VINCI Energies is expanding its industrial activities into a new market segment in the Netherlands with the acquisition of RH Marine Netherlands B.V (RH Marine) and Bakker Sliedrecht Electro Industrie B.V RH Marine is a system integrator that provides automation and electrical solutions as well as integrated systems in the maritime industry installs and maintains electrical installations as well as onshore electrical infrastructures for the nautical “By joining VINCI Energies’ network of companies RH Marine and Bakker Sliedrecht are helping to enhance the division’s offering in the industrial services market and strengthen its presence in the Netherlands,” VINCI said The transaction will be submitted to the Authority for Consumers & Markets (ACM) the Dutch competition authority and is expected to be completed before the end of the year Daily news and in-depth stories in your inbox The remediation of dozens of vegetable gardens near the Chemours factory in Dordrecht would cost tens of millions of euros a chemical substance that falls under the collective name PFAS The factory emitted this substance in large quantities for years Chemours has promised to pay the costs for the remediation 1,300 locations require cleaning for fruit and vegetables from these gardens to be able to be consumed without any health risks “A rough estimate is that this will cost between 25 and 50 million euros,” he said at the delivery of his first project to gain experience in remediating vegetable gardens the top 50 centimeters of contaminated soil has been dug up and replaced by clean soil The allotment grower planted some garlic plants in it on Monday director An Lemaire of Chemours and alderman Roelant Bijderwieden of Sliedrecht Members of the local protest group “Stop PFAS stop Chemours” also attended the gathering but they were forced to leave the premises They followed Lemaire’s speech from behind a fence walked with the Chemours director when she left the vegetable garden The location is situated opposite the factory on the other side of the Beneden-Merwede river The director said during her speech that the company is hoping that initiatives like this and other concrete steps will help them regain nearby residents’ trust Lemaire said that she knows that the company has a long way to go in order to achieve this “We are trying to put a point behind the past We want to do this with concrete actions and measures,” said Lemaire in Sliedrecht "We want to address the concerns of local residents and eliminate them," Lemaire repeated over and over again She also emphasized that Chemours has "enormously" reduced the emission of harmful substances "The situation is very different now than it was a few years ago We are at less than 1 percent emissions compared to what it was We are doing everything we can to eliminate the concerns The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) advised people to not eat anything from vegetable gardens within a kilometer of Chemours in 2022 After research was conducted in the municipalities of Dordrecht the RIVM concluded that the vegetables had higher concentrations of PFAS PFAS are chemical substances that can be damaging for people’s health and the environment The court thinks that Chemours (which used to be called DuPont) are responsible for the damage that occurred as a result of their pollution on the surfaces of Dordrecht Papendrecht and Sliedrecht between 1984 and 1998 The chemical company agreed with the municipalities to help and pay for the remediation of the vegetable gardens and the Merwedelanden which is a swimming lake that is also polluted with PFAS Bakker Sliedrecht has just signed the second major contract with IHC for oil-filled underwater motors this year Bakker will deliver 3 high-performance motors along with high-voltage cables for the motors “We’ll also be supplying a Dredge Pump Monitoring & Control System (DPMCS) cabinet ensuring seamless monitoring and control of the underwater motor and pump support systems for this project This helps maximizing asset performance and efficiency Our team will be on-site to connect and commission the motors for a 25,000 m³ hopper dredger currently under construction,” said Bakker.Bakker Sliedrecht said that they are the only company in the world capable of delivering these Indar oil-filled motors at this power level Bakker Sliedrecht has implemented energy storage systems (ESS) on the board two Boskalis diving support vessels (DSVs) The installation of ESS is said to cut fuel use as well as reduce the carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions from the vessels by up to 20% It also offers power and energy storage when the vessels are docked aiding quieter and more efficient offshore operations Both vessels underwent conversion at the Boskalis Service Center quay in Rotterdam.  ESS control system with several functionalities (spinning reserve “We managed to limit the out-of-service time of these vessels from arrival of the vessels up to completed sea trials and class approval to less than 2 months for the whole ESS implementation,” said Andy Waterstreet Project Director at Bakker Sliedrecht.  “Careful offline preparation is than important which included a detailed on-board survey on forehand and extensive in-house functional testing of the ESS at Bakker’s test facility.” the power plant configuration was further optimized resulting in additional reductions in fuel consumption “For DP-2 vessels performing very safety critical operations like these vessels redundancy and safe operations are key in every design choice,“ said Edwin de Koning “This was achieved by early involvement of and close cooperation with DNV-GL execution of extensive failure mode effect analysis and sea trials.” Despite the fact that the vessels were not originally equipped with Bakker Sliedrecht’s diesel-electric power plant In early 2023, Boskalis stated it had committed to becoming climate-neutral throughout its worldwide operations by 2050 The company commissioned a large-scale shore power facility back in November 2023, at its premises in the Waalhaven in Rotterdam. The premises were strategically built on the site where vessels come for maintenance and mobilization for offshore projects.  moored Boskalis’ vessels began switching off their diesel-powered generators The Pioneers of Offshore Engineering GustoMSC part of NOV’s Marine and Construction business is recognized for providing advanced design & engineering consultancy for mobile offshore units and reliable equipment and technical knowledge into realistic & innovative ideas The performance of new and existing jack-ups Welcome to maritimejournal.com. This site uses cookies. Read our policy webinars and articles on innovations and current trends in the commercial marine industry Alternatively REGISTER for website access and sign up for email alerts Bakker Sliedrecht has secured a contract with Jan de Nul Group to deliver an innovative plug-in hybrid power plant for the company’s first 2,000 m³ trailing suction hopper dredger The contract includes the supply of a DC-grid and a state-of-the-art battery system to enhance fuel efficiency and reduce emissions Already a member? SIGN IN now It only takes a minute to sign up for a free account Get access and more free content sign up today Does your organisation require more access? Upgrade to a subscription and enjoy unlimited news and additional features Site powered by Webvision Cloud Home   News   Article I am writing this while eleven thousand feet in the air In a few hours I will land in Toronto and continue on to my final destination: my parent’s home in Niagara especially as I am going to a place with a considerably colder climate (-20 degrees Celcius so I’ve packed pieces from my growing woollen collection: knitted socks from my Aunt Wendy and wool leggings from another kind friend The rest will have to be supplemented by my family on the other side of this vast ocean With just a carry-on and rucksack it means I am in greater control and run less risk of losing my luggage on the way with a brief layover in London Not to mention that it saves me the added fee of checking in a suitcase (£100 each way!) There is a sense of ease in travelling light But it doesn’t happen by packing at the last minute to the final point of taking only the bare necessities the packing process this time included bringing a lovely Scottish wool jumper And chocolate – I have to admit – enough to carry me through the 10 days I am in Canada Perhaps I still have a lot to learn about truly travelling light But what does this concept mean at a deeper level as we head into 2025 I was thinking about so many things to sort out like the most basic “note to self”: Clean up my room Research suggests that “clearing away clutter can help you make healthier choices and even boost your workout” (Blog: Immovable Mind) I guess the idea behind this is to start small and from the strong platform of a morale boost take courage to confront larger challenges in life it’s one thing to give up the surplus material things a sacrifice which can bring a sense of freedom into our lives; but it is another to release our worries so we can bravely focus on the present day and Mowgli the young boy comes to mind… “Look for the bare necessities / The simple bare necessities / Forget about your worries and your strife / I mean the bare necessities / That’s why a bear can rest at ease / With just the bare necessities of life.” To travel lightly and with ease might mean emptying old drawers full of anger and sorting out neglected cupboards overflowing with worry for such emotional clutter can lead to deep-rooted bitterness and crippling fear Our inner chaos can drain us of precious energy Harmful habits can become weights around our necks bearing down on us and taking the place of what could be – a life of perspective and grace So why not clear the way for better things people often send wishes of peace and joy to others and go further than cards or flowers and express the message of love in all our actions I smile as I envisage my father and mother waiting for me at the arrivals hall in Toronto Airport Once I make my way through passport control and the baggage claim area I will walk out the door and onto the exit ramp see their beaming faces as they come towards me embrace warmly… Dad will lighten my load by offering to take my carry-on and we will walk out the door into the fresh Canadian winter air • Monique Sliedrecht is an artist and blogger based at Freswick Visit her blog at www.moniquesliedrecht.com Read more from Monique: From new beginnings… Time to let go and embrace An energy storage system supplied by Bakker Sliedrecht will be installed on Subsea 7’s Seven Arctic making it the world’s first heavy construction and flex-lay vessel to be equipped with such power systems This will also be the first order of an energy storage unit on this scale for the Sliedrecht Netherlands-based independent system integrator Two containerised power converters with a nominal power of 3,750 kW each and 1,500 kWh of batteries will be installed on Seven Arctic which can lay flowlines in water depths down to 3,000 m Seven Arctic has total installed power of 27 MW and dynamic positioning classification of DP3 Bakker Sliedrecht’s energy storage will be used as spinning reserve during DP and transit operations enabling fewer diesel generators to be online and those online to have higher utilisation the key functions for improved vessel performance are realised by the power plant optimiser control system,” said Bakker Sliedrecht head of technology Arend van der Velde This energy storage system was developed in close co-operation with Subsea 7 after jointly working together on several other vessels’ electrical systems “Bakker has been the main electrical integrator on a number of our specialist DP vessels built over the last 15 years and has also provided ongoing operational support on DP and electrical issues,” said Subsea 7 vice president for asset development Stuart Smith “The award of this contract to hybridise Seven Arctic represents an important milestone in our sustainability programme to reduce our C02 emissions.” When the peak-shaving function is active on Seven Arctic the online diesel generators shift in a more optimal range with reduced intermittent starting of an additional generator the online generators are supported by the batteries in strong load fluctuations improving grid dynamics and stability and reducing wear and tear an estimated reduction of 5,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions is expected an extensive function and load-test programme in our workshop will be executed,” said Bakker Sliedrecht project director Andy Waterstreet “This will contribute to a shorter duration for implementation and commissioning on board.” The control system is designed with maximum autonomy in mind said Bakker Sliedrecht director for sales Bas Oskam “This enables integration with different existing power and vessel management systems on board This makes the system very suitable to apply in existing vessels.” Riviera Maritime Media’s annual Maritime Hybrid, Electric & Hydrogen Fuel Cells Conference returns to Bergen, Norway, 25-27 October 2022. Use this link to access more details and to register to attend who served with de Jong Duke here for 75 years who founded coffee brewing equipment manufacturer de Jong Duke in 1897 and joined the family business when he was 16 years old Johannes de Jong became a company director in 1972 and joined the supervisory board in 2000 he remained an honorary member of the board Get the latest news and resources from Vending Times Subsea services provider Subsea 7 has contracted electrical integrator specialist Bakker Sliedrecht to equip its heavy construction / flex-lay vessel Seven Arctic with a new energy-saving system The order for an energy storage system from Bakker Sliedrecht is a double first It is the first order for such a system on this scale for the Sliedrecht-based independent system integrator Subsea 7’s Seven Arctic is believed to be the first heavy construction / flex-lay vessel in the world to be equipped with such an energy-saving system The new energy-saving and storage system will hybridise the vessel which currently has a total installed power of 27 MW and DP3 classification and is suitable for worldwide operations in water depths up to 3,000 metres At the heart of the new energy storage system is a containerised battery room with a maximum power of 3750 kW and 1250 kWh of energy The system also includes a connection for shore power it is estimated that 5,000 tons of CO2 emissions will be reduced vice president of Asset Development at Subsea 7 said: “We are very pleased to continue our relationship with Bakker on this contract which will hybridise Seven Arctic This represents an important milestone in our sustainability programme to reduce our C02 emissions.” added: “The energy storage system can work with any battery or storage type allowing for integration with different existing power and vessel management systems on board This makes the system very suitable to apply in existing vessels.“ Bakker Sliedrecht has won a contract to make the new trailing suction hopper dredger (TSHD) Schenge energy-efficient The Sliedrecht based electrical drive specialist will supply and install a shaft generator on the main engine aimed to generate the electricity for the entire dredging installation needs less maintenance and has an optimized lay-out has a hopper capacity of approximately 2600m³ divided over two holds so that it can carry two types of product For the electric drive of the dredging installation and jet pumps a shaft generator with matching frequency drive from Bakker Sliedrecht is added which is connected to the existing main engine by means of a new PTO shaft The vessel has an adjustable propeller (CPP) because the main engine runs at a low load for propulsion during dredging this power can be used for the electrical dredging installation Converting general cargo vessel to hopper dredger at Holland Shipyards Group Faasse Groep and Holland Shipyards Group have come to an agreement on the conversion of former general cargo vessel Mandeo into the trailing suction hopper dredger Schenge Holland Shipyards Group was contracted to convert the vessel hopper build a jointly designed dredging system and execute various other works on board The conversion is in line with the Faasse Groep’s expansion plans and will aid in the consolidation of its position in the raw materials market the vessel will be deployed for sand extraction in the North Sea The Historical Association Sliedrecht (Historische Vereniging Sliedrecht) will host a lecture named ‘The Wonderful World of Hydraulic Engineering – Dredging’ on Thursday Dredging is much more than bringing sand to the surface it is the whole world of hydraulic engineering construction of Maasvlakte 1 and Maasvlakte 2 are just some of the projects that dredgers have conducted all over the world present and future of dredging – together with some amazing dredging photos – will be introduced A fascinating story about man and his machines volunteers from the National Dredging Museum The lecture will take place in the Grienden College large room The brand new dredger Willem van Rubroeck of Jan De Nul Group is being prepared for its first job Bakker Sliedrecht delivered and installed the electrical machinery package including the propulsion drives and Alarm Monitoring System BIMAC Watch the project video they created together with Jan de Nul Boris Hoks of Bakker Sliedrecht and Ruben de Lille of Jan de Nul introduce more information about the project a cutter capacity of 8,500 kW and an operational working depth up to 45 meters The Willem van Rubroeck is built to dredge in very hard rocky soil this vessel can cope with more difficult conditions such as higher waves and more challenging weather conditions The acquired companies are focused on maritime electrical and automation solutions Vinci Energies has announced the acquisition of two Dutch companies RH Marine and Bakker Sliedrecht Electro Industrie marking its expansion into the maritime sector in the Netherlands specialising in maritime electrical and automation solutions are set to join Vinci Energies’ network enhancing its industrial services offerings is a system integrator in the maritime industry delivering automation and electrical solutions The company’s expertise spans installation and life cycle support for various ship’s electrical systems complements these services as an electrical integrator focused on the design and maintenance of electrical installations Its work extends to onshore electrical infrastructures Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis This deal is awaiting approval from the Authority for Consumers & Markets (ACM) with completion anticipated before year-end Vinci Energies reported revenue of €900m in the Netherlands employing 3,900 people across its four business lines the company’s revenue reached €19.3bn supported by 2,000 business units operating in 61 countries Nominations are now open for the prestigious Ship Technology Excellence Awards - one of the industry's most recognised programmes celebrating innovation This is your chance to showcase your achievements Don't miss the opportunity to be honoured among the best - submit your nomination today Give your business an edge with our leading industry insights View all newsletters from across the GlobalData Media network The dates displayed for an article provide information on when various publication milestones were reached at the journal that has published the article activities on preceding journals at which the article was previously under consideration are not shown (for instance submission All content on this site: Copyright © 2025 Elsevier B.V. DE Klop shipyard in the Netherlands continues to make great progress on the Cygnus project – a revolutionary fully electric cutter suction dredger have recently arrived in Sliedrecht,” the shipbuilder said in the update the other components will be manufactured and delivered.” The pontoons are manufactured in the Netherlands are produced in the vicinity of Sliedrecht known as the cradle of the dredging industry offers the perfect location for the production of this high-quality dredging equipment By opting for a fully electric drive system and no hydraulic oil systems DE Klop is taking a major step in reducing CO2 emissions and minimizing environmental impact without compromising the performance and efficiency expected of a modern cutter suction dredger Very suddenly it can seem that life has been put on hold In the wake of an unfortunate meeting with a large (very clean) panel of glass a few weeks ago I was told not to do anything that required concentration and to suspend regular activities and rest One neurologist describes a concussion as "when the brain gets jarred causing it to hit against the skull" (Felicia Gliksman D.O. The impact creates a stretching of nerve fibres and cells and so your brain shifts into overdrive to repair the damage leading essentially to an energy crisis in the brain It has interrupted many things that were in full flow – plans for the weeks ahead life feels like it has come to a complete standstill Life not going as you’d expected or intended can be a real disappointment and the thought of “what do I do now?” can feel quite overwhelming when things grow and move along regardless of whether or not you do But maybe being "put on hold" is an opportunity to notice – the tastiest oranges and most beautiful tulips brought over by a friend the permission not to concentrate when thinking too much is a favourite pastime the kindness and care of neighbours checking in the song of the curlew… and to anticipate the return of the swallow Nature has a way of healing in these moments when nothing else can to reset and fall in line with its rhythms Every moment is life and I can maximise this time in the present There is the opportunity to be connected right where I am I realise that the only thing to do is choose acceptance in this time of seeming limbo I can accept that something new is happening What if life is not being put on hold at all Considering it to be on hold assumes that things will go back to exactly the way they were we can surrender to and enjoy life’s many nuances and vicissitudes" (Sophia Godkin If I treat this experience as though life is on hold and don’t pay attention to the richness contained within it or to make the changes I know I need to make to create a better now and a better later I leave you with this invitation: To pay attention To treat these periods as if they were a reset button once-in-a-lifetime experiences as a spark to light an inner fire and ignite a new beginning the biggest loss in the end of experiences like this is if we come out of them unchanged and enjoy each activity (like my writing) for itself and not the accomplishment of it I promise to listen to my body and take breaks when I need them Bakker Sliedrecht has upgraded Boskalis’ cutter suction dredger (CSD) Taurus II by increasing the vessel’s booster capacity by increasing capacity of the dredge pumps from 6000 to 7400 kilowatts the Taurus II now can pump dredge material over greater distances from the stationary position the Taurus II was built in 1983 as a cutter suction dredger and was upgraded in 2010 Bakker Sliedrecht modernized all electrical installations on board The converted Taurus II will be used as a booster station – ready to pump materials over great distances The existing 25 megawatts of power on board had to be used even smarter to cope with this task “We have stretched the unused capacity of the electrical installations to the maximum within all safety margins Upgrading the pump power from 6000 to 7400 kilowatts allows the vessel to move large amounts of sand over large pressing distances quickly,” said project manager Arie de Jong Bakker Sliedrecht also updated all automation systems inspected electrical installations and improved the camera system (CCTV) Bakker Sliedrecht started the Taurus II upgrade project in June 2021 The first part of the job was conducted in Sliedrecht after which the adjustments were implemented and installed on board the CSD in the United Arab Emirates The project was successfully completed at the end of February and Bakker Sliedrecht have already handed over the Taurus II to Boskalis Bakker Sliedrecht has upgraded the automation system at the offshore energy substation of the DanTysk offshore wind farm in Germany the Ethernet switches in the fiber optic ring for the communication between all systems redundant SCADA servers and redundant PLC controllers that control the platform this had to be done without shutting down the energy supply from the wind farm the transport of electricity to the coast could continue without failure “The remotely controlled automation system controls and monitors the essential functions on the platform such as the cooling system and the cooling water pumps That is of crucial importance on a platform where 288 megawatts of energy is brought together,” said Bakker Sliedrecht automation engineer Bart van Wijngaarden Project leader Fred Hordijk added that is why a whole new network had to be built next to the existing one and step by step testing was carried out “First we transferred the less critical systems Only when they worked well we moved on and transferred the next systems and eventually the critical ones at the construction of the substation in 2012 Bakker Sliedrecht supplied various components and integrated all systems within the electrical and instrumentation system DanTysk comprises 80 Siemens 3.6 MW turbines installed some 70km west of the island of Sylt The 288 MW offshore wind farm has been in operation since 2014 Bakker Sliedrecht and RH Marine are teaming up to install Roll Group’s vessel BigRoll Bering with a Dynamic Positioning 2 system (DP2) The DP2 system will allow the 173 m-long module carrier to better maintain its position during offshore loading and unloading operations and increases the deployability of the vessel for complex transports Bakker Sliedrecht will upgrade the vessel with the system; RH Marine will supply the computer motion sensors and differential global positioning systems sales manager products and solutions at RH Marine said: “The DP system improves the comfort of the vessel’s control The captain or helmsman can stop the ship at the push of a button Because the DP system is DP2-class certified it can also be used for complex jobs such as transporting foundations for wind turbines at sea for which this classification is required.” Van Pelt added that the cooperation between the two companies – in which Bakker Sliedrecht is acting as the main contractor – means that communication is more efficient “For a client like Roll Group it is easier to have one primary contact and to be approached by one party,” he explained Copier added: “Normally we have a lead time of 24 weeks for the installation of a new DP2 system but by scaling up our flexibility and working closely with Bakker Sliedrecht www.roll-group.com www.bakkersliedrecht.com www.rhmarine.com With a strong pipeline of projects across the Middle East Roll Group is solidifying its presence in the region It has established a substantial road fleet and a skilled local workforce to navigate the country’s complex transport landscape specialising in heavy haul and lifting solutions has been active in the Middle East since 2020 The company says it is now positioned to become the second-largest inland transport operator in Saudi Arabia The Baltic Exchange has launched a free fuel equivalence converter to help owners brokers and charterers understand the cost and commercial implications of greener fuel options Australia’s port of Townsville is investing in a 14 ha project cargo laydown area at its East Port Precinct that will support future industry development and renewable energy projects across the region The UK’s port of Blyth reported record financial performance for the fourth consecutive year Swan Defence and Heavy Industries Limited (SDHI) has entered into a strategic alliance with Wheel & Time Shipping Transport Logistics LUXEMBOURG — Subsea7 has commissioned Bakker Sliedrecht to equip the Seven Arctic heavy construction/flex-lay vessel with an energy-saving and storage system which can operate in water depths of up to 3,000 m A new containerized battery room will provide up to 3.75 MW of extra power and 1.25 MW of energy with a connection to receive power from shore The arrangement should cut CO2 emissions by 5,000 t The contract for supplying and fitting the energy storage system has been awarded to Bakker Sliedrecht an electrical integrator specialist in dynamic positioning vessels “The energy storage system can work with any battery or storage type," said Bas Oskam “The control system is designed with maximum autonomy in mind allowing for integration with different existing power and vessel management systems on board.” His Majesty the King has awarded the honorary title of Koninklijk (Royal) to IHC Merwede presented this accolade to IHC Merwede’s CEO the company has decided to change its name to Royal IHC and will also include the royal crown in its revised corporate identity At least three people died and nine others were missing after a small boat capsized in choppy seas… On April 30, Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) together with several original co-sponsors reintroduced the SHIPS for America Act in the U.S Fast-growing energy demand is driving the need for technical support and guidance in new locations Jan De Nul has kicked off the installation campaign of the monopile foundations for RWE’s Thor offshore wind farm we excel in creating stunning illuminated yacht names and logos and cutting-edge LED and fiber optic solutions Maritime Reporter E-News is the maritime industry's largest circulation and most authoritative ENews Service delivered to your Email five times per week JINDALEE parishioners have a new way to enter more deeply into Christ’s sorrowful passion during Lent with the blessing of a new set of Stations of the Cross Brisbane auxiliary Bishop Brian Finnigan blessed the painted stations on February 23 in the presence of the painter Bishop Finnigan also blessed a new stained-glass window of the Baptism of Jesus Parish priest Fr Dan Carroll said Stations of the Cross were an important devotion in the history of the Catholic Church “The Stations of the Cross have been an essential ingredient in the devotional life of Catholics for many centuries,” Fr Carroll said “Every Catholic church and chapel in the world has the Stations of the Cross “The scene in each station enables us to reflect on the sufferings of Christ “Jesus said ‘If anyone wants to be a follower of mine let him take us his cross daily and follow me’ “By meditating on the sufferings of Jesus one deepens their understanding of Jesus’ divine love “One also finds a more faith-filled understanding of their own sufferings “When we unite our sufferings with Jesus our sufferings take on an infinite value.” The Stations of the Cross are accompanied by a reflection sheet with each station matched with a Scripture passage and short prayer The Catholic Leader is an Australian award-winning Catholic newspaper that has been published by the Archdiocese of Brisbane since 1929 accurate and balanced Catholic perspective of local national and international news while upholding the dignity of the human person We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians who have walked upon and cared for this land for thousands of years We acknowledge the continued deep spiritual attachment and relationship of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to this country and commit ourselves to the ongoing journey of Reconciliation Copyright © All Rights Reserved The Catholic Leader Welcome to motorship.com. This site uses cookies. Read our policy webinars and articles on innovations and current trends in the shipping industry Alternatively REGISTER for website access and sign up for email alerts CCCC Guangzhou Dredging Company has ordered a condition monitoring system from Bakker Sliedrecht for the submersible motors on its trailing suction hopper dredger Jun Yang 1 The solution is intended to improve the preventive maintenance of the motor by analysing deviations in bearing vibrations Already subscribed? SIGN IN now Want to read more before deciding on a subscription It only takes a minute to sign up for a free account and you’ll get to enjoy: Get more free content sign up today Ready to subscribe? Choose from one of our subscription packages for unlimited access I spent some of last month in the south of France There is a very good reason why so many artists have been drawn to this part of the world – the light has a unique quality that enhances the paint palette and remains a constant source of inspiration I enjoyed the summer-like days in Provence’s autumn and recorded impressions in my sketchbook which is also rare and often delights and captivates those who visit when days are short and the sun seems to hover between sunrise and sunset a low glow broods over the open land and seascapes The scarcity of this beauty creates a yearning The word advent is the beginning of “adventure” which suggests an undertaking that might involve danger and unknown risk and it points to an exciting or remarkable experience Dr Seuss speaks to the latter with a positive spin in his book Who wouldn’t want to embark on an adventure with a send-off like that one to be embraced for the way it might stretch us and help us grow way beyond our comfort zone Many churches take part in a weekly lighting of candles striking a match every Sunday until all five flames flicker brightly on the advent wreath – symbolising fresh life waiting for the birth of a baby that would redeem the world Other religions proclaim light too in the festivals of Hanukkah in Judaism and Diwali in Hinduism There is no doubt that our world needs redeeming and new light Along with the serious limit to our natural vitamin D source in northern Scotland Sometimes it is hard to know what our next steps should be or how we might stay sane in the midst of a steady feed of doom and gloom It is a season of deepening darkness and disappearing daylight Following through with the words of Dr Seuss: “You will come to a place where the streets are not marked / A place you could sprain both your elbow and chin Sometimes the next step can only be seen via a tiny flame Other moments the large beam of a lighthouse will guide us through torrential seas Who or what is your ‘lighthouse’ in times of uncertainty The proverbial phrase “to live in hope” may be over-used but surely this is the best way forward for all of us of a mysterious star appearing in the heavens • Monique Sliedrecht is an artist and blogger based at Freswick. Visit her blog at www.moniquesliedrecht.com Netherlands based dredger builders IHC Merwede has launched the first IHC Beaver 65 DDSP at its Sliedrecht shipyard The inaugural Michaelhouse Under-14 Invitational Basketball Tournament debuts this weekend with 12 teams from KZN and Gauteng set to do battle Master in Charge of Basketball at Michaelhouse said on Tuesday that this is the first step towards establishing an even bigger event in the future House’s basketball prowess has grown in leaps and bounds thanks to the school’s consistent participation in tournaments but there was a gap of quality opposition at the under-14 level The establishment of the tournament was a response to that thus creating tournament basketball opportunities for Michaelhouse boys across all age groups “Tournament basketball is quite different to ordinary basketball We’ve found that by giving the boys better exposure at a younger age the boys cope much better with the bigger tournaments in their senior years,” he said Michaelhouse Basketball: South Africa’s best | Pinnacle Schools (pinnacle-schools.com) Sliedrecht said he has looked towards Kearsney’s hugely successful Independent Schools Stayers’ Basketball Tournament (ISSBT) for inspiration “The aim is to grow this to more than 20 teams and to start looking outside of our borders even and to start offering it to a number of good basketball schools in Eswatini and Botswana We’d love to start spreading the net nice and wide “Even the format that we follow is the same [as the ISSBT] I agree with his logic: to be playing short games is not actually doing anything for these guys’ development Playoff results and final standings ISSBT 2023 | Pinnacle Schools (pinnacle-schools.com) “[The Michaelhouse under-14 Basketball Tournament games are] close to full whereas a normal schoolboy match would be four by 10 minutes Because they’re getting so many games in a day I think the development factor is quite big.” While the inaugural Michaelhouse Under-14 Basketball Tournament takes place over two days Sliedrecht also envisions a four-day event This would then also include play on outdoor courts Michaelhouse has been among the leading basketball-playing schools in South Africa for quite some time now and House captured two of the most prestigious titles in the game winning the ISSBT and the Saint John’s Basketball Tournament The momentum those victories produced for the Michaelhouse basketball programme has endured “It has become a bit of a culture thing at Michaelhouse Basketball is seen as a sport that has performed well over the past few years and that’s about the old cliché of success breeding success The youngsters have seen the big boys doing so well and I think that has caused a snowball effect He continued: “The boys never have to be asked to go and play in their own time the boys can get down time in the indoor centre Northwood capture KIBT title | Pinnacle Schools (pinnacle-schools.com) the event serves the development of every school that participates in it and if the winning formula of the ISSBT is successfully implemented the Michaelhouse Under-14 Basketball Tournament will surely become a highly sought-after invitation as schools seek to help their youngest players make the transition from primary to high school competition by introducing them to the challenges of multi-day basketball tournaments and festivals A first step on that development path in the picturesque KZN Midlands is an inviting introduction KZN schools shine at the 2023 St John’s Basketball Tournament | Pinnacle Schools (pinnacle-schools.com) 19:00 3rd and 4th – Loser 40 vs Loser 41 (47) 14:00 11th and 12th – Loser 33 vs Loser 36 (39) 16:00 9th and 10th – Winner 33 vs Winner 36 Pinnacle Schools is the go-to website for all school news in South Africa Thieves have broken into RSPCA South Australia’s Whyalla premises and stolen thousands of dollars worth of power tools In a crime Whyalla’s sole RSPCA Inspector Andre Sliedrecht has described as “heartless” the thieves cut through wire fences of neighbouring properties in order to access the shed containing the tools They then cut two holes in the back of the shed before making their escape with a range of power tools including welders RSPCA had only recently purchased the tools to build improvements to their animal accommodation but we need these tools right now because we’re in the middle of a volunteer project to build a park for the animals to exercise and explore,” Inspector Sliedrecht said and then to have this happen – it’s upset all of us “Some of our volunteers were in tears when they heard about it.” Inspector Sliedrecht stressed that no animals were at risk as they are housed in a secure section well separated from the location of the shed containing the stolen tools A forensic team from Whyalla police spent several hours at the scene on Friday a local security company – ESS Security Services – has kindly offered nightly patrols of the premises free of charge for the next 12 months described the crime as alarming for the whole community “I thought it was disgusting to break into a place that is so important to us all,” Mr Estepa said “It’s just a relief that they weren’t after the animals Anybody who wishes to make donations to assist RSPCA in its recovery from the theft is asked to contact the shelter on 8644 0172 during opening hours – 12noon to 4pm week days RSPCA South Australia is calling for public help in identifying the person or persons responsible for a recent spate of crossbow attacks on kangaroos on the outskirts of Whyalla With the help of a local animal rescue group Whyalla-based RSPCA South Australia Inspector Andre Sliedrecht has managed to locate and euthanise one kangaroo suffering with a crossbow arrow protruding from its chest several people (including tourists) have reported seeing up to three other kangaroos still alive with arrows stuck through their chests and necks The arrow removed from the dead kangaroo is a 52cm Hori-Zone Carbon Aftershock Arrow This particular arrow was not fitted with a broadhead broadhead arrows are more commonly used for hunting because they cause massive blood loss and therefore (usually) a quicker “The absence of a broadhead on the arrows being used in these attacks makes it more likely to cause a slow “The arrow I removed from this poor animal is designed for shooting at targets People have reported seeing the injured kangaroos on council land close to residential areas They have also been seen on private property and the landholder has advised RSPCA South Australia that he has not given permission for hunting to take place on his property “It’s highly likely that someone has witnessed this hunting,” Inspector Sliedrecht said adding that an adult or even a child could possibly be taking aim at kangaroos from their backyard “I need everyone to have their eyes open around our township because this is not just happening on a remote property saltbush environment making it difficult to get close enough to humanely euthanise them by shooting “It is very frustrating and distressing to see these kangaroos with horrific senseless injuries but not be able to get close enough to end their pain,” Inspector Sliedrecht said “Whoever is responsible clearly has no regard for the extreme suffering their actions have inflicted on these defenceless animals.” Crossbows and pistol crossbows are prohibited weapons under the Summary Offences Regulations 2016 Anyone caught hunting wildlife with these weapons faces a potential $20,000 fine or 2 years imprisonment The attacks reinforce RSPCA South Australia’s recent decision to release full details of its animal cruelty case files giving South Australians a no-holds-barred look at the horror of animal suffering occurring every day across our state The publication of RSPCA prosecution case files from the 2017/18 financial year – the first such information release in Australia – is part of a major ‘Combat Cruelty’ media and advertising campaign launched last month By exposing the scale of chronic animal neglect within SA for the first time the Society hopes the community will acknowledge the gravity of the situation and help address it Already, hundreds of South Australians have taken RSPCA’s new Combat Cruelty pledge at www.combatcruelty.com Anyone with any information in regards to the kangaroo attacks near Whyalla is asked to contact RSPCA South Australia’s 24-hour cruelty report hotline on 1300 4 777 22.