FOC State Applies MLC to Help Crew Get Backpay
The "Seafarers' Bill of Rights" has been applied by a flag of convenience state that has not yet ratified the convention – Belize – to ensure that crew members are paid back wages due.
Deep-sea Internet Being Developed at UB
![Subsea Internet R&D: Photo courtesy of UB](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/subsea-internet-rd-photo-courtesy-19210.jpg)
University at Buffalo (UB) researchers are developing a deep-sea Internet: they consider that the technological breakthrough could lead to improvements in tsunami detection, offshore oil and natural gas exploration, surveillance, pollution monitoring and other activities. “A submerged wireless network will give us an unprecedented ability to collect and analyze data from our oceans in real time," said Tommaso Melodia…
Port of Baltimore Fully Open: Latest Update on Dispute
![Photo courtesy of Port of Baltimore](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/photo-courtesy-of-port-of-19219.jpg)
Workers have agreed to a 90-day extension on local contracts following talks between Local 333 of the International Longshoremen’s Association and the Steamship Trade Association of Baltimore Inc., reports Bloomberg, citing a statement by Richard Scher, a spokesman for the Maryland Port Administration. Earlier, the Maryland Port Administration was notified by the Steamship Trade Association that Master Contract cargo could be worked, which included containers and roll on/roll off vessels.
Northrop Grumman to Supply Icebreaker Navigation Package
!['Polar Star': Photo courtesy of USCG](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/polar-star-photo-courtesy-of-19209.jpg)
Northrop Grumman Corporation has been awarded a service contract for navigation systems and software to support the polar ice breakers for the U. S. Coast Guard. The $5 million, five-year contract covers support for two Coast Guard vessels, the Polar Star and the Healy. These polar ice breakers are used to clear pathways for supply ships and support research missions. Northrop Grumman has provided comparable support for the Coast Guard's polar ice breakers since 1999.
UYT Commits to Build World's Largest Yacht Carrier
![Image courtesy of UYT](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/image-courtesy-of-uyt-19208.png)
United Yacht Transport LLC, a Fort Lauderdale based yacht transport company, says it has committed to building a semi-submersible vessel scheduled for delivery in the second tax quarter of 2015. United Yacht believes that the conversion of a Panamax size bulk vessel will produce the world’s largest yacht transport vessel with a cargo capacity exceeding 40,000 dwt. The completed dimensions of this vessel will be 229.00m x 46.00m (755’ x 151’)…
Fincantieri to Build Seabourne Cruise Ship
![Seabourn Odyssey in Venice: Image courtesy of the owners](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/seabourn-odyssey-in-venice-image-19207.jpg)
Fincantieri and Seabourn Cruise Line sign a Letter Of Intent for the construction ot an ultra-luxury cruise ship. The new ship, due to join the Carnival Corp's Seabourn fleet of cruise ships in the second half of 2016, will be built according to the standards and technical solutions that Seabourn claim make it one of the most prestigious brands in the super-luxury segment. “We are pleased to be moving…
PG Awarded Walk-to-Work Offshore Contract
![IMRV Seven Viking: Image courtesy the owners](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/imrv-seven-viking-image-courtesy-19206.jpg)
Walk-to-work-vessels are so designated by the manufacturers on account of being equipped with a gyro-stabilized, telescopic gangway, through which crew and functions are transferred to the well-head-platforms for well stimulation and Intervention work. Wagenborg chose PG for IMR/Cold-Start-Solutions for their new (W2W) IMRV's having secured a long-term-charter from Nederlandse Aardolie Maatschappij B.V. (Shell).
Right Whales Rule, OK?
![Right whale & calf: Photo CCL](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/right-whale-calf-photo-ccl-19205.jpg)
The right whale migration and calving season will soon begin along the Atlantic seaboard. The Mid-Atlantic Seasonal Management Areas and the associated speed restrictions of 10 knots will become effective for Mid-Atlantic coast ports from Long Island Sound to Savannah on November 1, 2013 and will remain in place through April 30, 2014. The Southeast U.S. Seasonal Management Area which includes the ports of Brunswick…
Great Lakes Coast Guard's Operation Fall Retrieve Underway
![Petty Officer 2nd Class David Duenow and Chief Petty Officer Christopher Williams, crewmembers aboard Coast Guard Cutter Alder, finish installing a new cable on the cutter's crane at the cutter's homeport of Duluth, Minn. (USCG photo by Ensign Barton Nanney)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/petty-officer-2nd-class-david-19204.jpg)
In anticipation of the coming ice season and to ensure the safety of vessels transiting the Great Lakes Basin, earlier this week the Coast Guard 9th District began its annual retrieval of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway System seasonal aids to navigation, the largest domestic ATON recovery operation in the U.S. Operation Fall Retrieve, which affects lighted and unlighted buoys and beacons, commenced Tuesday with a goal of retrieving 1,278 navigational aids.
Raymarine Evolution Autopilot Certified for Optimus
![Photo: Raymarine](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/photo-raymarine-19203.jpg)
Raymarine’s new Evolution EV-2 drive-by-wire autopilot system has been certified for use with SeaStar Solutions’ new Optimus EPS and Optimus 360 electronics steering systems. Optimus EPS systems provide effortless electronic power steering for outboard powerboats, while Optimus 360 systems add easy 360-degree maneuvering capabilities using an intuitive joystick controller. Both systems use CAN bus networking for steer-by-wire control.
U.S. Defense Conducts Maritime Strike Ops
![Pictured is a B-1B Lancer on a training mission. The US Air Force recently conducted a successful test of its ability to neutralize and eliminate the threat of small boats in acts of terror. During that testing period, a B-1B Lancer supersonic variable-sweep-wing bomber launched a GBU-10 laser-guided bomb to take out a remotely-controlled mobile surface vehicle. The GBU-10 has a published accuracy of 3.6 feet, making it a good weapon against a small target like a boat. Although its 945 pound wa](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/pictured-is-a-b1b-lancer-19202.jpg)
The looming threat of small boats to national security calls into play some innovative options. Since the horrific terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 revealed a series of national security vulnerabilities, the U.S. Departments of Defense and Homeland Security have been exploring options to reduce these risks. One vulnerability that has proven difficult to address is that of an attack on U.S. assets and interests by small boats. The U.S.
Winn Willard: Bringing Venerable Designs Forward
![Winn Willard](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/winn-willard-19197.jpg)
Hunt Yachts, founded by Raymond C. Hunt in the mid 20th century, is probably best known for its “deep-V” hull, a feature long revered as its signature. The business originated with the design of speedcruisers and motor yachts, evolving into military and commercial markets. Winn Willard, Director of Hunt Yachts and Vice President of Hunt Associates, has been with the company since 1970 and is responsible for some of Hunt’s most influential designs. Mr.
Lone Star Tow Operations Underway Near Dillingham, Alaska
![The mast of the fishing vessel Lone Star juts from the water of the Igushik River near Dillingham, Alaska, as salvage crews work to recover the vessel Sept. 21, 2013. The Lone Star overturned and sank in 18 feet of water June 30. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Lt. Daniel Peters)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/the-mast-of-the-fishing-19195.jpg)
Salvage crews began tow operations for the fishing vessel Lone Star near Dillingham, Wednesday, the U.S. Coast Guard reported today. The crew of the tug Double Eagle, with assistance from the crew of the support vessel Western Viking, will tow the Lone Star to Dutch Harbor where its owner will determine whether or not to scrap the vessel. “The removal of the Lone Star has been a long process, and we…
LEEVAC Builds Two Harbor Tugs for Bay-Houston
![Chloe K (Photo: LEEVAC)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/chloe-k-photo-leevac-19194.jpg)
LEEVAC Shipyards, LLC recently delivered the first of two Z-Tech 2400 harbor tug boats, the Chloe K to Bay-Houston Towing Co. TheChloe K was constructed at LEEVAC Shipyard Jennings, LLC and was later transported, via one of LEEVAC’s own dry-docks, to LEEVAC Shipyard Lake Charles, LLC facility where the Chloe Kreceived her final outfitting, commissioning, and testing. “This is the first tug that LEEVAC Shipyards, LLC has built in many years.
Omni-directional Output Option for BEx Horns
![Photo: E2S](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/photo-e2s-19192.jpg)
E2S has introduced a new option for its BEx range of explosion proof horns. A new design of output horn turns the sound 90 degrees into a radial, omni-directional pattern without reducing the unit’s sound output levels. This is especially suited to combined horn/strobe units that are ordinarily installed with the strobe at the top and the horn facing downwards so that the sound output is pointing directly at the floor, limiting its range and impact.
Today in U.S. Naval History: October 18
Today in U.S. 1812 - U.S. sloop of war Wasp captures HM brig Frolic. 1859 - U.S. Marines reach Harper's Ferry, Va. and assault the arsenal seized by John Brown and his followers.
Jeppesen Updates VVOS Software
![Photo: Jeppesen](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/photo-jeppesen-19322.png)
Jeppesen has launched updated versions of its Voyage and Vessel Optimization Solution (VVOS) and FleetManager software, providing shipping industry customers with the tools and technologies to thrive in a business environment as changing as the sea. The functionalities added to Jeppesen’s VVOS Version 2.3 and Jeppesen FleetManager Version 1.4 are a direct result of listening closely to and working hand-in-hand with its customers.
Interferry Urges Proactive Approach to Industry Challenges
![Johan Roos, Interferry’s executive director](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/ohan-roos-interferrys-executive-director-19191.jpg)
More than 250 top-level delegates attended trade association Interferry’s 38th annual conference in Malta to debate the major factors affecting ferry operations around the world. Under a new format mixing presentations with panel discussions and audience input, the event underlined the diversity of political, technical, operational and commercial issues challenging the industry. Among several sessions focused on safety…
Maritime Training Expands to Meet Louisiana Gulf Demand
Employers are hiring in coastal Louisiana, especially as offshore drilling picks up in the Gulf of Mexico. Companies are concerned about finding enough skilled workers in a locally tight labor market.
Training: Key to Recruiting & Retaining Personnel
![Kirby Corporation CEO Joseph H. Pyne](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/kirby-corporation-ceo-joseph-h-19190.jpg)
Kirby’s Investment Grows – and Pays off Handsomely. Houston-based Kirby Corporation runs an in-house training center that today instructs 3,000 students yearly in 26 different courses – many of which are U.S. Coast Guard approved. Located in Channelview, the 23-year old, state-of-the-art center is conveniently located in the northeastern curve of the Houston Ship Channel. Last month, MarineNews spoke with Jim Guidry…