President’s MessageGREETINGS ALL, Well, the Holidays are with us, we’re plumb full of Turkey and awaiting Santa Claus to bring us whatever it is we wish for!! I hope everyone has had a productive year, although I know Damage claims have declined in some areas in both pleasure and commercial fields due to less use of the pleasure boats and tighter regulations and oversight in the commercial field. This is when we need to use every available moment for Marketing!! Call on all your underwriters, claims managers, and brokers; ALSO, make yourselves available to man the NAMS Booth at every show we make a presentation at. This is always a great place to attract new clients, especially with the new booth display that Childs Dunbar put together!! Now, those of you who have been swamped with work all year should always be on the lookout for prospective Apprentices and Associates. Remember we are all getting older and need to keep our practices going by bringing in competent people to eventually carry on our reputations. With that in mind the GREAT NEWS is that this year we increased our membership with 13 new CMS’, 10 Assoc., 2 Apprentice, 1 Affiliate, and have 7 exams in the process of being graded!!! The SAD news is that we had 17 Retirements!! Several of these being younger than me!! One other thing that needs to be brought up is our Regional Training Seminars. Some Regions have had none!! Congratulations to the South Atlantic and the New England regions, which have successfully conducted multiple training sessions over the past year!!! Quite a few NAMS members attended the SAMS Regional training session during the New Orleans WorkBoat Show last week where Norm Laskey presented his Seminar on Marine Appraisals and I gave my training talk on Joint Field Surveys, along with other speakers providing training on Infra red inspections and updates on ABYC Standards. Other than that, I hope everyone is looking forward to the Holiday break like I am and then are planning to meet with all your fellow members in beautiful Panama City, Florida in March 2012, where an excellent educational program is being prepared along with the opportunity for all of us to see old friends and meet many new ones!! SEE Y’ALL SOON!! Regards, Dick Frenzel, NAMS-CMS President. Editor’s MessageIn order to continue the success of NAMSGlobal eNews, we want to expand our list of recipients. When you are discussing the world of marine survey with a client, a fellow non-denominational surveyor or someone who is interested in marine insurance or any related topic, mention the NAMSGlobal eNews and let them know is free for the asking. They can log on to the NAMS website and click on the “Join eMail List” button or send an email to NAMSGlobal headquarters [[email protected]] and ask to be added to the list. Best [and quickest] is to subscribe on the website. Also, the news articles and current events you send in make the NAMSGlobal eNews interesting to readers in all disciplines of marine survey:[email protected] Best regards to all: Greg Weeter, Editor NAMS Applicants
Upcoming Educational EventsABYC 2011 Course Calendar For the latest information on ABYC’s 2011 educational programs, please click here. Note this opens a new window in your browser. Simply close it to return here. ABYC conducts many educational programs including, but not limited to, Marine Electrical Systems, Corrosion Surveys, Diesel Engines & Support Systems, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration, and ABYC Standards. If you have questions regarding registration for the ABYC courses please contact Cris Gardner or Sandy Brown at 410.990.4460. 9 – 11January 2012 – Singapore Courses have been produced in response to the overwhelming success of Report Writing for Marine Surveyors, published this year by Petrospot. Its author, the highly experienced surveyor, consultant and lecturer, Mike Wall, will direct the courses. Course One: Report Writing for Marine Surveyors, Monday 9 January 2012 (full day 0900-1700, including lunch, refreshments and documentation) The Report Writing for Marine Surveyors course should be of particular value to new entrants to the industry for whom writing detailed, accurate and concise survey reports is an essential job requirement. The advice, guidelines and practical examples covered in this one-day course will help all surveyors, new or experienced, better understand the importance of effective evidence gathering and the report writing process. The course will explain the essentials of good report writing and explain how to prepare reports in a format that the students will be able to follow logically. Course Two: The Practical Application of Marine Surveyor Expertise Tuesday 10 January 2012 (full day 0900-1700, including lunch, refreshments and documentation) The Practical Application of Marine Surveyor Expertise course covers four key areas of activity that every surveyor at some point in his or her career is almost certain to encounter. Divided into four 90-minute sessions, the first covers the marine surveyor’s role in maritime fraud and claims; the second explores preparing expert witness reports; the third focuses on preparing P&I Club condition surveys; and the fourth examines pre-purchase condition surveys. Course Three: Technical Report Writing for Mariners, Wednesday 11 January 2012 (half day, 0900-1300, including lunch, refreshments and documentation). The half-day Technical Report Writing for Mariners course looks more closely at the specialist reports that mariners are often required to write. It will break down the various elements of a report into manageable parts in order to help them to organise their thoughts and produce professional standard reports. The course will use practical examples and share with students some of the editorial ‘tricks of the trade’ that can help turn a standard report into a highly-polished piece of writing that conveys everything that is of importance. For more information please visit our Petrospot Asia 2012 website: www.petrospot.com/asia2012 or alternatively contact: Nicholas Leader orMatthew Conisbee Email: [email protected] or Tel +44 1295 814 455 STOP PRESS…Can’t make it to these courses but still need to boost your knowledge and understanding of Marine Surveying? Order your copy of Report Writing for Marine Surveyors today and also learn more about other specialist titles from Petrospot publications atwww.petrospot.com/books February 1–3, 2012 Lake Buena Vista, FL International Marina & Boatyard Conference 10th Anniversary Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort http://www.marinaassociation.org/imbc 14 & 15 February 2012, Knox Marine’s Annual Yacht Claims Conference, Ft Lauderdale, FL Knox Marine Consultants is proud to announce that their 19th Annual Yacht Claims Conference will be held at Roscioli Yachting Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This will be the first time the event has been held in south Florida. Cost is $470 for the two-day event. Discounts are available for groups of four or more. On line registration is now available at www.knoxmarine.com. According to Steve Knox, President of Knox Marine Consultants, this annual program was developed for marine surveyors, insurance adjusters, claims handlers and underwriters, attorneys, repairers, and others who deal in the investigation and adjustment of pleasure boat losses. This is the only national conference devoted exclusively to yacht claims, and is a long established networking event for marine surveyors and insurance professionals. Visit Knox Marine’s web site for the latest in conference news – www.knoxmarine.com. The session topics change each year. You may register at the web site. For more information, contact Steve Knox at 804.222.5627 or [email protected]. The Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors (SAMS) and the National Association of Marine Surveyors (NAMS) have traditionally awarded 12 CEU’s for the conference. Knox Marine chose these dates so that attendees could stay over and attend opening day at the Miami Boat Show on February 16. Knox Marine has arranged discounted room rates at two nearby hotels. The rates run through Friday February 17 so that attendees can stay over and attend opening day. The shipyard and hotels are a short cab or shuttle ride from the Ft. Lauderdale airport (FLL). 4 – 6 March 2012, NAMSGlobal 50th Anniversary National Marine Conference, Panama City Beach, FL Wyndham Bay Point Resort, 4114 Jan Cooley Drive, Panama City Beach, Florida 32408 Conference room rate: $120.00, plus taxes 11.5% Direct reservations: 850.236.6000 or Central reservations: 866.269.9165 As more information is available, it will be posted on the NAMS Website. NAMSWorthyNAMSGlobal Central Pacific Region Meeting – On Thursday, November 17, 2011 the National Association of Marine Surveyors Central Pacific Region chapter held its fall dinner meeting in San Francisco, CA. The meeting was set up in collaboration with the American Society of Appraisers ASA Nor-Cal chapter. ASA local chapter VP Mr. Garrett Schwartz, ASA Senior Machinery Appraiser and NAMS Central Pacific regional VP Capt. Joseph W Rodgers CMS brained stormed the idea of a joint venture dinner meeting. The meeting was held in the elegant L ’Olivier Restaurant located at 465 Davis Court near the Embarcadero waterfront in downtown, San Francisco, CA. Needless to say the food was “Par Excellence”! But the exciting event was the guest speaker Mr. Joe Diliberto a nationally recognized inspirational teacher whose background included executive level positions in sales and marketing with a Fortune 100 company. Mr. Diliberto is an expert in his field, and the owner of SANDLER TRAINING. The Sandler System has been recognized by Entrepreneur Magazine as the number one sales management-training program. His topic was “MAKING IT IN TODAY’S CHALLENGING ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT”. With fewer opportunities in business than before the independent marine surveyors and appraisers must do all they can to maximize their business development efforts. He spoke about how to find new prospects and gave helpful input on ways to avoid wasting time in looking for new work. One of the most helpful topics was adapting one’s attitude and how that can impact one’s survey/appraisal business. The meeting was well attended by the ASA Nor-Cal Chapter and local regional NAMS members William Hansen CMS, Kara Satra CMS, Dana Teichera CMS, Terry Tupper CMS, Dana Noland CMS, Ralf Bruni CMS, and John Marples CMS and SAMS member, Ben Pen and guests. The NAMS chapter also welcomed to the captain’s table Mr. Bill Axelguard who has just applied for membership with NAMSGlobal and who drove out all the away from Utah to attend the meeting. Bill Axelguard reported that the food along with the information gained was well worth the trip. NAMS Central Pacific Region Chapter wishes to thank ASA NorCal for their gracious hospitality. The next NAMS Central Pacific Region Chapter meeting is planned for February 2012. Changes at the BoatUS Surveyor Referral Service By Bob Adriance, NAMS Affiliate member If you are a Certified (CMS) member of NAMS or an Accredited (AMS) member of SAMS, you can be listed on the BoatUS Surveyor Referral Service. There will no a requirement to submit sample surveys and references for consideration in order to be accepted. This is a change from the previous listing requirements and reflects the confidence BoatUS has in the admissions and testing practices of the two major surveying organizations. Surveyors who have not been Certified/Accredited by NAMS or SAMS will still need to submit an application and references in order to be considered. Anyone who is currently on the list will remain on the list. The fee to be listed is being cut in half—from $100 to $50 annually–and will now include a subscription (paper copy) to Seaworthy as well as a BoatUS membership. Benefits of membership can be found at BoatUS.com. One that is noteworthy for surveyors is access to the Online Consumer Database, which is a nationwide database of consumer complaints about various makes and model boats, engines and equipment as well as related safety information. The database also includes the company’s response, if any, to each complaint as well as manufacturer recall notices, Coast Guard safety alerts, and a selection of service bulletins insured by boat builders and engine makers. Note, however, that is possible for a listed surveyor to be suspended or even removed permanently from the list. Reasons for suspension include: Not referencing current ABYC and NFPA standards or Coast Guard regulations; repeated failure to report boats’ true condition or value; submitting reports that lack detail; lack of professionalism and poor service. (Includes repeated complaints from members about bad temper, alcohol, or chronic inability to deliver reports in a timely manner (more than two weeks). Reinstatement is possible once it has been demonstrated that the reason for the suspension has been corrected. Someone can be permanently removed from the list for failure to abide by his or her organization’s code of ethics, including failure to be truthful, failure to avoid conflicts of interest or failure to present surveys without prejudice. To apply, please contact BoatUS at:[email protected] Officer Killed On Bridge As Boxship Rolled In 8 m Seas A fatal accident onboard a containership has sparked a call for better crew safety measures on modern ‘large, wide and spacious’ bridges. A 36-year-old Latvian third officer died from injuries suffered when he was repeatedly thrown across the bridge of the 25,608gt CCNI Guayas as the vessel rolled up to 35 degrees in 8m waves and force 10 winds off Hong Kong in September 2009. A report on the incident by the German accident investigation body BSU raises renewed concern about the design of modern ships and questions the adequacy of rules governing manning and stability. The 2,468 TEU vessel was in warm lay-up when it left its anchorage because of an approaching typhoon. As the conditions deteriorated, the ship rolled heavily and the floor of the bridge became slippery as a result of books and papers falling from shelves. During one roll, the third officer fell and was thrown across the bridge several times, hitting the bridge door with his face and also striking a radar transponder and a radiator. His condition deteriorated over the next few hours and he was airlifted ashore, but was declared dead as a result of multiple injuries. Investigations revealed that the transverse accelerations on the bridge created a force of around 12m per second squared. ‘At this high acceleration, the question arises of whether the existing bridge design is adequate in terms of handbars and lashing points for reducing the high accident risk,’ the report notes. With only three handrails , at the ship’s conning position , and none for the lookout or at the radio workstation, the CCNI Guayas was inadequately equipped, it adds. ‘On today’s large, wide and spacious bridges, more safeguards must be provided for the crewmembers situated there. Similarly, attachment points or eyes for safety straps or lifelines, or to secure a person in a stretcher for example, must be included in the bridge design.’ BSU pointed out that as the vessel was in warm lay-up, it had a crew of just 11 rather than the 16 required by the minimum manning certificate. Germany does not specify manning for laid-up ships, the report states, but it was clear the number on the CCNI Guayas , with the master and the single deck officer working six-on/six off rotations , was inadequate, making it doubtful that effective fire-fighting or medical care could be guaranteed in an emergency. At the time of the accident, the ship was unladen and in ballast, and as a result of the low draft, it had a high windage area and reduced rudder and propeller immersion. Investigators said research had shown that the accident would not have happened if the vessel had been operated without ballast, which would have significantly reduced the roll and the excessive forces on the bridge. ‘The calculations indicate that for a voyage without cargo, the only way to avoid the accident would have been to proceed without any ballast water. However, that is opposed by a whole raft of rules that must be complied with,’ the report adds. ‘The accumulation of accidents involving container vessels at partial draft clearly demonstrates that the evaluation of too much stability is just as necessary as the evaluation of too little stability,’ the report stresses. BSU called for the International Maritime Organisation, owners, builders and classification societies to do more at the design and approval stage to address ‘the dramatic consequences of swell-related stability effects’. From Flashlight, with thanks to the Nautilus Telegraph: www.nautilusint.org) NTSB – Safety Recommendations Re: Marine Pilots The U. S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued a series of safety recommendations related to reducing the risk of marine casualties when a vessel is operating with a local pilot on board. The recommendations are largely derived from the investigation into the January 23, 2010 accident in which the 810-foot-long tanker Eagle Otome collided with the 597-foot-long general cargo vessel Gulf Arrow at the Port of Port Arthur. Recommendations are made to the US Coast Guard to, among other things, conduct a ports and waterways safety assessment of the Sabine-Neches Waterway; to the Jefferson and Orange County Board of Pilot Commissioners to, among other things, implement a fatigue mitigation and prevention program among the Sabine pilots; to the Sabine Pilots Association to ensure that member pilots follow guidelines with respect to division of duties and responsibilities; to the Governors of states and territories in which state and local pilots operate to, among other things, promulgate hours of service rules that prevent fatigue; and to the American Pilots’ Association to advise members to consistently identify vessels by name in bridge-to-bridge communication. (11/4/11). Courtesy: Bryant’s Maritime Blog – Bryant’s Maritime Consulting[email protected] Website http://brymar-consulting.com © Dennis L. Bryant Pilot Fatigue In Tanker Accident A collision that occurred between a tanker, a cargo vessel and a tow last year that released 462,000 gallons of oil into the Sabine-Neches Waterway in Port Arthur, Texas, was the result of the tanker pilot’s inability to correct sheering motions that began as a result of the late initiation of a turn at a mild bend in the waterway. Also contributing to the accident – pilot fatigue. Those were the findings of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) regarding the probable cause of the January 23, 2010, collision of the 810 ft tanker Eagle Otome with the 597 ft cargo vessel Gulf Arrow and the subsequent collision with the Dixie Vengeance tow. “The NTSB has long been concerned about fatigue in the marine industry, and this accident highlights the very real consequences of degraded performance,” said NTSB Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman. (The Marine Log, October, 2011.) Courtesy AIMU Weekly Bulletin. Cargo Declares General Average General average requires that shippers whose cargo was saved from destruction (or their insurers) to chip in to compensate those whose cargo was lost or damaged to “save the venture” on a basis proportionate to the value of their cargo or vessel. While general average is usually declared by the ship owner, it can also be declared by shippers, as it was in a recent case before a U.S. District Court in New York. (Vogt Power International v. Beluga Constellation. S.D.N.Y 10CV2887. Sept. 1.) During cargo loading, securing plates were being welded on a ‘tween deck, when slag fell to the deck below, starting a blaze in packing material. The fire was extinguished, but Vogt said its generators were damaged by the fresh water and seawater used to fight the blaze. It contended the damage to its cargo were sacrifices, entitling it to be made good through the doctrine of general average, and asked the court summary judgment. The ship owner also asked for summary judgment, but contended if cargo was damaged, its liability was limited to $500 per package, pursuant to the U.S. Carriage of Goods by Sea Act (COGSA). The judge declined to grant summary judgment to either party. In order to qualify for recovery as a general average loss, three requirements must be met: – a common peril or danger must be immediately impending; – the voluntary sacrifice must be for the common good; – the peril must be successfully avoided. The judge said that “while fire is a classic maritime peril, that does not make every on board fire a per se peril.” While that determination “is usually left within the broad discretion of the captain or master,” she said the plaintiff is not entitled to a declaration of general average as a matter of law and a court must “determine whether there was a real and substantial peril to the common safety of the vessel and the cargo.” (American Shipper, October, 2011.) Courtesy AIMU Weekly Bulletin. Courtesy AIMU Weekly Bulletin. UK PM Seeks Law Change To Allow Armed Guards UK Prime Minister David Cameron announced plans to amend British law to allow UK registered vessels to employ armed guards as security, when they are transiting dangerous waters – mainly those off the coast of Somalia. Cameron’s initiative marks a growing trend, centered on London’s marine business that the ongoing threat from pirates is costing ship owners billions of dollars, and that something has to be done. According to the BBC “up to 200 vessels flying the red ensign – the British merchant navy flag – regularly sail close to Somalia. Officials estimate that about 100 of those would immediately apply for permission to have armed guards.” According to international law, whether or not armed guards are allowed on a vessel is up to the “flag nation;” i.e. the country where ownership of the vessel is registered, hence the need to change British law to allow armed guards. There has been a good deal of resistance to the practice, not least because it is thought that it would “raise the stakes,” and could encourage the pirates to take up heavier arms. But more recently in the last three months the industry has been moving over to using armed guards on vessels. There’s been a huge shift in 2011. Previously most ships didn’t have armed guards, but it’s now accepted by most of the ‘flag nations’ of the world that the way around piracy is to use armed guards on vessels. So far no ship with guards aboard has been successfully captured. (Insurance Journal, 10/31/2011.) Courtesy AIMU Weekly Bulletin. Dutch Builder Takes Growing Share Of Superyacht Market Dutch superyacht builder Feadship is performing better than ever. So far this year, the company has launched six superyachts with a total length of 450 m. Four out of the 13 new entries in the recently-published Top 100 List by Yachts International magazine were Feadship-built, including the 87.8m sister vessels Musashi and Fountainhead, the 81m Air and Tango at 77.7m. With the current build portfolio , including the first to break the 100m barrier , the brand continues to lead the way worldwide, having built the largest number of superyachts in the 60 to 100m range. Two recently launched large yachts , the 63m Lady Britt and the new twin-screw steel-hull F45 Helix, above , were shown for the first time at the Monaco Yacht show last month. From Flashlight Reefers From Vietnam Messrs Avalon, specialists in the insurance of transport risks in the US, have published this story in their Quest publication:- Potentially explosive containers disrupt West Coast port operations Ports in the West Coast are increasing safety procedures after multiple Vietnamese refrigerated containers exploded and killed three dockworkers in Vietnam and Brazil. Contaminated gas in the container’s cooling units likely caused the explosions. The Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) noted that these containers were processed in the port of Kat Lai in Vietnam. MSNBC reports that about 8,000 of these containers could be in circulation. Now, any refrigerated container transported through or originating in any Vietnamese port will be identified upon arrival in the United States. Any container from Kat Lai will be isolated for special handling. The PMA is working with the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (IWLU) to protect workers while keeping the ports in operation. During the past few days, the IWLU refused to work certain vessels until a complete history was provided. The IWLU is insisting that “any dangerous containers be identified and removed from circulation before another person is killed.” As a precaution, several carriers removed hundreds of containers from circulation that underwent refrigeration repairs in Vietnam this year. The U.S. Coast Guard is also working with shippers and port officials to identify any faulty containers and ensure they are safe.http://www.avalonrisk.com Courtesy Bow Wave Coastguard Bill Passes The U.S. House of Representatives passed the 2011 Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2011. In the legislation are provisions that set a nationwide standard for the treatment of ballast water that remedies the current patchwork of varying and inconsistent ballast water regulations across states. The bill also strengthens existing authorities against piracy, as well as improves an existing training program to instruct mariners on acceptable use of force against pirates. It authorizes armed security on vessels carrying government impelled cargo through high risk waters, and includes a report on ways to improve U.S. efforts to track ransom payments and the movement of money through Somali piracy networks. (American Shipper, 11/16/2011.) Courtesy AIMU Weekly Bulletin. Limitations Of Liability Apply To Fatal Leap Overboard by Fisherman James Mercante of the firm of Rubin, Fiorella & Friedman, who seems to mine a deep vein of cases involving the attempts by claimants to evade the limitations of admiralty law in the US has sent in a note arising out of the Yanicky Case. His firm has just prevailed in defeating a claimants motion to dismiss a federal limitation action at the pleading stage, involving a guest aboard a boat that made a fatal leap overboard for a swim during a fishing tournament miles away from shore. The motion to dismiss was heard before United States District Judge Michael A Telesca. The case, Mercante reports, will now proceed. The text of the decision can be read by accessing the news page of FOB at: http://www.fobnetworking.comCourtesy Maritime Advocate Online With our proclivity towards the online side of life, we were interested to receive from Georgina Gavin news of this organisation’s progress. She writes to inform us that VesselsValue has added container ships to its online valuation offering:- The online ship valuation service, which already covers tankers and bulkers, is now valuing Containerships from Feedermax (500 teu) up to ULCV (18,000 teu). VesselsValue was launched earlier this year by London based S & P broker Seasure Shipping Ltd. The service provides instant, data-driven ship valuations and market insights for vessels and portfolios which are currently being used by sophisticated players in the commercial banking, investment fund, ownership and broking sectors. The service signals a change in the way ocean going vessels are valued. Where traditional valuation methods can be expensive, slow and subject to bias, VesselsValue provides them cheaply, instantly, consistently and accurately. The methodology incorporates ship specifications, real time sales and freight earning sentiment enabling market valuations of vessels in even the most illiquid markets. This model is continually updated and recalibrated daily to give the closest possible fit to reported sale prices. Accuracy is tested and reported by comparing valuations against prices achieved in the market. Something tells us that a lot of our Readers will be giving thought to the value of ships in the coming twelvemonth. Courtesy Maritime Advocate Online a weekly digest of news and views on the maritime industries, with particular reference to dispute resolution. To contact the editor Bevis Marks, send an e-mail to: [email protected] Useful LinksWhy You Should Add an Isolation Transformer to Your Boat from Canadian Yachting-Powerboat-World.com: http://www.powerboat-world.com/canada/index.cfm?nid=84973
For surveyors who engage in Heavy Lift assignments, we have been made aware of a new magazine Heavy Lift & Project Forwarding International. It is dedicated to news, information and analysis about the lift and transportation of over-dimensional or heavy project cargoes to company executives on both the supply and demand side of the business. The magazine is published six times per annum and is available on line as a E-zine. The next edition will include a report on marine warranty surveying in regards to heavy and OOG cargo. Their website iswww.heavyliftpfi.com.
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GREETINGS ALL, Well, the Holidays are with us, we’re plumb full of Turkey and awaiting Santa Claus to bring us whatever it is we wish for!! I hope everyone has had a productive year, although I know Damage claims have declined in some areas in both pleasure and commercial fields due to less use of the pleasure boats and tighter regulations and oversight in the commercial field. This is when we need to use every available moment for Marketing!! Call on all your underwriters, claims managers, and brokers; ALSO, make yourselves available to man the NAMS Booth at every show we make a presentation at. This is always a great place to attract new clients, especially with the new booth display that Childs Dunbar put together!! Now, those of you who have been swamped with work all year should always be on the lookout for prospective Apprentices and Associates. Remember we are all getting older and need to keep our practices going by bringing in competent people to eventually carry on our reputations. With that in mind the GREAT NEWS is that this year we increased our membership with 13 new CMS’, 10 Assoc., 2 Apprentice, 1 Affiliate, and have 7 exams in the process of being graded!!! The SAD news is that we had 17 Retirements!! Several of these being younger than me!! One other thing that needs to be brought up is our Regional Training Seminars. Some Regions have had none!! Congratulations to the South Atlantic and the New England regions, which have successfully conducted multiple training sessions over the past year!!! Quite a few NAMS members attended the SAMS Regional training session during the New Orleans WorkBoat Show last week where Norm Laskey presented his Seminar on Marine Appraisals and I gave my training talk on Joint Field Surveys, along with other speakers providing training on Infra red inspections and updates on ABYC Standards. Other than that, I hope everyone is looking forward to the Holiday break like I am and then are planning to meet with all your fellow members in beautiful Panama City, Florida in March 2012, where an excellent educational program is being prepared along with the opportunity for all of us to see old friends and meet many new ones!! SEE Y’ALL SOON!! Regards, Dick Frenzel, NAMS-CMS President. In order to continue the success of NAMSGlobal eNews, we want to expand our list of recipients. When you are discussing the world of marine survey with a client, a fellow non-denominational surveyor or someone who is interested in marine insurance or any related topic, mention the NAMSGlobal eNews and let them know is free for the asking. They can log on to the NAMS website and click on the “Join eMail List” button or send an email to NAMSGlobal headquarters [[email protected]] and ask to be added to the list. Best [and quickest] is to subscribe on the website. Also, the news articles and current events you send in make the NAMSGlobal eNews interesting to readers in all disciplines of marine survey: [email protected] <span”>Best regards to all: Greg Weeter, Editor
ABYC 2011 Course Calendar For the latest information on ABYC’s 2011 educational programs, please click here. Note this opens a new window in your browser. Simply close it to return here. ABYC conducts many educational programs including, but not limited to, Marine Electrical Systems, Corrosion Surveys, Diesel Engines & Support Systems, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration, and ABYC Standards. If you have questions regarding registration for the ABYC courses please contact Cris Gardner or Sandy Brown at 410.990.4460. 9 – 11January 2012 – Singapore Courses have been produced in response to the overwhelming success of Report Writing for Marine Surveyors, published this year by Petrospot. Its author, the highly experienced surveyor, consultant and lecturer, Mike Wall, will direct the courses. Course One: Report Writing for Marine Surveyors, Monday 9 January 2012 (full day 0900-1700, including lunch, refreshments and documentation) The Report Writing for Marine Surveyors course should be of particular value to new entrants to the industry for whom writing detailed, accurate and concise survey reports is an essential job requirement. The advice, guidelines and practical examples covered in this one-day course will help all surveyors, new or experienced, better understand the importance of effective evidence gathering and the report writing process. The course will explain the essentials of good report writing and explain how to prepare reports in a format that the students will be able to follow logically. Course Two: The Practical Application of Marine Surveyor Expertise Tuesday 10 January 2012 (full day 0900-1700, including lunch, refreshments and documentation) The Practical Application of Marine Surveyor Expertise course covers four key areas of activity that every surveyor at some point in his or her career is almost certain to encounter. Divided into four 90-minute sessions, the first covers the marine surveyor’s role in maritime fraud and claims; the second explores preparing expert witness reports; the third focuses on preparing P&I Club condition surveys; and the fourth examines pre-purchase condition surveys. Course Three: Technical Report Writing for Mariners, Wednesday 11 January 2012 (half day, 0900-1300, including lunch, refreshments and documentation). The half-day Technical Report Writing for Mariners course looks more closely at the specialist reports that mariners are often required to write. It will break down the various elements of a report into manageable parts in order to help them to organise their thoughts and produce professional standard reports. The course will use practical examples and share with students some of the editorial ‘tricks of the trade’ that can help turn a standard report into a highly-polished piece of writing that conveys everything that is of importance. For more information please visit our Petrospot Asia 2012 website: www.petrospot.com/asia2012 or alternatively contact: Nicholas Leader orMatthew Conisbee Email: [email protected] or Tel +44 1295 814 455 STOP PRESS…Can’t make it to these courses but still need to boost your knowledge and understanding of Marine Surveying? Order your copy of Report Writing for Marine Surveyors today and also learn more about other specialist titles from Petrospot publications atwww.petrospot.com/books February 1–3, 2012 Lake Buena Vista, FL International Marina & Boatyard Conference 10th Anniversary Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort http://www.marinaassociation.org/imbc 14 & 15 February 2012, Knox Marine’s Annual Yacht Claims Conference, Ft Lauderdale, FL Knox Marine Consultants is proud to announce that their 19th Annual Yacht Claims Conference will be held at Roscioli Yachting Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This will be the first time the event has been held in south Florida. Cost is $470 for the two-day event. Discounts are available for groups of four or more. On line registration is now available at www.knoxmarine.com. According to Steve Knox, President of Knox Marine Consultants, this annual program was developed for marine surveyors, insurance adjusters, claims handlers and underwriters, attorneys, repairers, and others who deal in the investigation and adjustment of pleasure boat losses. This is the only national conference devoted exclusively to yacht claims, and is a long established networking event for marine surveyors and insurance professionals. Visit Knox Marine’s web site for the latest in conference news – www.knoxmarine.com. The session topics change each year. You may register at the web site. For more information, contact Steve Knox at 804.222.5627 or [email protected]. The Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors (SAMS) and the National Association of Marine Surveyors (NAMS) have traditionally awarded 12 CEU’s for the conference.
Knox Marine chose these dates so that attendees could stay over and attend opening day at the Miami Boat Show on February 16. Knox Marine has arranged discounted room rates at two nearby hotels. The rates run through Friday February 17 so that attendees can stay over and attend opening day. The shipyard and hotels are a short cab or shuttle ride from the Ft. Lauderdale airport (FLL). 4 – 6 March 2012, NAMSGlobal 50th Anniversary National Marine Conference, Panama City Beach, FL Wyndham Bay Point Resort, 4114 Jan Cooley Drive, Panama City Beach, Florida 32408 Conference room rate: $120.00, plus taxes 11.5% Direct reservations: 850.236.6000 or Central reservations: 866.269.9165 As more information is available, it will be posted on the NAMS Website. NAMSWorthy NAMSGlobal Central Pacific Region Meeting – On Thursday, November 17, 2011 the National Association of Marine Surveyors Central Pacific Region chapter held its fall dinner meeting in San Francisco, CA. The meeting was set up in collaboration with the American Society of Appraisers ASA Nor-Cal chapter. ASA local chapter VP Mr. Garrett Schwartz, ASA Senior Machinery Appraiser and NAMS Central Pacific regional VP Capt. Joseph W Rodgers CMS brained stormed the idea of a joint venture dinner meeting. The meeting was held in the elegant L ’Olivier Restaurant located at 465 Davis Court near the Embarcadero waterfront in downtown, San Francisco, CA. Needless to say the food was “Par Excellence”! But the exciting event was the guest speaker Mr. Joe Diliberto a nationally recognized inspirational teacher whose background included executive level positions in sales and marketing with a Fortune 100 company. Mr. Diliberto is an expert in his field, and the owner of SANDLER TRAINING. The Sandler System has been recognized by Entrepreneur Magazine as the number one sales management-training program. His topic was “MAKING IT IN TODAY’S CHALLENGING ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT”. With fewer opportunities in business than before the independent marine surveyors and appraisers must do all they can to maximize their business development efforts. He spoke about how to find new prospects and gave helpful input on ways to avoid wasting time in looking for new work. One of the most helpful topics was adapting one’s attitude and how that can impact one’s survey/appraisal business. The meeting was well attended by the ASA Nor-Cal Chapter and local regional NAMS members William Hansen CMS, Kara Satra CMS, Dana Teichera CMS, Terry Tupper CMS, Dana Noland CMS, Ralf Bruni CMS, and John Marples CMS and SAMS member, Ben Pen and guests. The NAMS chapter also welcomed to the captain’s table Mr. Bill Axelguard who has just applied for membership with NAMSGlobal and who drove out all the away from Utah to attend the meeting. Bill Axelguard reported that the food along with the information gained was well worth the trip. NAMS Central Pacific Region Chapter wishes to thank ASA NorCal for their gracious hospitality. The next NAMS Central Pacific Region Chapter meeting is planned for February 2012. Changes at the BoatUS Surveyor Referral Service By Bob Adriance, NAMS Affiliate member If you are a Certified (CMS) member of NAMS or an Accredited (AMS) member of SAMS, you can be listed on the BoatUS Surveyor Referral Service. There will no a requirement to submit sample surveys and references for consideration in order to be accepted. This is a change from the previous listing requirements and reflects the confidence BoatUS has in the admissions and testing practices of the two major surveying organizations. Surveyors who have not been Certified/Accredited by NAMS or SAMS will still need to submit an application and references in order to be considered. Anyone who is currently on the list will remain on the list. The fee to be listed is being cut in half—from $100 to $50 annually–and will now include a subscription (paper copy) to Seaworthy as well as a BoatUS membership. Benefits of membership can be found at BoatUS.com. One that is noteworthy for surveyors is access to the Online Consumer Database, which is a nationwide database of consumer complaints about various makes and model boats, engines and equipment as well as related safety information. The database also includes the company’s response, if any, to each complaint as well as manufacturer recall notices, Coast Guard safety alerts, and a selection of service bulletins insured by boat builders and engine makers. Note, however, that is possible for a listed surveyor to be suspended or even removed permanently from the list. Reasons for suspension include: Not referencing current ABYC and NFPA standards or Coast Guard regulations; repeated failure to report boats’ true condition or value; submitting reports that lack detail; lack of professionalism and poor service. (Includes repeated complaints from members about bad temper, alcohol, or chronic inability to deliver reports in a timely manner (more than two weeks). Reinstatement is possible once it has been demonstrated that the reason for the suspension has been corrected. Someone can be permanently removed from the list for failure to abide by his or her organization’s code of ethics, including failure to be truthful, failure to avoid conflicts of interest or failure to present surveys without prejudice. To apply, please contact BoatUS at:[email protected] Officer Killed On Bridge As Boxship Rolled In 8 m Seas A fatal accident onboard a containership has sparked a call for better crew safety measures on modern ‘large, wide and spacious’ bridges. A 36-year-old Latvian third officer died from injuries suffered when he was repeatedly thrown across the bridge of the 25,608gt CCNI Guayas as the vessel rolled up to 35 degrees in 8m waves and force 10 winds off Hong Kong in September 2009. A report on the incident by the German accident investigation body BSU raises renewed concern about the design of modern ships and questions the adequacy of rules governing manning and stability. The 2,468 TEU vessel was in warm lay-up when it left its anchorage because of an approaching typhoon. As the conditions deteriorated, the ship rolled heavily and the floor of the bridge became slippery as a result of books and papers falling from shelves. During one roll, the third officer fell and was thrown across the bridge several times, hitting the bridge door with his face and also striking a radar transponder and a radiator. His condition deteriorated over the next few hours and he was airlifted ashore, but was declared dead as a result of multiple injuries. Investigations revealed that the transverse accelerations on the bridge created a force of around 12m per second squared. ‘At this high acceleration, the question arises of whether the existing bridge design is adequate in terms of handbars and lashing points for reducing the high accident risk,’ the report notes. With only three handrails , at the ship’s conning position , and none for the lookout or at the radio workstation, the CCNI Guayas was inadequately equipped, it adds. ‘On today’s large, wide and spacious bridges, more safeguards must be provided for the crewmembers situated there. Similarly, attachment points or eyes for safety straps or lifelines, or to secure a person in a stretcher for example, must be included in the bridge design.’ BSU pointed out that as the vessel was in warm lay-up, it had a crew of just 11 rather than the 16 required by the minimum manning certificate. Germany does not specify manning for laid-up ships, the report states, but it was clear the number on the CCNI Guayas , with the master and the single deck officer working six-on/six off rotations , was inadequate, making it doubtful that effective fire-fighting or medical care could be guaranteed in an emergency. At the time of the accident, the ship was unladen and in ballast, and as a result of the low draft, it had a high windage area and reduced rudder and propeller immersion. Investigators said research had shown that the accident would not have happened if the vessel had been operated without ballast, which would have significantly reduced the roll and the excessive forces on the bridge. ‘The calculations indicate that for a voyage without cargo, the only way to avoid the accident would have been to proceed without any ballast water. However, that is opposed by a whole raft of rules that must be complied with,’ the report adds. ‘The accumulation of accidents involving container vessels at partial draft clearly demonstrates that the evaluation of too much stability is just as necessary as the evaluation of too little stability,’ the report stresses. BSU called for the International Maritime Organisation, owners, builders and classification societies to do more at the design and approval stage to address ‘the dramatic consequences of swell-related stability effects’. From Flashlight, with thanks to the Nautilus Telegraph: www.nautilusint.org) NTSB – Safety Recommendations Re: Marine Pilots The U. S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued a series of safety recommendations related to reducing the risk of marine casualties when a vessel is operating with a local pilot on board. The recommendations are largely derived from the investigation into the January 23, 2010 accident in which the 810-foot-long tanker Eagle Otome collided with the 597-foot-long general cargo vessel Gulf Arrow at the Port of Port Arthur. Recommendations are made to the US Coast Guard to, among other things, conduct a ports and waterways safety assessment of the Sabine-Neches Waterway; to the Jefferson and Orange County Board of Pilot Commissioners to, among other things, implement a fatigue mitigation and prevention program among the Sabine pilots; to the Sabine Pilots Association to ensure that member pilots follow guidelines with respect to division of duties and responsibilities; to the Governors of states and territories in which state and local pilots operate to, among other things, promulgate hours of service rules that prevent fatigue; and to the American Pilots’ Association to advise members to consistently identify vessels by name in bridge-to-bridge communication. (11/4/11). Courtesy: Bryant’s Maritime Blog – Bryant’s Maritime Consulting[email protected] Website http://brymar-consulting.com © Dennis L. Bryant Pilot Fatigue In Tanker Accident A collision that occurred between a tanker, a cargo vessel and a tow last year that released 462,000 gallons of oil into the Sabine-Neches Waterway in Port Arthur, Texas, was the result of the tanker pilot’s inability to correct sheering motions that began as a result of the late initiation of a turn at a mild bend in the waterway. Also contributing to the accident – pilot fatigue. Those were the findings of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) regarding the probable cause of the January 23, 2010, collision of the 810 ft tanker Eagle Otome with the 597 ft cargo vessel Gulf Arrow and the subsequent collision with the Dixie Vengeance tow. “The NTSB has long been concerned about fatigue in the marine industry, and this accident highlights the very real consequences of degraded performance,” said NTSB Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman. (The Marine Log, October, 2011.) Courtesy AIMU Weekly Bulletin. Cargo Declares General Average General average requires that shippers whose cargo was saved from destruction (or their insurers) to chip in to compensate those whose cargo was lost or damaged to “save the venture” on a basis proportionate to the value of their cargo or vessel. While general average is usually declared by the ship owner, it can also be declared by shippers, as it was in a recent case before a U.S. District Court in New York. (Vogt Power International v. Beluga Constellation. S.D.N.Y 10CV2887. Sept. 1.) During cargo loading, securing plates were being welded on a ‘tween deck, when slag fell to the deck below, starting a blaze in packing material. The fire was extinguished, but Vogt said its generators were damaged by the fresh water and seawater used to fight the blaze. It contended the damage to its cargo were sacrifices, entitling it to be made good through the doctrine of general average, and asked the court summary judgment. The ship owner also asked for summary judgment, but contended if cargo was damaged, its liability was limited to $500 per package, pursuant to the U.S. Carriage of Goods by Sea Act (COGSA). The judge declined to grant summary judgment to either party. In order to qualify for recovery as a general average loss, three requirements must be met: – a common peril or danger must be immediately impending; – the voluntary sacrifice must be for the common good; – the peril must be successfully avoided. The judge said that “while fire is a classic maritime peril, that does not make every on board fire a per se peril.” While that determination “is usually left within the broad discretion of the captain or master,” she said the plaintiff is not entitled to a declaration of general average as a matter of law and a court must “determine whether there was a real and substantial peril to the common safety of the vessel and the cargo.” (American Shipper, October, 2011.) Courtesy AIMU Weekly Bulletin. Courtesy AIMU Weekly Bulletin. UK PM Seeks Law Change To Allow Armed Guards UK Prime Minister David Cameron announced plans to amend British law to allow UK registered vessels to employ armed guards as security, when they are transiting dangerous waters – mainly those off the coast of Somalia. Cameron’s initiative marks a growing trend, centered on London’s marine business that the ongoing threat from pirates is costing ship owners billions of dollars, and that something has to be done. According to the BBC “up to 200 vessels flying the red ensign – the British merchant navy flag – regularly sail close to Somalia. Officials estimate that about 100 of those would immediately apply for permission to have armed guards.” According to international law, whether or not armed guards are allowed on a vessel is up to the “flag nation;” i.e. the country where ownership of the vessel is registered, hence the need to change British law to allow armed guards. There has been a good deal of resistance to the practice, not least because it is thought that it would “raise the stakes,” and could encourage the pirates to take up heavier arms. But more recently in the last three months the industry has been moving over to using armed guards on vessels. There’s been a huge shift in 2011. Previously most ships didn’t have armed guards, but it’s now accepted by most of the ‘flag nations’ of the world that the way around piracy is to use armed guards on vessels. So far no ship with guards aboard has been successfully captured. (Insurance Journal, 10/31/2011.) Courtesy AIMU Weekly Bulletin. Dutch Builder Takes Growing Share Of Superyacht Market Dutch superyacht builder Feadship is performing better than ever. So far this year, the company has launched six superyachts with a total length of 450 m. Four out of the 13 new entries in the recently-published Top 100 List by Yachts International magazine were Feadship-built, including the 87.8m sister vessels Musashi and Fountainhead, the 81m Air and Tango at 77.7m. With the current build portfolio , including the first to break the 100m barrier , the brand continues to lead the way worldwide, having built the largest number of superyachts in the 60 to 100m range. Two recently launched large yachts , the 63m Lady Britt and the new twin-screw steel-hull F45 Helix, above , were shown for the first time at the Monaco Yacht show last month. From Flashlight Reefers From Vietnam Messrs Avalon, specialists in the insurance of transport risks in the US, have published this story in their Quest publication:- Potentially explosive containers disrupt West Coast port operations Ports in the West Coast are increasing safety procedures after multiple Vietnamese refrigerated containers exploded and killed three dockworkers in Vietnam and Brazil. Contaminated gas in the container’s cooling units likely caused the explosions. The Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) noted that these containers were processed in the port of Kat Lai in Vietnam. MSNBC reports that about 8,000 of these containers could be in circulation. Now, any refrigerated container transported through or originating in any Vietnamese port will be identified upon arrival in the United States. Any container from Kat Lai will be isolated for special handling. The PMA is working with the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (IWLU) to protect workers while keeping the ports in operation. During the past few days, the IWLU refused to work certain vessels until a complete history was provided. The IWLU is insisting that “any dangerous containers be identified and removed from circulation before another person is killed.” As a precaution, several carriers removed hundreds of containers from circulation that underwent refrigeration repairs in Vietnam this year. The U.S. Coast Guard is also working with shippers and port officials to identify any faulty containers and ensure they are safe.http://www.avalonrisk.com Courtesy Bow Wave Coastguard Bill Passes The U.S. House of Representatives passed the 2011 Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2011. In the legislation are provisions that set a nationwide standard for the treatment of ballast water that remedies the current patchwork of varying and inconsistent ballast water regulations across states. The bill also strengthens existing authorities against piracy, as well as improves an existing training program to instruct mariners on acceptable use of force against pirates. It authorizes armed security on vessels carrying government impelled cargo through high risk waters, and includes a report on ways to improve U.S. efforts to track ransom payments and the movement of money through Somali piracy networks. (American Shipper, 11/16/2011.) Courtesy AIMU Weekly Bulletin. Limitations Of Liability Apply To Fatal Leap Overboard by Fisherman James Mercante of the firm of Rubin, Fiorella & Friedman, who seems to mine a deep vein of cases involving the attempts by claimants to evade the limitations of admiralty law in the US has sent in a note arising out of the Yanicky Case. His firm has just prevailed in defeating a claimants motion to dismiss a federal limitation action at the pleading stage, involving a guest aboard a boat that made a fatal leap overboard for a swim during a fishing tournament miles away from shore. The motion to dismiss was heard before United States District Judge Michael A Telesca. The case, Mercante reports, will now proceed. The text of the decision can be read by accessing the news page of FOB at: http://www.fobnetworking.comCourtesy Maritime Advocate Online With our proclivity towards the online side of life, we were interested to receive from Georgina Gavin news of this organisation’s progress. She writes to inform us that VesselsValue has added container ships to its online valuation offering:- The online ship valuation service, which already covers tankers and bulkers, is now valuing Containerships from Feedermax (500 teu) up to ULCV (18,000 teu). VesselsValue was launched earlier this year by London based S & P broker Seasure Shipping Ltd. The service provides instant, data-driven ship valuations and market insights for vessels and portfolios which are currently being used by sophisticated players in the commercial banking, investment fund, ownership and broking sectors. The service signals a change in the way ocean going vessels are valued. Where traditional valuation methods can be expensive, slow and subject to bias, VesselsValue provides them cheaply, instantly, consistently and accurately. The methodology incorporates ship specifications, real time sales and freight earning sentiment enabling market valuations of vessels in even the most illiquid markets. This model is continually updated and recalibrated daily to give the closest possible fit to reported sale prices. Accuracy is tested and reported by comparing valuations against prices achieved in the market. Something tells us that a lot of our Readers will be giving thought to the value of ships in the coming twelvemonth. Courtesy Maritime Advocate Online a weekly digest of news and views on the maritime industries, with particular reference to dispute resolution. To contact the editor Bevis Marks, send an e-mail to: [email protected] Why You Should Add an Isolation Transformer to Your Boat from Canadian Yachting-Powerboat-World.com: http://www.powerboat-world.com/canada/index.cfm?nid=84973 For surveyors who engage in Heavy Lift assignments, we have been made aware of a new magazine Heavy Lift & Project Forwarding International. It is dedicated to news, information and analysis about the lift and transportation of over-dimensional or heavy project cargoes to company executives on both the supply and demand side of the business. The magazine is published six times per annum and is available on line as a E-zine. The next edition will include a report on marine warranty surveying in regards to heavy and OOG cargo. Their website iswww.heavyliftpfi.com.
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