RINA award winner Nick Quarmby (left), together with David Barrow of Lloyd’s Register (centre) and Peter French, RINA President.
The 2013 RINA – Lloyd’s Register Maritime Safety Award has been awarded to Nick Quarmby of the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) for his work in initiating and putting into effect a significant improvement in tanker safety.
The Award, announced at the Royal Institution of Naval Architects (RINA) 2014 Annual Dinner on April 30th, recognises Nick Quarmby’s perseverance and professionalism in driving through a regulatory change, which RINA Chief Executive, Trevor Blakeley, described as, “an outstanding example of the contribution which an individual can make to improving maritime safety.”
In the course of his duties as a surveyor, Nick Quarmby identified serious weaknesses in the way in which tanker operators applied international requirements governing vessel loading which are designed to ensure vessel stability in the event of any damage. On vessels which carry a mixture of different cargoes of differing specific gravities, checking against the ship’s stability book – which describes the ship’s stability characteristics and has calculations for various load conditions – is extremely complex. In fact the only practicable way to confirm that all possible combinations of loading comply with the regulations is by means of an approved loading computer.
By carrying out various complex calculations, Nick Quarmby was able to show that for tankers carrying cargoes of different densities, any departure from the loading conditions given in the stability book could very seriously degrade the survivability of the vessel in the event of damage. Recognising the importance of this finding, he undertook a sustained campaign to inform shipowners, the EU, IMO, Classification Societies and the Paris MOU signatories of this potential risk. Subsequent spot checks showed that at least 16% of ships checked had been operating in a non-compliant and unsafe manner.
It took Nick Quarmby eight years of determined hard work, involving the development and practical interpretation of complex theory, to produce sufficient evidence to persuade a sceptical industry to support revised regulations. Nick Quarmby worked with technical experts at the IMO to develop new requirements, and this process culminated in amendments to MARPOL and relevant Codes being approved by IMO for adoption in 2014. The changes will require many tankers to carry approved stability instruments and this initiative should help prevent damage to a tanker ending up as a major maritime environmental disaster. The improved regulations will not only improve safety, but additionally will allow the operator to be more flexible with payload.
Trevor Blakeley adds: “The Royal Institution of Naval Architects and Lloyd’s Register strongly believe that the safety of both the individual and the maritime environment begins with good design and continues with sound construction and skilled operation. Both individuals and organisations can contribute to achieving this, as Nick Quarmby has demonstrated by initiating and driving through this significant improvement in tanker safety.”
About the Award
The Maritime Safety Award, co- sponsored by the Royal Institution of Naval Architects and Lloyd’s Register, is presented annually to an individual or organisation which has made a significant, technological contributions to the improvement of safety at sea or the protection of the marine environment. Such contributions can have been made either by a specific activity or over a period of time. Individuals and organisations are nominated for this award by members of the global maritime industry. The Award is judged by a panel of members of the Institution and Lloyd’s Register, and is announced and presented at the Institution’s Annual Dinner.
Nominations are now being invited for the 2014 Maritime Innovation Award. Individuals may not nominate themselves, although employees may nominate their company or organisation. Nominations may be up to 750 words and should describe the technological contribution to improving safety, which the individual, company or organisation has made in the field of design, construction and operation of maritime vessels and structures.
Nominations may be forwarded online at www.rina.org.uk/MaritimeSafetyAward or by email to MaritimeSafetyAward@rina.org.uk to arrive by 31 Dec 2014.
About The Royal Institution of Naval Architects
Founded in 1860 in London to “…advance the art and science of ship design”, the Royal Institution of Naval Architects is today an internationally renowned professional institution whose members are involved at all levels in the design, construction, repair and operation of marine vessels and structures in over 90 countries. RINA members are widely represented at all levels in the maritime industry, universities and colleges, and maritime organisations.
Membership of RINA is open to those who are professionally qualified in naval architecture or marine technology, or who are involved or interested in the maritime industry. Membership provides an internationally recognised professional qualification which demonstrates the achievement and commitment to the highest standards of professional competence and integrity. RINA members enjoy a wide range of benefits and services, including advice on education, training and professional development. RINA also publishes a range of technical journals, and organises an extensive programme of international conferences and training courses covering all aspects of naval architecture and maritime technology.
The Institution is an NGO member of the International Maritime Organisation, a member of the International Standards Organisation and a member of the Confederation of European Maritime Technical Societies, where is contributes its collective expertise to the work of those organisations.
About Lloyd’s Register
Lloyd’s Register works around the world to assess and certify ships, systems and facilities in order to improve quality and increase safety. Working with ship yards, owners and operators, LR provides innovative, value-added solutions that help improve performance and protect the environment throughout the vessel design, construction and operational phases.
Through the early recognition of potential risks, and by helping clients to manage them effectively, improvements to safety and performance can be achieved. Survey feedback helps to ensure that LR Rules and Regulations are calibrated against actual performance, and in-service risks are addressed through services such as ISM certification, operational risk assessments and its 24-hour ship emergency response service, SERS.
LR’s range of environmental products and services helps ship operators not only meet legislative requirements but also implement best practice solutions for managing environmental risks. Besides undertaking ship energy audits, and providing fuel technology services, LR can help operators to implement ISO 140001 certification, to develop a safe, practical strategy to reduce the risks associated with ballast water management and to comply with national and IMO regulations. By undertaking a gap analysis (HEGA), LR can also help implement best practice for managing the human element of vessel operations.
