Deck Machinery News

Viking Supply Ships to Upgrade Four AHTS with Subsea Cranes

Sweden-based Viking Supply Ships announced it has secured a contract for four 100-ton heave-compensated offshore cranes to be installed on its fleet of ice classed anchor handling tug supply (AHTS) vessels.These advanced cranes will enhance the vessels' capabilities, positioning them to meet the increasing demand within the subsea sector. The upgrades will enable the vessels to handle a wider range of assignments across both the oil and gas industry, as well as renewable energy projects…

JonRie Escort Winches Ordered for Two McAllister Tugs

McAllister Towing recently placed an order for series 240 JonRie Escort Winches to be installed aboard the tugs Vicki M. McAllister and Janet M. McAllister. The company is undertaking modifications of both tugs, and replacement of the hydraulic winches aboard was seen as the wisest decision.“Brandon has done well with everything he’s undertaken,” said Martin “Marty” Costa, veteran engineering manager at McAllister Towing, a reference to Brandon Durar, president of JonRie Division at Markey Machine in Seattle. “The entire fleet had been outfitted with JonRie not so long ago.

McAllister Chooses Markey Winches for Newest ASD Tug

McAllister Towing recently ordered a Markey Machine winch and capstan for the fourth ASD tug of a class-build series being constructed at Washburn & Doughty Associates.Markey is providing a DEPCF-52-75 Class II bow hawser winch, which includes the Markey Render/RecoverⓇ system, a line-display screen and a stainless-steel brake drum. A two-speed CEW-60 electric capstan is also included.“Markey is consistently reliable, a great vendor to work with, and steady. We really wanted electric winches with infinitely-variable speed…

NOV Bags Order for Industry's First Electric Subsea Crane

NOV reports its Lifting & Handling group has sold what is said to be the industry’s first-ever electric subsea crane. The order was booked at the end of 2023 with an undisclosed client in Europe, NOV said.The first-of-its-kind crane offers enhanced efficiency compared to electro-hydraulic cranes, helping lead to reduced vessel emissions, the manufacturer said, adding that the design allows for the recovery of potential energy from loads lowered to the seabed, supporting onboard use or storage.In addition…

SAAM Towage Taps Markey for Winch Retrofit Project

Markey Machine won a first-ever contract from SAAM Towage to retrofit the controls on a Timberland towing winch aboard the Point Valiant, a tug based in Vancouver, B.C.SAAM first outlined the project to Markey last May, then hired Sentinel Survey, Markey’s after-market service division, to undertake on-site inspection of the winch. Following inspection, Markey offered its Class I winch-control package, and SAAM responded with an order near the end of December. The winch controls package will be provided in mid-2024.“Markey’s achievements in workboat winches are widely known…

MacGregor Cargo Handling Equipment Ordered for Matson Containerships

MacGregor announced on Friday it has landed a contract from SM Solutions/Philly Shipyard to supply cargo handling solutions for three 1,822 FEU sized containerships.MacGregor’s scope of supply encompasses design, hardware and supply for hatch covers, lashing bridges, deck stanchions, fixed and removable cell guides in hold and container fixed fittings. Deliveries are scheduled to commence during the fourth quarter of 2024 and completed within 2026, the company said."We are excited about this order…

Insights: Blaine Dempke, CEO, Markey

Established in 1907 as the Industrial Revolution arrived to Seattle, Markey is the oldest privately-held winch manufacturer in the United States today. The company was formed in the Georgetown District of what later became known as King County, Wash. The Markey sign above its original manufacturing plant, on Horton Street, is still retained, although Markey has since moved to its current facility on 8th Avenue South.Markey was a major supplier to the U.S. Navy in both world wars…

Markey Wins Deal to Refurbish Winches for NOAA Research Vessel

Seattle-based deck machinery company Markey Machine said it has recently secured a contract from Bollinger Mississippi Shipbuilding for winch refurbishment aboard NOAA research vessel Ronald H. Brown. The three Markey oceanographic winches that have been aboard for 27 years will receive varied upgrades.“NOAA is working to maximize the service life of each of its vessels, in part by investing in mid-life repairs,” said Jamie LeCompte, NOAA Ship Ronald H. Brown project manager.

Markey Machine Acquires JonRie InterTech

Seattle based deck machinery company Markey Machine announced it has acquired New Jersey headquartered competitor JonRie InterTech.The two companies design, manufacture and provide support for custom-designed winches and other deck equipment systems for the maritime and offshore sectors. According to Markey Machine, the acquisition will allow it to expand its product offerings, strengthen its technical capabilities and enhance its market presence."We are excited to welcome JonRie InterTech to the Markey Machine family," said Blaine Dempke, CEO of Markey Machine.

Failure to Maintain Crane Barge Led to $6 Million Loss

A barge owner’s lack of inspection and maintenance led to the capsizing and sinking of a crane barge last year in the Gulf of Mexico, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said.The crane barge Ambition was being towed when it capsized and sank on June 15, 2022, releasing an estimated 1,980 gallons of oil. No injuries were reported. The Ambition, owned by Rigid Constructors, and its crane were a total loss estimated at $6.3 million.Due to the height of the crane, the Ambition was being towed offshore in the Gulf of Mexico to reach its destination.

Markey Winches Chosen for Moran Towing’s New Escort Tugs

Seattle-based Markey Machine said it has received an order to supply Markey DEPCF-52 hawser winches and separate CEW-60 capstans for two new escort tugs being built for Moran Towing at Master Boat Builders in Coden, Ala.“As we proudly unveil our newly announced tug builds, we entrust the power and efficiency of Markey winches as our chosen partner,” said Sean Perrault, Moran Towing's VP of engineering services. “Moran Towing and Markey Machine LLC have forged a long-standing relationship built on trust…

Foss Chooses Markey Machine for Winch Upgrades

Foss Maritime recently elected to refurbish two existing Markey winches aboard the Foss tug Hawaii.Though other options were considered, “these winches have been ideal for bringing the barge up tight against the stern of the tug,” noted Foss’ Danny Riser, Captain. “The brake-holding capacity of the 32s (Markey model DEPC-32) is well-suited for mounting on our 5200 HP Z-drive tugs. I’ve been a lifelong fan of Markey winches, so for us it was an easy decision.”The tandem electric models had served so well historically that only refurbishment made sense.

Crowley ATB Equipped with Markey Mooring Winches

Markey Machine said it recently won an order for a set of split mooring winches and an anchor windlass to be installed on board one of Crowley’s ATB barges Oliver Leavitt. The winches replaced a set of electric mooring winches.The ATB, including tug Aveogan, was constructed at the Bollinger Marine Fabricators facility in Amelia, La., and delivered to Crowley in 2020. Crowley operates the ATB under a long-term charter for Alaska-based Petro Star Inc.The decision in Markey’s favor was “operations-based: tied to historic performance,” Crowley reported.

Markey Machinery Attracts Outside Investment to Expand

Markey Machinery is a storied marine company, starting operations in 1907, when a Charles Markey, fresh from a two-year trading expedition on the Alaska and Siberian coast, launched the C.H. Markey Machinery Company serving both the marine and logging industries.Today Markey Machinery serves as a global leader in the marine deck equipment and winch industry, a position that it seeks to grow with the announcement that it closed outside investment with Christian Schiller and Brian Bogen to take the company to the next level.To its broad maritime client base…

MacGregor to Equip US' Largest Hopper Dredge

MacGregor, part of Cargotec, will deliver two large, 120 ft. double telescopic service cranes and one 50 ft. telescopic stores crane for a self-propelled hopper dredge. Currently being built for Manson Construction Co., the Frederick Paup will be the largest ever self-propelled trailing suction hopper dredge built in the USA and will operate all over the country.The order was placed by Keppel AmFELS, Inc. and booked into Cargotec’s 2020 fourth quarter order intake. The cranes are planned to be delivered to the yard by the end of 2021…

PACCAR Winch Recognized for Commitment to Veterans

PACCAR Winch has been recognized locally and nationally for their ongoing commitment to providing an outstanding work environment for veterans. From community outreach to employee programs, the company is dedicated to recruiting, developing, and celebrating veterans.On November 10, PACCAR Winch was recognized as a recipient of the 2021 HIRE Vets Gold Medallion Award for the third year in a row from the U.S. Department of Labor. The Honoring Investments in Recruiting and Employing…

DMW Marine Group Appoints South America Rep

DMW Marine Group said it has appointed Proxima Innovation as its representative to handle business in Brazil and Latin America. Within the first month of the business relationship, DMW Marine Group said it secured orders with Proxima Innovation's help for two large knuckle boom marine cranes to be installed in and operate in Brazilian waters.

Balmoral Group sells ACE Winches shareholding to former CEO Alfie Cheyne

Balmoral Group sold its shareholding in ACE Winches to a company led by ACE’s founder and former CEO Alfie Cheyne.As part of Balmoral’s share purchases in 2017 and 2019 the Cheyne family had an option to buy back Balmoral Group’s investment and the deal confirmed today is in line with this agreement. Jim Milne, Chairman and Managing Director of Balmoral Group said: “We have enjoyed working with the management and staff of ACE Winches and wish them all the best for the future.”Cheyne said…

Lack of Signalman Led to Bulker Crane’s Contact with Grain Facility - NTSB

The absence of a dedicated signalman likely led to a bulk carrier’s crane striking a grain facility in Convent, La., in 2020, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) found.The contact occurred on November 11, while the bulk vessel GH Storm Cat was completing corn loading operations at the Zen-Noh Grain Corporation facility with its number 1 crane boom. The vessel’s crew was removing a payloader from the number 1 cargo hold, which had been filled. A Zen-Noh Grain Corporation employee attached the crane hook to the payloader and then walked out of view of the crane operator.

FMD, DECK Strike Deal to Co-Develop 'Intelligent' LARS

Fairbanks Morse Defense (FMD), a portfolio company of Arcline Investment Management (Arcline), is expanding its capabilities to serve unmanned marine vehicles (UXV) through a licensing agreement with DECK Marine Systems (DECK), a developer of systems to deploy and recover vessels and sensors. Through the agreement, FMD and DECK will co-develop an intelligent launch and recovery system (LARS) for use with UXVs, and FMD will have an exclusive license to sell and service DECK’s LARS…

Fred. Olsen Windcarrier Upgrades Brave Tern with 1600t Crane

Fred. Olsen Windcarrier (FOWIC) said it is upgrading another one of its vessels with a new larger crane to install foundations and all known next generation offshore wind turbines.The company announced on Tuesday it has executed a firm contract with Huisman for a second 1,600t crane to upgrade Brave Tern. Installation is scheduled to be completed in 2024.Alexandra Koefoed, CEO, Fred. Olsen Windcarrier, said, “As we announced in 2020, we have initiated an upgrade program for our existing fleet where Bold Tern is currently undergoing a major upgrade, including replacement of the crane.

Vestdavit Wins First Finnish Naval Order

Vestdavit won its first order with the Finnish shipyard Rauma Marine Constructions (RMC) to supply davits for a series of the Finnish Navy’s four newbuild multi-role combat vessels.The Pohjanmaa-class corvettes are to be built at RMC’s shipyard in Rauma, Finland as part of the navy’s $1.36B Squadron 2020 project to replace seven ageing vessels and each will be equipped with two of Vestdavit’s davits.The warships measure 114 x 16m and have an ice-strengthened hull for work in ice-bound waters…

MacGregor to Equip MBARI's New Research Vessel

MacGregor, part of Cargotec, said it has been taped to deliver a suite of overboard handling systems for the new oceanographic research vessel David Packard owned by Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI), a private, nonprofit oceanographic research center based in California. Founded in 1987 by David Packard, MBARI’s mission is to advance marine science and technology to understand a changing ocean. The David Packard is designed by naval architecture firm Glosten, and is currently under construction at Freire Shipyard in Vigo…