USCG ... Past, Present & Future
Ebeneezer Scrooge would be proud. This is our annual United States Coast Guard edition, and it could best be dubbed the “Christmas Carol” edition as we examine USCG Past, USCG Present and USCG Future. First looking back (but not too far back), and in step with our continued celebration of Maritime Reporter & Engineering News’ 75th Anniversary, Patricia Keefe takes an insightful look at the times, tribulations, leadership and legacy of Thad Allen, past Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard.
Kongsberg to Equip 10 Newbuild Pipelayers
Kongsberg Maritime has been chosen to deliver substantial technology packages for ten new pipelaying vessels ordered by Brazilian multinational energy corporation, Petrobras.
Coast Guard Closes Depoe Bay Bar Entrance
The U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port Sector Columbia River in Warrenton, Ore., issued the closure of the Depoe Bay bar entrance due to hazardous conditions at approximately 12:30 p.m., Sunday.
Manage Crew from the Cloud
With cloud computing technology having an increasing impact on daily life, its no surprise that more and more companies are turning to the cloud and the superyacht industry is no different. i-Bos Ltd, a crew management software provider is one of the first companies to launch their software to the cloud for the superyacht sector. i-Bos Ltd’s Cello Marine software is already used on 250 superyachts to assist in crew management, proving its need at sea.
O&G Safety Conference: Leading from the Front-line
The date and topic for this year’s OPITO Safety and Competence Conference – OSCC 2014 have been announced. Now in its fifth year, the annual event will take place on November 4, 2014 in the Fairmont Hotel, Abu Dhabi. Under the title of “Leading from the Front-line”, the conference will explore the dynamic of effective leadership and change management on human behaviors in relation to safety. Over 400…
Reflex Marine Launches New Transfer Device
Reflex Marine’s brand new personnel transfer device, the FROG-XT4, was debuted at a recent launch event in Stavanger, Norway. The new four-person device was unveiled at Reflex Marine’s regional partner EnerMech’s fifth birthday party. The development of the FROG-XT range has been a direct response to customer demands and the product has been developed with over 20 years of experience, over 800 transfer devices operating globally…
Keppel Reports Batch of New Projects
Keppel Offshore & Marine Ltd.'s (Keppel O&M) subsidiaries Keppel Shipyard Ltd., Keppel Singmarine Pte Ltd. and Keppel Nantong Shipyard Co. Ltd. have secured contracts…
OW Bunker Launches Australia Operations
OW Bunker, a physical distributor and reseller of marine fuels, announced the launch of a physical distribution operation in Australia. The move is part of OW Bunker’s strategy to further expand the company’s global physical distribution presence in key locations for customers, ensuring end-to-end quality in the services and products that it provides. OW Bunker has leased a fuel oil tank in Port Kembla, New South Wales.
Jaccar Proposes Bid for Bourbon Shares
Bourbon has been informed of a proposed bid for its shares at a price of 24 euros per share, announced March 16, 2014 by its main shareholder, Jaccar Holdings. This…
Small Ships Should Not be Included in European MRV Regs Say ECSA
The European Community Shipowners' Associations (ECSA) has published a position paper strongly opposing the extension of the scope of the proposed MRV Regulation to include ships of 400 gt or above. The European Commission issued a proposal in June 2013 for a Monitoring, Reporting and Verification Regulation of CO2 emissions from ships calling at EU ports, which lays the foundation for a global measure to reduce CO2 emissions from international shipping.
Otto Marine Send Two AHTS to GoM, One to W. Africa
Offshore marine services firm Otto Marine informs it has obained a total of US$24.9 million in charter contracts for three offshore vessels – Redfish 4, Go Canopus and Go Altair. Redfish 4, an 8,000bhp Anchor Handling Tug Supply (AHTS) vessel equipped with dynamic positioning 2 capabilities will be deployed for work on long term charter in Mexico. Go Canopus, a 10,800bhp AHTS vessel built in 2009 with DP2 technology has been contracted on long term charter, also for work in the Gulf of Mexico.
Navy Destroyer Contracts for HII & BIW
The Navy has announced two separate contract awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 2014 DDG 51 destroyers to Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) and to General Dynamics Bath Iron Works (BIW). Is being provided funding of $601,990,190 for the FY 2014 DDG 51 class ship and exercised options. The modification also provides $79,400,000 in advanced procurement funding for the FY 2016-2017 ships. Is being awarded a $642…
New North Sea CNR Contract Requires Second Harkand Vessel
Subsea inspection, repair and maintenance (IRM) group Harkand says it is to position a second dive support vessel in the burgeoning North Sea sector after securing a major contract with CNR International (CNRI). The contract will see Harkand deliver jacket life extension works, IRM scopes and inspection services in the second quarter of 2014 for CNRIÂ’s Ninian South platform and Lyell field, located approximately 150km north-east of the Shetland Islands.
DryShips to Make US$500-Million Notes Offering
Greece's DryShips Inc. through its majority owned subsidiary, Ocean Rig UDW Inc., informs that it intends to offer $500 million in aggregate principal amount of…
Australian Warship Returns from Billion-Dollar Drug Interdiction
Families, friends and well-wishers joined Prime Minister Tony Abbott, Assistant Minister for Defence Stuart Robert and Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Ray Griggs AO, CSC, RAN at Garden Island, Sydney to welcome home HMAS Melbourne from a successful Middle East mission. Assistant Minister for Defence Stuart Robert congratulated the 232-strong ship’s company of HMAS Melbourne on her successful deployment, which saw her intercept more than $1 billion in illegal drugs.
Parana River Push Boats Named at UZMAR Turkey Shipyard
The first two in a series of 8 in total Robert Allan design SDP 4600 Class push boats have been named at a ceremony in the UZMAR, Turkey shipyard. The shipbuilders say that these are the world’s most powerful diesel electric triple Z-drive shallow draft push boats ever built, able to transport a 16 barge flotilla of 48.000 dwt capacity over a 2500 km range. These push boats were ordered by Hidrovias do Brasil S.A.
Port of LA Throughput Negatively Impacted by Chinese New Year
February 2014 cargo volumes in the Port of Los Angeles decreased 8.9 percent compared to the same month last year informs the Port in its latest report. The Port considers that the decrease is due in part to the Chinese New Year, which closed many factories in Asia for two to three weeks in February. Last year, the holiday was found to have had a negative impact on March container volumes. Container imports decreased 10.6 percent…
Houston Ship Channel Collision: Tank Barge & Cargo Ship
The cause of a collision between the cargo ship 'Genius Star VII' and a barge loaded with 840,000 gallons of #6 fuel oil in the Houston Ship Channel is being investigated by the US Coast Guard. Watchstanders with Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Texas City received a report at approximately 8:30 p.m., on Friday concerning a collision, which occurred between a loaded barge and a 394-foot cargo ship loaded with grain. There has been no report of injuries or pollution from either vessel.
Tsunami Warning Issued Following Chile Earthquake
A tsunami early warning was announced at 18:16 hours on Sunday, in the regions of Arica and Parinacota, Iquique and Antofagasta. According to pointing SHOA, the odds of a minor tsunami occurs between the towns of Arica and Tocopilla in mainland Spain, reports BioBio Chile. Citilng information from The National Seismological Centre, University of Chile, a magnitude 6.7 earthquake was recorded, with epicenter located 75 kilometers Southwest of Pisagua, and a depth of 20.6 kilometers.
USCG Rescues 4 from Sinking Vessel
A U.S. Coast Guard boatcrew rescued four people approximately 30 miles south of Cape San Blas, Fla., Friday. Watchstanders at Coast Guard Station Panama City, Fla.…
