Starting in 2023, there have been alterations to the certification process for marine equipment utilized on UK vessels. The Marine Equipment Directive (MED) Wheel mark certifications will no longer be recognised (with some exceptions for spares and equipment manufactured before this date). Instead, marine equipment must bear the UK Conformity Mark – the Red Ensign – showing its compliance with Merchant Shipping (Marine Equipment) Regulations 2016 (MER), as amended. This includes marine insulation.
Under the new regulations outlined in the Merchant Shipping (Marine Equipment) Regulations 2016 (MER), as amended, marine equipment must prominently feature the Red Ensign to demonstrate compliance with UK standards. This encompasses a wide array of equipment crucial for maritime operations, including but not limited to propulsion systems, navigational instruments, safety gear, and marine insulation.
As a provider of maritime equipment and solutions, we recognize the importance of this regulatory shift and are fully committed to ensuring compliance with the Red Ensign requirement.
To support you in navigating these regulatory changes seamlessly, we are proud to offer a comprehensive range of products bearing the Red Ensign. Each product listing displays the Red Ensign symbol in its specifications, providing you with the confidence that you invest in equipment that meets or exceeds UK regulatory requirements.
MSC 107 adopted amendments to SOLAS chapter II-2 to prohibit the use of fire-fighting foams containing PFAS. This means that in the upcoming years all foam extinguishers must be PFAS-free. PFAS is not biodegradable and has been proven to be harmful to people and the environment. This amendment will be presumably accepted on 1 July 2025.
What does this mean for you?
By January 1, 2026, it will become mandatory to replace all foam extinguishers on board during the first inspection on or after this date. This applies to both fixed and portable systems.
For newbuilding ships, build after January 1, 2026 all foam extinguishers on board should be PFAS-free foam extinguishers.
As your partner in fire protection solutions, we understand the significance of these changes and are committed to assisting you in complying with these new regulations.Looking at the future, we advise you to choose a PFAS-free foam extinguisher to comply to these changing regulations. We can supply you with multiple PFAS-free foam extinguishers and other alternatives.
Our team is ready to advise you on the best options for your specific needs and to help ensure a smooth transition to PFAS-free fire extinguishers. Contact our sales team for support on this topic.
As a supplier of SOLAS/MED approved fire fighting suits we have noticed that there is still a lot of confusion in the market regarding which fire fighting suits can be used on board of SOLAS vessels. More specifically about the suffix X,Y, Z and their levels of the EN 469 norm.
Which suits are allowed on board SOLAS approved vessels ?
SOLAS vessels can carry on board 3 type of Fire-fighter’s outfits : according to MED/3.3a or MED/3.3b or MED/3.3C. Mullion Fire-fighter’s outfits are approved according to MED/3.3a more specific EN 469 (X2,Y1,Z1).
For Suffix X you need to have a minimum level of 2 to be able to use it for firefighting on board SOLAS vessels.
Summarizing, the fire fighting suits we supply are allowed on board SOLAS approved vessel
Some fire hoses with a diameter larger than 52 mm that have been placed on board ships the last couple of years, illegally have an MED wheel mark affixed to it. These fire hoses are supplied with a MED wheel mark to it even though not certified under MED.
Does this affect you?
The Fire Hoses with a diameter bigger than 52 mm supplied by Datema before 14.08.2014 have been certified under the MED. Since the amendment 2014/93/EU, it is no longer allowed to issue Declarations of Conformity and mark these hoses (bigger than 52 mm) with the steering-wheel mark.
So all Fire hoses > 52 mm supplied by Datema after this date do not have the MED wheel mark to it. No further action is required from your side. For more information see directive 2014/93/EU.
Do you have any questions about before mentioned topics or other legislation related topics? Please contact our legislation team via: wetentegelgeving@datema.nl. We are happy to assist you.
Say you are Captain, working in your cabin. There are a few things you want to finish, before you go to the bridge to head into the next port. The officer on watch has everything under control, but you want to monitor the navigation progress. For piece of mind that you won't be late.
We have developed an iPad, equipped with navigation software that has all the features of your ECDIS system.
This iPad is equipped with navigational software that has all the features which an ECDIS system has. It can be delivered with a wireless pilot plug device (PPU) that allows all sensor data to be integrated, including the AIS information. Furthermore it is compatible with all common chart formats, including official S63 ENC/AVCS charts. This iPad is equipped with navigational software that has all the features which an ECDIS system has. It can be delivered with a wireless pilot plug device (PPU) that allows all sensor data to be integrated, including the AIS information. Furthermore it is compatible with all common chart formats, including official S63 ENC/AVCS charts.
If you already have an active ENC/ AVCS license with Datema then the S63 charts will synchronize with the iPad at no additional costs. So all the charts which you have active on the ECDIS will also immediately be available on the iPad and they will automatically update. Unlike most ECDIS systems it is also compatible with inland ENC charts which we can provide as well, further enhancing the chart coverage available. The iPad will be configured and installed by Datema. When they arrive onboard they can immediately be used.
Of course we will configure and install the iPad before use. So that it can be used immediately when it arrives onboard. And if you have any questions, our digital team is there to help out.
