peter Brookes.
Peter’s presentation will include a look at design thicknesses,
insurance requirements and an exploration of acceptable diminution.
12.45 – 13.30 Lunch break. A two-course lunch is offered.
13.30 Recent changes to RCD, standards and UK regulations post-Brexit by
Alasdair Reay, HPI Verification Services.
14.20 Karen Brain, Matrix Insurance Ltd – (topic to be confirmed).
15.30 Close

For more details and to reserve your place go to https://bit.ly/3JgIrci.

IIMS Hybrid Annual Conference on 6-7 June 2023
gets the green light... Low cost, high value education
Open for reservations now.
either in-person or as an online delegate!
Go to https://bit.ly/3ju8PFc for more details.

Following the initial announcement about the proposed IIMS plans to hold a hybrid Conference and dinner at
Southampton on June 6/7, the decision has been made to proceed with the event. IIMS is looking forward to
welcoming both in-person and online delegates at the event.

There seems to be a growing appetite to get back to face-to-face events. The Institute’s main aim is to get
back to face-to-face conferencing and networking, but with a hybrid option. With that in mind it has made the
2023 Annual Conference affordable and accessible for those wishing to attend. Rising costs in London have
helped to make the decision to
choose Southampton as the venue
an easy one.

The meeting venue

The one-day Conference will
be held at the Axis Conference
Centre, (pictured), which is owned
by the University of Southampton.
There is plentiful free car parking
too for those who wish to drive.

The hotel accommodation

Less than a couple of minutes’
walk away from the Axis
Conference Centre is elegant
Chilworth Manor Hotel (pictured)
set amongst 12 acres of
beautifully landscaped grounds.
This Edwardian manor house hotel
is a wonderful retreat in idyllic
surroundings yet is within easy
reach of Southampton city centre.

The IIMS team has been working

hard to put together a diverse presentation programme with expert speakers who will share their knowledge
with delegates. The side range of topics will appeal to marine surveyors from all branches of the profession.

IIMS is also planning a day of educational activities in and around the Southampton port area at no cost to in-
person delegates on 6th June ahead of the Conference dinner that evening. More details to follow soon.
Tuesday Wednesday 7 June 2023
6 June 2023 08.30 Annual General Meeting
10.30 Coffee and Tea break
7.30 Conference Dinner 11.15 A plenary session will be held featuring two speakers whose essential
at Chilworth Manor. content will have relevance to both yacht and small craft as well as
commercial ship marine surveyors.
The cost of dinner is £72 12.45 Lunch Interval
(inc VAT) per person. 13.30 After lunch the main conference room will be split into two areas.
Yacht and small craft surveyors will be able to take advantage of
Bed and breakfast at the presentations. In the other space, commercial ship surveyors will
hotel are at own cost. also benefit from a series of presentations. All presentations will be
streamed live for online delegates (or made available to watch on
There is no cost for catch up by video).
attending the AGM. 16.00 Conference closes.

In-person delegates
For those joining the event face-to-face, the cost for the day is £130
which includes a buffet lunch and refreshments throughout the event.

Online delegates
For those joining the event as an online delegate or wishing to
purchase the video content for later viewing, the cost is just £95.

Reservations for the Conference are now open. More details about the
confirmed speakers so far and instructions about how to reserve your
place can be found https://bit.ly/3ju8PFc.

The Ian Nicolson Lecture Live

One of the more interesting and engaging nonagenarians you
are likely to meet is Ian Nicolson C.Eng. FRINA HonMIIMS, a
marine surveyor based in Scotland, who is not your average
ninety-plus-year-old. For one thing, he has been marine
surveying for over 70 years – in itself a remarkable feat.

IIMS is delighted to be hosting the Ian Nicolson Lecture

“Lessons learned from 78 years of marine surveying” live on
Thursday 13th April between 10.30 and 12.30 (UK time). The
lecture is open to anyone who wishes to attend at a modest
cost of £35 per person.

Ian has a unique presentation style and format, coupled

with knowledge that is second to none; and will use his own
beautifully hand-drawn diagrams as the basis for his lecture.
He is known to be a stickler for detail and will demonstrate
the importance of that in his own inimitable fashion. This is
one lecture not to be missed and no matter what your marine
surveying experience is, you are bound to learn something
from one of the doyens of the industry!

To reserve your place, go to https://bit.ly/3GDVNwf.

 Anti-fouling
performance is
being enhanced
The biocide, Selektope, is being
introduced into marine antifouling
coatings to enhance the performance
of self-polishing co-polymer (SPC)
marine coatings. I-Tech’s team of R&D
A case of mistaken identity: scientists have been working on the
technology for the last five years and

Smooth Sea 22 was not say they have discovered new ways
in which the first-of-its-kind biocide,

the ship it claimed to be Selektope can be introduced to marine

antifouling coatings in combination with
other biocides with little or no effect on
When Thai-flagged oil products tanker Smooth Sea 22 (IMO formulation chemistry or performance.
9870991) suffered an explosion and a subsequent fire on 17th
January, few realised that the event would expose a case of The technology works by improving the
potential ship-identity fraud. dispersion of the active substance via
adsorption to paint pigment particles.
On January 24th the International Maritime Organization was And the scientists say positive static
reported to have declared the ship’s IMO number to be non- test results have also provided proof of
valid after it emerged that the ship that was masquerading as concept that Selektope can be used in
2018-built ship was in fact built in 1986 and was suspected of silicone-based foul release coatings, a
previously being known as the 4,4821 gt Hai Zhou 168 (IMO new application area for the technology.
8514045), and before that as the Smooth Sea 28.
Selektope is an organic, non-metal
The oil products tanker was a total loss and the insured value biocide that prevents hard fouling,
of the vessel was put at $30m. The explosion occurred at a ship repelling barnacle larvae from a coated
repair facility on the Mae Klong river, west of Bangkok, Thailand. surface. The controlled release of
The tanker was undergoing maintenance repairs at the time and Selektope in SPC coatings has proved
the explosion apparently occurred during welding works. The successful using traditional methods with
explosion killed two, while five remain missing. multiple products commercialised to-
date, however, I-Tech says its R&D efforts
As long ago as March 2022 a UN Security Council panel had have focussed on further improving the
outlined in a report that the tanker was linked to a North controlled release of the technology and
Korean vessel identity-laundering scam. Details were first minimising any issues catalysed through
published in a C4ADS report. the introduction of Selektope into a
paint matrix.
The C4ADS publication identified a convoluted sequence of
identity changes. The Subblic (IMO 8126082), recommended “This work is significant for two reasons;
for designation by the UN Panel of Experts because it was enhancing the current use of Selektope
responsible for numerous deliveries of fuel to North Korea, in SPC coating types and, opening up
laundered its identity into the Hai Zhou 168 (IMO 8514045) new routes for us to explore the use of
in mid-2019. It was reported to be continuing to engage in this novel technology in foul release
sanctionable activity. Its disguise enabled it to operate openly, coatings,” said Dr Markus Hoffmann,
even in Taiwan’s waters. However, with the Subblic having technical director at I-Tech.
become the Hai Zhou 168, that meant that if the Hai Zhou 168
wanted to continue sailing, which it did, it would have to become
known as something else, with a different IMO number. Formerly
known as the Smooth Sea 28, the Hai Zhou 168 decided to
become the “newly built” Smooth Sea 22, said C4ADS.

The “2018-built” Smooth Sea 22 was reported as entered with

Shipowners Club, but since it was apparently really the ex-Hai
Zhou 168, and was in fact 37 years old rather than five years
old, the validity of the insurance policy will surely become a
matter of debate.
Reckless UK jet skiers to face prison and unlimited
fines thanks to law change
New legislation is being introduced to crack down on the
dangerous misuse of watercraft such as jet skis, with the
Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) being granted
more powers to prosecute perpetrators of accidents.

The new law comes into force on 31 March 2023 in time

for the busy summer period and will enable watercraft
users to be prosecuted and bound by the same laws that
apply to ships in order to help to prevent accidents. This
follows a boom in the watercraft industry during the
pandemic with the number, size, power and availability
of watercraft like jet skis increasing, and their use in UK Photograph for illustrative purposes only
waters rising significantly.

This move by the government will help ensure the UK continues to have some of the safest waters in the world.

Maritime Minister, Baroness Vere said:” The watercraft industry is thriving and it’s great to see more and
more people enjoying leisure activities. However, they must do so safely.

“That’s why we’re introducing a new law to crack down on any dangerous misuse of watercraft like jet skis.
It will give the Maritime and Coastguard Agency greater power to prosecute those responsible for causing
accidents or entirely avoidable tragedies.

“We’ll continue working to ensure our country’s coasts and waters are safe for everyone.”

Watercraft are not currently covered by wider maritime safety legislation. The new law will mean those
found guilty of using their watercraft in a dangerous manner could receive an unlimited fine and/or up to 2
years in prison.

For those who cause accidents involving loss of life, the new offences could be used to better prosecute
perpetrators alongside wider manslaughter charges.

Personal and recreational watercraft will also be bound by the ‘Highway Code of the sea’ – international
regulations which require users to act safely by maintaining a lookout, driving at safe speeds and outlining
their responsibilities to other vessels.

Nilya sailing superyacht

leaves the Royal Huisman
construction shed
The 46.8m Royal Huisman sailing yacht Nilaya
has been photographed for the first time as she
emerged from the construction shed at the Dutch
shipyard’s Vollenhove facility. Nilya is now headed
for Amsterdam where her masts will be stepped.
Photo credit: Royal Huisman Nilya is said to be the first to utilise Royal
Huisman’s new Featherlight design and
production method that the firm says is “not a single process or construction technique but a holistic
lightweight approach combining various weight-saving solutions… rooted in spacecraft technology.” A
spokesperson for the yard claimed that Nilaya is the world’s lightest aluminium sailing superyacht for her
length. Royal Huisman says it has reduced weight on the high-performance cruiser without sacrificing
stiffness or cutting corners on quality.
 Avoiding common
cargo hold issues
The preparation and maintenance of cargo holds
are very important for the bulk cargo trade. As
Kate Richards, Senior Solicitor (FD&D), North
Club explains, “when holds are not ready for their
intended cargo, a number of different types of claim
may arise”.

Taking a look at the risks associated with bulk cargo

trade, Ms. Richards assessed some of the most
frequent topics with a view to helping operators

Beneteau pursuing a
avoid them.

sustainable approach to
Standards of Hold Cleanliness
Although not standardised across jurisdictions, the
accepted standards are broadly as follows:
boatbuilding Hospital Clean: This is the most stringent. This requires
Beneteau is looking to reduce the environmental all hold surfaces to have 100% intact coatings.
impact of sailing by choosing greener alternatives
for both build and propulsion. The First 44e and Grain Clean: The holds must be clean from previous
the Oceanis 30.1e sailing yachts are built with cargo residue, odours, insects, loose rust scale and
recyclable resin, electric or hybrid power and paint flakes. Atmospheric rusting of exposed steel is
teak alternatives, a big step forward in the aim of generally accepted. Prior to loading, holds must be
achieving sustainable boatbuilding. clean swept, washed down with fresh water, dried
and well-ventilated.
“Reducing the environmental footprint of the
nautical industry is a succession of challenges and Normal Clean: The holds must be swept to remove
small steps,” said Jean-François Lair, managing residues of the previous cargo, washed down and
director, Beneteau. ready to receive a similar cargo.

“A demand for a new style of sailing is emerging. Shovel Clean: The holds do not require washing but
It is our responsibility to pave the way and not to should be swept down.
impose changes in the way we sail, but to make
them possible.” Disposal of cargo residues and excess cargo
Ms. Richards explains that any excess cargo, cargo
With the First 44e and the Oceanis 30.1e, Beneteau residues, washwater and cleaning products must
is exploring reducing sailing carbon footprint by be disposed of in accordance with MARPOL and
offering two different types of electric engines local regulations.
developed in partnership with Torqeedo. It is
powered with a Torqeedo series hybrid propulsion A practical consideration of key importance is how
system. The batteries can be recharged either at these are to be disposed of. Some of the factors to
harbour or at sea with a diesel generator. It offers consider are:
great energy autonomy at anchor since the service
batteries can be recharged by the engine’s 20 - Is there a cargo residue clause in the charterparty?
kilowatt battery bank. Beneteau’s Oceanis 30.1e - Who is responsible for disposal?
meanwhile has an all-electric Torqeedo engine. - Is there any indication on the cargo declaration
Based on a Torqeedo pod, the 5kW battery can be that the cargo is harmful?
recharged at harbour or by solar panels. - Are any of the cleaning agents used in the hold
harmful?
On the deck of the First 44e, teak cladding has
been replaced by Iroko from FSC certified forests - Are there any disposal restrictions in port (such as
in Congo. This new alternative product is more whether the vessel in a MARPOL Special Area)?
environmentally friendly, while guaranteeing the - Does any wash water need to be disposed of in a
same resistance, feeling on touch and fading to reception facility?
a pleasant natural shade over time, comparable - Does the vessel require a garbage/residue
with teak. management plan?
Electric boats set to
soar in Canada (and
worldwide) in 2023
The longer article which you can
link to at the end of this story was
written by Jeff Butler, who is based
in Toronto. He is the Editor/Publisher
of plugboats.com, the international
website covering everything
electric boats and boating. He is
also President of the Electric Boat
Association of Canada.

Although this article is primarily

concerned with the future of the
Canadian electric boating sector, his
predictions will most likely be mirrored across the world. The Voltari 260

Jeff takes up the story, “It’s that time of year when the

New watertight
pundits pull out their crystal balls and try to predict what
will happen in the next 12 months. While it’s always a bit

and weathertight
of a fool’s task to try to predict the future, when it comes
to electric boats, we know a couple of things for sure.

integrity standards
There will be more electric boats and motors available in
Canada next year than ever before, and the pace of entries
into the market is only going to increase.

“Some of that increase will be from new products, some of

issued by AMSA
that increase will come from products arriving in Canada New watertight and weathertight
that are already available in other countries where the integrity standards have come into
electric boat market is more established. effect from the start of this year for new
domestic commercial vessel builds, the
“The keen observer will note that the two things not Australian Maritime Safety Authority
covered here are the price of the boats and the range – (AMSA) said recently. Compliance with
probably the two biggest questions people have about the new standard will be voluntary until 1
electric boats. The details are different for each motor and January 2025.
boat, of course, but the overall answer is consistent. While
electric is a different form of propulsion than internal The new standards address safety risks
combustion, everything has to follow the laws of physics highlighted by several fatal and serious
and economics. When it comes to physics, higher speeds incidents over the last four decades.
use the available energy source faster than lower speeds.
Contained in Section C2 of the National
“When it comes to economics, larger motors and boats Standard for Commercial Vessels (NSCV),
are more expensive than smaller motors and boats. they replace three technical standards
Having said that, the upfront cost of an electric boats contained in the Uniform Shipping Laws
is indeed higher than that for a comparable fossil fuel (USL) Code, and reflect current technology,
boat, while the ‘refueling’ and maintenance costs are international standards and best practice.
considerably less.”
New vessel constructions commencing
The full article covers ePropulsion outboards and electric in this period will have the option of
inboards whilst introducing a few complying with either NSCV section C2 or
models that are now on the market. USL Code sections 5C, 5D and 7. However,
vessel owners will need to comply with one
Read the feature in full at or the other — not elements of both.
https://bit.ly/3IWhudG.
Or scan the QR code. More information about the new standards
can be found at http://bit.ly/3wO7onS.
 RECENTLY PUBLISHED REPORTS

New report: World Economic Forum

Hydrogen patents Global Risks Report
indicate shift towards 2023 published
clean technologies The Global Risks Report 2023 looks at some of
the most severe risks we may face over the next
Technologies motivated by climate change decade, saying that “as we stand on the edge of
concerns accounted for nearly 80% of all patents a low-growth and low-cooperation era, tougher
related to hydrogen production in 2020, new trade-offs risk eroding climate action, human
analysis by the European Patent Office (EPO) and development and future resilience.”
the International Energy Agency (IEA) shows.
The next decade will be characterized by
According to the report, hydrogen technology environmental and societal crises, driven by
development is shifting towards low-emissions underlying geopolitical and economic trends.
solutions such as electrolysis. “Cost-of-living crisis” is ranked as the most
severe global risk over the next two years,
The report uses global patent data to provide peaking in the short term.
comprehensive up-to-date analysis of innovation
in all hydrogen technologies. It covers the full “Biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse”
range of technologies, from hydrogen supply to is viewed as one of the fastest deteriorating
storage, distribution and transformation, as well global risks over the next decade, and all six
as end-use applications. environmental risks feature in the top 10 risks
over the next 10 years.
“This study shows that innovators are
responding to the need for competitive Nine risks are featured in the top 10 rankings
hydrogen supply chains, but also identifies over both the short and the long term, including
areas – particularly among end-users – where “Geoeconomic confrontation” and “Erosion
more effort is required. We will continue to help of social cohesion and societal polarisation”,
governments spur innovation for secure, resilient alongside two new entrants to the top rankings:
and sustainable clean energy technologies,” said “Widespread cybercrime and cyber insecurity”
IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol. and “Large-scale involuntary migration”.

The full 80 page report is available to download Download the report at https://bit.ly/3QLSrMp.
at https://bit.ly/3Xjljxy. Or scan the QR code. Or scan the QR code.
 RECENTLY PUBLISHED REPORTS

First Annual First edition

Disclosure Report from of Superyacht
Poseidon Principles FEEDBACK from
for Marine Insurance CHIRP Maritime
Poseidon Principles for Marine Insurance has published its The first edition of Superyacht
first Annual Disclosure Report as a step forward towards FEEDBACK has been published
transparency in the maritime and insurance sectors. In the by CHIRP. This is a new editorial
report, eight of the world’s leading marine insurers have publication that complements
gathered and published client data to track their hull and their established but more general
machinery insurance portfolio’s climate impact. The goal is to Maritime FEEDBACK newsletter which
support the industry’s green transition. covers the entire maritime industry.

“This level of transparency is a major milestone on our journey The CHIRP team has responded to
to decarbonise the maritime industry”, said Patrizia Kern, Chair of requests from interested parties
the Poseidon Principles for Marine Insurance initiative and Marine who who asked for a separate and
Strategy Advisor – CEO Office at Swiss Re Corporate Solutions. distinctive publication with particular
focus on safety issues encountered on
On average, the Signatories’ portfolios are 12.7% above being board superyachts.
aligned with reaching the UN maritime goal of at least 50%
reductions of the annual greenhouse gas emissions from CHIRP believes their safety
international shipping by 2050, compared with their level in 2008. newsletters differ to many others
because they focus on the primary
The second trajectory the Signatories track takes is more human-factors that contributed to
ambitious and has a goal of zero CO2 emissions in the middle incidents and near misses. These are
of this century. The simple average score of the 100% CO2 listed at the end of each report for
emission reduction track is 20.8% above the alignment. ease of reference and to stimulate
In the report, member companies describe individual takeaways conversations about safety.
and how this new information will influence decision-making.
According to Rolf Thore Roppestad, Vice Chair of the initiative CHIRP’s independent, confidential
and CEO at Gard “there is room for improvement, both in our incident and near-miss reporting
climate alignment score and in the data collection process itself, programme improves safety at
but that is why we wanted to be part of the Poseidon Principles sea for mariners worldwide. They
for Marine Insurance.” investigate every report and publish
their anonymised findings to raise
Download the report at https://bit.ly/3wxtwTk. awareness of safety issues. CHIRP
Or Scan the QR code. welcomes safety-related reports
from anywhere in the world and from
all parts of the maritime industry
including commercial seafarers, fishers,
recreational and leisure mariners,
and anyone who works in a port or
harbour. They also welcome reports
from members of the public who use
ports, harbours or maritime transport.

Website: https://chirp.co.uk/
 RECENTLY PUBLISHED REPORTS

Report assesses New Report: ‘Testing

different fuel lifecycle Times’- The vital role of
methodologies ship fuel oil assessment
The Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero and quantity verification
Carbon Shipping has conducted a qualitative
assessment of seven existing fuel lifecycle
methodologies to learn more about the
in an uncertain era
landscape and harmonization opportunities. Lloyd’s Register’s new report, ‘Testing Times
According to the report, the regulatory – The vital role of ship fuel oil assessment
landscape surrounding fuels is complex, with and quantity verification in an uncertain era’,
different regions of the world adopting different estimates that more than one million metric
fuel lifecycle methodologies for determining the tons of off-specification or non-compliant fuels
climate impacts of alternative fuels. are detected each year, costing ship operators
between $27,000-$50,000 per incident.
These differences yield uncertainty about the
actual Greenhouse Gas savings from alternative Published in collaboration with marine
fuels and may impact crucial decisions as the innovation consultancy Thetius, the report
industry continues to decarbonize. However, highlights why the introduction of biofuel oils,
harmonizing existing and upcoming fuel lifecycle growing prevalence of bunker licensing schemes
methodologies into a globally accepted standard along with upcoming changes to ISO standards
for determining climate impact will provide for marine grade fuels, make it more vital than
increased certainty and enable ambitious ever for ship operators receive the correct advice
decision-making. and oversight on bunker procurement and
refuelling operations.
The report selected methodologies to reflect
regional coverage and the important role they You can access a copy of the report at
play in regulation and policy. The seven analyzed http://bit.ly/3XPp2DF.
methodologies were:

- Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials

- Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation
- Renewable Energy Directive II
- Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for
International Aviation
- RenovaBio
- Greenhouse Gas, Regulated Emissions and
Energy in Transport
- JEC Well-to-Wheel study

The report in full can

be downloaded at
https://bit.ly/3j4DbOg.
Or scan the QR code.
 RECENTLY PUBLISHED REPORTS

Maritime progress at risk over fears of digitalisation,

Wärtsilä report warns
Despite 78% of industry professionals agreeing that change and technological innovation is a positive
thing for the maritime industry, almost half (45%) admit to having a volatile attitude towards technology
and over a third (36%) say they are actively resistant to change. This is according to the technology group
Wärtsilä’s ‘Debunking the Mythical Beasts of Maritime Digital Transformation’ report. The report also
reveals that as many as 18% do not think that the industry is unified in its understanding of digitalisation
and why it is needed.

Michael Christiansen, Vice President, Smart Vessel, Wärtsilä comments: “This report makes clear that
the industry agrees that digitalisation is essential to the future of shipping. But little tangible progress
has been made to date because of wildly different and vague interpretations of what digitisation
actually means. What’s interesting is that our report draws striking parallels between the fears and
misunderstandings that gave rise to vivid stories of famous mythological sea monsters that live on
in folklore today and highlights the apprehension that many modern-day maritime professionals feel
towards the largely unchartered ocean of digital transformation.”

The research shines a light on these fears and misunderstandings, with over two thirds (68%) of
industry professionals believing that the ability to digitalise existing infrastructure and retrofit vessels
is challenging, and over half (56%) agreeing that the time and cost implications involved with digital
transformation projects are too high. On top of that, 63% believe that there is a lack of skills and
knowledge among seafarers to fulfil the requirements of new technologies.

But on the positive side, the research also highlights a clear way forward. It revealed that 70% of industry
professionals have a very clear understanding of why digitalisation is needed and its benefits, but 69%
believe greater collaboration between industry players could be improved, with 88% agreeing that this
will be key to making digital transformation a reality. Significantly, 64% of respondents recognise that
people are more crucial to digital transformation than technology, therefore without buy-in from a larger
proportion of maritime industry professionals from the outset, successful digital transformation will not
be possible.

Wärtsilä’s report explores attitudes to digital transformation among maritime professionals across Europe
& Middle East, the US, and Asia-Pacific region. It uncovers the surprising misconceptions thwarting
progress and outlines how organisations can conquer key challenges to reach a better future for all.

Download the report at

https://bit.ly/3HcUeXC.
Or scan the QR code.
Silver nitrate testing for salt in cargo
holds important to avoid claims
American Club has issued some guidance about the use of silver nitrate testing for the presence of sodium
chloride (salt) in cargo holds prior to loading and advises it is an important practice to prevent claims for
damage to steel cargoes.

As part of the standard pre-load survey for the transportation of steel cargoes, vessel cargo hold tank tops,
adjacent sides, and end plating, should be tested for the presence of salt by using a silver nitrate solution.
American Club says in most ports within the People’s Republic of China (PRC), direct access to vessels by
Association approved surveyors has been restricted. However, as a result of the recent easing of the PRC’s
“zero-COVID” policy restrictions, it is expected that there will be a similar easing of restrictions in ports in
the coming months.

In the meantime, vessel crews are recommended to perform such tests where surveyors are not able to
attend prior to loading of the steel cargo. This will allow the crew to determine if there are cargo hold
locations that should be cleaned further or covered in tarpaulins to prevent contact between sodium
chloride affected areas and the cargo.

Operators are advised to consider:

- Ensuring enough silver nitrate is available on board;
- Establishing procedures to guide the crew as to which key locations in the cargo holds that should be tested;
- Establishing guidelines for the crew to follow in the event of positive silver nitrate test results.

Decisions made at the IMO

SDC sub-committee meeting
The 9th session of the IMO Sub-Committee on Ship Design and Construction (SDC 9) took place from 23 to 27
January. DNV has published an overview of the meeting, which covered some important regulatory topics.

Enhanced Survey Programme (ESP)

Amendments to the 2011 ESP Code to align the code with the survey and certification requirements of the
IACS UR Z series were adopted in 2019and entered into force on 1 January 2021. SDC 9 agreed on draft
modifications to the 2019 amendments in order for both administrations and organizations recognized by the
administrations to be involved with approval and auditing of firms engaged in thickness measurements of hull
structures on oil tankers. The draft amendments will be submitted to MSC 107 (June 2023) for approval.

Other highlights
- Agreed to extend the requirements to on-board emergency towing devises to all new ships over 20,000
gross tonnage.
- Agreed to implement an asbestos ban in the MODU Code on new installations on existing units in
alignment with that in SOLAS.
- Agreed to revised Guidelines for the Reduction of Underwater Noise from Commercial Shipping to
Address Adverse Impacts on Marine Life.
- Progressed the development of goal-based requirements for SOLAS Chapter II-1.
- Progressed a revision of the interim explanatory notes to the Safe Return to Port requirements in SOLAS.

DNV has helpfully combined an overview of the outcomes reached at the meeting. Download it at
https://bit.ly/3Y7n9Sx.
 Chartwell Marine
wins £320k
Innovate UK Smart
Grant to explore
methanol fuelled
Photo credit: IMCA
vessel design
Safety critical equipment
The grant will enable UK based
Chartwell Marine and consortium

should always be inspected

partners — Boat Electric & Electronics
and Engineered Marine Systems —

before use
to develop and test the feasibility
of a market-first methanol-fuelled
vessel design, with applications in the
The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) offshore wind, commercial workboat
has given notice about a near-miss incident. A pilot and leisure sectors.
ladder had not been weight tested and could have failed
while it was being climbed. Methanol fuel presents a significant
opportunity to decarbonise in a
During pilot boarding operations in the hours of maritime industry which is confronted
darkness, a side rope on the pilot ladder parted when it with the debate over sustainable fuel
was weight tested by the pilot. The pilot was not injured; alternatives, as it can be produced
however, if the ladder had not been weight tested, it from biomass and can carry a near-
could have failed while it was being climbed, resulting in zero carbon footprint. Whereas
a fall from a height into the sea. ammonia has sparked concerns
about its toxicity to wildlife and
Lessons learned pure hydrogen presents continued
feasibility challenges, methanol can
- The pilot ladder had not gone through a 30-month be stored safely and effectively in
strength test because the requirement to do so standard atmospheric conditions, and
had not been uploaded into the vessel’s planned spills have little adverse effect on the
maintenance system; local aquatic environment.
- It was known that the pilot ladder was in poor
condition, but it was decided to continue to use the Andy Page, Director at Chartwell
ladder beyond its operational life knowing that the Marine, said: “That gives us a great
vessel would soon be decommissioned; starting point to take methanol
forward in a meaningful way and
- The vessel did not carry a spare/second ladder.
cut through some of the challenges
we’ve seen in the development of
Considerations
alternative fuels, which may be a long
- A pilot ladder is essential safety equipment and time from full viability. There are still
should always be serviceable/available for use; hurdles to overcome with methanol,
of course: a lack of refuelling
- Safety critical equipment should be inspected before
infrastructure onshore, weight issues,
use and any deficiencies found should be reported
and fully efficient conversion to
and rectified;
energy, to name some.”
- The defective pilot ladder was replaced with a new
ladder;
- Carry a minimum of two pilot ladders and replace
them every two years;
- Ensure vessel planned maintenance systems are up
to date and include
everything that should be included.
New minimum safe manning requirements
published by Isle of Man Ship Registry
The Isle of Man Ship Registry has issued an updated Manx Shipping Note (MSN 052) for minimum safe
manning requirements, published on 9 January 2023.

This MSN sets out the measures adopted by the Ship Registry to ensure the Isle of Man registered vessels
are sufficiently and efficiently manned in accordance with the Isle of Man Merchant Shipping (Manning and
STCW) Regulations 2014. The Regulations and this MSN have been produced by taking into account IMO
Resolution A.1047(27) Principles of Minimum Safe Manning.

The Regulations apply to all Isle of Man registered ships except for -
- fishing vessels;
- wooden ship of primitive build;
- warship, naval auxiliary, or other ship owned or operated by a State and engaged only on governmental
non-commercial service;
- ships not propelled by mechanical means; or
- commercial yachts.

Section 1 of the document specifies minimum safe

manning document requirements.

Section 2 explains the guidelines for determining

the minimum safe manning for the Isle of Man
registered ships.

Section 3 explains the responsibility of the ship’s

Company. The Company must prepare and submit
its proposal for the ship’s minimum safe manning
by completing the minimum safe manning
application form which is available on the Ship
Registry website.

Download MSN 052 at https://bit.ly/3JevboL.

Or scan the QR code.

One hundred-year-old Photo credit: Mark Elliott

sunken motoryacht raised and salvaged

The 32.7-metre motoryacht, known as Llys Helig, has been raised from her former resting place on
the riverbed in Essex, UK following her capsize in 2017 and has been being transported to a nearby
boatyard for repairs. Known to local residents as the “Burnham Titanic”, the motoryacht capsized
whilst still attached to her mooring in the town of Burnham-on-Crouch. It is understood that poor
mooring conditions and prior refit works which made her “top-heavy” contributed to the sinking.

The yacht, which is now registered as a National Historic

Ship, was listed for sale as a restoration project and
purchased by a UK-based businessman in 2018. Speaking
to a local news outlet, the yacht’s owner Howard Dawber
said he plans to “restore the 1922 lines and features”.

The motoryacht was launched in 1922 by well known

British shipyard, Vosper Thornycroft, as a gentleman’s
cruiser. Over the years she had an active life, cruising
across Scotland, Ireland and the Mediterranean in her
early years. Llys Helig is thought to be one of the oldest
Vosper Thornycroft yachts still in existence.
Ban on electric and

Photo credit: Havila Kystruten

hydrogen vehicles
due to fire hazard
Havila Kystruten, the specialist Norwegian
cruise ship operator, has decided that only
cars and motor vehicles that use fossil
fuel can be transported on board the
company’s ships in selected ports along the
Norwegian coastal route. This means that
electric, hybrid and hydrogen cars cannot
be accommodated on board. This is an
interesting turn of events in a country that is so technologically advanced in the area of green energy, but
the decision should be applauded on the grounds of passenger and crew safety until they can be sure.

According to CEO of Havila Kystruten, Bent Martini, the company reached this decision after a “pure safety
assessment, and the conclusion of the risk analysis shows that a possible fire in fossil vehicles will be able to
be handled by the systems and the crew we have on board.”

As Bent Martini explained, “A possible fire in electric, hybrid or hydrogen cars will require external rescue
efforts and could put people on board and the ships at risk. We take safety seriously, and this is naturally
a risk we are under no circumstances willing to take. However, Havila Kystruten will continue to work on
finding good solutions that can minimize the risk of transporting this type of vehicle in the future.”

Havila’s ships are built with their own battery packs, and they are installed in accordance with current
requirements for fire safety on ships. This means that its batteries are separated into isolated and fireproof
rooms, with specific fire protection systems.

Image credit: ABS Floating wind

foundation design
for world’s largest
turbines approved
A new kind of floating offshore wind
turbine foundation, designed to handle
the largest wind turbines in the world, has
received ABS approval in principle (AIP).

The Bassoe D-Floater technology is capable of carrying 15-megawatt (MW) turbines in some of the harshest
environmental conditions. 15-megawatt turbines are the next generation of power producing systems and
are as tall as the Eiffel Tower and can weigh upwards of 2,000 tons each.
“ABS is proud to add the Bassoe D-Floater to its list of pioneering offshore floating innovations that we have
been able to support. This list includes classification of the first and largest floating wind project,” said Lars
Samuelsson, ABS Head, Global Floating Offshore Wind.

The D-Floater is a three column, semi-submersible unit with a Delta-shaped pontoon configuration that
allows the stacking of foundations inside each other, facilitating transport of at least five completed
foundations on a single, heavy lift transport vessel and efficient storage in the marshalling port.

The AIP verifies that the design is feasible for the intended application and, in principle, complies with
the applicable requirements of the ABS Guide for Building and Classing Floating Offshore Wind Turbine
Installations. When constructed, the D-Floater will qualify for the following ABS Class notations:

A1, Offshore Wind Turbine (Floating), Fatigue Life (FL (25)), Underwater Inspection in Lieu of Drydocking
(UWILD), and Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM).
Works underway to protect
historic Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal
The Canal & River Trust has started a four-month programme of improvements to protect and preserve the
picturesque Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal in Wales. The works on the 35-mile canal, which has a history
dating back over 220 years, will be completed in March and will see repairs carried out on bridges, lock walls
and canal banks.

The programme of
work includes:

- Repairs to repoint and

seal the lock walls on
the Llangynidr Lock
Flight.
- Works to stop leaks
on the soft bank near
Brynich.
- Repairs to concrete
joints between
bridges 106 and 109
that require sealing
with resin and cement
to stop leaks.
- Investigations into the
waterproof liner in the The Llangynidr Lock Flight team
canal at aqueduct 10 near Govilon to assess required repairs.
- Bridge repairs on Humphreys Bridge near Govilon and Squires Bridge and High Bridge near Pontypool.
- Bed and wall repairs to the canal above Culvert 31 near Llangynidr and Culvert 29 near Glanusk
undertaken by contractors Kier.

Distinguished Service
Award presentation from
NMMA Canada made
It was standing room only at the Toronto
International Boat Show industry breakfast as
representatives from across the Canadian leisure
marine industry presented former NMMA Canada
president, Sara Anghel, with a unique Distinguished
Service Award in recognition of her significant
accomplishments on behalf of the recreational
boating sector.

Sara Anghel left NMMA in December to pursue opportunities outside of the boating industry. She is
credited with spearheading a number of successful initiatives on behalf of the leisure marine trade during
her near 15-year tenure. These include establishing the annual Recreational Boating Day on the Hill
government advocacy program; securing multiple years of CanExport funding for export trade missions to
overseas boat shows; launching an annual statistical abstract for the Canadian boat industry; successfully
negotiating the removal of boats from Canadian tariffs implemented in the course of a trade dispute
with the US; and having the threshold for the Canadian government’s luxury tax on boats increased from
$100,000 to $250,000.
 National Oceanography
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 IIMS Following are some brief reported
news snippets from some of the
Marine marine incidents and accidents

Incident &
that reached the IIMS news desk
during the month of January 2023.

Accident To those who have lost their lives

at sea, may your sacrifice not be
WATCH in vain - rest in peace. IIMS sends
its condolences to the bereaved
loved ones and families.

Indian Coast Guard rescues 12 Tug sinks at the Port

from sinking supply ship of Milwaukee pier

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) successfully An ATB tug partially sank at the Port of Milwaukee,
rescued 12 members of the crew from a sinking prompting a pollution-control response. The
supply ship in the Arabian Sea off the coast of National Response Center, responsible for
Gujarat. The operation took place after a distress coordinating oil spill response efforts, notified the
message received by the ICG Maritime Rescue Coast Guard that the tug Michigan had partially sunk
Coordination Centre based in Mumbai. The at its moorings. The vessel had 40,000 gallons of
Motorized Supply Vessel was reported to be diesel aboard, but no pollution has been observed
flooded heavily and sinking. As it eventually sank, according to the Coast Guard. Booms have been
12 crew members were taken up on the Motor deployed as a precautionary measure.
Tanker Searanger.
Boxship loses containers
Shuttle fast boat with overboard as it takes on a
foreign tourists sank in severe list
Bali waters
A container feeder ship listed hard over at a pier at
A shuttle fast boat with 29 people on board, Mundra International Container Terminal, dropping
including 23 passengers, sank in between Sanur a substantial quantity of cargo over the side. During
port, Bali, and nearby Penida Island. Reports cargo operations, the Sea Xpress listed hard over
suggest the fast boat struck floating wood debris to port, dumping about 20 containers into the
in poor visibility. All people on board were water. Photos from the scene suggest that before
rescued, most of them being foreign tourists. or after the accident, the vessel also listed hard to
starboard. Broker Prevailing Shipping & Logistics
Royal Navy comes to aid of a India reported that the incident was likely caused by
improper ballasting and the outboard orientation of
tug in distress off Anguilla the vessel’s cranes.
A Royal Navy patrol vessel rescued five
crewmembers from a sinking tug off the coast Cargo ship sinks in strong
of Sint Maarten, braving high winds to bring the winds in Taiwan
survivors to safety. Patrol vessel HMS Medway
was underway near the British Overseas Territory Four of five seafarers on a general cargo ship carrying
of Anguilla when she received a request for containers are feared dead after going missing when
assistance from a coastwise tug. The towing the vessel sank on in heavy seas. The Mongolian-
vessel had begun to take on water, and when its flagged 2001-built 890 dwt Long Shun, sailing around
engines failed, the crew sent out a distress call. Matsu Islands in Lienchiang County, sent a distress
The five crewmembers then abandoned ship and signal, indicating that it was taking on water after
transferred safely over to their tow, a sand barge, hitting a large wave. The ship is said to be owned by
before being rescued. Hua-yu Shipping, a Taiwanese company.
 Tug sank in Gulf of Siam, Around 80 luxury boats
crew rescued destroyed in massive
Marbella fire
The tug PL Arthena sank in Gulf of Siam some 10-
12 nm off Koh Phangan island, near Samui Island, A huge fire ripped through a storage facility in the
Thailand. Nine crew went into life raft and were Spanish city of Marbella with unconfirmed local
picked up by a nearby tanker. All are said to be safe. reports saying as many as 80 boats could have
Rough weather is blamed for the sinking. been totally lost. It’s understood around 100 vessels
between 20-40 feet were in the storage facility at the
Cargo ship which disappeared La Bajadilla fishing port when the blaze broke out.
in South China sea is
presumed missing Major fire erupts on cargo ship

The cargo ship Dai Cat 06 has been reported as Fire erupted in the engine room of the general
missing in South China sea. There has been no cargo ship Fortuner, which was at anchor at Gresik
communications for the past 10 days. The ship’s Port, Indonesia. The ship in ballast was waiting to
Emergency Position Indicator Radio Beacon (EPIRB) berth in readiness to load a cement cargo. Fire
was found 30 nm NW of Pemangkat, Indonesia. The broke out and spread to the superstructure. All 17
ship with 5 crew onboard was carrying a cargo of crew were evacuated.
iron rods. Malaysian authorities searched for traces
of the disappeared ship. Freighter suffers major
water ingress
MAIB opens investigation
into pilot death A Korean general cargo ship suffered massive
water ingress off Hoenggan Island, Korea. SAR and
The UK MAIB has opened an investigation following patrol boats responded, securing the safety of the 9
an incident when a pilot fell from height whilst crew onboard and delivered on board pumps. The
boarding the Finland registered ro-ro cargo ship Water ingress was taken under control and the ship
Finnhawk from the UK registered pilot vessel managed to reach Wando port escorted by tugs
Humber Saturn off the Humber Estuary, England, and boats.
resulting in one fatality.
Fire engulfs Italian ferry
Japanese destroyer disabled
and leaking oil after Fire erupted on the cargo deck of the ferry La
Superba at Palermo, presumed to have been
hitting rock started by a lorry according to reports. The 184
passengers on board were evacuated along with
One of Japan’s Murasame-class destroyers, the the 80 strong crew.
JS Inazuma, has hit a rock while on sea trials
off the coast of Japan disabling the ship and
causing an oil spill. Reports said that the vessel Cargo ship capsized and sank
was unable to move but that none of the sailors in Taiwan Strait
aboard were injured.
An unnamed cargo ship in the Taiwan Strait
Tanker split in half after reported water ingress and developed a portside
list. She requested assistance. Some of the crew
explosion with two missing had to jump into water, but all 8 were rescued,
understood by helicopter. All are safe. The ship
Fears arose for two seafarers who went missing subsequently capsized and sank.
after an explosion split a tanker in half in Chinese
waters. After the explosion, search and rescue teams
managed to save 15 crew members from the stricken Seven missing following tanker
Hong Pu 6 tanker off Rizhao in the Yellow Sea. explosion in Thailand

Cement carrier struck The tanker Smooth Sea 22 suffered an explosion,

followed by fire at a ship repair facility on Mae
berthed tanker Klong river, west of Bangkok, Thailand. Seven
people are reported as missing and four have
The cement carrier Grit Cement struck a suffered injuries. The tanker was undergoing
berthed tanker, Songa Diamond, at Ceuta, Spain maintenance repairs and it is reported that the
whilst maneuvering in harbour on arrival from explosion occurred during wielding works.
Carboneras. Both ships sustained damages.
 Dredger capsize closes river Four missing after tug sank
in the Caribbean
A small dredger capsized in the Mississippi
River near Meraux, Louisiana, briefly forcing the A tug, the Sea Voyager, is reported to have sunk
waterway’s closure to marine traffic. Coast Guard in the Caribbean some 50 nm west of Cartagena,
Sector New Orleans received word that the dredger Colombia. Nine crew were on board. Four are
W.B. Wood had capsized near the shore at mile missing and the others are understood to be safe.
marker 85 on the Mississippi. Two crewmembers
were rescued by a nearby towboat, the Omaha. Containers lost overboard
as ship sinks in Iran
Five people hospitalised as
boat hits pier in Melbourne A Tanzanian cargo ship sank at a jetty in the
southern Iranian port of Assaluyeh. The official
Australia’s ABC News reported that five people Iran news agency said that the vessel called “Anil”
were brought to hospital after the charter vessel on capsized as the containers onboard were configured
which they were riding struck a pier in the city of incorrectly at the port’s dock No. 9. Photos
Melbourne. The 350-passenger Lady Cutler, which circulating showed containers floating around the
was formerly operated as a Sydney Harbour ferry, sunken vessel. No crew injuries were reported.
struck a pole in the waters off the Melbourne suburb
of Docklands. Among the five people who were Eight feared dead as cargo
taken to hospital are two pregnant women.
ship sinks off South Korea
One person dead in freak The Hong Kong-flagged general cargo ship “Jin
accident onboard a yacht Tian” carrying lumber sank between South Korea
and Japan. Eight crew are feared dead. A further
Spain’s search and rescue agency attempted to save 14 crew members were reported rescued after a
the crew of a French sailing yacht that had suffered distress call was sent out with the ship abandoned.
a shocking casualty off Gran Canaria. One survivor
was rescued, and one deceased crewmember was Chinese general cargo ship
recovered along with the vessel after a 19-hour
marathon response. Spain’s Salvamento Maritimo sank off Jeju with large
received a distress call from a crewmember aboard numbers of crew missing
the sailing yacht Poppy. His crewmate had become
tangled in rigging aloft and was badly injured, A general cargo ship, the Jin Titan, reportedly sank
suspended from the mast. Weather conditions in the East China south of Jeju Island, Korea. Korean
were rough that rescuers could not approach the and Japanese Coast Guards joined forces in a search
sailboat, which was dragging lines and rigging in and rescue mission and recovered several crew.
the water. The helicopter aircrew did manage to Sadly, nine crew are missing feared dead.
evacuate one uninjured survivor from the yacht’s
decks, but the rough seas made it impossible Vessel carrying fertiliser
to reach the second crewmember, who was still collides with another ship
suspended in the rigging and “bleeding badly,”
according to media reports. Rescuers tried to reach A vessel sank in the Poshur channel of the Mongla
the vessel the following morning, but conditions Port, Bangladesh after it hit another vessel. Before
were still too difficult to allow a boarding. However, the accident, it had loaded around 500 tons of
they could see that the victim had fallen from the fertilisers from another vessel. All crew were
mast and was unconscious on the deck, later to be reported safe.
pronounced dead.
Fatal fall onboard
Coast Guard vessel taking containership at Port of
on water after grounding Los Angeles
A Japanese Coast Guard vessel was reportedly The LA Fire Department reported that a man died
taking on water and leaking oil after grounding in after falling onboard a containership at the Port of
rough weather while on a routine patrol. The vessel Los Angeles. The department received notification
was stranded and awaiting a salvage crew but in that a man had fallen from the ship’s superstructure
no danger of sinking. The 3,100 gross ton Echigo onto a stack of containers on deck, a distance of
was operating in central Japan. Strong winds were about 50 feet.
blowing with heavy surf when the vessel approached
a lighthouse near Kashiwazaki along the Sea of Japan.
 Philippine Coast Guard Engine room fire reported
rescues Chinese crew on container ship

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has rescued seven The Panama Canal reported the container vessel
Chinese crew on board a fishing vessel in the vicinity Cape Korita developed an engine fire while
waters off Suluan Island, Guiuan, Eastern Samar. The moving towards the PSA port in the Pacific.
PCG Command Center received reports about a Chinese Another vessel was affected. No injuries have
fishing vessel that had a damaged hull, causing it to list. been reported.

What Mike Schwarz casts

caught
his eye back over last
month’s eye-catching and
my eye... eventful marine news

Robots to collect litter from surface and deeper

regions of the Mediterranean
Once again, I take my hat off to the ingenuity of people. Here is yet another fine example of innovation
at work that deserves to succeed. After the success of the first autonomous robotic system designed to
search for, identify, and collect seafloor litter, a consortium of European researchers will develop a team
of robots to collect litter from the surface and deeper regions of the Mediterranean.

The teams responsible for the Horizon 2020 SeaClear project have announced that they have expanded
their consortium and received funding to begin follow-up work to further develop the robotic system and
holistically address the issue of marine litter through the project: SeaClear2.0 – Scalable Full-cycle Marine
Litter Remediation in the Mediterranean: Robotic and Participatory Solutions.

SeaClear 2.0, like its predecessor, attempts to use robots to combat one of the world’s most serious
environmental issues: marine litter. Cleaning it up using divers poses
danger to human lives and is economically overwhelming.
Photo credit: Subsea Tech
 Image credit: E1
Image credit: E1

Rafael Nadal joins E1 electric boating league as team owner

As some of you will know, I am a keen tennis player, admittedly nowhere near Nadal’s standard (!); so, I could
not let this story pass by. I have read a widely circulated media report that Rafael Nadal is set to become a new
team owner in the UIM E1 World Championship, the world’s first all-electric race boat championship. The 22-time
Grand Slam champion will enter his own team for the inaugural season.

Alongside his incredible success on the tennis court, Nadal – a Mallorquin islander – says he is passionate about
the ocean and is hugely supportive of E1’s mission to accelerate clean mobility and restore marine ecosystems.

“I’m really excited to be getting involved with a project like E1 that values sustainability and will make a positive
impact on society as a whole, especially in coastal communities,” says Nadal. I always wondered what famous
tennis players do when they retire. It seems Rafa is developing a plan of action for what to do when he finally
hangs up his racquet. Good luck Rafa!

RNLI station celebrates first all-female crew

An RNLI station in North Shields has launched its first all-female crew, hailing it as a “momentous occasion”.
Helmed by Anna Heslop, the four-strong RNLI Cullercoats crew spent an hour-and-a-quarter in the North Sea
on a training exercise. It was the first time the station had ever launched a crew consisting of all women. Until ten
years ago, there had never been a female volunteer at the station.

The station’s lifeboat

operations manager — and
mother of Ms Heslop — Kay
Heslop says Cullercoats had
sought an all-female crew for
a long time. Speaking to the
BBC, she points out that 10
per cent of RNLI volunteers
across the UK are women.

Anna, Rose, Kay, Sarah

and Hannah. Article
credit: Liz Hull. Image
credit: Daily Mail
Whatever next? A ‘flying’ superyacht concept...
“What will they come up with next”, I hear you ask. Well, a flying superyacht sounds
rather cool - this
concept to be powered
by hydrogen and it’s
full of Italian design
flair too. What more
could you want?

This futuristic looking

concept by Italian
design studio, Lazzarini,
has now been revealed
to the world. The
concept is called
Plectrum, a 74-metre
(242ft) foiling ‘flying’
superyacht. The hull
shape is said to take its
design inspiration from
the latest America’s
Image credit:
Cup sail boats, but the
Lazzarini Design’s
Plectrum is powered by three hydrogen motors capable of 5,000hp each rather than
YouTube Channel
wind power. Designer, Pierpaolo Lazzarini, says Plectrum is conceived to be entirely
composed of dry carbon fibre composite, with an estimated top speed of 75 knots.
Now that’s quick! What’s not to like?

Investigation ordered after media report about a superglue

repair to a nuclear submarine
Not often am I flabbergasted, but this story is simply beyond belief. The Sun, a UK national newspaper, was
one of several papers that broke the story recently. It reported that an investigation has been ordered after
repair workers on a Trident
submarine apparently glued
broken bolts back together
in a nuclear reactor chamber.
Like I said, unbelievable and
who on earth thought this
was acceptable? I know the
depths professional marine
surveyors go to ensure safety
of life at sea. This seems
to fly directly in the face of
common sense; but what do
I know?

According to the The Sun,

“The unsatisfactory repairs
to cooling pipes were
discovered when a bolt fell
off during checks aboard
the 16,000-tonne HMS
Vanguard.” The article says
that the bolt had originally been sheared off through over-tightening, but instead of reporting the damage
and taking the time to bore out the broken shafts, civilian staff simply glued the heads back on.

The whole sorry tale can be read at https://bit.ly/3Jptgh7.

 Harry Besley pictured

The Round
Britain eRIB
project and
challenge
Now here’s an initiative and project that has really captured my imagination and I wanted to share it with you.
It is inspiring to see a young person prepared to take bold actions to back up his fighting words and to stand
up for what he believes in.

The young man in question is Harry Besely, aged 16. The Round Britain eRIB project intends to help drive the
development of the eMarine sector for small leisure and commercial craft. With support from key industry
stakeholders the team is planning a world record attempt to circumnavigate Great Britain in summer 2023 by
means only of an electric RIB.

Harry Besley will be just 17 when he attempts the world record. His youth gives him the perspective of
someone whose future is at risk, and he’s serious about making this challenge a reality. Harry believes that
powerboats need to stop using fossil fuels. This is his way of having an impact.

The overarching aim of the project is to assist the small craft sector to better understand the implications of
new technologies and will help build public confidence in a safe and financially viable transition to a cleaner
and more sustainable future.

The team behind the project would ask you to consider the following points:

- Lithium-ion battery fires on vessels are a different risk. They are working with a specialist battery
manufacturer who has a significant focus on battery safety, and the team plans to use a specialist fire
extinguisher per their recommendation.

- Battery management systems on vessels are generally accessed through the mobile network. The team
will be working with a firm which is developing a satellite based remote monitoring system such that fleet
battery health and other key systems can be monitored remotely. This could enable vessel battery health
to be monitored all over the world.
- Battery overheating while charging is another key challenge, and they will be charging via a wide range
of accessories and scenarios. The team will be able to log issues experienced during charging, enabling
knowledge build within the industry.
- The project team will be running consecutively for perhaps up to 3-4 weeks, with continual charge and
discharge cycles. This level of usage will enable the industry to develop knowledge about degradation in
battery performance and any increased risks associated with this.
- The team is working with a partner to develop a modular based battery system to support the vessel and
enable charging from the ground support vehicle.

If you want to offer support, or are interested in sponsoring, or being associated with this initiative, you can
follow its the progress and engage with their adventures at www.RoundBritain-eRIB.org.

Mike Schwarz
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