Gulf of Mexico Jack-up Rig Evacuated
The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) & the U. S. Coast Guard have set up a Command Center in their continued response to the loss of well control event 55 miles offshore Louisiana in 154 feet of water in the Gulf of Mexico. * AM UPDATE: The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement has confirmed a fire on board the Hercules 265 Rig located approximately 55 miles offshore Louisiana. The natural gas leaking from the well ignited at 10:50 p.m. CDT July 23, 2013.
Costa Concordia: Lawyers Maintain Owners Criminally Liable
Ronai & Ronai, LLP, a New York law firm that represents victims, including Sandor Feher, a musician who lost his life while trying to evacuate passengers, believes that the criminality of the deaths should also be placed on Costa Crociere/Carnival Corp., which was able to escape criminal liability simply because of their ability to pay a monetary fine. On July 20, 2013, five crew members of the Costa…
Solstad Offshore Fix Vessel Charters
Solstad Offshore ASA (SOFF) has extended contracts for vessels in its offshore fleet. A new contract with BG Tunisia for hire of SOFF’s anchor handling vessel (AHTS) “Nor Star” is for a duration of 2 years firm and with one yearly option. SOFF has also extended its contract with Efadco Petrolcum Services Co for hire of SOFF’s AHTS “Nor Chief”. The duration of the new contract is 8 months firm starting January 2014, and with one yearly option.
International Shipping Corp Public Share Offering
US-based International Shipholding Corporation (NYSE: ISH) plans to offer shares of its Series B Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock in an underwritten registered public offering.
Tug Boat, Barge, Guide Against Piracy Published
ReCAAP ISC and Information Fusion Centre (IFC) have jointly published a Tug Boats and Barges Guide (TaB) against piracy and sea robbey. The purpose of this guide is to capture tips, guidelines, reporting procedures and contact details for tug boat owners, operators and crew in avoiding hijacking and robbery onboard tug boats and barges. The guide contains inputs and experience of tug boat owners, operators and masters whose vessels had been robbed or hijacked…
NZ Jet Boats Collide: Drivers to be Prosecuted
Charges have been laid against two commercial jet boat drivers following a collision on the Dart River, near Queenstown, in which a passenger suffered a broken clavicle & several others suffered bruising. The incident involved jet boats from Dart River Safaris (who do not face any charges as a result of the incident) one jet boat carrying 11 passengers and heading upstream and the other, carrying the driver alone, heading downstream.
USCG: Meeting Arctic Missions
With a stifling heat wave affecting most of the country last week, it’s hard to picture U.S. Coast Guard units focusing on our nation’s Arctic interests. But for a dedicated group of Coast Guard men and women, the Arctic is all that is on their mind. As the nation’s lead federal agency for ensuring maritime safety and security in the Arctic, the Coast Guard will perform its statutory missions to ensure the Arctic remains a safe, secure and environmentally protected region.
Today in U.S. Naval Hisory: July 23
Today in U.S. 1947 - First Navy all jet squadron (VF-17A) receives its first aircraft (FH). 1948 - USS Putnum (DD-757) evacuates U.N. team from Haifa, Israel and becomes first U.S. Navy ship to fly the U.N. flag. 1958 - USS Nautilus (SSN-571) departs Pearl Harbor for first submerged transit of North Pole. 1993 - Sarah Deal becomes first woman Marine selected for naval aviation training. For more information about naval history…
IMSN Launches New CBT Course
International Maritime Security Network LLC, an International maritime security training and consulting company based in Pennsylvania, now offers a computer based training (CBT) course that satisfies the new STCW security training requirements for Seafarers with Designated Security Duties (2010 Manila Amendments). “Seafarers around the world have a relatively short timeframe to meet new STCW training requirements that involve security training,” said Captain Tim Nease (Ret.), IMSN’s CEO.
NOIA President Supports Energy Exploration, Development
During the testimony today at a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing on offshore energy revenue sharing, National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA)…
Port of Houston, Princess Cruises Lock Two More Seasons
The Port of Houston Authority reached an agreement with Princess Cruises to make passenger calls for two additional cruise seasons, in addition to the sailings that…
ValvTect Completes Fuel Tank Testing at 600+ Marinas
Unfortunately, it is all too common for gasoline and diesel storage tanks at marinas to contain excess water and other contaminants such as bacteria and debris. These contaminants can be pumped into boaters’ fuel tanks and can cause an engine to shut down or cause permanent damage. The presence of ethanol gasoline, ultra low sulfur diesel fuel and biodiesel makes this situation even worse. To combat this problem…
HB Rentals Names New VP
HB Rentals, a Superior Energy Services company, has named Peter Armstrong as vice president of business development, announced Deidre Toups, HB Rentals president. Based in Houston, Armstrong’s responsibilities include new market analysis, managing the corporate marketing function and driving growth through global customer relationships. Consistent with HB Rentals’ global focus on innovation, Armstrong…
BIMCO Launch Ship Efficiency Package
BIMCO have launched an exclusive package for its members to aide efficiency improvements within their operations. The package, consisting of both a supportive guide to efficiency technologies and the market and a two-day conference and workshop summit, has been put together by Fathom, in recognition of BIMCO’s ongoing support. The publication included in the package, Fathom’s Ship Efficiency: The Guide…
Severn Glocon Acquires Calidus Engineering
Control valve engineering specialist, Severn Glocon Group has strengthened its presence in the subsea oil and gas market with the acquisition of HPHT downhole tools company Calidus Engineering. Now renamed Severn Subsea Technologies Ltd, the company will provide research, development and test facilities to enhance Severn Glocon’s subsea valves capability. A former subsidiary of Badger Explorer (Norway)…
New Powder Coat Paint Booth from Hartzell
Hartzell Air Movement now offers powder coated products. The addition of their new paint booth will increase product consistency and quality control. This new process is also safer on the environment compared to liquid paints since it does not contain any solvents. Powder coating is universally accepted and specified as the Best Available Control Technology (BACT) to reduce air pollution. Tom Gustafson, Chief Technology Officer commented, “Our powder coat paint booth has many advantages.
Trelleborg Offers Recourses to Help Customers Select Fenders
Trelleborg released a whitepaper, webinar, short film and specification tool that highlight and explain the importance of understanding rubber compound composition when selecting marine fender systems. The resources discuss the properties of superior rubber compounds and the use of rubber compound composition to optimize fender performance. They also detail a new test method available to help specifies determine the formulation of the fenders they procure.
Port Power Project to Reduce Greenhouse Emissions
The Port of Hueneme reached a milestone in its Shoreside Power Project when the Board of Harbor Commissioners approved a key funding agreement to help vessels plug into electrical power at berth and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. “This is a model of strong public policy working for the betterment of our community and region. The execution of the contract ensures the success of the project and will keep commerce moving while improving our air and quality of life…
IMCI Celebrates 20th Anniversary
On the June 24, 1993, the International Marine Certification Institute (IMCI) has been registered as a nonprofit organization in Belgium. Now, 20 years later, IMCI…
GL Strengthens Offshore Wind Leadership Team
The GL Group said it has recently strengthened its offshore team with two appointments: David Robertson who takes on the role of Head of Practice for the U.K. Marine and Offshore Project Management Services and Elaine Greig who is the new U.K. Head of Offshore at GL Garrad Hassan. David Robertson’s career in renewables began after 13 years in the onshore petrochemical industry. He worked on a number of onshore wind farm projects…
