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Welcome & Introduction
Welcome to the Small Ship Group. We continue to be a significant Special Interest Group and active part of the Institute.
DEFINITION.
What is a Small Ship? Since our foundation in 1993, the definition of a small ship has changed, partly due to the effect of British and European legislation and safety codes covering large yachts and pleasure craft. Originally, this was a ship of 500 tonnes displacement or less. With advice from David Ralph, our MCA representative, and from Bob Curry, Chairman of RINA's Small Craft Group, we have all agreed that a small ship is one of 90 metres length overall, or less. It expands our range of interest well beyond the limiting 24 metres load line length of the Small Vessel Safety Codes and gives a firm basis for our members who deal with mega-yachts and coasters, offshore support vessels, river craft, fishing vessels, the extensive range of special survey vessels, and the recent explosion of wind farm support craft.
SMALL SHIP PROPULSION
The options for small ship propulsion are changing rapidly. Fuel cells, LNG fuels, wind assistance and electric propulsion are starting to appear, together with tightening MARPOL emission controls. Coincidently, engine failures at sea in European waters have increased, causing the UK Department of Transport (DfT) to look for reasons and common causes. Their one-off study 3 years ago was apparently inconclusive, leading us to try and collect further data. So far this has not been successful. If you can help, please complete our on-line report form on the link below.
We are making "Engines and Propulsion" the subject for our 2011 autumn meeting and seminar. A further announcement and call for papers will appear shortly, once we have confirmed a London location. (The Institute will loose its conference facility in this summer's move to Aldgate). Please watch this space.
To strengthen our knowledge and work in propulsion, we have enhanced the committee with a representative of the engine manufacturers. MTU have kindly accepted our invitation and we are very pleased to welcome on board Bruce Philips, their Marine and Industrial Manager.
NEW FUEL STANDARDS.
We have dealt firmly and decisively with considerable concern and confusion raised in the industry by EU Directive 30/2009/EC; the requirement to add biofuel content to gas oil and reduce sulphur content. We held a major conference at Greenwich last October, kindly sponsored by Conidia Bioscience, to address the shortcomings of the DfT's limited and inadequate consultation. This was attended by over a 100 delegates. Alan Cartwright conveyed the results to the DfT that week. They have now been considered carefully for the UK legislation enacting the Directive. This intervention has also helped raise the awareness of the oil companies and distributors. At the same time we have produced a 20 page booklet about the new standards, what fuels to order and avoid, and the corrective actions needed, if an operator or owner inadvertently develops microbiological growth in fuel systems. The book will be available to purchase for about £10 from the Institute's website shop from May. Alan Cartwright will be lecturing on this subject at SeaWork on 16th June at 1400.
SMALL VESSEL STABILITY EXPLAINED
Our very successful seminar on cranes at Gravesend 2 years ago revealed a surprising lack of understanding of the basics of small ship stability during Ted Penny's lecture, expressed by a number of the delegates. Ted, who drafted the original stability section 11 for the Small Vessel Safety Codes, has kindly brought up to date his lecture notes. They have now been edited by Colin Crimp into our second publication, which we hope will be available to purchase shortly, initially as a pdf download. We would welcome sponsorship for a printed version.
SURVEYOR's NOTES & PRACTICE
Our Survey Notes & Practice document has now been updated to the 6th edition by Bob Barnes and John Bowen, and is available as a download from this website. We encourage all members engaged in or starting survey practice to keep a copy handy for reference. They were produced originally for the SSG and the surveyors course at the University of Plymouth, which continues to be run twice yearly, and is a recognized CPD course by the Institute. We are also introducing guidance on mentoring for those entering survey practice.
AND LASTLY
Those of you reading this for the first time, who are members of the Institute interested in, or actively engaged in, small vessels, their operation, construction, propulsion or management, should consider joining SSG, (no additional cost), and contributing to our work. The Committee will be meeting next on 16th June in Southampton, during SeaWork. We welcome all Requests, Comments, and Suggestions for the agenda by Monday 6th June, please.
Bob Barnes
SSG Chairman