Industry News
UKHO Price Increase
The UKHO has announced a price increase for all products, including AVCS charts, ADMIRALTY Digital Publications and all other products and licences which will come into effect on the 2nd of January 2025. To view the full pricing details, including the revised rates for all UKHO products, please follow the link provided here.
10 December 2024
Withdrawal of ADP V19
Support for ADP V19 has now been withdrawn by the UKHO as of 1st December 2024. After this date, only ADP V23 and ADP V24 will be supported. We strongly encourage users of ADP V19 to upgrade to a supported version. For guidance on upgrading, feel free to contact us at Da Gama Maritime, or please find the ADP user guide here.
New MLC Regulation
From the 23rd December 2024, amendments to the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC, 2006) will require yachts to provide appropriately sized personal protective equipment (PPE) for all crew members, addressing safety concerns for individuals, particularly women and those with smaller frames. Ill-fitting PPE, such as oversized gloves or helmets, can impede movement and create additional hazards, especially in confined spaces or near machinery. Yacht owners and managers are encouraged to review their PPE inventories to ensure compliance with this new regulation.
Manual for use by the Maritime Mobile and Maritime Mobile-Satellite Services
We are pleased to announce the release of the 2024 edition of the Maritime Manual, now available in paper, DVD and e-book formats. This updated edition incorporates key updates from the 2023 World Radiocommunication Conference. Volume 1 covers GMDSS operations and procedures, while Volume 2 includes relevant ITU regulations. This new edition ensures full alignment with the latest technical and regulatory standards.
07 November 2024
Essential Accredited Fire Training
We’re at the time of year where crews are preparing for their winter season of activity while others are getting stuck into winter yard periods and perhaps have a little more time to spare for learning. Now is therefore the perfect time to book a Fire Training Course for next Spring with our experienced team. Our trainers would come onboard for a two or three day accredited Continuous Professional Development course, working with your crew to improve procedures and enhance safety. For more information, please email training@dgmaritime.com.
Lithium Storage Solutions
This article highlights a recent safety bulletin issued by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) addressing the incorrect accreditations claimed by some lithium battery storage companies. With the growing use of lithium-ion batteries in the maritime industry, ensuring correct storage practice is critical to prevent fires and other potential hazards onboard.
NaviGate Software
Our powerful software is designed to manage and present critical navigational data for safe and compliant operations. It serves as a complementary planning station, featuring a 6-day weather forecast module and supports all AENP and ADP components. NaviGate offers a Pay As You Sail or Pre-Licence solution and route optimisation that simplifies passage planning. Contact us for further details or a demonstration.
Upcoming trip to Antigua
In our previous newsletter, we mentioned that our Managing Director, Steve, and Account Manager, Tom, will be attending the Antigua Charter Yacht Show from 3rd to 9th December. This is a reminder to schedule an appointment via your Account Manager if you plan to be at the show. We would love the opportunity to meet with you in person, discuss your needs and offer any assistance or support you may require. For those we don’t support, this could be the ideal opportunity to chat to us and find out about our professional standards.
SOLAS e-Book
The 2024 edition of the SOLAS - Consolidated Edition is now available as an e-Book, however the date for the hard copy publication remains to be confirmed. This publication updates maritime safety regulations and includes amendments and unified interpretations. You can pre-order the e-Book through your outfit management system (OMS) if you are a client or if not, through our website catalogue.
08 October 2024
UKHO Price Increase
There will be an annual price increase of ADMIRALTY Paper Navigation Products, ARCS, ADPs and AENPs, taking effect on 2nd January 2025.
Sample Rises include:
- Paper Charts will increase from £35.00 to £40.70.
- AENP Sailing Directions (NPs1 through 72) will increase from £44.50 to £45.80.
- Annual ADPs will increase from £76.50 to £78.70.
Please get in touch with us for further details.
SOLAS New Edition
The 2024 edition of the SOLAS - Consolidated Edition will be available at the end of October. This publication updates maritime safety regulations and includes amendments and unified interpretations. You can pre-order this through your outfit management system (OMS), or via your account manager.
Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB)
The MAIB have just released their second Safety Digest report of 2024. This draws the attention of the marine community to some of the lessons arising from investigations into recent accidents and incidents and highly recommended for discussion in crew safety meetings.
CHIRP Report
This month’s CHIRP report highlights concern about captains and crew neglecting standard procedures, including diving SOPs, anchor mishandling and poor safety assessments. These lapses risk crew safety and vessel operations, stressing the need for strict protocol compliance.
Antigua is in our Sights
Our managing director Steve and account manager Tom will be attending the Antigua Charter Yacht Show from 3rd to 9th December. We would be delighted to come aboard those vessels we currently support to answer any questions or to demonstrate other functions you may not have used on the NaviGate software. We would also like to share details on how we can best support you if you are not already a client of ours, so please contact us to make an appointment.
Edmiston Discusses Self Care Onboard
It's great to hear Edmiston are actively promoting awareness around crew self-care, particularly focusing on the issue of crew burnout following stressful periods onboard and limited shore leave. They have taken an important step by creating a guide to help identify signs of burnout and offer support to those who may be affected.
Version 2 of the Environmental Crew Guidelines
The latest Environmental Crew Guidelines put together by the Water Revolution Foundation provides practical advice for crew and owners to adopt sustainable practices on superyachts. It emphasises small changes that can reduce environmental impact and highlights the collective responsibility for a greener future in the yachting industry.
05 September 2024
PFOA Fire Extinguisher Ban and Alternatives
The UK is moving towards banning the production of fire extinguishers with PFOA chemicals, following a recent EU ban. By 2025, the sale and manufacture of these extinguishers may be fully prohibited. Current rules affect extinguishers with high levels of PFOA, but future laws might target those with lower levels too. Alternatives include PFOA-free foams, water mist extinguishers and dry powder extinguishers, though dry powder can leave a mess and damage equipment. Our Lead Fire Trainer, Peter has delved into specifics which can be downloaded here.
Monaco Yacht Show
Our Managing Director, Steve and Account Manager, Tom will be attending the Monaco Yacht Show and will be in area 23rd to 27th September. They’ll be available to come aboard to do software run-throughs and answer navigation related questions as well as speak to those of you who may be interested in receiving navigation support for your vessel. If you’d like to book ahead for a meet, please get in touch with your Account Manager or e-mail info@dgmaritime.com.
Price Changes – Wartsila
Starting from 1st October, Wartsila will be implementing a slight adjustment to their pricing structure. This will include a modest percentage increase on invoiced FOS modules and a fixed fee rise on fleet services. Wartsila state this update is necessary due to several widely recognised factors, including rising living costs, increased expenses from third-party vendors and the growing need for enhanced data security and cyber incident prevention. They claim changes are essential to ensure the continued safety and reliability of your data access and storage. We hope for further clarification closer to the time.
New App – Explore with Imray
The new "Explore with Imray" app is now available for your mobile devices. This app brings all the features of the desktop version including detailed information on over 17,000 sailing destinations worldwide. The data is sourced directly from Imray's trusted pilot books ensuring that you have reliable guidance wherever you may be.
Website Refresh
We’ve recently refreshed our website so please come take a look. You’ll be able to find information on our background, principles, commitments, navigation support and our onboard crew training courses. We’ll also keep the news section updated so it’s easy to stay in the know about changes within the industry.
06 August 2024
New Publication
ECDIS Passage Planning and Watchkeeping – 2024 Edition
This publication equips navigators with comprehensive ECDIS knowledge to enhance safer navigation and bridge team effectiveness. It encourages the use of all ECDIS functions and techniques, including new automatic 'no-go' alarms, 3D ENC functionality and VHF usage. Updated ECDIS screenshots, expanded NAVTEX content and illustrations like the PSC flowchart, help readers understand best practices. Available in both electronic and physical formats.
Monaco / France Trip
Organise a visit
We’ll be attending the Monaco Yacht Show and will be around from 22nd – 27th September to visit clients. We’d love to come aboard those vessels we currently support to answer any questions or to demonstrate other functions you may not have used on the NaviGate software. We'd also like to share detail on how we can best support you if you aren’t currently a client of ours.
The History of Da Gama Maritime
Why our Founding Director chose the Da Gama name
Da Gama Maritime is named after Vasco da Gama, a Portuguese explorer who pioneered the sea route from Europe to India in the late 15th century. Steve Monk served as a Specialist Navigator in the Royal Navy and worked as the most senior and qualified instructor of navigation training conducted at sea on RN and foreign warships. While serving as a Navigator in the RN, you’re bestowed with the nickname “Vasco”, initially the favoured choice for the company’s name. However given its unavailability at the time of starting the company, Steve’s father creatively christened the name “Da Gama” for the company instead.
09 July 2024
Notable Articles in The Superyacht Report
Captains and crew across the globe were interviewed on their vision of the future of the Superyacht Industry and notably the highest ranked priority is the training needed onboard. The proposed methods for the improvement of training across the industry is practical hands-on training which we can help with, by putting tailored training packages together for you onboard your vessel. Download the article here.
The next article focused on the fact that technical skills alone don’t enable a Captain to translate to an effective manager. The present Superyacht career trajectory doesn’t prepare Captains or Officers for their role to look after the crew on top of other responsibilities they face. This article, downloadable here draws the attention to key training which should be included to those working up the career ladder.
Finally, an article written by Christophe Bourillon, CEO of the Professional Yachting Association (PYA) touches on the loneliness Captains may face. Wellbeing at sea and the continuous learning and self-development that is critical for personal growth and to keep crew motivated and engaged. Download the article here.
Onboard Training
As mentioned within the above piece in respect to crew training, this isn’t just us now saying how important this is, but based on evidence gathered by The Superyacht Report, crew are requesting it. Therefore, as a founding member of the Superyacht Training Group we’d advise it’s never too early to look at scheduling onboard crew training for the change of season period. Courses available are:
- Onboard Firefighting
- Crisis Management (MCA accredited)
- Navigation and ECDIS Risk Assessments
- Crowd Management
- Lithium-ion Battery Safety (can be delivered remotely via Teams or Zoom)
For further details, reach out to our Lead Trainer Peter Watson on training@dgmaritime.com
Recent Fire Training Trip
Two of our trainers recently conducted a very short notice two-day training session onboard a yacht that had undergone a change of ownership and management to provide an independent report on the yacht. This was in matters related to firefighting and navigation safety. Both sessions allowed the crew to be reviewed and brought up-to-speed with the latest procedures and means to enhance their skills. Despite everything else going on at the busy time, the crew reacted extremely positively to the training and are now operational, demonstrating their skills to the new owners.
COSWP
Some of you have asked whether Cayman Islands flagged vessels are required to carry a hard copy of COSWP onboard and the answer is no. We were informed by Cayman they are happy to accept the new COSWP in a digital format as long as it is readily accessible to all crew members. The hard copy version is currently out of stock and won’t come back in until next month.
Peru to Australia in a Rowboat
Some of you may already know that one of our Account Managers, Jess Rowe is preparing to row 8,000 miles across the Pacific Ocean next year, from Peru to Australia in a nine-metre rowing boat with two friends. They will be chasing a few world records, one being the first team to row the Pacific nonstop and unassisted.
Their mission:
- To serve as a platform for education on climate action by partnering with sustainable brands.
- To inspire the next generation and show them that there are no limits in their ability to achieve, no matter how tough the obstacles or challenges.
- To raise funds for their chosen charity, The Outward-Bound Trust.
To be as prepared as possible, they have created an essential kit list but are still missing some items. If you are a supplier or can help by purchasing any of these items, Team Seas the Day would be very grateful. Please see the link here.
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