Tag: yachts

On the aftermath of a fatal accident that killed two crew members of the yacht 'Platino' back in June 2016, Maritime NZ announced changes to safety requirements for recreational vessels leaving New Zealand ports for overseas, and for other recreational vessels in New Zealand waters.

USCG located a 46-foot sailing vessel that was adrift for more than one month after the vessel owners were rescued from it, off the coast of Grays Harbor, on 16 June.  The Cutter 'Barracuda' crew found the 'Kelaerin', Sunday while on routine patrol near Fort Bragg more than 440 miles south-southeast from its June position.

New Zealand's North Shore District Court has ordered an Auckland boatie to pay $17,500 in reparation, after running over a diver and seriously injuring him. Maritime Rules impose a speed limit of 5 knots (9 km/h) within 50 metres of a person in the water and 200 metres of a boat flying a dive flag.

The Singapore-flagged cargo ship 'IVS Phinda' has rescued two Australian sailors Monday morning, 370 kilometres north of Darwin. The sailors were travelling from Indonesia to Australia on their yacht, the 'Jepeda IV', when they lost their mast in rough weather.

The UK Coast Guard has issued kill cord safety advice, after two men were thrown from their speedboat in the afternoon hours of 12 July. The kill cord, as the name suggests, is designed to 'kill' a boat engine, in case the driver goes overboard. 

The Port of Vancouver announced that it will implement temporary and voluntary 15-knot speed restriction for tier 2 vessels in First Narrows Traffic Control Zone. The speed restriction will be in effect between July 6 and October 1, 2018. The voluntary 15-knot speed restriction aims to help keep port users safe.

On the occasion of the UK’s first Maritime Safety Week, the British Ports Association has called for new legislation to introduce alcohol limits for non-professional mariners, replicating the rules that already exist for commercial ships in British waters. 

Old life-jackets with kapok filling or cotton straps are unsafe and likely to fail when used, warned Maritime New Zealand's General Manager Maritime Compliance, Kenny Crawford, noting that these old life-jackets should be replaced as soon as possible with modern foam-filled or inflatable life-jackets.

On 31 October 2017, the UK registered and commercially operated yacht 'CV24' ran aground on Cape Peninsula, South Africa. CV24 was abandoned and the crew was rescued uninjured. There was no pollution and the wreck was subsequently disposed of locally. UK MAIB issued an investigation report on the incident.

Recently, USCG terminated the voyage of a yacht after found to violate several regulations governing the operation of commercial passenger vessels, including carrying more passengers. USCG says this highlights the need for continued coordination between the Coast Guard, the passenger vessel industry, and local law enforcement.