Monday 12 May 08 - 04:02
 

Diving & Underwater Services

  • Realistic ROV Simulator Launched

    01 Dec 2006

    Hawaii based Marine Simulation LLC has released ROVsim, an affordable, physics accurate, and visually realistic Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) simulator. Using state of the art technologies originally developed for the video game industry and over two decades of hands-on industry experience, ROVsim™ is optimized to simulate a wide range of mission variables: from changing currents and visibility, tether and collision problems, to electronics and gear failures.  

  • Wet Weld Advances Boost Diver Training

    01 Dec 2006

    Keeping pace with increasing demand for underwater wet welding services, Fred Mc Nally, managing director of Birkenhead UK based FJ Marine Services Ltd, has again called upon the training services provided by long-time associate David Keats of Specialty Welds Ltd.   

  • Systems Innovation for Dive Support Vessel

    01 Dec 2006

    Through its Norwegian subsidiary Draeger Safety Norge, Draeger Safety has been contracted to take on the project management, planning, construction and delivery of a complete deep sea diving system, including extensive safety facilities and breathing gas logistics, for a Norwegian diving support vessel used in the offshore industry.  

  • Acoustic Advances Aid Diver Safety

    01 Nov 2006

    Oceanteam 2000 Ltd (ot2k) has deployed the Easytrak underwater tracking and positioning system from Applied Acoustic Engineering for mattress laying operations to protect power cables running from the offshore wind farm at Scroby in the North Sea.  

Hydrographic Survey by David Goodfellow

  • Sonar Tubes Factory Opens

    01 Dec 2006

    Morgan Electro Ceramics has opened a new facility at its site in Southampton, UK, dedicated to the design and manufacture of fibre wrapped piezoceramic tubes that are used in commercial and military sonar instruments. The facility, which is the only one of its kind in the UK, has been set up in response to an increasing need for 360o high energy projectors.It provides equipment manufacturers with reliable, pre-stressed tubes that give a high degree of accuracy for sub-sea detecting and sensing.  

  • Echo Sounder Sensor

    01 Dec 2006

    Innovation4C of Belgium has developed ‘Wavemapper’, a heave sensor designed for single beam echosounders based on technology used for space applications.  

  • Subsea Wireless Modem

    01 Dec 2006

    A wireless modem capable of operating underwater which can also relay signals out of water has reportedly been developed by Wireless Fibre Systems of Livingston in Scotland. It will clearly be of interest to, among others, divers and AUVs transmitting data to waiting vessels.  

  • Sonar Survey Finds Lost U-Boats

    01 Dec 2006

    A routine Maritime & Coastguard Agency sonar survey off the Orkney Islands has led to the chance discovery of uncharted wrecks of two first world war German submarines which were originally reported missing in 1918 after apparently sinking somewhere in the Northern Barrage, a British minefield between Orkney and Shetland.  

  • Liverpool’s Survey Boat is a ‘Wildcat’

    01 Dec 2006

    The Port of Liverpool has awarded the contract to supply a new hydrographic survey vessel to Irish workboat and pilot boat builder Safehaven Marine. Following an international tender process Safehaven Marine’s Wildcat catamaran design was chosen. Ian Holden, the Port’s hydrographic manager opted for a twin hull design as a result of the port’s intention to use sophisticated multi beam sonar equipment. 

Marine Civils by David Foxwell

  • Eco-Friendly Dredging in Wales

    01 Dec 2006

    Boaters using the picturesque Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal, in Wales in the UK will benefit from a major dredging programme along a popular section at Llanellen near Abergavenny as part of British Waterways' continued commitment to improving the waterways of Wales. British Waterways Wales & Border Counties is targeting the main navigation channel between bridges 87 to 95, enhancing cruising and mooring along the increasingly popular waterway.  

  • Dredging Programme ‘On Schedule’ Says Broads Authority

    01 Dec 2006

    The Broads Authority in the UK has started dredging South Walsham Fleet Dyke as part of its winter dredging programme. A total of 20,000m3 is to be taken out of the dyke over the next few months which will ensure the dyke is 2m deep at an average low tide.   

  • Royal Haskoning Conducting Study for Holyhead Waterfront

    01 Dec 2006

    A major new planning and regeneration study for the Holyhead Waterfront in the UK has been commissioned by the Isle of Anglesey County Council, with backing from the Welsh Assembly Government and Stena Ports Ltd. The study will ensure that future developments and improvement schemes are coordinated as part of an overall waterfront masterplan.   

  • Dredging International Confirms Al Raha Contract Extension

    01 Dec 2006

    The Belgian operator Dredging International (DI) has obtained a contract extension for the Al Raha Beach development in Abu Dhabi, effectively more than doubling the initial scope of a major reclamation project started nine months ago to a total value of €110m. The supplementary contract value is estimated at €78m and will secure business for yet another 14 months.  

  • Strategy Defined for Sustainable Aggregates Industry

    01 Dec 2006

    The British Marine Aggregate Producers Association (BMAPA), which represents over 90% of the marine aggregates industry, has released a sustainable development strategy for the sector. As a constituent member of the Quarry Products Association (QPA), and following on from last year’s overarching QPA document, BMAPA has created the strategy to tackle the unique aspects of marine aggregates operations.  

Marine Renewables

  • Renewables Study for Western Isles

    01 Dec 2006

    A new study, commissioned by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western IslesCouncil), investigates the feasibility of creating a fixed transport link across the five mile wide Sound of Harris and the potential for generating renewable energy from the resources of the Sound to help offset capital expenditure.  

  • BOWTIS Takes Offshore Wind Deeper

    01 Dec 2006

    The successful deployment of a new installation system has enabled the placement of the first offshore wind turbine to be installed in a single lift from a floating barge. The Beatrice Offshore Wind Turbine Installation System (BOWTIS), designed and built by Northumberland’s The Engineering Business Ltd, has led to the first offshore wind turbine installation in 45m of water.  

Navaids

  • Trinity House's New Emergency Wreck Marking Buoys on Station

    01 Dec 2006

    Trinity House has chosen Tideland Signal’s SB-98P polyethylene buoy and MLED-120SC lantern for use as its emergency wreck marking buoy in accordance with the new IALA Recommendation O-133 of December 2005.  

  • Mobile Maintenance for Remote Lighthouses

    01 Dec 2006

    Established MoD naval painting contractor Pyeroy Group is extending its maritime protective coatings work with new contract which will see it providing painting and refurbishment services to lighthouses in remote and exposed locations in the UK.  

Navigation & Communication

  • Durability Counts in Workboat NavComms

    01 Dec 2006

    Japan Radio Company, well known as a navigation and communications equipment supplier to the deep draught merchant fleets of the world, also produces equipment engineered specifically for the small commercial workboat and leisure boat industries.  

  • New marine Operations Centre Commissioned for Aberdeen

    01 Dec 2006

    The commissioning of Aberdeen Harbour’s new Marine Operations Centre marks another significant step forward in developing facilities to accommodate increasing and diversified traffic. It has been brought into use at a time of record activity at the port which is on course to handle annual cargo of more than 5 million tonnes this year for the first time.  

  • Heliobond Toughens LCD Marine Monitors

    01 Dec 2006

    Monitor manufacturer Kent Modular Electronics (KME) has introduced a new environmentally sealed transflective LCD screen, Heliobond, for use in marine applications such as bridge wing monitors, control room consoles and security monitors. The product was developed for international naval applications but KME has now set its sights on commercial marine applications.  

  • Small Ports NavComms Solution

    01 Dec 2006

    The Port Marine Safety Code and other legislation makes it all the more important that even the smallest ports and harbours control their waters effectively. AIS on its own, a solution favoured by many ports, is unreliable since the accuracy of the information received depends upon the correct configuration of the equipment on the vessel. Recent tests have shown that up to 25% of vessels may be transmitting incorrect data. The only system truly independent is radar and almost all large ports and many smaller ones have radar or VTS systems.  

News

  • Multraship Refloats Tank Barge Newbuilding

    01 Dec 2006

    Salvage and towage company Multraship has successfully salvaged a tank barge newbuilding which grounded during heavy weather while under tow from Gdynia to Nantes. The tank barge NS702 (to be named Limosa 2) was under tow from a Gdynia shipyard when it broke away from the Polish tug Ajaks during a storm and grounded on the rocky beach at Hope Point, near Newhaven, on December 7.  

  • Buoyant BV Pursues Wary GL

    01 Dec 2006

    French classification society Bureau Veritas is enjoying a record breaking year, with turnover expected to reach €1.8 billion by the end of this month. Speaking at a reception at Trinity House in London last month, managing director Bernard Anne said the group is doubling in size every five years and would soon be larger than any other two or three classification and certification bodies put together, with a fleet of more than 7,400 ships representing some 53.8m gross tons.  

  • Online Licensing for Ships

    01 Dec 2006

    UK communications regulator Ofcom has launched an online lifetime licensing service for ships' and amateur radio.  

  • Wizards of Oz

    01 Dec 2006

    Dover UK based Burgess Marine, which supports Incat fast ferries across the globe, sent a dedicated team of employees to Incat Tasmania's Hobart shipyard in Australia for a specially developed 'in-house' training course.  

  • Emden Maintains SWATH Momentum with German Customs Boats

    01 Dec 2006

    Emden based Nordseewerke, a company of ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems, has won the contract to build two revenue cutters for the Procurement Agency of the German Federal Customs Administration. The first boat is scheduled for delivery in November 2008, the second one in June 2009.  

  • New Drogheda – Rotterdam Container Service Launched

    01 Dec 2006

    A new Europe Lines container service between the ports of Drogheda and Rotterdam was launched last month, initially with one vessel sailing on a weekly basis every Friday evening from Barge Centre Waalhaven to arrive on Monday at Drogheda.  

  • ‘Rokia Delmas’ Pollution Response Underway

    01 Dec 2006

    Salvors continue to study options for the ro-ro container ship ‘Rokia Delmas’, which ran aground off the French Atlantic coast port of La Rochelle in late October and has now been declared a total loss by its insurers. Efforts continue to refloat the vessel and the maritime prefecture in Brest, which is overseeing the salvage operation, does not want the vessel to be broken where it lays. With miles of beautiful sandy beaches, the nearby coastal area is a prime tourist destination and is also rich in oyster farms.  

  • Princess Supports Seafarers' Centre

    01 Dec 2006

    HRH The Princess Royal visited the Southampton Seafarer’s Centre recently to attend the annual meeting of volunteers and supporters.   

  • HME Website Update

    01 Dec 2006

    The Holland Marine Equipment Association (HME) has launched a restyled website at www.hme.nl, where visitors can find information about Dutch equipment and maritime suppliers or subscribe for email postings of HME sponsored events.  The site is available in Dutch and English.  HME members receive a weekly update on worldwide shipbuilding, new orders and market rumours.  

  • Schat-Harding Expansion

    01 Dec 2006

    Lifeboat and davits supplier Schat-Harding has extended its wholly owned global service network with the purchase of Cadiz based Equipos Aquanor, an established independent lifeboat servicing station covering the ports and shipyards of Spain and Portugal.  

  • EPS Thruster Grabs Dutch Innovation Award

    01 Dec 2006

    The prestigious 2006 Dutch Maritime Innovation Award went to Van der Velden Marine Systems in presentations at Groenekan near Utrecht last month. The prize completes a successful year for the company’s EPS Thruster, which had also won the DAME Award at METS 2005.  

  • Dutch Courts Put Heat on Ports

    01 Dec 2006

    Following a reorganisation of the Justice Department in the Netherlands last year, and as a result of an ongoing restructuring of the Coast Guard, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of criminal prosecutions being pursued against the shipping industry and against maritime personnel.  

  • GL Workers Reject BV Bid

    01 Dec 2006

    Bureau veritas' latest takeover bid for rival classification society Germanischer Lloyd has been rejected as hostile by the GL Works Council, which has three representatives on the seven member board which will shape the German group's response to the French bid.  

  • EMEC Backs Harmonisation

    01 Dec 2006

    The European Marine Equipment Council (EMEC), which represents some 1,250 companies across Europe, has welcomed the Draft EP TRAN Committee Report's amendments to the European Commission's Draft Classification Societies' Directive.  

  • Global Marine Jobshop

    01 Dec 2006

    The Institute of Marine Engineering Science and Technology (IMarEST) has launched a new marine proffesional employment service for its 15,000 members in over 100 countries.  The service is open to marine companies looking for qualified and skilled professionals and for IMarEST members looking for a change of career or job.  

  • New AMOT Distibutor

    01 Dec 2006

    AMOT has established a new authorised distributor partner in Germany, Lehmann & Michels, for its XTS-W bearing condition monitoring system.  

  • 25.4m German Police Fleet Renewal

    01 Dec 2006

    Schleswig Holstein’s State Waterways Police (WSP) has completed a Europe-wide tender process by awarding orders for four patrol boats to home shipyard Fassmer as part of a €25.4m fleet renewal programme.  

  • Fos 2XL Go-Ahead

    01 Dec 2006

    Container throughput at the French port of Marseilles-Fos rose by 4% for the ten months to the end of October, including a 7% increase to 542,000 TEU on east-west trades through Fos,where construction of the Fos 2XL extension is set to start following ratification of the concession agreement between the port authority and two private operators.  

  • 'World's Largest Ferries' for Stena

    01 Dec 2006

    Aker Yards has signed a contract with Stena Rederi AB of Sweden to deliver two innovative super ferries in the first and third quarters of 2010. The €400m contract includes options for two further vessels and demonstrates Aker’s ability to operate effectively across borders, with the basic design of the vessels to be undertaken in Finland and the build in Germany.   

  • A Load Off the Road at Lowestoft

    01 Dec 2006

    The ABP Port of Lowestoft has played an important role in relieving road traffic pollution by handling brewery plant equipment for local company Adnams. Nine stainless steel brewery tanks built in Germany and valued at some £1.5m were manufactured in Germany and shipped to Lowestoft on board ‘RMS Scanlark’ for onward delivery to Adnams’ Sole Bay Brewery at Southwold in Sussex.  

  • All-Woman Tall Ship

    01 Dec 2006

    The Jubilee Sailing Trust (JST) of the UK unveiled plans last month at Sail Training International's annual conference in Poland to compete in the Tall Ships Race 2008 with the competition's first all female crew.  

  • World's 'Greenest' Catamaran Ordered in Norway

    01 Dec 2006

    Construction of what is being billed as the ‘greenest’ boat ever built’ has begun at Norway’s Fjellstrand Shipyard for the environmental organisation Green Warriors of Norway (GW) in Bergen.  

Port, Harbour & Marine Construction

  • Development Due for Ireland’s Doolin Pier

    01 Dec 2006

    Tony Killeen, Minister of State at the Irish Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment expressed concern last month that the north Clare economy and the livelihoods of dozens of local fishermen are hugely dependent on the sustainability and future upgrading of Doolin Pier.  

  • Team in Place for WestWave Project

    01 Dec 2006

    Renewable energy generator E.ON UK and Ocean Prospect have agreed to work together to develop proposals for a potential 5MW wave power project in the sea off Cornwall. The pioneering scheme would be connected toWave Hub, an offshore electrical ‘socket’ developed by the South West of England Regional Development Agency.  

  • Restoration Completed of Queen’s Stairs

    01 Dec 2006

    The Crown Estate and Greenwich Foundation in the UK have completed the restoration of the historic Queen’s Stairs on the banks of the River Thames at the Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich. These are the steps over which Admiral Lord Nelson’s coffin was carried before and after his lying in state in the Painted Hall of the Greenwich Hospital in January 1806 prior to the grand river procession that saw his body taken by royal barge to Westminster.  

  • Bridge Refurbishment Awarded

    01 Dec 2006

    At a value in the region of £2.5 million, the order to refurbish the Lowestoft Bridge in Suffolk is Bosch Rexroth’s single largest order in the UK. Placed in July 2006 the order is to undertake some major electrical and mechanical refurbishment work on the twin bascule bridge, which spans a dock channel located in the centre of Lowestoft, Suffolk on the busy A12.   

  • A Tidal Advantge at Sovereign Harbour

    01 Dec 2006

    Sovereign Harbour is an exclusive residential development set around a series of complex marinas and tidal basins in Eastbourne, East Sussex UK. The entrance feature to the site consists of a large breakwater and a tidal outer harbour, which allows shelter and emergency mooring facilities for boats, before a pair of twin locks allow entry into the sheltered waterways of the development.   

  • $100m New Marine Works for Jan De Nul

    01 Dec 2006

    Belgian marine construction and dredging contractor Jan De Nul has been awarded two contracts by Aker/Exxon relating to the Adriatic LNG contract. At Algeciras in Spain a berm and tow-out channel must be dredged to allow a large Gravity Base Structure (GBS) constructed in dry dock there to be towed out to sea. The berm will be dredged by Jan De Nul’s backhoe dredger II Principe and/or the cutter suction dredger JFJ De Nul.  

  • Marine Construction Boom Sparks Dredger Building Response

    01 Dec 2006

    The global boom in port construction and land reclamation works has sparkedconfident fleet renewal programmes by the major international dredging contractors, with the emphasis currently on versatile medium size trailer suction hopper dredgers.  

Tugs & Towing by Jack Gaston

  • Smit Busy with Overseas Harbour and Terminal Towage

    01 Dec 2006

    In late October, Smit announced the commencement of a new towage operation in Bahía Blanca, Argentina. Known as Smit Harbour Towage Argentina, the new organisation has brought into operation the two recently delivered Damen ASD 2810 tugs Smit Jamaica, Smit Antigua and the conventional tug Buni. The new tugs are part of a newbuilding programme currently underway to replace many older units in the Smit fleets worldwide and to support new business. Smit Jamaica and Smit Antigua are vessels of 4,930 bhp with a bollard pull ahead of 59.3 tons and 56.1 tons astern, with a maximum speed of 13.8 knots.  

  • TOWLINES

    01 Dec 2006

    Stuart McNiven, managing director of Svitzer Marine Limited, left the company on 1September after five years in post and 20 years service with A.P. Moller-Maersk. Stuart is well known in the offshore and towage sector and has left on an amicable basis to pursue other business interests. James Curry, who has been deputy managing director and chief finance officer for the last five years, has taken over as managing director at the organisation’s headquarters on Teeside.   

  • IHC to Complete the First of a Trio for Kazakhstan

    01 Dec 2006

    The Sliedrecht shipyard of IHC Holland Delta has completed the shallow draft, multi-purpose pusher tug Sarbas for COC of Kazakhstan. Sarbas left the yard for the first time on preliminary builder’s trials on 21 November. At the same time, two sister vessels, Dzhicit and Batyr, were nearing completion in the fitting out hall. All three 31m tugs have been constructed to the IHC Delta Multi-Purpose Pusher Tug 3000 design, derived from a smaller (2500) version, four examples of which were completed recently for Smit Transport Europe BV. One hull was constructed in the Netherlands and the remaining pair in Serbia. 

  • New Fairmount Tug Fleet Nears Completion

    01 Dec 2006

    Fairmount Marine BV, with its headquarters in the Netherlands, now has four of it new ocean going tugs in operation and the fifth and final vessel due for completion in May of next year. With a whole generation of four new ocean going tugs now operational, each with a bollard pull of 205 tonnes, it has been a very successful 2006 for the company. Utilisation for the whole fleet, including deep sea transportation barges, has been 100%, resulting in a significant increase in turnover.  

  • Novatug Establishes Sourcing Consultancy

    01 Dec 2006

    Novatug, the Rotterdam based specialist behind the design of the revolutionary Carousel towing system for tugboats, has established an international tugboat equipment sourcing consultancy for vessel owners and shipyards.  

  • Klyne Get Two Year Extension on ETV Contract

    01 Dec 2006

    The UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) has awarded Klyne Tugs (Lowestoft) Limited a two year extension to the contract to provide Emergency Towing Vessels (ETVs) at four strategic areas around the UK coast. This further award extends the current eight year contract until 3 September 2011.  

Vessel Launch Chelsea

  • ‘Chelsea’ Sends the Tractors into Retirement

    01 Dec 2006

    Plymouth UK based boat builders Ecocats picked up a significant award earlier this month when it carried off the Sustainable Products and Services gong at the Cornwall Sustainability Awards 2006. The Awards were developed by Cornwall County Council, the five District and Borough Councils, the UK Government’s Environment Agency, the Groundwork Trust and Cornwall Business School to celebrate and disseminate good practice, encourage further participation and support work towards a sustainable future.  

Vessel Launch Seabus

  • ‘Seabus’ Set to Continue Clyde Ferry Tradition

    01 Dec 2006

    Seabus, nearing completion at the Voyager Boatyard in Cornwall UK, is the latest passenger vessel to be built by the experienced yard. The 64m vessel is equipped to carry up to 100 foot passengers on a ferry service across Scotland’s River Clyde run by Greenock based Clyde Marine Services Ltd.  

Taylor Fuel Control