A JFC Marine Data Buoy is to monitor how noise impacts whales and dolphins was deployed off the coast of Baltimore, west Cork

Wednesday, 7th April 2021

A JFC Marine Data Buoy was deployed off the coast of Baltimore, west Cork, to monitor how noise impacts whales and dolphins as part of Ireland’s first-ever real-time acoustic monitoring project.

This specially designed Data Buoy, sited some 9 km off the coast of Baltimore, will gather data for this project over the next year. The Smart Whale Sounds project is being undertaken by Ocean Research and Conservation Association (ORCA) Ireland, a non-profit organisation based in Cork, in partnership with Rainforest Connection and supported by Huawei Ireland.

Lead researcher Emer Keaveney of ORCA Ireland, who is a marine mammal ecologist, said: “Increased levels of marine traffic from container ships, pleasure boats, speedboats, and eco-tour operators has created a significant noise pollution issue. According to Ms Keaveney “Sound pollution causes as much damage to marine life as overfishing, pollution and climate change, and is believed to cause behavioural changes that interfere with the health and survival of the animals.” An autonomous hydrophone, similar to an underwater microphone will be attached to the buoy. The researchers said it will record whale species in real time and train sophisticated machine learning models to identify different species calls. The data will be used to create a marine wildlife detection and classification model, which has the potential to be applied to other projects across the globe, they added. They said it will assist with identifying and classifying species in Irish waters, their distribution and behaviour, and how noise pollution is changing these patterns.

With over 30 years of experience in business at JFC Marine, our solutions are derived from customer understanding, innovative design, and expert engineering. Our marine division specialises in the engineering, design, and manufacturing of a comprehensive range of polyethene Navigation Buoys, which are designed to offer easy installation and provide a low-maintenance-cost solution to marine navigation.

The Navigation buoys range from Ø600mm to Ø3000mm in diameter and are supplied with a range of solar powered Marine Lanterns to suit all requirements. Lanterns are available with Monitoring and Control system, AIS, GSM & Satellite communications.

We offer a complete range of Data Buoy platforms up to Ø3000mm in diameter, which is suitable for a wide range of monitoring at sea, including Wave monitoring (Height and Direction), Environmental Monitoring (Turbidity/Hydrocarbon etc.), and Meteorological Monitoring (Wind speed & direction, Humidity etc.). JFC Marine Data/Met Buoy provides essential meteorological and oceanographic observations for weather forecasts, shipping bulletins, gale and swell warnings, as well as data for researchers and the general public. We also offer a variety of Mooring Buoys suitable for mooring vessels at sea.

Members of IALA, our navigation and communication buoys and lanterns are manufactured in accordance with IALA guidelines. Designed for use for both inshore and offshore applications our modular designed buoys are designed and manufactured for the most demanding conditions using superior quality materials offering excellent stability characteristics, power system versatility, and environmental credentials.

For further information on JFC Marine see www.jfcmarine.com

PDL Marine have completed the multi build patrol boats destined for Africa

Wednesday, 7th April 2021

PDL Marine Completes Multi-Build Patrol Boat Project for Africa

PDL Marine has completed the construction of six 10-metre patrol boats, destined for operations in Africa. These state-of-the-art vessels, designed primarily for harbour patrol duties, have undergone rigorous final sea trials in the Solent and surrounding waters, ensuring they meet all operational and performance requirements before delivery.

Each patrol boat has been engineered to perform effectively in demanding maritime environments. While they are designed for patrolling harbours, their robust construction and advanced design enable them to operate in adverse conditions when required. The vessels can reach speeds of up to 35 knots, providing rapid response capabilities when needed. Additionally, they are designed to accommodate a crew of up to four personnel, ensuring sufficient manpower for various operational tasks.

Delivering High-Performance Patrol Vessels

PDL Marine has a well-earned reputation for designing and manufacturing high-performance vessels, and this latest project further reinforces their standing in the industry. The completion of the multi-build project is a testament to the company’s expertise in delivering quality, reliability, and performance in the field of specialist marine engineering.

Philip Lovegrove, Managing Director of PDL Marine, expressed his satisfaction with the project, stating:

“It was a pleasure to have this contract and build six vessels for the client. I am sure they will enjoy operating the boats as much as we enjoyed building them.”

This statement underscores PDL Marine’s commitment to providing bespoke, high-performance solutions tailored to the specific needs of their clients.

Final Preparations and Delivery

Before their departure, the patrol boats underwent a series of trials and inspections to ensure they met the highest standards of performance, durability, and safety. These final tests in the Solent and surrounding waters allowed engineers to verify that each vessel performed as expected under real-world conditions.

With all trials successfully completed, the boats are now ready for transportation to their final destination. The six vessels will be transported by road to Tilbury Docks, where they will be prepared for overseas shipment next week. Once they arrive in Africa, they will be deployed for their intended patrolling duties, playing a crucial role in maritime security, law enforcement, and harbour protection.

A Commitment to Excellence in Marine Engineering

PDL Marine has once again demonstrated its capability to produce cutting-edge maritime solutions. The successful completion of this multi-build patrol boat contract showcases the company’s ability to deliver high-quality, performance-driven vessels on time and to specification.

With a focus on precision engineering, innovative design, and customer satisfaction, PDL Marine remains a leading force in the maritime sector, continuing to provide reliable and efficient solutions for clients across the globe.

Global Lifting Specialist Eyes Cross-Sector Growth – Appoints New General Manager

Wednesday, 7th April 2021

Global integrated logistics and materials management company, ASCO, has appointed Craig Revie as General Manager of its specialist lifting division, NSL.

Joining ASCO in 2018 as head of Marine Services, Craig led initiatives in vessel monitoring, marine coordination and vessel sharing, before taking on the role of UK Business Development and Energy Transition Manager.

His expertise in cross-sector market development and growth will be applied to his latest role as he builds upon NSL’s 30+ years of lifting expertise, guidance and competency development.

With facilities in Aberdeen and Houston dedicated to making lifting operations safer, more compliant, and more cost-effective, NSL currently services an international client base. It provides specialist technical assurance and assistance, as well as integrated project and on-site operational support across the UK, Caribbean, West and North Africa, and the Middle East.

Commenting on his appointment, Craig said: “This is an exciting time to take the reins at NSL and in addition to developing our global footprint, I am particularly looking forward to growing our North Sea client base, at such a pivotal time for the UK offshore energy industry.

“Our cross-sector expertise in managing risk while delivering cost-effective, practical lifting solutions ranges from individual assessments and procedure development, to the provision of on-site specialists, technical assistance and practical training courses. All are of specific value to our clients at this time of unprecedented industry restructure and transition.”

ASCO CEO Peter France added: “NSL quite literally wrote the handbook for safe and industry-assured lifting services, and we are delighted to have Craig leading our team of Lifting Technical Authorities and Technical Specialists as they provide the complete safety lifting package to the offshore oil & gas industry and wider energy transition sectors.”

3t Energy Group makes Transformational Acquisition with the Purchase of Petrofacs UK in-person Training Business

Thursday, 1st April 2021

Today, 3t Energy Group can announce that it has made a major transformational acquisition with the purchase of Petrofac’s UK training centres. The purchase includes Petrofac’s Survival and Marine, Health and Safety, Fire, and Major Emergency Management capability and facilities in Scotland. The value of the acquisition is undisclosed.

The purchase adds Marine training and further Major Emergency Management capabilities to the Group, extending its capability to service customers’ needs. 3t Energy will now become a supplier to Petrofac for its in-person UK training requirements, which consolidates it as the UK’s largest provider of global energy training services.

The purchase of Petrofac’s UK training centres adds to 3t Energy’s existing training centres in the UK, and compliments the Group’s state-of-the-art digital learning and workforce development technology, 3t Transform.

3t Energy Group is backed by Blue Water Energy, the specialist private equity firm. The purchase by 3t Energy is the Group’s fourth acquisition in three years, adding to its world-renowned group of advanced training businesses:

3t Transform (Learning technology & workforce development solutions)
Survivex and AIS (in-person, technology-enabled training for onshore, offshore, renewable & industrial markets)
Drilling Systems (Software based drilling simulation)

Kevin Franklin, CEO of 3t Energy Group, says: “Buying Petrofac’s UK in-person training presence was an excellent opportunity that we had to explore. It allows us to extend our customer offering and demonstrates our commitment to providing the very best training to the energy industry.”

He continues, “We’re proud that our state-of-the-art training makes our clients’ businesses safer, more efficient and more profitable. With Petrofac’s strong training pedigree and world-class staff, the acquisition both broadens and strengthens our market leading offer.”

Mark Corrigan, Chairman of 3t Energy Group, says: “This is a strategic acquisition for 3t Energy which will have a transformational impact on the Group. The deal expands our portfolio of services and our training now reaches most parts of the energy eco-system, including the fast-growing renewables sector.

The deal also perfectly complements our market-leading digital learning and workforce development technology, which is 3t Transform.

As we all hope the world returns to some normality after a tumultuous 2020, we believe there will be a huge opportunity for us to grow our business further as companies and individuals focus on upskilling and core competencies to meet the challenges of the post pandemic economy. This acquisition reinforces our capabilities as a leader in the sector.”

HPR ROV Increases International Footprint with KSA Partnership

Wednesday, 31st March 2021

Leading ROV specialist, HPR ROV, has signed an exclusive two-year agreement with Saudi-based Intelligent Energy Services (i-Energy).

The agreement, which reflects the Aberdeenshire company’s international growth strategy, will see i-Energy act as exclusive agents for HPR ROV in the region, enabling the firm to offer its full suite of specialised ROV systems to the Middle East marketplace.

Offering a catalogue of ROV systems and predominantly known for its unique micro ROV capabilities, HPR ROV has worked on an array of projects with tier one operators and service companies for inspection scopes in the North Sea, Central Asia and West Africa. Its cost-effective solutions have also seen the company complete a number of late life asset management work scopes within the UK decommissioning sector.

The agreement with i-Energy, a leading provider of drilling tools, completion equipment, and plug and abandonment solutions, provides HPR ROV with 12,000 m² premises that includes office warehouse and yard facilities in Dammam’s second industrial city.

Business Development Manager, Christian Hingley, said: “The partnership with i-Energy is a great fit for HPR ROV, as the region is an area of growth for us, especially for our expertise in underwater inspection in lieu of dry docking (UWILD).

“i-Energy has a fantastic reputation in the region for providing innovative products and services to the energy sector. This agreement is a mutually beneficial collaboration that brings together two ambitious companies, enhancing our respective capabilities.”

Mr Abdulrhaman Algosaibi, Managing Director of Intelligent Energy Services. Co. Ltd, said: “We are delighted to have HPR ROV as part of the team at i-Energy Saudi Arabia, and look forward to a successful future working together.”

Rhenus Project Logistics organises shipment of transformers to France via inland waterways

Wednesday, 31st March 2021

The heavy-duty lighter, “Fortitudo”, transported three transformers from the port of Duisburg to Saint-Leu d’Esserent in France via several European inland waterways at the end of March. The transport operation took the cargo along rivers and canals in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and France. The ordering party is Rhenus Project Logistics, which specialises in shipping project loads and heavy goods.

The route started in the Ruhr region and continued through the Netherlands and along the French/Belgian river Sambre as far as the Oise region to the north of Paris. The heavy-duty lighter, “Fortitudo”, which Rhenus has chartered on a long-term basis, is specially designed to transport heavy goods along narrow canals.

The vessel is 39.15 metres long and 5.05 metres wide. Its cargo hold measures 25 by 4.60 metres and it can transport cargo weighing up to 300 tonnes with a draught of 1.90 metres. The lighter has been operating on French canals and cross-border routes since January 2019. Thanks to having its own engine, the “Fortitudo” can pass through locks without any assistance, but it can also be powered by a push boat.

The water-borne shipment was coordinated by the Rhenus Logistics Alsace team in Strasbourg. The three 36 MVA transformers each weigh 40 tonnes and are more than 5.50 metres long. They will be used in the energy sector in future.

“This project load that we organised most recently on board the “Fortitudo”, which we’ll be using in the long term, confirms the importance of inland waterways for transporting large and heavy plant components. After the heavy-duty lighter was primarily used in France at the beginning, we’re delighted that we can now extend its operational area to other European waterways,” says Anthony Begrand, Head of Projects and Industrial Solutions France, who organised the shipment.

Halyard (M&I) Ltd. Appointed Exclusive Marine Distributor for IMS Products

Tuesday, 30th March 2021

We are extremely pleased to announce that IMS (Industrial Marine Silencers Ltd.) have appointed Halyard (M&I) Ltd. as their exclusive distributor for the marine market. This follows a longstanding and successful relationship where the two companies have worked together using IMS products with Halyard exhaust systems solutions.

UK based IMS are global leaders in noise reduction and particulate filtering, manufacturing absorptive and reactive exhaust gas silencers, emission control technology, acoustic enclosures, air inlet & extract attenuators, and acoustic doors.

Halyard are an established industry leader in the design, manufacture, and distribution of technical below deck’s equipment including exhaust systems, environmental protection products and noise and vibration control equipment.

Glyn Rennocks, IMS Managing Director commented “We have had a long-standing relationship in place with the team at Halyard (M&I) Ltd. but we are pleased to extend this further and appoint them our exclusive distributor within this market. With both our technological know-how and continual advances in this area, we are confident that this will cement our joint positions as market leaders in the marine sector”

David Johnson, Sales Director at Halyard added “Halyard’s focus is making boating more enjoyable by reducing noise, vibration and emissions, so adding the IMS range of products to our portfolio means we can emphasise this focus and advance it further offering our customers an optimised reduction in noise and emissions”.

The all-important aftersales support will be provided by Halyard and its UK and overseas distributor and dealer network.

Ferry flagship gets the Wight treatment

Tuesday, 30th March 2021

A major UK ferry operator has once again called on the expertise of Wight Shipyard Co (WSC) to service one of its Wight build flagships.

Red Jet 7 was built in East Cowes by Wight Shipyard Co in 2018, representing a £7m investment by Red Funnel in upgrading its Southampton-West Cowes route.

“It’s fitting that we get to service Red Jet 7 which we had the privilege to build,” said Jo Daly, COO, WSC. “There can be no better endorsement than a customer coming back time and again. It signals belief in our product and the quality of our work.”

Work Scope of Red Funnel

Red Jet 7’s annual service is required by Flag State requirements and the opportunity is also used to undertake planned maintenance and carefully selected upgrades. Red Funnel said that it is committed to maintaining its fleet to the highest standards and carries out many annual checks as part of this.

“We are very pleased to continue our relationship with Isle of Wight-based Wight Shipyard Co as it services our Red Jet 7, a vessel it built in partnership with Red Funnel Ferries. This is an annual requirement for maintenance and safety checks of our vessels, which is imperative to ensure the safety of our passengers and staff, and the smooth running of our fleet.” Says Leanna Lakes, Operations Director, Red Funnel.

The scope of work carried out on Red Jet 7 includes an annual service of the navigation systems amongst other thing including an overhaul of the vessel’s waterjets, a survey of the lifting equipment and AC and dehumidifier servicing. An annual survey and service of the firefighting equipment and life rafts was also carried out in accordance with the latest IMO and SOLAS regulations.

All works were completed in accordance with Class and Flag requirements and with Covid-19 precautions taken to protect the safety of all involved. The refit was carried out at Hythe Shipyard and was completed in February 2021.

Ferry flagships
Back in 2017, the build for Red Jet 7 was awarded to WSC following the huge success of sister ship Red Jet 6 which was also built at the Wight yard in Cowes. The Red Jet 6 build restarted the construction of fast ferries in the UK and on the Isle of Wight after a gap of 16 years.

The construction of both Red Jets equated to a £13m investment by Red Funnel in the Isle of Wight and Solent economies with a further £10m spent on the twin phase expansion and redevelopment of the company’s East Cowes terminal, the first phase of which was completed in 2019.

Red Jet 7 is the greenest Red Jet in the fleet – four tonnes lighter than her sister, Red Jet 6, which aids manoeuvrability, improves fuel consumption and further reduces emissions and wash. The vessel meets tough MARPOL IMO Tier ll engine emission standards and uses vinyl instead of paint saving weight and reduce the environmental impact from Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).

Industry leading White Shipyard
WSC offers refit, repair, outfitting and overhaul services providing efficient and high-quality solutions to every shipboard need across both the commercial and leisure industries.

The WSC family has decades of combined experience in projects of all sizes and offers general refit and repairs, including vessel upgrade, life extension projects and docking.

Over and above its refit and maintenance services, WSC is known for its industry leading ferry builds and development of hybrid vessel solutions.

Dyena SeaTRAX provides Pilot vessels with real-time information

Monday, 29th March 2021

Dyena Systems announces the release of SeaTRAX to their range of vessel monitoring solutions.

Purposely designed to meet the requirements of Pilot vessels, Dyena systems SeaTRAX assists the vessel operator in the transit and transfer phase, allowing the skipper to monitor all motion parameters and make an objective assessment of the conditions.

Real-time information on vessel pitch, roll and heave are displayed alongside the impact and vibrations received by vessel and crew. The skipper can make an objective assessment of the conditions and alter plans or course to increase efficiency or reduce risk.

The intuitive layout is simple to read in all conditions, with current and peak readings displayed graphically and numerically on the 7” touch screen, which is dimmable for night operations.

The SeaTRAX compact base unit is mounted to the vessel and a remote sensor attaches to the coxswains seat. Extra remote sensors can be added to measure accelerations throughout the vessel or monitor the Whole Body Vibration exposure of other crew and passengers. Installation is simple with all cables and connectors supplied.

With shock mitigation technology enabling boats to be driven harder and faster, determining the effect of impacts on the machinery or electronics is important to their long-term operation. Data can be downloaded for reporting or analysis.

James Glover, Managing Director of Dyena Systems commented, “SeaTRAX was developed in collaboration with PD Ports in the UK and the Australian Reef Pilots to provide a system that directly meets their needs. The system is very simple to fit and works straight out of the box with a clear and intuitive display. SeaTRAX is intended to be a stand-alone system, but we can expand the capabilities and link it with our other products if the customer requires more features.”

Andrew Ridley, Conservancy Operations Manager at PD Ports adds, “Dyena SeaTRAX is installed on our latest pilot boat, Stainsby. This state-of-the-art vessel was built to our specifications to provide the best possible working environment for the crew and SeaTRAX gives the skipper real-time information, allowing them to adjust course or speed to improve fuel efficiency and crew comfort. Following our successful trials, we will be installing SeaTRAX across our fleet.”

New crew transfer facilities at Fraserburgh from Inland and Coastal Marina Systems

Monday, 29th March 2021

Inland and Coastal Marina Systems (ICMS) has designed and built bespoke new crew transfer vessel (CTV) berthing facilities for Moray East Offshore Windfarm Ltd. (MOWEL), providing a safe “all-in-one” base for the daily servicing, refuelling and usage of the vessels during the ongoing maintenance of the windfarm.

Situated in Fraserburgh Harbour, on the East Coast of Scotland, the berth consists of 60m x 4m of ICMS’s Heavy-Duty Pontoon. Initially due to have 800mm of freeboard, this was increased to 1.0m to match that of the vessels’ at the client’s request. With the ability to produce floats to any dimensions, this additional 200mm of freeboard was a simple design change for the Irish pontoon manufacturer.

Topped with GRP decking suitable for commercial application with excellent anti-slip properties, the berth also has a 200mm rubber D-fender for ease of berthing the CTVs.

Connected to the quay via H-piles, the facility is accessed via a secure gate structure. The 24m access gangway is cranked with a cantilevered shore platform preventing the ramp and pontoon snagging at high water levels, as well as taking up less space on the quay.

The M&E package for the project included 40,000L fuel tank with cloud-controlled dispenser, water, electricity and lighting to ensure continuous safe working conditions throughout the year, any time of the day or night.

“We worked closely with MOWEL, the Harbour Commissioners and multiple other partners to find a value engineered design, with all-weather operation and turnaround time for the vessels being the key drivers,” says Vincent Carey, sales engineer at ICMS. “Vessels up to 130T displacement can now be turned around in 25 minutes, including refuelling, change out of consumables and water resupply.”

To find out more about Inland and Coastal’s pontoon ranges and unique decking options visit https://inlandandcoastal.com or email sales@inlandandcoastal.com

Author: CGTeam

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