A propeller arrester developed for protecting shipping in high-risk piracy areas by Channel Islands-based piracy and maritime security specialist Merchant Maritime Warfare Centre, is to be showcased in the Solent on September 14 onboard the SS Shieldhall.

Merchant Maritime Warfare Centre, established last year by piracy expert Nick Davis and a number of security and former military officials, said the device created an impenetrable security perimeter around a vessel which, when crossed, caused failure of the attacking vessel’s propulsion, rendering it disabled.

Rigged to heavy-duty booms and deployed prior to entering high-risk areas, the propeller arrester released lines of strong buoyant rope which floated on the surface of the water, without interfering with the deploying vessel’s own propeller.

According to the company, the device can be deployed quickly with minimal manpower, remaining effective when left unattended regardless of vessel speed and design, and irrespective of the cargo carried and prevailing weather conditions. Once transit has been completed and the threat of attack has passed, the propeller arrester can be wound back onto drums and stored onboard.

“The propeller arrester offers, for the first time, a non-lethal countermeasure that is capable of stopping single and multiple-vessel attacks by preventing the attackers getting close enough to effect a means of contact prior to boarding,” said Mr Davis. “It is reusable, repairable and a fraction of the cost of having an armed or unarmed team onboard.

“Until now, shipping companies have had a major disadvantage in that, by the time onboard countermeasures to protect against unlawful boarding have become effective, the pirates are already onboard. That is not the case with the propeller arrester which, if used as part of a layered defence system and operated by well-trained crew, will enable ships to prevent attacking vessels getting close enough to attempt boarding, or will at least make them such an unattractive target that the pirates will look for alternatives.”

During the exercise on September 14, the SS Shieldhall, a cargo steamship built on the Clyde in1955, will be targeted by pirates on a skiff which will subsequently be caught up in the propeller arrester while communication is maintained with naval and coastguard agencies. Merchant Maritime Warfare Centre will recreate a full briefing as if the ship were about to enter the Gulf of Aden, demonstrating crew training, intelligence briefings, and watch-keeping using its new bridge-installed security radar.

Rod Beams, creator of the COBALT engineering modules which are distributed by Videotel Marine International, has been recognised for outstanding learning and teaching practices in engineering education through the Higher Education Academy’s Engineering Subject Centre Teaching Awards 2010.

Mr Beams has been appointed one of only seven finalists in this year’s Teaching Awards which are supported by the Engineering Council. Finalists demonstrated their work to the Engineering Subject Centre team and they were impressed by his case study examining the use of more than 300 modules of computer-based teaching/training (CBT) to support both in-class teaching and self-study periods. His report has been published on the Engineering Subject Centre’s website.

Professor John Dickens, Director of the Engineering Subject Centre, said: “These awards highlight the many excellent engineering teachers throughout UK higher education.”

Stephen Bond, Videotel Deputy Chairman, said: “We are delighted that Rod Beams has been recognised for his excellent work. Videotel is honoured to be able to support Rod’s COBALT engineering modules which are proving very popular with our world-wide clients throughout the maritime industry.”

Rod Beams runs a B.Eng (Hons) Marine Engineering Technology degree at the University of Greenwich at Medway’s School of Engineering. This is a degree that concentrates on system operation, maintenance, problem analysis and solution.

INTERTANKO’s Council will be invited at its October meeting in Singapore to appoint Joe Angelo, deputy managing director to succeed Peter Swift as managing director on his retirement on 31 December, 2010. In addition, Katharina ‘Kathi’ Stanzel has been appointed Deputy managing director. INTERTANKO had an overwhelming level of interest in the position and some highly qualified and capable individuals were shortlisted.

“We are grateful and flattered by some of the names who threw their hat into the ring,” said Graham Westgarth, INTERTANKO’s chairman. “Ultimately however, we felt that Joe and Kathi working together to lead INTERTANKO through its change of MD was an optimal solution.”

Joe Angelo has worked for INTERTANKO for six years, first as director of regulatory affairs and the Americas. Prior to joining INTERTANKO he held various senior roles in the United States Coast Guard, lastly as director of standards for marine safety, security and environmental protection, where he led U.S. delegations at the International Maritime Organization. As the existing deputy managing director, he ensures continuity and stability to INTERTANKO’s membership upon Peter’s departure.

“Joe is a well respected figure not only within INTERTANKO but also in the corridors of the IMO and the international shipping community. Having initially not been available for selection we are delighted this subsequently changed and are pleased that he agreed to take up the challenge,” said Westgarth. Kathi Stanzel joins INTERTANKO from the International Oil Pollution Compensation Funds (IOPC). A marine biologist by profession, she has worked in senior technical advisory and claims management roles within the marine pollution sector.

“In her twelve years with ITOPF and IOPC, Kathi has attended and been responsible for handling many major ship source pollution incidents including the Erika and Prestige,” said Westgarth. “Acting as a signatory on behalf of the 1971 and 1992 Oil Pollution Compensation Funds, she advises governments on oil pollution response measures and potential impacts. She has been extensively involved in the work of the OPRC-HNS Technical Group and the development of IMO guidance documents for the Marine Environment Protection Committee, focusing both on oil and other hazardous and noxious substances.” “Peter is a hard act to follow,” said Westgarth. “He has been a committed and passionate spokesman and a driving force for better standards in the tanker industry for many years. His energy and inspiration will be sorely missed. INTERTANKO’s membership is indebted to him.”

The absurd process for allocating wind farm sites around the UK coast is wasting time and money according to the Chamber of Shipping, the trade association for UK shipowners and managers. The flawed process also threatens the nation’s trade routes and the safety of the seafarers. It could even mean that the environmental benefits of wind generation are lost due to the lengthy diversions forced on traditionally powered ships.

“All too often, shipping and other users of our seas are not taken into account or consulted until after the sites have been designed,” said Saurabh Sachdeva, Nautical Consultant at the Chamber of Shipping.

“By this time, a substantial sum of money has already been spent by the developers on economic and environmental assessments, making them naturally defensive of the proposed sites and not receptive to suggestions that the sites are unsuitable because of concerns over maritime safety or negative economic impact on shipping and other industries.”

According to the Chamber, shipping interests fully recognise the importance of renewable energy sources and especially offshore wind. They also stand to benefit commercially since offshore wind generation offers significant market opportunities both in the UK and later, through ‘first mover’ expertise, elsewhere in the world. Maritime sectors that may see business opportunities include the ports, survey vessels, offshore construction vessels, jack-up rigs, maintenance vessels and cable layers.

It said in a statement: “There is a lot to gain, but shipping believes that it must not be at the expense of safety for seafarers or risk to our trade routes. Such risks can be removed by ensuring that the safety of navigation and potential impact on trade routes are considered at an early a stage when identifying and deciding on future wind farm sites.

“The current process is neither simple nor rational and on several occasions developers have failed to apply the government’s marine safety codes, guidance and policies in a coherent and transparent manner. If wind farms are to be delivered in a safe and responsible manner then robust decisions, based on sound criteria, will need to be made taken. The shipping industry’s major concern is that, despite the various codes of practice, Maritime Notices and the requirements of the Electricity Act, Offshore Renewable Energy developments are increasingly encroaching on well-established sea lanes, strategic trade routes and the approaches to ports. Applications for developments continue to be put forward which clearly represent a danger to other sea users.”

The Chamber of Shipping – which represents the UK’s shipping industry and has a reputation as being at the forefront of campaigns to improve the already excellent environmental impact of the industry – is lobbying government, the Crown Estates (who own and allocate the seabed areas for wind farm developments) and the developers for a radical change to the way developments are approved.

It sees the answer as being to avoid conflicts that might arise between the energy and the maritime sector through a two pronged approach:

· Firstly, the major shipping trade routes, lanes and subsidiary routes used by commercial, non-commercial and fishing vessels around the UK should be clearly designated and preserved.

Any pre-assessment of recognised shipping lanes should not only take into account existing trade routes but also be future-proofed, so that Government can respond to any policy need for new routes to become available.

· In order to achieve this, Government should bring together all relevant departments and bodies which have an interest for central discussions aimed at identifying current and future shipping routes around the UK coastline which are considered essential and of commercial significance.

Such discussions would have the benefit of giving clear and agreed direction, over and above the current guidance, to all parties – prior to the submission of individual development tender processes and applications – on those areas where developments will not be accepted.

This approach would be ‘better regulation’ since it would save developers, government and stakeholders valuable time and resources when presenting and processing applications and by making planning consultations more focused on specific practical concerns relating to the specific site and minimising conflicts between the different interests.

Such a move could, at a stroke, be fundamental in ensuring the safe, successful and timely delivery of the government’s renewable energy obligations – whilst keeping the trading nation, UK PLC in business.

The successful completion by four Irish Navy officers of a period of secondment to international shipowning group d’Amico, marks an important milestone in new and close training co-operation between the Irish Naval Service and the Italian shipping company, which manages vessels under the Irish Tonnage Tax regime, from its Dublin office.

“We are delighted that this first step in training co-operation has gone so well,” commented Capt. John Dolan, General Manager of d’Amico Tankers Limited. “The primary objective was to provide the Irish Naval Service personnel with training on board our merchant vessels. The four officers were seconded to products tankers within our fleet as these vessels were considered the most appropriate, based on their size, trading schedules and cargoes carried.”

“This enabled the officers to gain valuable experience in modern tanker operations, safety management and compliance, the handling of hazardous cargoes, large vessel manoeuvring and deep sea navigation,” Dolan explained. “The officers were also able to meet and discuss topical issues with our senior marine and technical Group managers, Ishima Ship Management, in Singapore.”

“This training partnership reflects both the d’Amico Group’s and the Irish Naval Service’s commitment to achieving the highest standards in vessel operations,” Dolan added. “We hope that this relationship will develop further with the recent entry of d’Amico Dry into the Tonnage Tax scheme. This, in turn, represents our commitment to the maritime cluster and is consistent with promoting the Tonnage Tax scheme in Ireland to boost and retain maritime skills in the country.”

Commander Martin Counihan, Commandant Naval College & Associate Head of the National Maritime College of Ireland, emphasised how useful this deployment was for both the Naval Service and the training officers embarked with d’Amico. “The sea-time and experience gained is essential to both our naval training and the achievement of shipping industry standard STCW certification. Our officers gained important practical experience on board modern merchant vessels. They were also able to better appreciate the operational routines behind the success of a first class international commercial shipping operation which manages large ocean-going tankers safely on a daily basis. This partnership has been most successful and hopefully will continue into the future.”

Both d’Amico and the Irish Naval Service are keen to promote continuing co-operation between the two maritime sectors. It is likely that similar arrangements will be put in place for more naval officers in due course.

The University of Trinidad and Tobago has introduced a diploma in maritime operations to assist in filling the void which existed for local students wishing to pursue careers in the maritime industry. This course of study prepares students for a career as shipboard officers in either the navigation or engineering disciplines. Classroom theory, simulator-room teaching and mandatory sea training are all aspects of this programme, which has attracted the likes of Belgian-based shipping company, Exmar Shipmanagement.

The co-operation between UTT and Exmar began in 2006 when there was an identified need for extra officer recruitment sources due to the worldwide shortage of qualified seafarers, UTT stated in a release. Exmar had already established a local presence due to operating an ammonia and LNG fleet and expressed an interest in UTT’s maritime programmes and training resources. Exmar’s interest led to a cadet training agreement, signed on May 8, 2007, which enabled UTT cadets to enrol on the company’s vessels. 
 
Since then, more than 60 deck and engine cadets have trained on the fleet and have performed creditably with overwhelmingly positive feedback from the ship’s staff, UTT stated: “The cadets have been credited with having good basic knowledge and seafaring skills; coupled with the right enthusiasm and motivation to carry out assigned tasks. The cadets are part of an eclectic cultural mix and are well able to adapt culturally and socially to life at sea. To date, there are 12 UTT graduates who have joined Exmar’s fleet as watchkeeping officers,” UTT said.

As the Maritime Authority of T&T was not yet approved to issue STCW certificates of competency, examination and professional certificates were initially carried out through the Maritime Authority of Jamaica. 

The UTT said that since June 2010, the programmes and facilities of the Chaguaramas campus have been audited and approved by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency of the United Kingdom (MCA). That body will now issue professional certificates. The facilities of the University’s Chaguaramas Campus have been visited several times by representatives of Exmar Shipmanagement and, on one occasion, by the Principal of the Antwerp Maritime Academy. They have all expressed favour with the facilities at the Campus and have been impressed, not only by the infrastructure, but also by the quality of teaching which is ably led by Prof Colin Stevenson, programme professor, maritime studies.

Videotel Marine International, the world’s major producer of training videos, DVDs and computer based training programmes for the global maritime industry, has received approval for a number of its products from two of the industry’s leading players.

The Institute of Marine Engineering, Science & Technology (IMarEST) has approved a series of Videotel programmes for the value it believes they contribute to an individual IMarEST member’s professional development requirements.

While the Liberian flag has given its support to a series of training courses that are geared specifically to the safe operation of vessels flying its flag.

The programmes approved by IMarEST include:

• Environmental Officer Training Course
• Ballast Water Management
• Ship to Ship Transfer – Petroleum & Liquid Cargoes
• Handling Vegetable Oils
• Engine Room Waste Management: Oily Water & Separators
• Engine Room Waste Management: The Oil Record Book
• Engine Room Waste Management: Sludge & the Incinerator
• Engine Room Waste Management: Sewage & Waste Water Treatment
• MARPOL Annex VI – Prevention of Air Pollution
• It’s Not Worth It! Maritime Pollution Offences
• Vessel General Permit
• Accident Files: Entry into Enclosed Spaces
• Onboard Energy Saving and the Environment
• Over and Under Pressurisation of Tanks
• Tank Cleaning Practice
• TMSA 2

While Liberia has approved the following courses:

• Maritime Labour Convention 2006 Training Course
• ISM Designated Person Basic Training Course
• Safety Officer Training Course
• Tanker Familiarisation Training Course
• Oil Tanker Safety Training Course
• Chemical Tanker Safety Training Course
• Liquefied Gas Tanker Safety Course

Stephen Bond, Videotel Deputy Chairman, said: “We are delighted to receive this official recognition for our training programmes. We at Videotel put a great deal of effort into our research and development to ensure we produce relevant, accurate and up-to-date training solutions which are accredited within the industry.”

MTN Satellite Communications has been selected by German heavylift carrier Beluga Shipping to install a broadband VSAT system on its P-class super newbuilding Beluga Shanghai.

Beluga Shanghai has a loading capacity of up to 20,000dwt and crane capacities of between 800 and 1,400 tons.

MTN’s Ku-band network will provide global coverage of the majority of the world’s sea lanes while Inmarsat Fleet Broadband 500 satellite terminals will be used as an alternative satellite connection with automatic switchover when out of position of the Ku-band coverage area.

The software also offers a routeing analysis designed to uncover optimum communication pathways and save on costs. The initial service plan guarantees 128 kbps committed information rates with the option to access higher rates as required.

Niels Stolberg, president and chief executive of Beluga Shipping said: “MTN offered excellent Ku-band coverage with a guarantee of uncontended bandwidth and built-in ability to upgrade to additional bandwidth as needed. MTN has excellent references in integrating high-bandwidth satellite connectivity with shipboard and shore-side IT systems.”

He said Beluga may consider installing the MTN VSAT solution onboard additional vessels.

Cardiac issues onboard ship are a big concern but how healthy are your crew’s teeth? Research has shown that the poor state of your second mate’s rotten molar could be doing more damage to his health than just a nasty toothache and a bad bout of halitosis!

Dental health is believed to have an impact on coronary health and there have been studies done that suggest clean and healthy teeth are a good marker for good coronary health. This is an important finding for the maritime sector because of their onboard working schedules. If someone has an erratic schedule it is tough to be vigilant with the more mundane daily functions such as cleaning your teeth because you are either tired or overworked.

Indeed, dental issues are becoming so worrying that many screening companies are asking examining physicians to perform a dental examination and have added sections to their paperwork to increase scrutiny of their seafarers’ dental health.

As Mark Kelly from Andersen Kelly said: “I have noticed when looking at the statistics that more seafarers are complaining about their teeth. One reason for this is that in the US the average age of the mariner is increasing. We weren’t supposed to have our teeth for as long as we live but if we can we will.

“We have heard of a mariner who was taken off a vessel complaining of a pain in his hip but it turned out that the infection that had set in his hip originated from his tooth. There is increasing medical evidence that dental health is indicative of the holistic health of your body. After examining the patient, doctors were certain the infection migrated from the oral cavity in his mouth entered his blood stream and settled in his hip. They don’t know how long it took.

“When they looked at the pathogens they found they came from mouth and they checked his mouth and found problems he was not aware of. He probably had had a toothache but ignored the pain which eventually went away.”

Malaysian petroleum shipping company AET has purchased two newbuild 6,600 dwt product tankers, continuing its efforts towards a clean fleet.

The vessels AET Sanjar and AET Nissa were built by the Okskaya Sudoverf Joint Stock Company in Russia and are sister vessels to AET Gala which was delivered earlier this year. All three vessels are operating under the Marshall Islands flag.

The two newbuilds were formally accepted during a naming ceremony in Haydarpasa Port, Istanbul on 7 August 2010.

AET Sanjar and AET Nissa were named by Datin Sharifah Salwa and Datin Roi Hanah; the wives of AET chairman Dato’ Shamsul Azhar Abbas and deputy chairman Datuk Nasarudin Mohd Idris.

Hor Weng Yew, AET President and chief executive said: “With these new vessels joining us today, our fleet now stands at 76 vessels with a combined capacity of more than 9 million dwt.”