
OSV Operates on Green Hydrogen
An offshore support vessel (OSV) has successfully operated on green hydrogen in the German Wadden Sea.Aiming to minimize its environmental impact, operator Acta Marine, based in the Netherlands, decided to install eCap Marine’s containerized hydrogen-electric energy system on board its vessel Coastal Liberty.At the end of February 2024 the refitted OSV received class certification by DNV for its newly installed hydrogen system on board. eCap Marine, contracted by Offshore Service Gesellschaft mbH…

Historic Steam Ship Sailing Cleaner with New Bilge Filter
Environmental awareness is key priority for historic 83-year old steam yacht S/S UkkopekkaThe last surviving ship to have seen active service in Finland’s Winter Wars and Continuation Wars from 1939-1944 has stepped up its fight against marine pollution with the installation of new environmental protection products.Built in 1938, S/S Ukkopekka is a 35-meter privately owned passenger steamship operating cruise trips in the Finnish Archipelago Sea. This area of the Baltic is a MARPOL…

LR Awards AIP for Ammonia-fueled 23,000 TEU Box Ship
A design for an ammonia-fueled 23,000 TEU ultra-large containership has received approval in principle (AIP) from classification society Lloyd’s Register (LR), marking a key milestone in a joint development project (JDP) with South Korean shipbuilder Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) and engine manufacturer MAN Energy Solutions to develop ammonia propulsion ships.As part of the JDP launched earlier this year, DSME generated the basic design of the ammonia propulsion…

New Dual Channel Power Supply for Marine Engine Control
Powerbox has announced the release of a new dual channel power supply for Marine engine control. Based on a ruggedized platform for use in harsh environments, the ENMA500D24/2x27-CC provides two 27V/20A isolated outputs and a total power of 540W. The power supply is housed in a robust IP56 case, it is mechanically designed for efficient conduction cooling, and it complies with DNV/GL standards.From local low power DC/DC converters powering sensors to high power DC generators powering the whole boat…

Ten Tugs Equipped with SCHOTTEL and VULKAN
“Mark E. Kuebler”, “Ted C. Litton” and “Connelly M”, the first three terminal and escort tugs of a total of ten being constructed at Gulf Island Fabrication in the United States were recently delivered to Bay Houston Towing Co. Each of the Robert Allan-designed tugs is equipped with two SCHOTTEL Rudderpropellers type SRP 510 FP. In addition, VULKAN’s Safeguard Basic driveline protection system issues early warning when intervention in the propulsion drive train is required.SCHOTTEL…

Newmar Battery Chargers for Restored PT Boat
A U.S. Navy World War II PT boat, which was recently restored and rebuilt by volunteers at The National WWII Museum in New Orleans, has been equipped with modern state-of-the-art battery chargers from Newmar. After more than a decade of volunteer-provided planning and restoration work, PT-305 motored to its new home in a custom-built boathouse on Lake Pontchartrain March 25, where visitors can tour and arrange rides on the fully functioning vessel. It was a homecoming of sorts…

Shemara Refit Delivers Fast Ferry
Built by Shemara Refit LLP at its Isle of Wight shipyard, Red Jet 6 is Red Funnel’s largest and most innovative high-speed vessel yet. Named by HRH The Princess Royal at a ceremony in Cowes on July 4, 2016, the new craft is significant as it is the first high speed ferry to be built in Britain in over 16 years. Speaking at the naming ceremony Kevin George, Red Funnel’s CEO said, “It is only fitting that the naming ceremony took place where she was built in Cowes on the Isle of Wight.

Propulsion is the Next Step for Survitec's MES
The company that launched the world's first MES is now actively developing an Alternative Escape System (AES) for large passenger ships. Survitec Group wants to combine the benefits of chute evacuation with the advantage of propulsion, a feature that is normally the preserve of a traditional davit launched lifeboat. The new technology is being seen as the natural progression to Survitec's existing range of MES solutions but, according to Richard McCormick, Group Head of Sales for MES, it is more than an evolution of the company's MES concept.

Another Ferry Chooses WESMAR Thrusters
WESMAR announced that another ferry, the MV Norcon Galatea, has installed WESMAR’s commercial bow thrusters. The 387-ton, 125-foot Ro-Ro Passenger Ferry, owned by Norcon Marine Services, Clarenville, Newfoundland, provides support for the provincial ferry fleet serving Bell Island and Portugal Cove, Newfoundland. The Galatea has capacity for 70 passengers and 20 cars. The 40-year-old Ferry was previously the MV Hamilton Sound and owned by the Provincial Government, but in 2011 they sold her, and after extensive upgrades by its new owner the Provincial Government leased her back.

Disasters at Sea & Their Impact on Shipping Regulation
The history of marine safety is soaked in water and written in blood. “I think that most people will tell you that changes in marine safety are almost exclusively disaster-driven,” agrees Dr. Josh Smith, a professor at Kings Point and interim director of the American Merchant Marine Museum. It hasn’t always been that way. Actually, it’s been worse. Despite some efforts early on to exert some control over shipping practices, going to sea has been accepted as a risky undertaking as long as man has floated vessels.

Ocean Safety Appoints New Production Manager
U.K. independent safety supplier Ocean Safety appointed Gary Chant as Production Manager at its Southampton base. Gary will be responsible for leading the manufacturing and production facility of Ocean Safety’s liferafts, lifejackets and a full range of other safety equipment. The facility has recently seen a significant expansion, in particular as a result of a contract to supply liferafts to the RNLI’s fleet. “Gary’s role will establish a streamlined and efficient manufacturing facility that will track our growing demand,” commented Ocean Safety’s Managing Director Charlie Mill.

Tractor Tug M/V Robert Franco Arrives in Los Angeles
On July 1st, 2013 Harley Marine Service’s new Z-drive tractor tug, the M/V Robert Franco arrived in Southern California. This 100’x40’ tractor tug will enter the ship assist and tanker escort market for both Millennium Maritime and Harley Marine Services in Los Angeles and Long Beach Harbors. The M/V Robert Franco was built with the most technically and environmentally advanced equipment available. This tug features Tier III engines and cold ironing/shore power capabilities. It also marks the second Tier III engine on a ship assist/escort tug boat…
Cruise Industry Welcomes Latest IMO Safety Recommendations
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) & the European Cruise Council (ECC) applaud new IMO safety measures. Both CLIA & ECC are pleased with the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) decision to approve incorporation of the cruise industry's recommendation for the mandatory muster of passengers prior to departure from port in the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS). This anticipated regulatory change would be incorporated in SOLAS, which provides comprehensive mandates on safety equipment and procedures for ships.

Iconic Schooner Fitted With Pollution-free Bearings
Nova Scotia’s sailing ambassador, 'Bluenose II', fitted with Thordon Bearings' water-lubricated stern tube & rudder bearings. Nova Scotia’s sailing ambassador, the Bluenose II, relaunched September 29, 2012 in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia fitted with pollution-free water lubricated stern tube and rudder bearings. The extensive two-year $15.9 million restoration work was done by the Lunenburg Shipyard Alliance, made up of Covey Island Boat Works, Snyder's Shipyard and Lunenburg Industrial Foundry & Engineering.

Fire Extinguished on Gulf of Mexico Oil Platform
W&T Offshore provides information regarding incident on Ship Shoal 233 B Platform. At about 10:00 a.m. on the morning of September 26, 2012, a fire started on the W&T Ship Shoal 233 B Platform and was subsequently extinguished at 11:35 a.m. This production processing facility, which is operated by the Company, is located approximately 30 miles south of Louisiana in the Gulf of Mexico, in 128 feet of water. To respond to this incident, the Company activated its emergency response plan, evacuated personnel and mobilized equipment and personnel to assess and address the incident.
Canal Pleasure Cruise Venture Runs Aground
A UK businessman refitted a canal boat to carry up to 45 passengers along the Staffs & Worcester Canal without paying heed to safety requirements. The UK registered Canal Boat Hatherton Belle is a 20 metre vessel that had been adapted to carry up 45 passengers along the Staffs & Worcester Canal from Calf Heath Marina. The owner, local businessman Andy Small who also operates a bar next to the Marina, used the canal boat to take paying parties on cruises along the canal.

RiverHawk's Multimission Platform Launched
RiverHawk Launches First-of-Class Advanced Multimission Platform (AMP) at Tampa Yard. RiverHawk Fast Sea Frames (RHFSF) has launched its signature Advanced Multimission Platform (AMP) at its shipyard in Tampa, Florida. Fully designed and built in the United States, the 145-foot coastal security craft was contracted 12 months ago by the U S Department of the Navy’s Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) to Maritime Security Strategies (MSS) of Tampa, Florida. RiverHawk designed, produced and is outfitting the ship, scheduled for final delivery to NAVSEA in May.

World's First LNG Fueled Product Tanker
The Bit Viking is reportedly the world's first vessel in service whose main machinery has been converted to burn LNG as fuel. She is also the largest commercial vessel which is not an LNG tanker, to use LNG as fuel. After the conversion which was undertaken under the supervision of classification society Germanischer Lloyd (GL), the 25,000 dwt product tanker successfully completed sea trials. Owned by Sweden's Tarbit Shipping, "Bit Viking" now qualifies for lower nitrogen oxide (NOx) emission taxes under the Norwegian government's NOx fund scheme…