“Thank You Seafarers” – Martek Marine Supports the IMO's Day of the Seafarer

Day of the Seafarer - 25th June 2011

Saturday 25th June 2011 marks the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) Day of the Seafarer – an opportunity to educate the public about the issues facing the modern-day seafarer. But, most importantly, it is the occasion for everyone to say “Thank you, seafarers.”

The aim is to pay tribute to the world’s 1.5 million seafarers for the unique and all-too-often overlooked contribution to the well-being of the general public.

In 2010, IMO Member States agreed that the contribution made by seafarers from all over the world to international seaborne trade, the world economy and civil society as a whole, should be marked annually with a ‘Day of the Seafarer’.

This year, the celebration will take the form of an online campaign, in which the IMO are asking everyone to voice their support using social networks. On the Day of the Seafarer, you can show your support by saying “Thank you seafarers” on Facebook, via tweets, by posting a video on YouTube, discussing on LinkedIn, or even writing an inspirational blog.

By generating interaction on the web about seafarers, you can show respect, recognition and gratitude to seafarers everywhere. The universal outreach of social media will raise awareness of the vital role that seafarers play in the world economy and, in many respects, in sustainable development, enabling ships to carry than 90% of world trade safely, efficiently and with minimal impact on the environment.

Martek Marine will be promoting this day on our website, blog, twitter and facebook page. If you use any form of social media then we encourage you to participate in this worldwide effort by celebrating and promoting the day on the web.



Martek Marine's Operations Board give their backing to Day of the Seafarer



If you would like to take part then go to the Day of the Seafarer page on the IMO website and download a toolkit with ideas of how you can get involved.

In addition to showing our support for the Day of the Seafarer, Martek Marine has also chosen the Mission to Seafarers to be our main charity for 2011. Each year Martek raise money for good causes by holding a number of events. The Mission to Seafarers provides help and support to those in need, working in more than 230 ports caring for the practical and spiritual welfare of seafarers of all nationalities and faiths.

Martek Marine opens a new Calibration Gas Hub in Suez

New hub supplies Suez Canal shipping

One year on from Martek Marine’s launch of the Fastcalgas calibration gas supply service and the business is going from strength to strength, so much so that in response to customer demand a new hub has been opened in Suez.

Steve Coulson, Director at Martek Marine explains:

“Last year we launched Fastcalgas with the aim of taking the pain out of the process of buying calibration gas and making the whole process a lot simpler for our customers. The business has grown rapidly over the last twelve months and the next step towards ensuring consistent levels of fast service was to increase the number of stock holding hubs.”

This new hub brings the total number to 6, with locations already set up in the UK, USA, Shanghai, Singapore and Dubai.

“Feedback from our customers told us that getting calibration gas on time and cost effectively to The Suez was particularly problematic. By having this location established we can now guarantee next day delivery in this region and ensure the most competitive pricing levels” added Mr Coulson.

Click here to find out more about the Fastcalgas calibration gas supply service.

Bermuda Ship Registry Give Advice for Continued Use of Existing BNWAS

The amendments to SOLAS Chapter V, regulation 19 which were introduced by MSC.282 (86) allow for Bridge Navigational Watch Alarm Systems (BNWAS) fitted before 1st July 2011 and which may not meet the IMO Performance Criteria to be accepted after 1st July 2011 at the discretion of the administration on the basis of an exemption.

The Government of Bermuda Department of maritime Administration has issued a shipping notice to set out the essential requirements for such a system to be accepted in Bermuda ships and the procedures to be followed.

Requirements for acceptance of existing BNWAS

Any system fitted before 1st July 2011 and which does not meet the IMO Performance Standards for such a system, or which cannot be demonstrated to meet them, may still be acceptable in a Bermuda ship provided that the system has:

• A manual ON/OFF facility protected by either a key switch, password system, or a location in the master’s cabin,
• A dormant period of between 3 and 12 minutes once switched on,
• A visual indication and an audible alarm in the wheelhouse at the end of the dormant period, but the first 15 seconds of alarm may be visual only. The visual alarm should be a flashing indication visible from all operational positions on the bridge where the OOW may reasonably be expected to be stationed. The colour of the indication(s) should be chosen so as not to impair night vision and dimming facilities (although not to extinction) should be incorporated,
• A first stage audible alarm which sounds on the bridge at the end of the visual indication period which has its own characteristic tone or modulation intended to alert, but not to startle, the OOW. This alarm should be audible from all operational positions on the bridge where the OOW may reasonably be expected to be stationed. This function may be engineered using one or more sounding devices,
• Arrangements so that if the alarm is not reset it is transferred to the backup officer’s cabin and/or the Master’s cabin within 30 seconds,
• Arrangements so that if the alarm is not reset within 30 to 90 seconds from the first visual indication in the wheelhouse, (3 minutes for larger vessels) the alarm sounds in public spaces such as mess room, ship’s office, conference room etc.
• An alarm which sounds in the locations of the Master, officers and further crew members capable of taking corrective action at the end of the bridge audible alarm period which is easily identifiable by its sound and should indicate urgency. The volume of this alarm should be sufficient for it to be heard throughout the locations above and to wake sleeping persons,
• An alarm reset function provided in the wheelhouse which may be either a push button, and / or movement detector or similar in positions providing a proper lookout,
• An emergency call facility which activates the final alarm stage.
• A timing accuracy of the system within 5% or 5 seconds whichever is less,
• An indication of any power supply failure to the system with means to provide a repeat of this indication on any central alarm panel if fitted.
• Means of activating the reset facility which is only be available from positions on the bridge that provide a proper lookout and preferably adjacent to visual indications. Means of activating the reset function should be easily accessible from the conning position, the workstation for navigating and manoeuvring, the work station for monitoring and the bridge wings.
• The operational mode indicated to the officer of the watch,

For more information and to find out how to submit a request for exemption then read the full document on the Bermuda Ship Registry website.

Navgard™ - World's No.1 BNWAS

If you do not already have a BNWAS onboard your vessels or if you find that your existing system is not exempt from the BNWAS regulations then Martek Marine can help you comply.

Navgard™ is the World's No.1 BNWAS with Type Approval from all the major classification societies ensuring that you can fit the same system across your whole fleet, irrespective of who your vessels are classed by.

Find out more about Navgard™ BNWAS.

Fleet Wide Defibrillator Order Highlights Trefin Tankers’ Commitment to Crew Welfare

Trefin Tankers Equip Fleet With Lifeforce Marine AED

Trefin Tankers (GR) recently equipped their entire fleet of vessels with the Lifeforce AED from Martek Marine to provide effective treatment in the event of any of their crew suffering a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) while at sea.

SCA is the world’s biggest killer claiming the lives of around 3 million people worldwide each year. Using a defibrillator to restore a normal heart rhythm within the first 3 minutes can improve survival rates by up to a staggering 70%. For every minute after this that elapses, the chances of survival reduce by 10%. Without an on-board defibrillator the chances of surviving an SCA at sea are zero.

The Lifeforce AED is the only defibrillator in the world to be Type Approved specifically for use in the hostile marine environment, offering confidence that it can be relied upon to give life saving treatment when it’s needed most.

Trefin place a great deal of importance on the welfare of the men who serve on their vessels and view the provision of a marine approved defibrillator as an important piece of equipment in ensuring their safety.

Speaking about the decision to equip their vessels with the Lifeforce AED, Chartering & Operations Director Mr Efstathiou commented:

“Trefin Tankers are proud to equip their fleet with Lifeforce – the world’s only marine approved defibrillator for treating Sudden Cardiac Arrest at sea. SCA kills three million people every year. By investing in Lifeforce, Trefin have demonstrated their commitment to crew welfare across the globe.”

Find out more about the Lifeforce marine AED.

Find out more about sudden cardiac arrest (SCA)

Does Your Existing Dead Man Alarm Comply With SOLAS BNWAS Requirements?

There are a number of companies who already have a simple dead man alarm or similar type of system installed on some of their vessels and are unsure whether or not this is sufficient for compliance with SOLAS Regulation V/19 BNWAS requirements.

In some cases they may be able to get an exemption from the BNWAS regulations but this is not always the case. The existing system still needs to meet certain requirements and so we have produced a checklist of required features to help give you determine whether your existing system is compliant.

The following is only a guide and if you are at all unsure then you should check with your relevant class society or flag authority.

• System should have 3 operation modes - Automatic - system comes into operation when ships heading or track control system is activated; Manual ON and Manual OFF.
• Alarm system to have a configurable dormant period of 3-12 minutes.
• The reset function or alarm cancellation can only be located on the bridge. 
• First level Alarm - Initially a visual indication on the bridge followed 15 seconds later by an audible alarm if system not reset.
• Second stage Alarm - remote audible alarm in Masters(compulsory) and other Officers quarters(as required).
• Third level Alarm - remote audible alarm at locations designated general crew areas.
• All alarms should be easily identifiable by its sound and should indicate urgency. Volume should be significant enough to wake people up and be tone selectable.
• The reset function should, by single operator action, cancel all visual and audible alarms and initiate a further dormant period.
• Resets should be tamper alarmed and designed to prevent continual activation.
• System should have an emergency call function which will activate Level two and esclalate to Level 3 alarms in remote locations.
• System should be security protected so that access to the system configuration is only available to the Master.
• System should be powered by ships main power but MUST have a battery back up giving a minimum of 6 hours usage.
• Inputs should be available for additional reset devices for connection to bridge equipment capable of generating reset signals as verified by the appropriate approved bodies.
• Output(s) should be available for connection to bridge visual and audible alarms and equipment.

If you find that the above checklist shows that your current deadman alarm system does not fully comply with the requirements of SOLAS Chapter V Regulation 19 then we would be delighted to discuss your requirements with you to see how we can help.

Navgard™ – our bridge navigational watch alarm system (BNWAS) – was designed specifically for compliance with these regulations and is Type Approved by all the major classification societies to meet the performance standards outlined in MSC.128(75) and IEC 62616:2010.

You can find out more about Navgard™ by visiting the BNWAS product page on our website.

Martek Launch Portable Gas Detectors

Since the company was founded, Martek Marine has always been specialists in the field of fixed gas detection systems, developing products for monitoring pump rooms, ballast tanks, accommodation air conditioning inlets and refrigeration plants.
More recently we have developed Fastcalgas, a calibration gas supply service especially for the marine industry designed to give you a simple service with a single price for delivering your calibration gas to any available destination in the world.

Now Martek are taking the next step in providing a complete gas detection service with the launch of a range of marine portable gas detectors. Carefully selected packages for both multi-gas and single gas detection provide you with reliable, affordable portable gas detection.

Single and Multi-Gas Portable Detectors

Martek provide two main types of portable gas detector. Firstly, a four-gas detector - MARINE QUATTRO and also a single gas detector - MARINE EXTREME.

Unique and patented sensor diagnostics mean that you only need to calibrate our multi-gas detectors every 12 months and the single gas detectors never need calibration during the lifetime of the instruments.

By running your portable gas detectors in collaboration with Fastcalgas – the first global calibration gas service – you will make huge efficiency on how you currently procure your calibration gas.

Choice of Fleet Deals to Best Suit Your Needs!

Doing business with Martek is all about giving you the best product, best service and best deal for your needs. That’s why we have a range of bespoke packages available when contracting with us for your fleet of vessels. With offers including free gas or free portable devices mixed with our unrivalled service and products, then Martek is the clear business partner of choice. Contact us now and we can discuss how Martek can best serve your needs.

Find Out More!

Martek Marine's range of portable gas detectors
Fastcalgas - world-wide calibration gas supply service

Airport Drama Highlights Importance of Defibrillators

A recent tour of Germany by Martek Marine to promote a piece of equipment to save the lives of crews at sea got off to a dramatic and eventful start with an unscheduled real life demonstration in the airport.

Jonathan Love, Martek Marine’s Regional Sales Manager for Southern Europe, had not even left British soil when he was called on to use the equipment for real.

Jonathan explains:

“I was queuing at my local Airport to catch a flight to Hamburg where I had five of the largest German Ship owners lined up for a demonstration of our LIFEFORCE Automated External Defibrillator (AED).

Little did I know I would shortly be called upon to test the simplicity and ease of use of this life saving piece of equipment for real!”

Wisely, Steve Coulson, Business Development Manager at Martek Marine, had taken an earlier decision to invest in live units for these demonstrations instead of the usual low cost inactive samples that are commonly used by the competition. Jonathan continues:

“A lady in front of me suddenly keeled over in the queue. Aware that Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is one of the world’s biggest killers (taking over 3 million lives per year) I went straight to her and began to administer first aid.”

The casualty was placed in the recovery position after Jonathan cleared an obstruction in her airway allowing her to breathe more freely.

“Applying the LIFEFORCE defibrillator to the casualty who was now unconscious and breathing erratically, I feared the worst. It is critical to administer treatment for SCA as soon as possible as any chance of survival lowers after the first few minutes of such an incident. However, the system reported in detail that the patient’s heart was functioning normally and the cause of the collapse was not related at this stage to any issue with her heart. In such cases, the LIFEFORCE unit will not administer a shock in a further stage of casualty protection. With her condition still deteriorating however, I kept the unit in place as advised by my training in case the primary condition, now believed to be the result of a head trauma from several years ago, triggered an SCA event.”

“The casualty remained unconscious for well over thirty minutes until the paramedics arrived. Calming her travel partner during this period, the casualty slowly regained consciousness in the airport concourse while still attached to the lifesaving equipment. I was glad when the Paramedics arrived and took over the duty of care.”

“I urge you to consider securing a LIFEFORCE unit whether you are on a vessel or simply in an office as you will never be given a warning when you may need to use one for real. SCA will strike without any prejudice at anytime. Our aim is to have every vessel equipped with this life saving equipment”.

In a stark reflection of the wide reach of SCA in the population, the reason it took Paramedics 30 minutes to attend to the woman was that they had actually been delayed because they had been treating an SCA victim in another part of the airport.

Find out more about Martek's defibrillators for your ships and offices.