Feeds:
Posts
Comments

Archive for the ‘News Events’ Category

Hong Kong Ferry Disaster – News Reports; Human Errors ?

Posted in Exterior, News Events, Photographs, Updates, tagged , , , , , , , , , on October 7, 2012| Leave a Comment »


News extracts from Newsday articles

Outrage over human errors in Hong Kong boat crash

Lamma IV

When two boats filled with people collided on Hong Kong’s busy waterways, the impact knocked a hole in one vessel’s engine room and the water poured in too fast to stop the boat from sinking. Passengers struggled to find life vests and dozens drowned in the turbulent waters.

Rather than rush to help, however, the crew of the other vessel, a ferry, seemed paralyzed, according to witnesses. After pausing briefly near the doomed ship filled with holiday revelers, the ferry continued on to its berth. Shock over Monday’s crash, which left 39 dead, gave way to outrage Wednesday over what experts concluded was human error. Investigators have not publicly offered a theory of how the collision occurred but have arrested seven crew members, including both captains. The ferry company denied accusations that the boat left immediately after the crash, but did not say whether its crew did anything to help the other vessel as it rapidly sank.

The collision, Hong Kong’s deadliest maritime accident since 1971, has hit at the heart of the semiautonomous territory’s identity. Fleets of ferry boats form the backbone of the transport network, and much of Hong Kong’s economy relies on its reputation as a well-managed shipping hub. “We cannot help but be shocked and angry,” the English-language South China Morning Post said in an editorial. It said “pinpointing fault and ensuring that there is no repeat” would be a matter of “safety, reputation and financial well-being.”

All 39 people killed had been on the Lamma IV, owned by utility company Hong Kong Electric, which was taking about 120 of its workers and their families to watch fireworks in celebration of China’s National Day and mid-autumn festival. Survivors from both boats said that after the collision knocked people from their seats, there was chaos as people rushed to find life jackets. About 100 people on both vessels, but mostly from the Lamma IV, were taken to hospitals for injuries.

Capt. Tony Yeung Pui-keung, manager of the Maritime Services Training Institute in Hong Kong, said the large number of fatalities was due to Lamma IV’s rapid partial sinking, which occurred in minutes after the engine room was breached and flooded. “I think it was all of the sudden and I think no (one) can make a response in two minutes,” Yeung said. “So I think it’s difficult. Except for Superman, no people can escape so easily.”

Ferry passenger Chris Head said he was thrown off his feet on the open upper rear deck. He said the collision felt like “walking into a lamppost.” “Then someone else on the boat pointed out a dark shape moving away from us and said, ‘I think we just hit a boat,'” said Head, a teacher who has lived on nearby Lamma island for 18 years. The other boat was already listing, and aside from two tiny lights it “just was not lit at all. We couldn’t see anyone on it,” Head said. He said he couldn’t be sure that the lights had been off before the crash. After Head and the other passengers put on their life jackets, he saw that the other boat had started to “go into a sort of Titanic pose vertically.” Head said the ferry itself was listing slightly and taking on water. He said the captain kept the ferry in the area for five to 10 minutes before leaving. But he added, “I’m not saying that he was making any effort to rescue. I don’t know about that.”

Capt. Yeung, who is not involved in the investigation, said standard maritime protocol requires ships to stay with other damaged boats and help if they can, even if only to call for help. He said the Sea Smooth’s captain might not have been aware of this duty or may have panicked, worried about his own passengers. “I will leave it to the judge to decide whether the captain is guilty or not, but I personally cannot accept (that he left the scene),” he said.

Good Visibility on Night of Accident

Yeung said it was too early to know what caused the accident but that weather didn’t seem to be a factor on the relatively clear and calm night. He said the lights of the skyline and other ships might have obscured the navigation lights on one or both of the ships that crashed, but that the biggest factors appeared to be “careless mistakes” by both crews.

Three crew members from the Lamma IV and four from the Sea Smooth were arrested; all have been released on bail except the hospitalized Sea Smooth captain. Police Commissioner Tsang Wai-hung said both crews are suspected of having not “exercised the care required of them by law,” but he did not elaborate. Yeung said he suspects the ferry captain may not have been paying enough attention. “If people run on the same route every day, several times a day, they become overconfident. They become very slack,” he said.

At the same time, he said the Lamma IV’s captain might have been moving too fast to secure a good position for the fireworks show. Hong Kong Electric spokeswoman Elaine Wong declined to release any information about the Lamma IV’s captain. A woman who escaped the Lamma IV with her husband and their two children told the South China Morning Post they barely had time to get into life vests before water rushed into the boat.

Renee, whose surname was not given, said her husband, Fong Hang-keung, found an exit and pulled her, their 7-year-old son and 11-year-old daughter out into the sea. The four were rescued in about 10 minutes. Ng, the ferry official, said the Sea Smooth had no problems when it passed a government-required inspection last month. Echoing promises from the power company Tuesday, he said the ferry company “will absolutely chase the reasons behind the incident.”

Ng bristled at the claim, made by the power company that the ferry left the scene immediately.”I think, at this stage, to say that we left without a backward glance, there is a little problem with that,” Ng said. But he added that because he still hadn’t spoken with the ferry captain, he did not know exactly how the crew responded.

Read Full Post »

Ferry disaster inquiry to focus on ‘lapses’ by both skippers

Posted in Exterior, News Events, Photographs, Updates, tagged , , , , , , , on October 7, 2012| Leave a Comment »


This article coutesy of the Hong Kong SCMP.

Collision claims its 39th fatality as initial investigation finds that the two captains failed to post a lookout as catastrophe loomed.

Rescuers check the Lamma IV.

The death toll in the National Day ferry disaster last night rose to 39 when one of its youngest victims died of her injuries, four days after the two passenger vessels collided off Lamma Island.

After the government raised the death toll by one, a source at Pamela Youde Nethersole Hospital said nine-year-old Tsui Hoi-ying had died of multiple organ failure at 8.53pm. She is the eighth child to have died in the disaster, in which her father, Tsui Chi-wai, 42, also died. Her mother is still being treated in hospital.

The announcement of her death came shortly before rescuers announced, at 10.40pm, that they had called off their search for any more victims or survivors.

The government said police investigations had accounted for all people on board the Lamma IV launch and the Sea Smooth ferry at the time of Monday’s collision, and that they would now be speaking to witnesses.

A government source with knowledge of the investigation into the accident suggested that lapses by both skippers contributed to the collision.

Both captains had apparently failed to keep a proper lookout and took insufficient action to avoid a collision that led to the city’s deadliest maritime disaster in four decades, according to the source, who added that each captain should have been able to see the other’s vessel approaching.

“They should have seen each other because they were running on a reciprocal [head-on] course,” the source said. “From the extent of the damage, [it seems] the two boats were travelling at speed. Both parties apparently failed to take sufficient action to avoid the collision.”

More than 100 police officers are now focusing on criminal liability. The Marine Department will concentrate mainly on the cause of the collision.

Investigations thus far have shown that the two vessels were travelling at their normal operating speeds – 13 to 14 knots for the Lamma IV and more than 20 knots for the Sea Smooth – at the time of impact. The source said this suggested the captains had “failed to slow down or did not have time to reduce the speed of their vessels”.

Police have taken initial statements from 80 survivors who were taken to hospitals. They aim to approach as many passengers as possible, except children, to take detailed statements. Accounts of the collision will also be sought from some of the 1,000 disciplined services officers who took part in the rescue.

Hong Kong and Kowloon Ferry, operator of the Sea Smooth, and Hongkong Electric both said they would not comment on anything related to the investigation at this stage.

The 24-metre Lamma IV, carrying 124 passengers and three crew, had a nine-square-metre hole ripped in the left rear of its hull and the damage extended into its engine room.

A maritime specialist who declined to be named said the Lamma IV was unlikely to be repaired and would probably be broken up once the investigation and any criminal proceedings had been completed.

The day after the collision, police arrested seven crew members, including the two skippers, on suspicion of endangering the safety of others at sea. All seven were granted bail.

Read Full Post »

Hong Kong Ferry Disaster

Posted in Exterior, News Events, Photographs, Updates, tagged , , , , , , , on October 7, 2012| Leave a Comment »


Article from UK Telgraph

Seven-year-old British boy among Hong Kong ferry victims

A seven-year-old British boy and his mother were among 38 killed in Hong Kong’s
worst maritime disaster in decades, it emerged on Wednesday.

Hong Kong authorities on Wednesday evening released a list of 11 of the people who had been killed in Monday night’s ferry disaster, naming the British victim as Nicholas Chi-ho Belshaw. His mother, Wendy Ie Hwie, 44, also died, according to the list.

Earlier, the Foreign Office confirmed one British national was among those killed when two passenger boats collided on Monday night.

Nicholas and his mother were among 124 people travelling on the Lamma IV boat when it crashed into a passenger ferry called Sea Smooth.

While the damaged Sea Smooth managed to find its way back to port, survivors said the Lamma IV sank within minutes of impact, plunging many of its passengers into the water.

“I could see it going upright and sinking, just like the Titanic,” Chris Head, a teacher who was on the Sea Smooth, told the South China Morning Post.

By the time rescue workers arrived at the scene, it was already too late for some.

The Ship sank in minutes. Some passengers said they had been trapped inside the ship and had to break windows underwater in order to escape.

Fireman Wong Tsz-kiu told the Hong Kong-based newspaper how he battled to rescue an eight-year-old girl.

“I pulled her out of the water unconscious and performed CPR on her hoping to resuscitate her. Then I handed her over to the paramedics in the main boat, and they told me she was gone. Only then did I cry.”

By Wednesday morning, the official death toll had reached 38, including five children. Seven crew members – including the captains of both vessels – have been placed under arrest for “endangering the safety of others at sea”.

The tragedy – described as Hong Kong’s worst maritime disaster since a ferry travelling between Hong Kong and Macau sunk in 1971 killing 88 people – has ignited a mix of grief and anger among Hong Kongers.

Questions have been raised over how such an accident could happen given the modern-technology used by such vessels and why the Sea Smooth did not appear to have stayed on the scene to help victims from the Lamma IV.

Port officials say an investigation could take up to six months and authorities have yet to present the cause of the accident. The director of the company that owns the Sea Smooth ferry, has rejected accusations of a “hit and run”.

On Wednesday night around 1,200 mourners, among them survivors, gathered at Hong Kong’s Catholic cathedral for a remembrance service led by archbishop John Tong.

Read Full Post »

More on KRI Klewang – “One of the most innovative warships in the world”

Posted in Exterior, News Events, Photographs, Specifications, Technical Specifications, Updates, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , on October 6, 2012| Leave a Comment »


The following is courtesy of Maritime Propulsion.

Warship Composite Construction – Java Shows the Way

By George Backwell at September 08, 2012 07:22
One of the most innovative warships in the world was launched recently, from remote, tropical Banyuwangi on the sea coast of Java, Indonesia, where North Sea Boats has a shipyard. The high-speed littoral waters patrol boat –  to be named KRI Klewang – has a wave-piercing trimaran hull form (offering a very stable weapons platform) constructed exclusively of infused vinylester carbon-fibre composite.

This composite medium was chosen for its multiple benefits including: reduced weight (laminated carbon fibre has a density nearly half that of aluminium alloys) and reduced maintenance (carbon composites cannot corrode and exhibit extremely high fatigue limits). If that were not sufficient justification, this material also provides the nil magnetic signature, reduced thermal and acoustic signatures required to suit the role of this warship.
This fairly remote area of Indonesia lacked the highly skilled specialist workforce with experience in building composite hulls for such an advanced, relatively large vessel – LOA 63m (206.7 ft)  –  in order to achieve the quality required for a build under the eye of classification society Germanischer Lloyd. To overcome this, North Sea Boats introduced its high volume vacuum infusion system to give the necessary confidence in the quality and consistency of the building work.
The flat, faceted panel geometry of the ship itself (the design provides external ‘Stealth’ geometry) also lent itself to this high volume production system, which also employed numerically controlled milling machine technology for the utmost accuracy.
The builders claim that the use of carbon foam sandwich composites on this scale in naval application is unprecedented outside of Scandinavia and is representative of the current state of the art in both maritime composites structural engineering and production technology.
Accommodation is provided for a complement of twenty nine (officers and crew) on three internal decks (including bridge and combat control centre), with facilities and equipment for deployment of special forces troops, including an 11m high speed 50 knot RIB, also manufactured and supplied by North Sea Boats.

Propulsion System

Power comes from multiple MAN Diesel & Turbo V12 diesel engines, coupled to MJP 550 propulsion water jet units which are located in both the centre hull and each of the two side hulls for maximum propulsive thrust and manoeuvrability.

Marine Diesel Engine MAN V12-1550: Image courtesy of MAN

The  MAN 4-stroke power plants each have 12 cylinders in 90° V configuration with four valves per cylinder, water-cooled, plus two- stage exhaust gas turbo-chargers. These engines have common rail electronically controlled direct fuel injection.

The stainless steel water jets, manufacture certified by DNV, come from MPJ Waterjets, part of the Swedish industrial group Österby Marine.

KRI Klewang – General Specifications

LOA 63.0 m (206.7 ft)
Length on Waterline 61.0 m (200.1 ft)
Beam Overall 16.0 m (52.5 ft)
Water Draft 1.2 m (3.9 ft)
Sprint Speed 30+ kts
Range 2000+ nm
Fuel Capacity 50,000 ltrs (13,208 US Galls.)

Read Full Post »

Hong Kong Ferry Disaster – Answers ?

Posted in Exterior, News Events, Photographs, Updates, tagged , , , , , on October 5, 2012| Leave a Comment »


Some extracts of articles in the press.

Answers may take months

Extensive damage to the Port Side Aft Quarter

The investigation into the deadly ferry collision will try to find out why the pleasure boat Lamma IV sank so fast, the Director of Marine Francis Liu Hon-por said yesterday. The vessel was towed to Nga Kau Wan on the northern bay of Lamma island. It sustained a 3.04-meter gaping hole on its side and was leaking oil. An oil-proof net was put around its perimeter to contain the spill. Liu said the probe may take six months, after which safety guidelines for commercial pleasure craft could be altered. “Another focus of the investigation is whether any of the crew had breached regulations,” he said, adding that they will check if there were sufficient safety equipment onboard. The department had issued guidelines that children should always wear life jackets on commercial pleasure boats but he admitted this is not part of the law. “There is also an instruction to require commercial pleasure boats to have a crew member and passenger list, but it’s not required by law either,” he said. The Sea Smooth, owned by the Hong Kong and Kowloon Ferry, remains docked at the Yung Shue Wan pier. Prakash Metaparti, a master mariner and assistant professor at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University’s Department of Logistics and Maritime Studies, said he believes either one or both vessels were going at an “unsafe speed,” causing Lamma IV to sink within a few minutes. He said it is fairly simple to estimate the speed of the vessels and the path they took a few minutes before the collision through the Marine Department’s radar recordings of the entire harbor traffic. He believes Lamma IV sank because it was hit on the side toward the back part of the ship.

Appears to be Large Gash in Hull just astern of Tyre fender

“That’s where you have the engine room, which is usually the biggest compartment in the ship,” he said. “If that got punctured, water would rush in and quickly fill up a big part of the ship. “That would make it tilt back. Usually, if the damage was not significant, the water would seep in somewhat slowly and the ship would sink rather slowly.” In another development, Island District councillors urged the government to tighten its regulations to improve sea traffic.

The members observed a minute of silence before starting the special meeting on the collision. Meanwhile, a consulate spokeswoman disclosed yesterday that a British national was among the 38 people killed in the accident. British Prime Minister David Cameron has sent his condolences to the boat tragedy victims. Foreign and Commonwealth Office minister Hugo Swire said: “I was deeply saddened by news of the tragic ferry accident in Hong Kong. “We enjoy close historical and cultural ties with Hong Kong, which means that the tragedy will be felt keenly in Britain.”

Source : The Standard

CRYING FERRY BOSS DEFENDS CAPTAIN

The ferry company at the center of the Lamma disaster rejected accusations that the ship captain failed to stop and give assistance in wake of the collision. In standing by his captain, Nelson Ng Siu-yuen of Hong Kong and Kowloon Ferry Holdings broke down while disclosing the fact that a relative of his wife lost two children in Hong Kong’s worst maritime incident in 40 years. Thirty-eight people died while an as yet unknown number are believed missing in Monday’s collision between the passenger ferry Sea Smooth and the pleasure boat Lamma IV. “We feel deep regret about this sea tragedy,” Ng said.

“We hope all the deceased can rest in peace. “I have promised not to say anything, but now I feel I cannot but tell you that I too have relatives, two children, who passed away.” Ng said he has reported his personal tragedy to the board of directors. But he was staunch in his defense of the ferry captain, taking issue with reports that suggested the Sea Smooth, carrying more than 90 commuters at the time, had irresponsibly sailed away after the collision. “We stopped at the scene and did not leave immediately. It is unfair to blame the company’s ferry, but what actually happened is up to the investigators to determine,” he said. A master mariner and assistant professor of logistics and maritime studies at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Prakash Metaparti, however, said that while it is the usual practice to stay at an accident scene and offer help, “it is not a rigid rule.” He added: “There are several exceptions. One such exception is when a ship master feels that remaining at the scene will endanger his ship, cargo or passengers, so he may choose to leave.

Extensive Damage to Port Bow section

” Metaparti believes that the captain may have “justifiably felt” that his ferry was in danger of sinking or that some of his own passengers would need urgent medical assistance. For his part, Ng said the captain, a 27-year veteran, remains in a state of shock and is receiving counseling at Queen Elizabeth Hospital. The captain has yet to give a full account of what happened. “He does not want to talk yet,” Ng said. “He may be blaming himself.” The captain, whose ribs were injured in the crash, had to be assisted when walking, Ng said, stressing the entire crew had not been working overtime that day. “The Sea Smooth had sailed six to seven round trips that day before the accident, but the captain and his crew were working hours that were just like on normal days,” said Ng. Both ship captains and five of their crew members were arrested and must report back to police in the middle of this month.

Source : The Standard

Listing to Port

Read Full Post »

Hong Kong Boat Crash: Could it happen in Singapore ?

Posted in Exterior, News Events, Photographs, Updates, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 4, 2012| Leave a Comment »


Not the beach view anyone wants

These are just my own personal ramblings about an incident that has caused a sickening loss of life. My heart goes out to the families and friends of those who perished, as well as the survivors who will doubtless relive those terrifying events in their minds eye for many years to come.

From every marine accident there is an investigation and from every investigation there are conclusions. Such investigations are not tasked with prosecuting the guilty, they are simply to find the facts of what happened and why it happened, so that where required, systems or procedures or equipment can be changed or modified to try to ensure the same thing will not happen again.

The relevant police authorities will make their own enquiries to deal with the facts of suspected liability and guilt. Thereafter the relevant legal jurisdiction will act accordingly on the matter.

But more than that, after an incident like this with such a tragic loss of life, surely in many maritime regions and territories, the relevant persons are asking: Could this happen here ?

That is a question to which I believe there is no “Yes or No” answer, but there are a lot of things to consider.

There is a simple and chilling fact; any accident at sea or elsewhere is analogous to a chemical reaction, if you allow the dangerous mix of ingredients into the same place at the same time then there may well be a violent reaction.

If you can keep them separate, then hopefully nothing happens. In many accidents at sea the ‘ingredients’ are speed, complacency, poor lookout, visibility and navigation, systems failure, and the unexpected.

As to the question; Could it happen in Singapore ? well it could, but in my opinion, it’s very unlikley, and here’s why.

Firstly the relevant Goverment Agency, the Maritime & Port Authority, MPA, has been very active for many years in “managing” the operation of ferry traffic in Singapore. One of the major features of this is that all ferries are required to follow demarcated routes into and out of, and through Singapore waters, and the routes are well defined and well known by near all users. In addition these ferries are required to adhere to set day & night speed limits for the routes in the direct approaches. Consequently if you are at sea in those corridoors at night, then you expect to meet ferry traffic, and at 12 knots you have a bit of time to spot them, and navigate out of their way.

Just One of the Designated Ferry Routes

It’s worthwhile to note that these routes and speed regulations have been in place for around ten years. Also be assured that they have added time and distance onto each and every journey. I can remember some journeys being around 15 minutes quicker. It was also strange to watch as a ferry gets further away from the destination to follow the route.

Secondly the Police Coastguard has a large presence on the water with a large number or active patrol craft throughout Singapore waters. Whilst they have a multitude of roles, they would seem to keep some form of watch of ferry and private and passenger traffic. This is part deterant, and part Big Brother to make sure that maritime rules and laws are followed.

At a location near you ?

Thirdly, major events such as fireworks, or yacht races or waterborne events, etc. likely dont draw the same volume of on-water spectators in Singapore as perhaps as in cities like Hong Kong, Auckland or wherever. Also Fireworks in Singapore are within sheltered or enclosed waterways, and can be easily, and best viewed from onshore. Just look at any National Day, F1, or New Years event video to see what I mean. Obviously Fireworks are at night, which immediately brings navigational and lookout issues.

Victoria Harbour Fireworks

Fourthly and importantly, the MPA many years ago implemented a scheme of ensuring each and every craft on the water has some form of AIS or HARTS, (Harbour Craft Transponder System) on board. This in effect enables the MPA Port Operations to monitor the location and speed and heading of every craft on the water, if in fact they have the time, the interest and manpower to do that. (Note they’ve just upgraded their system to handle 10,000 vessel tracks at any one time ! Click on photo to follow link to read the release.)

WOW just upgraded, they can handle 10,000 vessel tracks at any given time ! Click to follow link !

In addition there is any number of MPA Pilot boats, and MPA launches out and on the water. There is also the system of Cruising permit application process for Non Singapore registered pleasure craft vessels, which requires approval for their route and schedule for any given cruise.

Perhaps lastly there is the issue of geography and layout. Singapore has a defined and ‘regular’ coastline, and a small number of islands with ferry access, with defined routes of access to and from. Reclamation has played a big role and Islands have been dredged, linked, joined, connected and amalgamated for the use by Indutstry, Military and Leisure/Property Development. In some cases bridges and roads have been built for access, negating the use of ferries.

Other than that, and significantly, the regional ferry traffic has to be very much less than in Hong Kong.

A lot of sea room there. Easier to miss than have a collision

Indicative only. Believe accident site was close to NW tip of Lamma Island.

The investigation is underway in Hong Kong, and the families of the perished will be waiting for those conclusions, to answer the question of “How could this happen”, but the likelyhood is that is that this will all come down to those ingredients mentioned above.

If there is however one immediate lesson to be learned from this whole affair so far, it is the conclusion from the photos below.

It’s a bit unfair to make this comparision as I dont know the standards that each vessel was built to, but the immediate reaction is that one sank, and one made it to the dock, presumed to be under it’s own power.

.

The conclusion ? Travel by Catamaran !

Two Hulls = Two Chances !

.

Image Source : BBC, SCMP, ST, online news outlets, etc.

Read Full Post »

KRI Klewang – First Stealthy Trimaran Patrol Vessel for the Indonesian Navy…err Used to be !

Posted in Exterior, News Events, Photographs, Updates, tagged , , , , , , , , on October 3, 2012| Leave a Comment »


More Stories on the KRI Klewang…….First what she was supposed to be !

North Sea Boats launched the first of four advanced, stealthy, 63 meter trimaran patrol boats for the Indonesian Navy on August 31, 2012. Following the completion, extensive sea trials and testing commencing next month, the KRI KLEWANG is is expected to be fully operational 2013. All four vessels are scheduled for delivery by 2014.

The new vessel to be named KRI Klewang (after a traditional Indonesian single edged sword) was launched at Banyuwagni, in Indonesia. Following the official launching the vessel will be fitted with mission systems and weapons, including a remotely controlled gun turret and anti-ship missiles. The four vessels are built at the PT Lundin shipyard in East Java.

The vessel is powered by four MAN V12 diesel engines, driving multiple MJP 550 water jets, located on the three for maximum propulsive thrust and maneuverability. The vessel can develop a ‘sprinting’ maximum speed of 35 knots. Cruising speed is 16 knots and the stated operational range is over 2000 nautical miles.

The Klewang is armed with concealed gun turret, missile launchers and small arms posts. Trimarans offer very stable weapons platforms, and can carry various Missile systems; including Type 705 (up to 8), RBS15, Penguin or Exocet, and 40-57mm Naval Guns, or a CIWC (Close In Weapon System). These can be mounted high on the superstructure, giving better range and firing arc. Sensors can also be installed high up without concerns for stability. This first ship will carry a turnkey system delivered by CSOC and CPMIEC China, including rapid fire CIWS, combat control and missile systems. The exact configuration of this system is still classified.

Accommodation is provided for a complement of twenty nine (officers and crew) on three internal decks (including bridge and combat control centre), with facilities and equipment also provided for deployment of special forces troops, including an 11m high speed 50 knot RIB, also manufactured and supplied by North Sea Boats.

Source: http://defense-update.com/20120906_kri-klewang-first-stealthy-trimaran-patrol-vessel-for-the-indonesian-navy.html

.

Fire destroys brand new North Sea Boats 63m Stealth Fast Missile Patrol Vessel

A fire destroyed the Indonesian Navy’s

KRI KLEWANG-625 at the naval port in Banyuwangi, East Java on Friday just weeks after its official launch ceremony. The Fast Missile Patrol Vessel (FMPV) was officialy launched on Friday 31st August, 2012 at PT Lundin’s shipyard facility in Banyuwangi, East Java.

See the launch of the vessel at : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSZCQZ5QCPE&feature=related

No casualties have been reported but the brand new vessel worth $12 million USD appears to be lost. The incident reportedly happened during maintenance. Indonesian Navy already announced that they would deploy a team to investigate the exact cause of the fire which lead to the loss of the trimaran vessel. Launched on Friday 31st August, 2012 at PT Lundin’s shipyard facility in Banyuwangi, East Java, the Fast Missile Patrol Vessel (FMPV) employs a modern “Wave Piercing” trimaran design. This allows the vessel to cut-through waves rather than rise up and over them, and the increased beam provides inherent stability. This combination of features reduces both pitching and rolling, creating a stable weapons platform, and enabling the vessel to comfortably and safely maintain higher average speeds in adverse conditions. The FMPV has “Stealth” design characteristics, and incorporate features that minimise detection by reducing Radar, Infra-Red, Acoustic and Magnetic signatures. Stealth properties are further improved as there are no reverse-angle bow overhangs to reflect radar signals, as seen on conventional hull forms. Weaponry, including missiles and naval guns, and the ships 11 m high-speed RHIB, are discreetly concealed or shaped to meld into the superstructure profile. PT Lundin will issue an official statement relating to the incident on Monday. 

See the fire onboard the KRI KLEWANG at :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=pk-SIKhM78w#! Or

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xRwc_yGdXM&feature=related

Source : Navyrecognition

.

FIRE ONBOARD BRANDNEW KRI KLEWANG

A report was received that a ship on fire in Banyuwangi, the name reported was KRI Klewang which  was recently launched, and was berthed on the NAVY base ( LANAL ) in Banyuwangi for outfitting. It was reported that the cause of fire cause is a short circuit on engine room.

North Sea Boats launched the KRI KLEWANG as first of four advanced, stealthy, 63 meter trimaran patrol boats for the Indonesian Navy on August 31, 2012. Following the completion, extensive sea trials and testing commencing next month, the KRI KLEWANG was expected to be fully operational 2013. All four vessels are scheduled for delivery by 2014. The new vessel to be namedKRI KLEWANG (after a traditional Indonesian single edged sword) was launched at Banyuwagni, in Indonesia. Following the official launching the vessel will be fitted with mission systems and weapons, including a remotely controlled gun turret and anti-ship missiles. The four vessels are built at the PT Lundin shipyard in East Java.

Source: Industry Sources

.

Trimaran Fire for the Indonesian Navy

There are a couple of nightmare scenarios for a naval vessel and fire is certainly among them. Our Navy runs countless drills to make sure the crew is ready in case of such an occurrence. While not our guys, this picture of the Indonesian Navy’s KRI Klewang-625 Trimaran in Banyuwangi, East Java is tragic:

A fire raged through the Indonesian Navy’s KRI Klewang-625 at the naval port in Banyuwangi, East Java on Friday at 3:15 p.m. No casualties have been reported but the Rp 114 billion (US$11.91 million) ship was severely damaged. (It’s gone, just a burnt out shell !)

Indonesian Eastern Fleet (Armatim) spokesman Lt. Col. Marine Yayan Sugiana told The Jakarta Post that the vessel was undergoing maintenance by its builder, PT Lundin Industry. “The vessel had yet to be officially handed over to the Navy. It was still undergoing maintenance checks by PT Lundin Industry,” he said.

The navy, however, said it would investigate the blaze, which lasted for two hours before fire fighters managed to extinguish it. “We will deploy a team to investigate the cause of the fire. We will use the report to evaluate the case,” he said.

PT Lundin Industry’s director, Lisa Lundin, said the company would deliver an official statement relating to the incident on Monday.

The good news is that there were no deaths aboard. The bad news is no more ship.

Source : Blogging from the Brig

.

Navy trusts local shipyards despite accident

The Indonesian Navy says it will still rely on the domestic shipbuilding industry despite the fire that severely damaged locally produced KRI Klewang-625 on Friday.

The Rp 114 billion (US$11.91 million) vessel, made by local shipyard company PT Lundin Industry, caught fire when undergoing maintenance at the naval port in Banyuwangi, East Java.

The Tanjung Pinang Naval Base (Lantamal IV) commander, Commodore Agus Heryana, said on Sunday that the Navy would still use local shipyard PT Palindo Marine, which is currently constructing four missile boats.

Agus added that the Navy had not as yet increased monitoring of the Batam-based company to prevent such accidents from recurring. “The Navy has yet to deploy personnel to assist in ship construction. Everything remains normal here,” he told The Jakarta Post.

PT Palindo Marine has been commissioned to build four KCR-40 vessels to support the Navy’s weapons defense system. Two of the vessels, KRI Kujang 642 and KRI Clurit 641, were handed over to the Defense Ministry on Feb. 26 and April 25, respectively.

PT Palindo Marine is also building a 60-meter-long patrol vessel for the Marine Security Coordinating Agency (Bakorkamla).

PT Palindo Marine is one of many shipyards in Batam, Riau Islands. Batam’s shipyard industry grew significantly after the arrival of Singapore-based shipbuilders. The neighboring country has banned the operation of shipyards inside the country due to environmental concerns.

There are currently 90 shipyards across Riau Islands, with 71 percent of them located in Batam. The province’s shipyard industry is estimated to be worth US$3 billion. (yps/lfr)

Source : The Jakarta Post

Read Full Post »

KRI Klewang. Oops. What a shame. She was great while she lasted !

Posted in Exterior, News Events, Photographs, Updates, tagged , , , , , on October 2, 2012| Leave a Comment »


A few weeks back the Indonesian Navy were cock a hoop over the launching of their “secret project”.

They, and the small shipyard in Indonesia that built her, seemed justifiably proud, as it seemed that they had stolen a march within the region with the launching of an advanced Trimaran from the design office of Lomocean Ltd of New Zealand. The ship was said to be built with composites and had a stealthly appearance. She was named the “KRI Klewang” but was not yet officially launched.

Well perhaps they should have kept it a secret a bit longer.

On the 28th September the KRI Klewang caught fire whilst undergoing fit out and comissioning by the builder. Here are a few photos of the fire.

It looks as if she was completely destroyed with only a burnt out shell left.

There are videos of the fire on You Tube here and if you are interested, of the launching  on You Tube here, and here.

It is a bit sad to see her burning with only a ramshackle fire response “team”, with no protective gear, and armed with a single hose,  and only being able to approach from downwind. They didnt have a chance.

There is also a distinct lack of a fire boat or some such other capability.  That said it doesn’t really look like a shipyard in any case.

Goodbye KRI Klewang, you were nice while you lasted.

It’s worthwhile noting that the KRI Klewang was the big sister of “Earthrace”, the boat that holds the record of the fastest trip around the world by a powerboat. Earthrace was renamed “Ady Gil” and now sits at the bottom of the Southern Ocean after being rammed by the Japanese Whalers vessel, the “Shonan Maru”, whilst sailing on a Sea Shepherd voyage, aka “Whale Wars”

Read Full Post »

But Power gives way to Sail……Yeah Right…Size Matters !

Posted in News Events, Photographs, Updates, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , on September 2, 2012| Leave a Comment »


As Powerboaters we all know Power gives way to Sail, but not a 130,000 Ton Cruiseliner to a 15 Ton Sailboat. Get Real !

There is a Video on You Tube of just such a circumstance, as a Sailboat holds his heading to pass just in front of the bow of a Cruiseliner, as captured in the pictures below.

Just in case you think there is a bit of Camera Zoom magic here…..

And again…

Is that close enough for you…..

They don’t seem too worried about it onboard…

The audio is all in Italian, as are the notes on You Tube, so I dont know what they said. I’ve seen a translation that seems to say the crossing was “agreed” between the Cruise ship and the Sail boat, but come on, that is awfully close !

The What If’s just jump straight up like, ‘What if the wind died’, or they just ‘Hit a wind hole’ or a ‘rope parted’. It certainly doesnt look like the sailboat engine is on to help.

In any case they made it, and by the look of it they are all Proud as Punch.

It so easily could have ended up differently.

Here is the link to watch it on You Tube. for yourself.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5wAn0ObKCY&feature=plcp

Remember there are no Traffic Lights at Sea !

Read Full Post »

Good News – “Grey Pearl” lost in fire……reincarnation as “Ocean Pearl”

Posted in Exterior, News Events, Photographs, Updates, tagged , , , on September 1, 2012| Leave a Comment »


Remember the “Sad News – Grey Pearl lost in Fire” well some Good News has now come along out of that, as the owners have now taken delivery of their new boat Ocean Pearl.

They have gone fron a Nordhavn 62

To a Nordhavn 64

This news is actually a few months old.

Here are a few photos of them with the new boat.

Many Congratulations to them. Let’s hope they make it back to Thailand to continue their Circumnavigation or complete unfinished cruising business in Phuket !

Their Blog seems down, but this is the Link to them  Grey Pearl – http://www.greypearl.talkspot.com/

and their buddy boat Seabird that is still in Phuket  Seabird – http://www.seabirdlrc.com/aspx/m/485656/beid/332541

Read the latest entry in Seabirds Log. They say some very good things about the works they had done on Seabird at Phuket.

Read Full Post »

« Newer Posts - Older Posts »