Damen Stan Tug 1606 for Jan De Nul
Dredging company, Jan De Nul, has had 11 Damen Stan Tugs join its fleet in the last few years. In 2008, Jan De Nul placed an order for five additional Stan Tugs after another major order in 2007 when the Belgian firm ordered six Stan Tugs, as well as four Damen Fast Crew Suppliers. To be delivered over a period of 18 months, the five latest vessels have all been built at Albwardy Marine Engineering in Dubai, one of Damen’s joint venture shipyards in the Middle East.
River Ministry Pioneer Wilkinson Retires from SCI
The Rev. James (Jim) R. Wilkinson retires this year in April after over 11 years of service to the nation’s inland waterways community as their first full-time, fully-dedicated chaplain. In 1998, the Seamen’s Church Institute (SCI) called Wilkinson to head up Ministry on the River, a first-of-its-kind endeavor offering pastoral care to river mariners and their families in the United States. Wilkinson’s congregation of mariners spanned thousands of miles of moving waters from Pittsburgh, Pa.
This Day in Coast Guard History – March 24
1909- Muskeget, Massachusetts: the schooner Vigilant parted moorings, and stranded one mile south of the station. The owner applied to the keeper at 10:30 p.m. for assistance.
This Day in Naval History – March 24
1903 - George Dewey commissioned Admiral of the Navy with the date of rank, 2 March 1899. He was the only person to hold this rank. (Source: Navy News Service)
Agreement to Acquire Arrow Energy Ltd
The Board of Arrow Energy Limited (Arrow) to unanimously recommend its shareholders vote in favour of the joint proposal to acquire 100% of Arrow shares. CS CSG (Australia) Pty Ltd…
Agreement to Develop Gas-Fueled Ships
Wärtsilä and Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) have signed a co-operation agreement to develop gas-fuelled merchant vessels. The intention is to jointly develop next…
EU NAVFOR Rescues Iranian Crew
On 19th March the EU NAVFOR Spanish warship Navarra was dispatched by the Force HQ (ITS ETNA) to assist an Iranian dhow that had sent out a distress call. The Iranian fishing dhow, named UAID 400, with 13 crewmembers, had suffered a pirate attack some days before and had been left without food, water or sufficient fuel to return to shore. After a high speed dash, the Navarra’s helicopter located the dhow early the following morning, 60 N Miles from its last known position.
USCG Names First Sentinel-Class Cutter
Coast Guard officials announced Friday that the first Sentinel-class cutter will bear the name Bernard C. Webber in honor of the legendary Coast Guard member. Previously designated to be named the Coast Guard Cutter Sentinel, the cutter Bernard C. Webber will be the first of the service’s new 153-ft patrol cutters. Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Thad Allen approved the change of the cutter’s name to…
New Discovery in GOM, Vito Appraisal
Statoil USA E&P Inc. announced that the Shell operated Vito appraisal well in deep water Gulf of Mexico has encountered more than 600 net feet of high-quality oil pay in thick subsalt Miocene sands.
Parker Sales Manager at Kvichak
Kvichak Marine Industries in Seattle, Washi. announced the appointment of Art Parker as Sales Manager with a focus on North American business development. Parker has 30 years experience in the aluminum boatbuilding business and has been with the Kvichak sales and marketing team for 15 years. (www.kvichak.com)
Divex Introduces HeliCom for Diver Comms
International diving equipment technology company Divex announced the launch of a communication system for the saturation diver. Divex, headquartered in Westhill, Aberdeen, Scotland launched HeliCom, the Helium Speech Unscrambler Communication System. Saturation divers use helium as the major component of the special breathing-gas mixture called heliox (a mixture of helium and oxygen). One of the disadvantages…
Navios Maritime Purchases Navios Aurora II
Navios Maritime Partners L.P. (NYSE: NMM), an owner and operator of dry cargo vessels, announced the purchase of Navios Aurora II, a 2009 South Korean-built Capesize vessel with a capacity of 169…
Gas As Ship Fuel, GL Forum
Gas as ship fuel was the topic of the March 18 GL First Class Exchange Forum which highlighted GL's approach towards the environmental concerns of the maritime industry.
STX Europe Company Update
STX France has recently experienced cost overruns mainly related to one of its cruise vessels under construction at its St Nazaire shipyard. The cost overrun could…
Incat Crowther Utility Catamaran Limitless
Incat Crowther has launched the 95-ft Utility Catamaran Limitless. The vessel follows up on the highly successful Unlimited, a 78.7-ft utility catamaran designed by Incat Crowther for the same operator. Limitless is the 50th vessel built by Richardson Devine Marine and debuts the latest evolution of Incat Crowther’s hull form. This hull form recorded a top speed of 30.5 knots at sea trials. The new and improved hull means the larger…
This Day in Coast Guard History – March 22
1974- The 40-foot sailing vessel Lorisel II reported she was aground one mile southeast of North Rock, Bahamas, off the eastern shore of Bimini. An HU-16 aircraft…
This Day in Naval History – March 22
1882 - SECNAV Hunt issues General Order No. 292 creating Office of Naval Intelligence. 1958 - First launching of simulated Polaris missile from submerged tactical launcher facility off CA.
MRA Salvage & Firefighting Contract Approval
Marine Response Alliance, LLC (MRA) has received approval from the U.S. Coast Guard of its Salvage and Marine Firefighting Contract and Funding Agreement. The Coast…
New Bridge Nav Watch Alarm System
Uni-Safe Electronics’ new Bridge Navigational Watch Alarm System BW-800 complies with IMO MSC 128(75) and the new IEC 62616 performance standard from February 2010. The company said it expected to be the first company in the world to present a Type Approval of a Bridge Navigational Watch Alarm System complying with the new IEC 62616 performance standard. DNV has carried out the performance test with success and now we are only waiting for environmental test to be completed.
Keppel Joint Venture, Azerbaijan Shipyard
President of Azerbaijan, HE Ilham Aliyev breaks ground for the new yard in the presence of Singapore’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr George Yeo. Fortifying its presence in the Caspian Region, Keppel Offshore & Marine Limited (Keppel O&M) joins hands with State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) and Azerbaijan Investment Company (AIC) to develop and manage a new 52-ha shipbuilding and shiprepair facility in Baku, Azerbaijan.
