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.
Star Bulk Charter to Rio Tinto for Star Aurora
Star Bulk Carriers Corp. (NASDAQ: SBLK) announced that it has entered into a time charter agreement with Rio Tinto for the Star Aurora, a capsize vessel of 171,199 dwt…
Nexen Discovery, Eastern Gulf of Mexico
Nexen and its partner have made a significant discovery in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico at Appomattox, located in Mississippi Canyon blocks 391 and 392. Recent operations…
India Approves Exploration Contracts
According to a March 19 report from The Wall Street Journal, India approved oil exploration contracts for Oil and Natural Gas Corp. (ONGC), the nation’s biggest energy explorer…
Coast Guard SONS 2010 National Exercise
The U.S. Coast Guard and 50 other federal, state and private organizations will conduct the triennial Spill of National Significance Exercise or SONS 2010 from March…
Alaska’s Most Modern Ferry Sets Sail
Beginning May 26th, Alaska’s newest passenger ferry will commence service between the popular end-of-the-road destination of Homer and the secluded village of Seldovia, located on a roadless area of Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula. “Often when people hear the word ‘ferry’ they think basic transportation,” said Sarah Richardson, Director of Public Relations for the Seldovia Village Tribe, the owners of the new vessel.
New Navy Contract
Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding, Inc., Newport News, Va., is being awarded an $80,886,408 cost-plus-fixed-fee, level-of-effort contract for fiscal 2010 advance planning…
