The waters of the Indian Ocean lap on the shores of Western Australia all the way across to Africa. But how far Australia’s defence and foreign policy interests extend into this vast watery expanse is a live debate. The “Indo-Pacific”, at least as Australia conceives this area, drives a...
Work Boat World Features
COLUMN | Being beastly to cruise tourists [Grey Power]
We should not go anywhere, beyond a cycle ride to the nearest no-packaging outlet for mung beans and lentils, subsisting, where possible, on our home-grown turnips. We must stop oil, actively cancelling those companies whose investment policies are inimical to our immovable views on the subject. We...
https://www.bairdmaritime.com/passenger/cruise/column-being-beastly-to-cruise-tourists-grey-power/
COLUMN | Failing flag states, abandoned crew and piffle from Palau [Offshore Accounts]
This week, I want to look at how the shipping industry can overcome some of its biggest challenges – not greenhouse gases and climate change, nor sexism and homophobia, but the problems of abandoned crews, excessively long tours of duty, and the low safety standards that bedevil the wider maritime...
AWARDS 2023 | Best Amphibious Craft – CRC Walrus – Diverse Marine
Best Amphibious Craft – CRC Walrus – Diverse Marine Isle of Wight-based Diverse Marine is both innovative and versatile as this interesting craft very clearly shows. Built to work in the very tidal waters of the UK North Sea it has been designed to operate even when the tide is out. The 12-metre...
AWARDS 2023 | Best SOV – Grampian Tyne – North Star
Best SOV – Grampian Tyne – North Star With the enormous amounts of money being poured into the offshore wind industry of late, particularly in Europe, it is unsurprising that we have seen some very interesting and impressive vessels resulting. This fine ship is definitely one of the most...
OPINION | Australia sees the West Philippine Sea in the South China Sea
In the “differ where we must” dimension of dealing with China, Australia is wielding a new nomenclature stick (or schtick?). Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles talks about the “West Philippine Sea”, not just the “South China Sea”. Kicking away some of the dashes in China’s...
AWARDS 2023 | Best Small SAR Boat – CVLS 45-01 – Diverse Marine
Best Small SAR Boat – CVLS 45-01 – Diverse Marine Built for the Caister Volunteer Lifeboat Service to operate off England’s bleak east coast, this fast, aluminium, self-righting rigid inflatable boat is a fine example of the work of south-coast builder Diverse Marine. The builder has been refining...
OPINION | Clarity needed on a “capability gap”
As part of the original crew of HMAS Anzac, I was sad to see the ship decommissioned last month after almost 30 years’ service. The retirement of this warship inevitably sparked discussions about a potential “capability gap” in the Royal Australian Navy’s surface combatant fleet, especially in...
COLUMN | Augustus Gloop in wind? Cadeler; Integrated Wind Solutions and Sumitomo; North Star newbuild [Offshore Accounts]
The order book for the wind sector just continues getting larger and larger, even as companies continue not to make much money. Wind is the Augustus Gloop segment of offshore, gorged on investment, like the character in Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, but liable to fall into a...
OPINION | Hanwha Ocean buying Austal would probably suit the United States
It looks like the United States has changed Australia’s mind. In April, the Australians doubted private shipbuilder Austal could be sold to South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean, but now they have no concerns. The most likely explanation is that Australia at first worried about what the US would think but...