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Survitec Group introduces new lifeboat Fall Preventer Device

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 29 May 2012 29 May 2012

Survitec Group has developed a new Fall Preventer Device (FPD) to help reduce the number of accidents caused by the failure of on-load lifeboat release hooks. The product comes with a Lloyd's Register certificate as standard.

Following a number of accidents, ship owners are being strongly advised to ensure that all vessels are now equipped with this sort of device to ensure compliance with MSC guidance circular 1327.

In use the FPD's are attached between the lifeboat and the fore and aft davit fall blocks. This provides a second line of safety in case the loaded hook system fails while lowering or raising the lifeboat. The safety strops are removed before activating the sling release mechanism just before the lifeboat enters the water. The strops are then reattached before the lifeboat is retrieved from the water.

Each FPD is marked with the date it first came into service and it is stressed that the strop should not be used for any other purpose. All FPDs need to be in place before any drill, testing, inspection or maintenance work is carried out that requires people to be in the lifeboat.

Manufactured from Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) rope, Survitec's new Fall Preventer Device is exceptionally strong yet it is easy to handle by the ship's crew. It offers excellent resistance to UV and chemical damage. The product is supplied with an instruction manual and a safety warning tag to attach to the release handle in the lifeboat to remind operators to remove the FPD before activating the lifeboat release mechanism. Fully compliant with the MSC.1/Circ 1327 guidelines, the FPD can be retrofitted to all existing release and retrieval systems.

Under the new regulations adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in 2011 all new on-load release mechanisms for lifeboats must be evaluated against new design requirements by 1 July 2013. Any non-compliant hooks must be replaced no later than the first scheduled dry docking of the ship after 1 July 2014 but in any case, not later than 1 July 2019.

Uni-Safe reminds of BNWAS deadline

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 28 May 2012 28 May 2012

On 1st July 2012, the next deadline for installation of BNWAS (Bridge Navigational Watch Alarm Systems) enters into force. Uni-Safe Electronics has successfully delivered more than 2,000 BNWAS systems.

BNWAS BW-800 has several Type Approvals and there for e complies with the regulations from IMO: MSC.128 (75) and the new IEC 62616 per ormance standard. All Type Approvals are available for download on www.unielec.dk. Uni-Safe Electronics will be displaying their BNWAS BW-800 system at the for the coming maritime exhibition: SMM running from 4th September - 7th September 2012 at Stand no. B6.427. Learn more about BNWAS BW-800 and other exhibitions BNWAS BW-800 will be displayed by checking Uni-Safe Electronics’ website: www.unielec.dk

Installation of BW-800 on “Leonora Christina”

Uni-Safe Electronics’ Australian agent: AMI Marine International supplied high-speed catamaran ferry “Leonora Christina” operating between Denmark and Sweden the total electronics navigation/communications and entertainment package, including the BNWAS BW-800 system. (“Leonora Christina” is the largest vessel built by Austal Ships).

Making safety a priority!

Now more than ever, focusing on safety on board ships is essential. Baring in mind the colossal damages collisions and groundings can cause, maintaining a high standard of safety at the bridge is crucial. The financial consequences to ship owners, due to ship loss or penalties can also be devastating. But with the installation of BNWAS BW-800, the vessel ensures that the officer on watch is alert and competent to carry out his duties.

Quality BNWAS systems

BNWAS BW-800 is designed as a cost effective product and it is easy to install which means low installation costs for the vessel owner. The small size of the units makes it easy to install on vessels with limited space for new equipment. Most of the systems are installed as retrofit when the vessel is sailing from one port to another or installed the next time the vessel is in dock. High quality and safety first are keywords for Uni-Safe Electronics.

Installation Deadlines:

Many vessel owners are not aware of the new regulations and deadlines for installation of BNWAS. If the vessel has failed to comply with the new regulations in due time the vessel will not be allowed to sail should a surveyor inspect the installations. To avoid a panic situation, Uni-Safe Electronics recommends vessel owners to install the BNWAS in due time, e.g. next time the vessel is docking. Uni-Safe Electronics is able to deliver BNWAS BW-800 on a day-to-day basis.

1 July 2011: New ships over 150 GT and all new passenger ships

1 July 2012: Existing passenger ships and ships over 3.000 GT

1 July 2013: Existing ships over 500 GT

1 July 2014: Existing ships over 150 GT

Wärtsilä to supply dual fuel engines to inland waterway cargo vessel

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 08 May 2012 08 May 2012

Wärtsilä, the marine industry's leading total solutions provider, has been contracted to supply a complete power system, including two of its 6-cylinder Wärtsilä 20DF dual-fuel medium-speed engines, for a new dry cargo inland waterway vessel. This order extends the benefits of gas fuelled operation to an inland waterway vessel, and represents a strong endorsement of gas as a marine fuel. The vessel will be part of the ECO2 Inland Vessel project, which is focused on developing innovative measures for making the inland shipping sector more economically and environmentally sound. A transition to liquefied natural gas (LNG) is widely viewed as being one of the most realistic options for significantly reducing the environmental footprint of marine transportation.

This will be the first ever medium speed, dual-fuel, mechanically driven inland waterway vessel capable of operating for 95-99 percent of the time on LNG fuel, with a minimum of pilot marine gas oil (MGO) used for ignition. The engines are also capable of operating fully on MGO. In addition to the two Wärtsilä dual-fuel engines, the scope of the order includes two fixed pitch propellers in a nozzle, the coldbox, and the LNG tanks.

The 135 meter vessel will set new standards in environmentally and economically sustainable operations on inland waterways in the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium and France. The vessel is being built for Combi International, a Dutch ship development, design and construction company located in Raamsdonksveer. The order has been placed by Koedood Diesel Service BV.

ECO2 Inland Vessel project

The vessel is the first of three inland vessels that will serve as pilots for innovative, environmentally sound power systems (engines and propulsion) for inland shipping. All three vessels will be designed, tested and implemented within the ECO2 Inland Vessel project.

A consortium of companies have joined forces in this project with Wärtsilä Netherlands BV as the co-ordinating partner. The other partners are Koedood Dieselservice, Combi Group BV, Reederei Deymann, TNO, DST and Hochschule Emden-Leer. The project's goal is to identify the most efficient and economical power systems for various types of inland shipping vessels, to the ultimate benefit of the global inland shipping industry. The project is part of a larger initiative known as MariTIM (Maritime Technologies and Innovations Model region Germany-The Netherlands), sponsored by the EU.

"This ECO2 Inland Vessel project is helping the inland shipping industry to become more sustainable, whilst at the same time increasing fuel efficiency and reducing costs. Under the auspices of the project, all three pilot vessels will be monitored for up to three years in order to provide valuable input data for future generations of inland waterway vessels. The Wärtsilä dual-fuel engines have proven their reliability throughout five million running hours, which clearly indicates our leading position in this field. Wärtsilä's dual-fuel engine technology, which is well established in ocean going applications, can now be applied to small scale LNG fuelled vessel applications," says Bram Kruyt, Director, Inland Water Ways, Wärtsilä Services at Wärtsilä Netherlands B.V.

Wärtsilä 20DF engines

Wärtsilä's dual-fuel (DF) engine technology allows flexibility in fuel choice, since the engines can operate either on LNG, MGO or HFO. In gas mode, harmful exhaust emissions are drastically reduced since nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions are cut by at least 85 percent, CO2 emissions by some 25 percent, while sulphur oxide (SOx) and particle emissions are reduced by almost 100 percent from those produced by standard diesel fuel marine engines. The engine is fully compliant with the IMO Tier III exhaust emission regulations.

Harris CapRock selected as communications service provider to Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. fleet

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 05 May 2012 05 May 2012

Harris CapRock Communications, a global provider of fully managed communications for remote and harsh environments, has signed a five-year agreement with cruise operator Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. to provide communications services onboard its fleet of 34 ships in the Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises brands. The hybrid satellite and terrestrial communications solution will enable Royal Caribbean to dramatically improve overall communications performance while enhancing guest experience and crew morale.

"At Royal Caribbean, our goal is for guests to have the best experience possible while vacationing on our ships," said Bill Martin, vice president and chief information officer, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. "An important part of that experience is the communications service made available to them and making sure it performs above their expectations. We set a goal to change the market expectations for onboard communications, and with Harris CapRock’s innovative solution, our guests will be able to remain connected with friends and family onshore in ways not possible on any other cruise ship."

To meet Royal Caribbean’s needs for vessel administration, guest satisfaction and crew welfare, Harris CapRock will deploy a fully managed, end-to-end Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) and terrestrial communications solution that will enable access to Royal Caribbean’s corporate network and business applications, broadband Internet, and telephony services. Royal Caribbean will receive equipment, installation, maintenance, service and 24/7 proactive monitoring and support from Harris CapRock’s global Customer Support Center.

The hybrid solution combines Ku-band, C-band and shore wireless connectivity, designed so that the ships can switch seamlessly from one preferred platform to another to maximize service availability and avoid downtime. Each ship will be equipped with two or three of Harris CapRock’s stabilized VSAT antenna systems to provide the optimal level of flexibility and availability.

"Harris CapRock worked hand-in-hand with Royal Caribbean to develop a customized solution required to meet their needs," said Rick Simonian, president of Maritime Solutions, Harris CapRock. "Royal Caribbean is known for using information technology innovations to provide its guests and crew with the best onboard experience possible. By selecting Harris CapRock as its provider, they can rest assured that we are there to meet their communications needs of today and tomorrow."

Harris CapRock Communications is a premier global provider of managed satellite and terrestrial communications solutions, specifically for remote and harsh environments including the energy, government and maritime markets. Harris CapRock owns and operates a robust global infrastructure that includes teleports on six continents, five 24/7 customer support centers, local presence in 23 countries, and over 275 global field service personnel supporting customer locations across North America, Central and South America, Europe, West Africa and Asia Pacific.

Sance wins TUI Cruises’ cabin engineering contract

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 03 May 2012 03 May 2012

Sance, a Finnish engineering company, has won an order from STX Finland Cabin Ltd, which is part of the STX Europe Group, concerning passenger cabins’ HVAC, electrical and interior design (excluding suites). This contract will employ 5 people for about a year.

This is the second contract the company has won with regards of the 97,000 gross ton ship Hamburg based TUI Cruises has on order at STX Finland, also an STX Europe Group member. At the end of last year, Sance was awarded a contract concerning part of the ship's HVAC basic design. The ship will be delivered to its owner in the spring 2014.

“We are happy to start our cooperation with STX Finland Cabins in terms of TUI project. STX Finland Cabins is known and honoured as a reliable cooperation partner who appreciates quality and schedule-proof work,” said Sance’s Managing Director Mr. Kalle Sandelin in a statement.