The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has cited survey failings in the results of its investigation into the loss of propulsion control and subsequent contact with a moored barge by Oceandiva London.

On June 22, 2023, the inland waterways passenger vessel lost propulsion control and contacted a moored hopper barge at Halfway Reach on the River Thames, London. Oceandiva London was undergoing propulsion trials as part of its Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) survey required for the issue of a Passenger Ship Safety Certificate.

The impact damage to Oceandiva London included breaches to its hull plating above the waterline with deformation of decks and structural frames. There were no passengers on board and none of the six crew or 12 contractors were injured.

Oceandiva London’s propulsion and electrical power system was supplied by a stored energy system with two battery banks driving two electric motors and a bow thruster. On the day of the accident the attending MCA surveyor’s requirement was to trial the power and propulsion system under various operating conditions, including in system failure mode.

The first set of trials involved depleting the batteries to verify battery performance. The next set of trials assessed maneuvering…

A study published by Norbert Bulten, Product Performance Manager at Wärtsilä, has demonstrated that “there is more in life than the straight-sailing, calm water condition.”

The research was carried out within the EU-funded CHEK project and involved full-scale CFD simulations that focused on the impact of rudder steering and vessel motion.

The study compared a gate rudder concept to a conventional semi-spade rudder for a Kamsarmax bulker.

Typically, a rudder is placed behind the propeller, where the movable part can be a part (semi-spade) or the complete rudder section (full-spade). The rudder profile sections can be pre-aligned with the incoming flow (twisted leading edge) or straight.

In contrast, the concept of a gate rudder has two symmetrical rudder parts located on either side of the propeller where the downstream, accelerated flow does not directly interact with the rudder. The rudder sections instead target a stagnation point of the flow close to the outer-side of the rudder leading edge. This creates a low-pressure region on the inner side of the gate rudder, which creates a net-thrust force. While both rudder parts are positioned at the same steering angle, their effect is…

RSC Bio Solutions launched FUTERRA Compressor Oils, synthetic lubricants designed to meet the performance demands of industrial and marine sectors while addressing sustainability needs.

FUTERRA Compressor Oil is formulated with a synthetic, sustainable base oil, offering outstanding thermal stability, long service intervals, and inherent biodegradability. This product is tailored to rotary screw, reciprocating, and other high-performance air compressors in applications where reliability and environmental compliance are critical.

FUTERRA Compressor Oil provides a solution for industries that operate in environmentally sensitive areas, such as offshore energy, marine vessels, and heavy-duty industrial sites. This lubricant helps companies meet environmental regulations while optimizing equipment performance, extending service life, and reducing operational costs. By using renewable base oils, it contributes to decarbonization efforts in high-demand sectors.

“FUTERRA sets a new standard for compressor oils,” said Mike Guggenheimer, President & CEO at RSC Bio Solutions. “Customers no longer need to compromise between performance and sustainability. With FUTERRA, we are empowering marine and industrial businesses to enhance operational efficiency and…

Conrad Shipyard announced it has delivered the first Yard, Repair, Berthing, Messing (YRBM) vessel to the U.S. Navy. The delivery took place at Conrad’s shipyard in Amelia, La., where the final inspection by key Navy officials took place.

This YRBM vessel, the first in its class, was designed and constructed by Conrad Shipyard, featuring a new and innovative design tailored to meet the U.S. Navy’s operational needs. The vessel recently completed its acceptance trials during the challenging conditions of Hurricane Francine.

The delivered YRBM is part of a larger contract with seven more vessels currently under construction. On Wednesday, Navy officials visited Conrad’s shipyard in Amelia where construction is taking place and participated in a ceremonial hull plate signing to commemorate the construction of YRBM 61 and YRBM 62.

RADM Kevin Smith expressed that the Navy is “really excited to recognize Conrad as a new member of the navy shipbuilding team and their outstanding performance on YRBM 57; a much-needed berthing barge which will greatly improve Sailor Quality of Service.”

The vessel will be stationed at its initial homeport in Japan, where it will serve to enhance naval operations in the region.

Johnny Conrad, CEO of Conrad Shipyard,…

Nebo Global is launching its NeboFleet tracking solution for workboat fleets at the International Workboat Show, November 12, 2024.

Already in operation with selected businesses in the United States and Australia, NeboFleet provides fleet managers and operational staff with a clear view of fleet and vessel status and an accurate track of where each vessel has been.

Nebo Fleet is accessed via a secure online portal and app, with a self-contained, waterproof GPS tracker installed on each vessel. Nebos provide a managed service, including secure data transmission from each vessel and rapid support.

Stephen Winter, Nebo Global’s founder and Technical Director said: “Nebo Fleet has been live with a number of our key clients for over 18 months, and all report significant improvements across their operations. With both wired and battery-powered devices, installation on old and new vessels is easy, and results are instantaneous.

“We’re super-keen to demonstrate how quickly NeboFleet adds value, particularly by integrating with client’s existing systems. Inserting arrival and departure times and passing mile markers on river systems are simple examples of automation and integration that save time and improve the accuracy of vessel logs.”

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French engineering company GTT has received an order from Korean shipyard HD Hyundai Samho for the tank design of two new Ultra Large Ethane Carriers (ULEC).

The order has been placed on behalf of shipowner Eastern Pacific Shipping.

GTT will design the tanks of these two vessels, which will each offer total capacity of 150,000 m3. The tanks will be fitted with the Mark III membrane containment system developed by GTT.

The containment system has been designed to carry a wide range of liquefied gases from the petrochemical industry, in addition to LNG, allowing broad operational flexibility over the vessel’s lifetime.

The delivery of the vessels is scheduled between the second and third quarters of 2027.