By Rob Gehling, FRINA Background As a naval architecture student, I was taught that the metacentre was applicable only at zero angle of heel, irrespective of its role in determining the initial slope of the righting lever curve. But it can be easily proven that the metacentre moves around at small angles of heel and […]
Fires onboard ships are a major problem facing the maritime industry. A small blaze can quickly spread out of control and engulf a whole vessel without proper firefighting and detection. For shipping enterprises, a fire has the potential to destroy large quantities of cargo in a short space of time, leading to huge insurance costs. […]
Emil Jonze, Docksta Varvet, Sweden and Dr Ronald Pelot / John Dalziel MRINA, Dalhousie University, Canada explain why the Docksta Loitering, Optionally Crewed, High Speed Rescue Vessel concept was deemed necessary, and run though the features of this innovative life-saver The following article is a slightly truncated version of presentations delivered at the World Maritime […]
UK life-saving appliance manufacturer Seago has launched a new version of its Cruiser Plus life raft for leisure boats and uncoded vessels, updated to comply with the new ISO 9650-2 standard. The Cruiser Plus comes packaged in either a fibreglass canister or a durable valise bag, and is available in four different sizes, to accommodate […]
EODEX, a UXO disposal specialist based in Aberdeen, UK, reports that it can offer “low order deflagration” techniques to neutralise mines and other munitions around developing European offshore wind sites, and is hoping to score more contracts within this sector. The group’s disposal solution differs significantly from ‘high order’ techniques, which typically involve using large […]
Maritime safety systems supplier Survitec has introduced a new pre-inspection service designed to help ship owners and managers optimise and expedite drydocking schedules, covering the servicing and inspection of onboard safety and lifesaving equipment. Under the terms of the scheme, a qualified service technician boards the ship during normal port operations to assess and verify […]
Total losses in global commercial shipping hit a record low in 2022, according to the annual safety and shipping review published by insurance provider Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS). Worldwide, 38 ships were lost last year, 35.6% fewer than the 59 vessels lost in 2021. This is the lowest level of loss in 12 […]
The Viking LifeCraft system is due to be installed on its first series of newbuild vessels. The system will serve as the main evacuation solution onboard the new diesel electric hybrid Interislander ferry fleet operated by KiwiRail to connect the two main islands of New Zealand KiwiRail ferries has provided a connection for 800,000 annual […]
Failure to eradicate injuries and fatalities from lifeboat launches is prompting demand for a drastic rethink, writes The Naval Architect‘s editor Daniel Johnson The potential dangers of lifeboat drills are in the news once again, following an intervention last month from the Container Ship Safety Forum (CSSF) calling for “a reinvention” of lifeboats onboard cargo […]
Danish vehicle deck simulation testing offers new insight into lithium-ion fires The Danish Institute of Fire and Security Technology (DBI) has conducted extensive testing of the effects of electric vehicle (EV) fires on ferry vehicle decks, to build up knowledge of how to bring these blazes under control. And, encouragingly, the result would appear to be an optimistic […]
A contract has been awarded for ongoing support of the NATO Submarine Rescue System as other countries also invest in submarine rescue capability In December 2022, UK-based JFD was awarded a further contract in support of the NATO Submarine Rescue System (NSRS). The NSRS ‘Third In-Service Support’ (3ISS) contract is a five-year contract that is […]
In July, the IMO Council will convene for the election of a new Secretary General. Needless to say the pending appointment will come at a critical time for the organisation, particularly with regard to the growing outside pressure to adopt binding and robust instruments to tackle shipping’s carbon emissions. As befits one of maritime’s most […]