The President's Corner
Howdy…
And welcome to NAMSNEWS.
I’d like to say thank you once again to Greg Weeter, who put the NAMS News together for many years. His dedication to our organization and the NAMS News is greatly appreciated. And to our new News ‘editor’, Phil Peterson, thank you for stepping up and taking the reins from Greg; you’ve got big shoes to fill. I know you’ll do well. If you have an article or news item that you feel is worthy to add to the NAMS News, pass it to the National Office who will forward to Phil.
The 2019 NAMS National Marine Conference is set for March 24-27, 2019, at the Hilton Hotel in Vancouver, Washington – that’s Washington State. Vancouver is served by multiple air carriers into the Portland International Airport in Portland, Oregon (airport code PDX). Uber standard from the airport to Vancouver ranges from $25 to $30. Taxis are slightly higher and shuttle vans are available. The speakers committee is hard at work lining up topics and speakers. If you have a topic or speaker that you would like to suggest please let the National Office know. There are many opportunities to complete the recertification hours required to maintain your NAMS certification and I encourage you to take advantage of every learning opportunity. I do believe that the best recertification method is to attend the National Conference where you can network with fellow NAMS members and non-members. I look forward to seeing you there. There are still some members who have not yet submitted their recertification hours for this biennium. Please do so soon and plan to attend the 2019 National Conference to get ahead of the requirement for the next.
The end of November is usually considered the end of the hurricane season. I, as well as many of you I’m sure, hope it has already had a premature ending. To those of you who endured Florence and Michael, we wish you all the best. Cooler nights are here. On the weather map I see a large blue swath across the Midwest indicating below freezing temps and even snow.
Mark your calendar…
2019 NAMS National Marine Conference
March 27-29, 2019
Vancouver, Washington
Remember, each time you sign a letter, report, or email and include the “NAMS-CMS” moniker, you are representing the professionalism that is NAMSGlobal.
Learn Something and Share Your Knowledge Everyday
View From the Helm of The NAMSGlobal eNews
We are delighted to be publishing our November 2018 NAMSGlobal E-Newsletter! While we try to keep the newsletter a bi-monthly publication to keep members up to date on current events and educational opportunities, for a number of reasons it was time to upgrade the software used for publication, and the learning curve that goes with it. The effort to get the newsletter out has been 5% writing it, and 95% in the mechanics of publishing it. We are looking forward to reversing those numbers in the future.
New Members Elected
NAMS-CMS
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Applicant
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Discipline
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Region
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Sponsor
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Ryan Coffey
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Cargo
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Great Lakes
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Daniel Boltz
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Andrew Minster
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H&M
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East Gulf
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Conrad Breit
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Vinay Talwar
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Cargo
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East Canada
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Matt Salked
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Noble Davidson
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H&M
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East Gulf
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Childs Dunbar
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NAMS-ASSOCIATE
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Applicant
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Discipline
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Region
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Sponsors
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Byron Polly
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Y&S
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Western Canada
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Dick Frenzel
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Daniel McKindsey
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Y&S
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Eastern Canada
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Raymond Toth
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Jessie Page
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H&M
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East Gulf
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Howard Held
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Stuart McFarland
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Y&S
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North Pacific
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Richard Bloomquist
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William Morris
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Cargo
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East Gulf
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Jeffrey Millard
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Crossed The Bar
At the age 64 years, Patrick Irwin died peacefully on Tuesday, July 3, 2018 after a short illness. He was born on May 16, 1954 in Philly and spent most of his life there, graduating from St. Joe's University, then working as a successful marine surveyor for Joseph Irwin Inc, which he owned for several decades. He was a hardworking man, spending a great deal of time at the ports of Philly, Camden and Delaware, where his presence is fondly remembered.
He will never be forgotten by those who knew him, including his beloved wife of 17 years, Marcela (nee Barreto), his two sons, Patrick Ian Irwin and Xavier Marcus Irwin, and his many good friends who remember Patrick as "kind, witty and always smiling."
He enjoyed the simple things in life, especially watching his boys' hockey and soccer games, horse racing and a good chocolate milkshake. He will be missed by many.
Upcoming Educational Opportunities
* NAMS GREAT LAKES REGIONAL TRAINING *
Nov. 30 – Dec. 1, Portage, IN
The schedule is 12 pm to 5 pm CST Friday, Nov 30 and 7:30 am – 4 pm CST Saturday Dec. 1. Meeting cost will be $100 for 12 CE’s Credits. The formal Agenda, hotel information and meeting registration form will be posted shortly. Contact Kevin Bache, CMS-NAMS, AMS-SAMS, IAMI, Great Lakes Region VP, 419-684-7910 / [email protected]
*Central & Mid Atlantic Regional Meeting*
Nov. 30- Dec. 1, Virginia Beach, VA
Testing will be from 8am-12pm, Friday November 30th immediately followed by the Regional Meeting beginning 12pm- 5:30pm. Saturday December 1st meeting from 7:30am- 4:00pm. Attendance of the meeting is worth a total of 12 CE Credits and the cost is $200 per person. Contact Lloyd Griffin at 252.333.6105/ [email protected]
*2019 NAMS National Marine Conference *
March 27-29, 2019 Vancouver, Washington
* ABYC *
Dec. 10, 2018, Glouster Point, VA, Marine Corrosion
Corrosion Theory - an introduction to the common types of corrosion and typical causes (this is a great introduction to the updated ABYC Marine Corrosion Certifications course coming this fall!) New Products and A Dec. 4 – Dec. 7, 2018, Houston, TX pplications, Corrosion Application - the systematic approach to complete an on-board corrosion survey, Marketing and New Business Development. https://abycinc.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=1150270&group=
Dec. 12, 2018, Annapolis, MD, ABYC Marine Training Seminar - Marine Electrical
Circuit protection, wiring, and battery management training seminar, New Products and Applications by Blue Sea/Power Products, Preview of Advanced Marine Electrical Certification, Marketing your Marine Business. https://abycinc.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=1155272&group=
Dec. 18 - 20, 2018, Midland, ON, Canada, ABYC Marine Systems Certification
This course is designed for the marine professional with experience working with marine systems design, installation or repair. This course will provide the student with a comprehensive and focused look at the key ABYC Standards. The successful certification candidate should have some familiarity with ABYC Standards and Topics Covered listed below. The new three day class format now includes an online learning component designed to provide preliminary coursework prior to the class. The online component for the ABYC Systems Certification class covers chapters one-four of the course book. It also provides an overview of ABYC along with certification requirements and helpful hints to manage your certification.
Dec. 4 – Dec. 7, 2018, Houston, TX, Annual Survey of Towing Vessels Course
Open to those members and non-members. It provides surveyors with the knowledge and skills required to perform TVIB TPO Subchapter M annual surveys of towing vessels. It has been designed to teach those who will be performing surveys as a part of an internal survey program, as well as those surveyors who wish to hold the credential to perform external surveys for TVIB. Everyone who successfully completes the course will receive a course completion certificate. This course is the surveying course required for those individuals seeking the TVIB Certified Subchapter M Surveyor for Annual Surveys credential. http://www.thetvib.org/event/annual-survey-towing-vessels-course-8/
Nov. 28 – 30, 2018, Antwerp, Ship Inspection Course
Practical 3-day workshop to provide inspectors and surveyors with hands-on experience when carrying out ship inspections, identifying defects and understanding why they are defects, identifying hazards/risks linked to deficiencies, organizing inspections, reporting to principals, familiarizing with soft skills related to ship inspections. https://imcs-training.eu/trainings/ship-inspection-course/
Dec. 13 - 14, 2018, Antwerp, Hatch Cover Course - Level 1 (in co-operation with SDT International)
Preparing operators of SDT ultrasonic tightness testing equipment to carry out tightness inspections in line with good practice and IACS UR Z17 requirements for class service suppliers - this requires delegates to have basic knowledge about hatch covers, their maintenance, operation, repairs as well as theoretical and practical training with SDT class type approved equipment. https://imcs-training.eu/trainings/hatch-cover-level-1/
Dec. 17 – 18, 2018, Antwerp, Hatch Cover Course – Level 2
Obtaining a more profound knowledge and understanding on a wide variety of hatch cover related subjects and practical approach to hatch cover repairs. https://imcs-training.eu/trainings/hatch-cover-level-2/
* AMERICAN SOCIETY OF APPRAISERS *
March 21-23, 2019, The Queen Mary, Long Beach, CA, ME208-OOO - Marine Survey
This course is designed for the non-marine professional who wants basic knowledge of the industry and for the marine professional who wants to learn more about the appraisal side of the industry. Topics covered in the course include:
- Marine equipment and its special language;
- The marine industry and function of marine surveyors and appraisers;
- The three approaches to value as they apply to commercial and yacht appraisal;
- Identification of marine equipment and systems, both commercial and yacht;
- Preparing an appraisal report; and
- Different types of Bluewater and Brownwater equipment.
The exam for this course is optional. http://www.appraisers.org/Education/View-Course?CourseID=110.
NAMSWorthy Articles of Interest
For Immediate Release
July 30, 2018
Washington, DC – The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued a new rule which governs how cash and noncash charitable contributions should be valued. The new rule specifically cites the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) of The Appraisal Foundation.
Effective today, the new rule, entitled Substantiation and Reporting Requirements for Cash and Noncash Charitable Contribution Deductions, draws specific parameters around the term qualified appraisal. As stated in Section III (B) of the rule, appraisals are to be performed by a qualified appraiser according to the “substance and principles of the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice [USPAP] as developed by the Appraisal Standards Board of the Appraisal Foundation.” This clarification pertains to charitable contributions of all property types.
The Appraisal Foundation’s Appraisal Standards Board (ASB) is responsible for the development and promotion of USPAP, which are the generally accepted ethical and performance standards for the appraisal profession in the United States. Since being recognized by the US Congress in 1989 for real property valuation, USPAP has been widely embraced in numerous landmark court cases in all disciplines of valuation.
President of The Appraisal Foundation David S. Bunton stated, “For the past three decades USPAP has become deeply embedded in our legal and regulatory system. This action by the IRS only underscores its importance and relevance to all valuation issues.”
Consumers wishing to make charitable contributions of property for tax deduction purposes will want to ensure that property appraisals for items worth $5,000 or more are performed by a qualified professional in accordance with USPAP. To learn more about USPAP, The Appraisal Foundation or for help finding an appraiser, visit www.appraisalfoundation.org.
Contact: Paula Douglas Seidel 202.624.3048
The Circuit Breaker on the Dock Has Tripped… Again! Ed Lethert
Recreational boaters are encountering a new challenge when putting in at new marinas or at marinas that have recently upgraded their electrical distribution systems. The alternating current shore power, taken for granted for so many years, has suddenly become an unpleasant focal point for many in the boating community. Circuit breakers on these docks have begun to trip at an annoyingly high rate. This problem has become an oft repeated topic in magazine articles and on numerous web sites and blogs. Boaters comments reflect their displeasure. (Portions of a recent comment on one web site are included here. Note that the writer refers to "GFCI" but was more likely dealing with 30 or 100 milliampere ground-fault protection, although it is possible that the marina actually did install 5 milliampere GFCI protection.)
I just moved into a marina that has GFCI on each shore power connection (10mA protection). IT'S THE WORST!!! This shore power is useless, it so sensitive around a wet environment! I swear, when the fog comes in too dense the damn breaker trips and I lose shore power. My refrigeration goes out and my batteries die. … The unintended consequences of damaged marine equipment from shore power cutting out when boat owners are not around is going to get marinas, cities and code writers sued. Just wait, the marine industry is just starting to realize the problems from GFCI shore power, lawsuits are looming on the horizon. This new code has made shore power completely unreliable. (by catalinaisl and time)
What changed? The 2017 edition of the National Electrical Code (NEC) includes new requirements for ground-fault protection in marinas, on docks, etc. This ground-fault protection (GFP), which is typically incorporated into the circuit breakers at the dock pedestals, is not unlike the ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) receptacle with which we are all familiar. While the GFCI is required to trip for fault current conditions of 5 milliamperes or more, the GFP on the dock is required to trip for ground fault current conditions of 30 milliamperes or more. Also, the NEC now requires that the circuit breakers on the electrical feeders serving the docks also have ground-fault protection not exceeding 30 milliamperes. These requirements are found in Article 555 of the 2017 NEC, Section 555.3.
Why is this a problem? First, it must be pointed out that this is not the marina operator's fault. They are required to follow the current edition of the NEC when building or upgrading their facilities. Of course, the typical boater believes that the marina is at fault. After all, they have never in the past experienced this problem "in all their years of boating activity." The simple fact is that the new ground-fault protection is exposing electrical deficiencies aboard the affected boats that have remained hidden in the past. These deficiencies include on-board wiring errors, mis-wired or failing on-board equipment, and older on-board technology that is not compatible with the new ground-fault protection requirements.
How does this affect the marine surveyor? No professional surveyor wants to certify a boat only to have the buyer discover they have the very problem presented above. Itis recommended that some additional items be added to the survey checklist if not already there.
What is being done? A comprehensive list of causes is being developed by the author and should be available soon. A recommended protocol for identification of these issues is also being developed and should be available soon.
A note regarding the NEC: Ground-fault protection of 30 milliamperes at the pedestal receptacle is not unreasonable. On the other hand, ground-fault protection of 30 milliamperes at the feeder circuit breaker is problematic. Efforts are underway to encourage a revision to the NEC that will increase the maximum ground-fault protection for feeder circuits from 30 to 100 milliamperes. If successful, this change will take effect in the 2020 edition of the NEC. It is hoped that the Authorities Having Jurisdiction can then be convinced to embrace the 100 milliampere requirement for the remainder of the 2017 NEC cycle. For those seeking a better understanding of this importance of this change, see the author's article "Marina Ground Fault Leakage Current and the NEC." The PDF file is available at http://www.electricshockdrowningmn.com
About the Author: Ed Lethert is a retired electronic technician, designer, consultant and instructor. His retirement activities include working with the Electric Shock Drowning Prevention Association to promote ESD awareness, particularly in the marina environment. He is also busy assisting marinas with ESD investigation and mitigation. As of late, he has become involved, along with others, in the endeavors to ensure that the National Electrical Code writers understand the marina and recreational boating environment when adding new requirements to the Code. And he has been helping boaters resolve ground-fault trip issue on the watercraft. Ed lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota and can be reached at [email protected] or 612-670-9801. |
