Saturday 22 November 08 - 01:53
 

Diving & Underwater Services

  • Mobdocks Beat Drydock for Thruster Repair

    01 Feb 2003

    Antwerp based underwater contractors Hydrex won the SMM/Lloyds List 2002 Award for 'Innovation in Naval Shipbuilding and Marine Technology' last autumn in Hamburg. A significant factor in their victory was the innovative double-Mobdock system, which has again been deployed to repair a container vessel while it was in port loading and unloading its cargo. 

  • Divers Deliver Underwater Repairs

    01 Feb 2003

    Underwater ship maintenance specialists UMC International's Plymouth UK team has carried out a diagnostic underwater inspection of a reefer ship during a call to the Torbay anchorage. The ship was experiencing vibration and the owners wanted to know why. 

Hydrographic Survey by David Goodfellow

  • U-Tows For China

    01 Feb 2003

    WS EnviroTech of Selborne, Hampshire has delivered an advanced version of its U-Tow Mk 3 undulating marine data-gathering vehicle to the Guangzhou Marine Geological Survey in China following a delivery of two earlier systems to the Chinese State Oceanographic Administration (CSOA). 

  • Sakhalin Shallow Water Surveys

    01 Feb 2003

    Romona Geosolutions, a joint venture offshoot of Chessington-based Thales GeoSolutions and its Russian partner, J/S Romona, reports successful completion of major shallow water bathymetric surveys off Sakhalin Island, adjacent to the Lunskoye oil field. 

  • New Simrad Navaid

    01 Feb 2003

    Simrad has introduced its GN33 B/W GPS Chart Navigator suitable for all sizes and types of commercial, fishing and coastal vessels. The company says it is the first GPS Navigator with an integral chart plotter to be accorded Wheel Mark approval by the German Maritime & Hydrographic Agency (BSH). 

  • VT TSS Launches New Pipe Tracker

    01 Feb 2003

    VT TSS has developed a new TSS 440 pipe and cable tracker with a claimed tracking range of up to 50% more than its predecessor, the TSS 340. 

  • Multibeam Proceedings

    01 Feb 2003

    Of likely interest to shallow water surveying enthusiasts are proceedings of a Hydrographic Society Southern Region multibeam workshop in Reading last November, attended by over 100 specialists from all sectors of industry. 

Marine Civils by David Foxwell

  • Decision Due on Marina at Bridlington

    01 Feb 2003

    A Government-level decision on whether to allow the development of a new marina complex at Bridlington in the North East of the UK - a project which will be one of the largest engineering projects in the North of England if it goes ahead - is due to be taken shortly, and should be announced by Easter. 

  • Cityof Oslo Launches Claim Against PCB Producers

    01 Feb 2003

    The City of Oslo in Norway is demanding €7m from Bayer AG , Solutia and Kaneka in compensation for the cost of cleaning up Oslo Harbour. 

  • HR Wallingford Commissioned for Italian Marina Study

    01 Feb 2003

    HR Wallingford has recently been commissioned by Consorzio Porto di Cattolica to carry out studies in connection with the development of a marina in the entrance of the Tavollo River at Cattolica, Italy. 

  • Royal BAM Completes Acquisition of Ballast Ham Dredging

    01 Feb 2003

    Royal BAM Group in the Netherlands says it has acquired the one-third interest in the dredging company Ballast Ham Dredging (BHD) that was owned by Ballast Nedam. 

  • Concern Over Maerl Dredging

    01 Feb 2003

    Conservationists in the UK are claiming that dredging maerl, a material used by farmers as an organic fertilizer, from a Cornish estuary, should be stopped to protect the area. They claim that dredging maerl, a form of calcified seaweed used as a fertiliser, which has been taking place in the Fal estuary for the last 30 years, could be damaging marine life. The Cornish Calcified Seaweed Company has a licence to extract about 30,000 tons of maerl annually, using a dredger. 

  • BMAPA and Crown Estate Launch Initiative on Aggregates Zoning

    01 Feb 2003

    The British Marine Aggregate Producers Association (BMAPA) and The Crown Estate have launched a new initiative to provide more detailed information on the zoning of marine aggregate licence areas located around the coastline of England and Wales. 

News

  • Wartsila Multiplies 20 By 2000

    01 Feb 2003

    Wartsila Corporation has reached a milestone by manufacturing its 2,000th Wartsila 20 diesel engine. This engine type has been particularly popular for auxiliary shipboard applications and the 2,000th is one of three nine-cylinder versions being supplied as complete diesel gensets for a 2,500teu container ship being built at the German shipyard Aker MTW Werft GmbH. 

  • German Workhorse Gets a Smaller Sister

    01 Feb 2003

    The German authorities have ordered a new pollution accident combat vessel for service in the Baltic, pointing up an increased commitment to maritime safety in the wake of the Prestige and other tanker disasters. 

  • Timely Topics for UKHMA Spring Seminar

    01 Feb 2003

    The UK Harbour Masters' Association has announced its Spring Seminar 2003 is to take place on 2nd April at the IMarEST Conference Centre in London. 

  • Port Communication Upgraded

    01 Feb 2003

    Westica has provided the Milford Haven Port Authority with a 1.4 GHz multirate radio system which enables compressed radar information to be transmitted from various remote radar installations to MHPA Port Control. 

  • Simrad and Suzuki in UK Distribution Deal

    01 Feb 2003

    Simrad UK has been appointed as the official distributor of Suzuki Marine's range of low-cost searchlight sonars and echosounders into the UK and Irish markets, greatly expanding the choice Simrad offers the fishing industry. 

  • Wartsila Extends Ciserv Network

    01 Feb 2003

    Wartsila Corporation has purchased the Dutch marine service company Caltax Marine Diesel BV from Tras van Houte Beheer BV. 

  • New RIB Builder in Baltic Exchange

    01 Feb 2003

    New commercial RIB builder Marine Specialised Technology Ltd (MST) has delivered two new RIBs to the German Fisheries Protection Agency and a third to the German Coastguard, all of which will operate in the Baltic Sea. 

  • Trinity House Debuts Working Boat Voyages

    01 Feb 2003

    The Trinity House Lighthouse Service has extended its development of innovative revenue streams with the launch of Patricia Voyages, providing individuals, couples, families and corporate groups the opportunity to sail on the Service's working flagship THV Patricia. 

  • 'Tricolor' Bunker Removal Resumes

    01 Feb 2003

    Smit Salvage resumed operations earlier this month to remove bunkers from the sunken car carrier Tricolor in the English Channel. The salvage team had earlier been forced to discontinue operations due to hostile weather conditions. 

  • Type Approval for AIS Type FA-100

    01 Feb 2003

    Germany's Bundesamt fur Seeschifffahrt und Hydrographie (BSH) has type approved and wheelmark approved Furuno's recently announced AIS Type FA-100 against IEC61993-2, IEC61162 and IEC61108. 

  • Management Buy-In at Blondecell

    01 Feb 2003

    Three members of the management team and a private investor have purchased a controlling interest in Blondecell Ltd, the Hampshire UK based boatbuilder. Managing Director Nigel Crabbe, Commercial Director David Morland and Financial Director Gavin Brown join a Blondecell founder, Tony Brewer, who remains as Chairman. 

  • VTS Synergy on UK South Coast

    01 Feb 2003

    Fleet Support Ltd has awarded a contract to supply and install new VTS at the UK's Portsmouth Naval Base to STN Atlas Elektronik. The system is due for commissioning next month. Its facilities include two Atlas 9730 X-band Radars sited remotely at Fort Gilkicker and Shell Pier linked via microwave to the Naval Base VTS control centre, which is being equipped with two 9730 multi-function workstations. 

  • Dusseldorf Debut for Scania Yanmar

    01 Feb 2003

    The first public display of the recent co-operation agreement signed by Scania Industrial and Marine Engines and Yanmar Marine was seen at the Dusseldorf Boat Show last month when a 12 litre, 720hp Scania engine in Yanmar livery was paraded for the leisure boat market. The agreement signed last October gives Yanmar the right to sell and market Scania engines worldwide. 

  • Preparedness Pays at Harwich Harbour Oil Spill

    01 Feb 2003

    A massive operation to clean up spilled oil and prevent its further spread took place earlier this month in the UK's Harwich Harbour following the loss of 2,000 gallons of mixed oils from a fractured pipe at the Felixstowe Oil Jetty. 

  • New TSHD Launched for Van Oord ACZ

    01 Feb 2003

    A new 4,750m 3capacity trailing suction hopper dredger was launched for Van Oord ACZ Ltd earlier this month from the van der Giessen de Noord yard in Rotterdam. Van Oord ACZ signed the build contract with IHC Holland in December 2000 and construction was subsequently subcontracted to van der Giessen, a fellow subsidiary with the IHC Caland Group. 

  • Russian Hulls for Germany's New Coast Guard Vessels

    01 Feb 2003

    The German Coast Guard has taken delivery of Bad Bramstedt, the first of three advanced new patrol boats from Abeking & Rasmussen in Lemwerder for service mainly in the German Bight region of the North Sea. 

  • New TSHD Launched for Van Oord ACZ

    01 Feb 2003

    A new 4,750m 3capacity trailing suction hopper dredger was launched for Van Oord ACZ Ltd earlier this month from the van der Giessen de Noord yard in Rotterdam. Van Oord ACZ signed the build contract with IHC Holland in December 2000 and construction was subsequently subcontracted to van der Giessen, a fellow subsidiary with the IHC Caland Group. 

  • Norwegian Shipowner Earns Prestige

    01 Feb 2003

    As controversy continues in the wake of the Prestige sinking off Spain, a refreshing approach to vessel management was seen in the UK earlier this month when the single hulled oil tanker Arendal was detained in Shetland after its owners requested a classification society surveyor inspect cracks reported by the crew. 

  • Solar Solve Launch ROLASOLV

    01 Feb 2003

    South Shields UK based Solar Solve Marine has supplemented its well established range of type approved SOLASOLV anti-glare sunscreens with the launch of ROLASOLV, a range of fire retardant roller blinds for crew and passenger accommodation areas. 

  • VTS Synergy on UK South Coast

    01 Feb 2003

    Fleet Support Ltd has awarded a contract to supply and install new VTS at the UK's Portsmouth Naval Base to STN Atlas Elektronik. The system is due for commissioning next month. Its facilities include two Atlas 9730 X-band Radars sited remotely at Fort Gilkicker and Shell Pier linked via microwave to the Naval Base VTS control centre, which is being equipped with two 9730 multi-function workstations. 

  • Cosalt Broadens Base With Seadog Acquisition

    01 Feb 2003

    Cosalt Safety & Protection has acquired the Scottish company Seadog Lifesaving Appliances in a deal valued at approximately £2.5m. Cosalt describes the acquisition as a natural step forward for both the well established companies. Seadog has been trading in its present form since the 1960s and Cosalt's history stretches back to 1873. 

  • HR Wallingford To Lead Earth Observation Team

    01 Feb 2003

    Civil engineering hydraulics and water environment consultancy HR Wallingford has been chosen by the European Space Agency to lead a team to evaluate the market for satellite earth observation (EO) data. The one year project will forecast the key trends that will evolve in the coastal management market in the short to medium term and recommend 'fixes' in the supply of EO data to meet these demands. The most viable of these fixes are to be tested and demonstrated to the EO industry. 

  • Aircraft Carrier Contract Gives Unexpected Long-term Boost to British Shipbuilding

    01 Feb 2003

    The United Kingdom's depressed shipbuilding sector was given an unexpected long-term boost last month by the British Government's decision to award the nation's largest ever warship order for two new 60,000 tonne aircraft carriers to BAE Systems. 

  • Port Security Officer Nicks Award

    01 Feb 2003

    A security supervisor who has been credited with reinvigorating the team and introducing new procedures since joining the Securicor team at ABP Newport has been awarded the Outstanding Contribution to the Customer award at the company's annual Security Officer of the Year ceremony. 

  • New Marine Safety Officers Course Available

    01 Feb 2003

    Safety and survival specialist RGIT Montrose has devised the UK's first Marine Safety Officers and Representatives Course in response to growing industry demand. Following the UK Government's recent recommendations that ship officers put in safety management systems for vessels, RGIT received many calls from within the marine industries asking for a course similar to that for offshore safety representatives. 

  • Mermaid Captures Lost Buoy

    01 Feb 2003

    While working off St Ives on the north coast of Cornwall last month, the crew of the Trinity House Lighthouse Service vessel THV Mermaid captured a drifting navigation buoy. 

  • Rolls Royce Ups Waterjet Power Stakes

    01 Feb 2003

    Rolls Royce has developed the world's most powerful waterjets for a Japanese Techno-Superliner which will carry 700 passengers and 210 tonnes of cargo at 38 knots, cutting the journey time for the 1,000km voyage between Tokyo and the Ogasawara Islands by 10 hours. The 14,500grt Techno-Superliner, due to enter service in 2005, will measure 140m long with a beam of 29.8m. 

  • Demand Surge for Rough Terrain Container Handlers

    01 Feb 2003

    As mobilisation builds for a possible war with Iraq, the Tank Automotive & Armaments Command (TACOM) of the US Army has placed another delivery order with the Kalmar RT Center LLC for Rough Terrain Container Handlers (RTCH). The new delivery order totals 93 machines and other logistical items carrying a total price tag of $50m. 

Port, Harbour & Marine Construction

  • Felixstowe Expansion Underway

    01 Feb 2003

    Civil engineering contractors Costain began work earlier this month on a £28m project to extend Trinity Terminal at the UK Port of Felixstowe. The Port was granted the Harbour Revision Order to proceed with the works last October following a Public Inquiry earlier in 2002. 

  • Timber Research for Coastal and Fluvial Engineering

    01 Feb 2003

    Timber has traditionally been used for the construction of a wide variety of coastal and fluvial structures including groynes, jetties, lock gates and river bank protection throughout the UK. 

  • 'Amazone' in Africa for Pipeline Dredging Works

    01 Feb 2003

    The Belgian DEME Group recently deployed its powerful sea-going cutter suction dredger Amazone to Nigeria for trench dredging at the Offshore Gas Gathering System (OGGS) landfall on the southern shore of Bonny Island. The OGGS project is a final piece in Shell Oil's programme to phase out all gas flaring by 2008. 

  • Studies for Nile Delta Terminal

    01 Feb 2003

    EGS (International) recently completed a one year programme of metocean measurements in Egypt for the BG Group. BG are developing a new terminal to the west of the Nile Delta which will export LNG. 

  • Tests Underway to Enhance Recycled Decking

    01 Feb 2003

    Portsmouth UK based Plasti Ltd are conducting a series of tests in conjunction with Anglia Waterblast, Jotun and the Royal Military College at Shrivenham (part of Cranfield University) aimed at further enhancing the non-slip properties of their decking planks, which are manufactured from 100% recycled materials. 

  • Seacore Left High and Dry in Devon

    01 Feb 2003

    Cornwall based Seacore Ltd has demonstrated the versatility of one of its Skate II series jack up platforms during the replacement and extension of a seawall outfall pipeline down steep cliffs and out to sea to help enhance the water quality at one of the UK's premier surfing beaches at Croyde, North Devon. 

Port, Harbour & Marine Constructionnews

  • Goteborg Goes With the Changes

    01 Feb 2003

    The Swedish Port of Goteborg's board has approved the Port's largest ever investment package, authorising some $45m for upgrading facilities at the Skandia Container Terminal to accommodate the largest boxships envisioned for the future. 

  • Largest Limpet Dam In Action at the Port of Felixstowe

    01 Feb 2003

    John Martin Construction Ltd has recently undertaken some essential maintenance work at the Port of Felixstowe. 

  • Centrum Piles Up a Production Record

    01 Feb 2003

    Centrum Pile Ltd, formed by Aarsleff Piling in 2001, remains a wholly owned subsidiary of Aarsleff following the collapse last November of a proposed 50/50 joint ownership deal with Stent Foundations. 

Safety, Survival & Training

  • Extended CCTV for Aberden Harbour Security

    01 Feb 2003

    The existing CCTV system for Aberdeen Harbour UK, which handles four million tonnes of cargo annually, has been extended to cover other strategic areas of the port. 

  • Wolf Wins Marine Type Approvals

    01 Feb 2003

    Sheffield UK based Wolf Safety has obtained new marine Type Approvals from Lloyds Register and the MCA for their straight and right angle ATEX torches and updated Wolflite safety headlamps, which also conform to the forthcoming Explosive Atmospheres Equipment Directive 94/9/EC. 

  • Stacks of Opportunity for Trainee Marine Engineer

    01 Feb 2003

    Marine industry training provider ITE has placed the first marine engineer apprentice to be employed by UK marina operator Marina Development Ltd. Dave Webb approached Dorset based ITE with his wish to become a marine engineer and was given the two year apprenticeship at MDL's Cobb's Quay Marina in Poole. 

  • New Training Facility for Seattle

    01 Feb 2003

    The Pacific Maritime Institute (PMI) has selected Transas Marine USA to provide the navigational simulation systems for their new simulation and training facility which will open this summer in the Port of Seattle. 

  • Dutch Launch Vessel Evacuation Decision Research Project

    01 Feb 2003

    A high powered team has begun a research project in Holland which aims to investigate important factors that occur during the evacuation process on board ships and to subsequently develop technologies and procedures to make this process more efficient. 

  • Free Personal Protective Equipment Advice for the Marine Industries

    01 Feb 2003

    According to the British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF) the lead association for the Personal Protective Equipment Directive in the UK, many employers are confused when it comes to choosing the right equipment, especially when it is covered by different sets of regulations. The BSIF is offering free advice to employers within the marine industries on how best to select safety equipment for their staff. 

  • DBC Celebrates 25 Years of Marine Safety

    01 Feb 2003

    Canadian liferaft manufacturer DBC Marine Safety Systems is celebrating the 25th anniversary of its humble origins as a small service station in a Vancouver suburb. 

  • IACS to Update IMO Model Training Courses

    01 Feb 2003

    The International Association of Classification Societies has, at the request of the IMO, agreed to undertake a revision of six of the IMO's set of model training courses. The courses are intended to assist maritime training institutes and their teaching staff. 

  • VTS Training Expanded at South Tyneside College

    01 Feb 2003

    South Tyneside College has completed the installation of a £250,000 Vessel Traffic Services training and simulation centre with equipment supplied by Kongsberg Maritime Ship Systems. The new facilities increase the College's capacity to run VTS courses following IALA V103 guidance, for which it was the first training facility to be awarded MCA approval. 

  • On-Line Simulation Boosts Crew Training

    01 Feb 2003

    Kongsberg Maritime Ship Systems (KMSS) is enjoying a buoyant period for its training and simulation division, with recently signed contracts from the Canadian Coast Guard College, the Navy Academy in Taiwan and the AMA Computer College in the Philippines. KMSS has also opened a new training centre on its site in Horten, Norway. 

  • First Director for European Maritime Safety Agency

    01 Feb 2003

    Willem de Ruiter, currently head of the Maritime Safety Unit at the European Commission's Directorate General for Energy and Transport, has been appointed as the first head of its European Maritime Safety Agency. The 51 year old Dutchman has a degree in civil engineering and worked for the Netherlands' Ministry of Public Works before joining the EC in 1985. 

Tugs & Towing by Jack Gaston

  • Plymouth's Cattewater Order New Harbour Tug

    01 Feb 2003

    Cattewater Harbour Commissioners have awarded a contract to VT Halmatic of Portsmouth for the construction of a new harbour tug. Following a comprehensive tendering process the order was placed for a Halmatic WB18 tug/workboat for delivery later this year. 

  • Klyne Rescues New Hulls

    01 Feb 2003

    Whilst waiting to resume her duties as an Emergency Towing Vessel under contract to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency in April the Klyne tug Anglian Prince has spent the winter months on station in western approaches to the English Channel. 

  • Towlines

    01 Feb 2003

    Smit have sold the tractor tug Banjaardsbank from their harbour tug fleet in Rotterdam. The tug is a Voith Schneider tractor of 2600bhp and built for use in Europort in 1972. Banjaardsbank has gone to a towage company in Tromso, Norway. 

  • Svitzer Announce Huge Tug Order

    01 Feb 2003

    The giant towage and salvage operator Svitzer-Wijsmuller, with it's headquarters in Copenhagen, have announced a massive tug-building programme representing orders and options for 29 vessels of various types. 

  • More work for Smit with Bonga

    01 Feb 2003

    Dutch based towage, salvage and marine contractors Smit are continuing to support work to complete the 300,000 tonne FPSO Bonga on Tyneside. 

Vessel Repair & Maintenance

  • ASRY Enjoys Backyard Boom

    01 Feb 2003

    The ASRY Ship Repair Yard in Bahrain has reported a successful 2002, with some 95 vessels repaired ranging in size from ULCCs to diving support vessels. 

  • Cathelco Mussels In On Retrofit Anti-fouling System Market

    01 Feb 2003

    Although marine pipework anti-fouling systems are often installed in newbuildings, they are sometimes retrofitted in response to particular problems. 

  • Freight Ferries Converted

    01 Feb 2003

    Extra decks are being added to P&O Ferries' European Pathway and European Gateway at the Lloyd Werft shipyard in Bremerhaven, Germany as part of a £50m conversion project. 

  • Glassmen Fly 8,000 Miles For Vessel Repair

    01 Feb 2003

    In an astonishing tribute to British marine craftsmanship, a Falklands Islands shipping agent has flown GRP specialists the 8,000 miles to Port Stanley to repair an extensively damaged Aqua-Star 38 workboat. 

  • Pilgrim Eliminates Bolts From the Blue

    01 Feb 2003

    Removing the tail shafting from Caledonian MacBrayne's Isle of Lewis ferry, which runs from Ullapool to Stornaway, is a regular operation at overhaul and for survey. Recognising that the time consuming task would be necessary a number of times over the ship's remaining 20 to 25 year operational life, the owners wanted a solution installed that would overcome the unpredictable characteristics of conventional coupling bolts. 

  • Rebuilt Test Barge Makes Debut

    01 Feb 2003

    Smit Transport Europe has welcomed the New Years delivery of the Smit Engineering designed test lift barge E3505, which will be used by offshore crane vessel operators such as Heerema and Saipem to test their cranes. The E3505's first test is scheduled for this month with Saipem's S 7000 in Rotterdam. 

  • One Pass Thermoblast

    01 Feb 2003

    A new high performance blast cleaning system which greatly reduces abrasive usage in removing thick and difficult coatings is now available from Sheffield UK based Hodge Clemco. 

  • It's a Super Market for A&P Group

    01 Feb 2003

    Ship repair in the UK is looking positive for 2003 according to the A&P Group, which has confirmed that all 14 of their dry docks are full with various vessels under repair, refit and conversion. 

MTU IRONMEN