Workboat articles from August 2004

Workboat archives from August 2004

Saddling ports with security costs.(Editor's Watch)(new security mandates)(Cover Story)
August 1, 2004... July 1 was a significant day for the maritime industry. That's when ports and vessel owners had to be in compliance with new security mandates. Our cover story this month (page 38) discusses how ports are handling, or not handling, the...

On the water: new licensing program is a good start.(Coast Guard's new licensing program for towing-vessel officers)
August 1, 2004... In a previous column, I generally supported the Coast Guard's new licensing program for towing-vessel officers. There will always be those who are against change of any kind, but it is irrational to find fault with the principle of requiring a...

Captain's table: Atlantic operators need to comment on whale rule.(National Marine Fisheries Services, proposal to reduce collisions between oceangoing vessels and the endangered northern right whale)
August 1, 2004... Several segments of the East Coast marine industry may be affected by a new proposal from the National Marine Fisheries Service to reduce collisions between oceangoing vessels and the endangered northern right whale. NMFS has been working...

WorkBoat Composite Index: Index jumps over 4 percent in June.(At a Glance, stock prices)
August 1, 2004... Stocks rebounded in June after posting a slight loss in May. For the month, the Composite Index gained 36 points, or 4.4 percent. For the month, gainers topped losers by a 5-1 ratio. Suppliers gained 6 percent, shipyards rose over 5 percent,...

OSV day rates: rates, utilization unchanged in June.(At a Glance)(Ocean Station Vessel )
August 1, 2004... Utilization and day rates remained steady in June for all classes of offshore service vessels, from anchor-handlers to crewboats. This could be seen as a positive for OSV operators considering the dismal U.S. Gulf rig market. Rigs continue...

Inland insider: container barges may be calling soon at your port.(At a Glance)
August 1, 2004... Remember the story "The Little Engine That Could" from your childhood? It was about an ugly little train engine that is scorned as useless compared to the new, big, sleek and powerful streamliner. Then one day the majestic streamliner breaks...

Legal talk: how long does a party have to seek a remedy?(At a Glance)
August 1, 2004... Each of us at one time has discovered a bruise or a cut that we were certain wasn't there the day before. Most of the time, these minor injuries are of little concern. That can change, however, when there is a serious injury that is a...

Q & A: a talk with Stephen E. Flynn (USCG-ret.), senior fellow, national security studies, council on foreign relations. His book "America the vulnerable" was published in July.(At a Glance)(Interview)
August 1, 2004... WorkBoat: How real is the threat of a terrorist attack against U.S. ports and waterways? Stephen E. Flynn: The threat is real because the maritime infrastructure offers the combined allure of being an easy target with the potential for...

Restored Higgins landing craft dedicated to Coast Guard signalman.(News Log)
August 1, 2004... In June, a restored Higgins landing craft, crewed by volunteers with the National D-Day Museum in New Orleans, passed by the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Pamlico during observance of the 60th anniversary of D-Day. The landing craft's hull number...

Opposing sides unhappy with Missouri River decision.(News Log)
August 1, 2004... A federal judge's ruling in June on the operation of the Missouri River appeared to be a win for industry and a blow to conservationists. Not so, says the barge industry. In his ruling, Judge Paul Magnuson of the U.S. District Court of...

House bill would fund waterways projects.(News Log)
August 1, 2004... The House of Representatives sent a strong signal of support to inland operators by overwhelmingly passing a $4.8 billion fiscal year 2005 budget appropriation for the Corps of Engineers. Much of the funding would be dedicated to commercial...

PVA members meet security plan deadline.(News Log)(Passenger Vessel Association)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... On the eve of the July 1 effective date for new security regulations, most members of the Passenger Vessel Association were ready. Vessel owners/operators were required to submit security plans for their vessel and shore operations to the...

REC to issue licenses by appointment only.(News Log)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Mariners in Portland, Ore., looking to get the paperwork started on their mariners' licenses better make an appointment to do so. License applicants must now schedule an appointment at least 24 hours before coming down to the U.S. Coast...

Rule targets marine diesel emissions.(News Log)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... In May, the Environmental Protection Agency released a proposed rule for new emission standards for marine diesel engines and locomotives. The EPA is considering standards for new marine diesels with a per cylinder displacement less than...

Seabulk orders two boats for West Africa.(News Bitts)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Expanding its presence in the growing West Africa offshore energy market, Seabulk Offshore, a subsidiary of Seabulk International Inc., recently ordered two new vessels for the region. The vessels are scheduled to be delivered in late 2004 and...

Ferry involved in deadly allision back in service.(News Bitts)(Andrew J. Barberi)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... The Staten Island ferry Andrew J. Barberi went back into service on July 1. The ferry collided with a pier at the St. Geroge Ferry Terminal on Oct. 15, 2003, killing 11 people. The 310-foot ferry underwent six months of repairs, at a cost of $9...

Towing vessel rule for fire systems finalized.(News Bitts)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... In June, the Coast Guard wrapped up a seven-year rulemaking process with the publication of the final rule for the installation of fire-supression systems in towing vessel engine rooms and voyage planning. The rule, brought on by the 1996...

Ballast water reporting guidelines released.(News Bitts)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... In a final rule published June 14, the Coast Guard increased the ballast water reporting requirements for all vessels in U.S. waters equipped with ballast water tanks. In the past, only voluntary reporting applied to vessels entering U.S....

Alloy alert: new spec for marine aluminum should prevent future problems.(Aluminum Construction)
August 1, 2004... Just about three years ago, the first problems associated with 5083-H321 aluminum alloy reared their ugly heads. Several boats built in the Pacific Northwest began having problems with pitting, cracking and even fracturing that leaked water. In...

Military wares: the latest boats for the government are put on display at MACC.(Government Boats)(Multi-Agency Craft Conference)
August 1, 2004... The U.S. government has long been a major buyer of speedy, stealthy, armed vessels. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Now, however, the government wants more: more speed, more stealth and more cutting edge technology. "Better is not better...

Master Marine OSV for Callais Enterprises.(Construction Activity at Workboat Yards)
August 1, 2004... Master Marine Inc., Bayou La Batre, Ala., is currently building the steel-hulled 141'X32'X11'6" offshore service vessel Kolby D for Raceland, La.-based Callais Enterprises Inc. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Five years ago, Master Marine built...

More tugs from Washburn & Doughty.(Construction Activity at Workboat Yards)
August 1, 2004... On June 4, the 92-foot tug James R. Moran slid out of its building shed and down the ways at Washburn & Doughty in East Boothbay, Maine. It's the 10th 92-foot tug that Washburn & Doughty has built for Moran Towing Corp., New Canaan, Conn. The...

Senesco delivers drydock.(Construction Activity at Workboat Yards)(Senesco Marine )
August 1, 2004... The increasing number of deeper-draft tractor tugs that ply the waters near Hampton Roads, Va., will soon have a new place to go when repairs are needed. In late June, Lyon Shipyard, Norfolk, Va., christened its new 3,800-ton, 200'X108'...

Safe/Sea takes delivery of more Almar RIBs.(Construction Activity at Workboat Yards)
August 1, 2004... In mid June, Safe/Sea, a boat towing and marine salvage company based in Wickford, R.I., took delivery of its second Almar aluminum RIB this year. The previous boat was delivered in April. The newest boat, the Safe/Sea Titan, measures...

Kennedy Ship completes patrol boat for Alaska.(Construction Activity at Workboat Yards)(Galveston)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Galveston, Texas-based Kennedy Ship and Repair recently completed an aluminum 44'X14'X10'3" coastal patrol boat for the Alaska Department of Public Safety/Alaska State Troopers. Kennedy Ship designed the Churchill with help from Watson...

Boatbuilding bitts.(On the Ways)
August 1, 2004... According to Alan Stein, operations manager of Bollinger Quick Repair, Harvey, La., one of the most gratifying aspects of ship repair and conversion is "the satisfaction we get by being able to give new service life to vessels. And that's...

Derecktor's Connecticut yard expands into repair.(Refurb & Repair)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Touting what could be the largest Marine Travelift boat hoist in North America, Derecktor Shipyard's Bridgeport, Conn., facility is ramping up to become an aggressive competitor in the Northeast workboat repair market. The 600-mt Travelift...

Port insecurity: security mandates have saddled ports with big bills and an uncertain future.
August 1, 2004... At Los Angeles, the port has put off plans to improve the rail lines leading into the port and delayed pollution control initiatives. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] At Palm Beach, Fla., a sheet pile replacement at one of the port's slips has...

Underwater inspector: versatile dive boat is tackling Gulf structures.(130' Dive Boat)
August 1, 2004... Master Boat Builders Inc. delivered the Ocean Inspector in late May and the new offshore service vessel immediately went to work in the Gulf of Mexico. Normally, this wouldn't be a big deal since the Bayou La Batre, Ala., shipyard has been...

Smooth stroke: new developments prolong life for two-stroke outboards.(Outboard Engines)
August 1, 2004... Two-stroke outboards are dead. Blame California's strict air-emission standards, but no matter how you cut it, the two-stroke outboard is history. If that's what you've been hearing, you're not alone. Plenty of people have been lead to...

PetroCom LLC.(Workboat Business)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... In July, New Orleans-based PetroCom LLC began final testing on the first phase of the first digital cellular network in the Gulf of Mexico. Once completed, the company will have 56 base-station sites in the Gulf that will provide enhanced,...

Simrad Inc.(Workboat Business)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Simrad Inc., Lynnwood, Wash., has added three employees to its technical service department--Shane Mackenzie, Christian Eaglehead and Matthew Williams. In addition, Tom Thorsvig now heads the product support department. [ILLUSTRATION...

Kvichak Marine Industries Inc.(Workboat Business)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Carl F. Wegener has been named regional manager for Kvichak Marine Industries Inc.'s new East Coast office in Fairhope, Ala. Wegener was formerly the sales and marketing manager at Austal USA, Mobile, Ala.

Rolls-Royce Commercial Marine.(Workboat Business)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Rolls-Royce Commercial Marine has opened a new marine propulsion service and training facility at its Ulsteinvik, Norway, manufacturing location. The facility will primarily service and repair thrusters and propulsion equipment in the North Sea...

Maritrans Inc.(Workboat Business)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Maritrans Inc., Tampa, Fla., has been named to the FSB 100, the Fortune Small Business magazine's annual listing of the 100 fastest growing, publicly traded small companies in the United States. Maritrans, a U.S.-flag operator of coastal...

Dreyfus-Cortney Inc.(Workboat Business)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Dreyfus-Cortney Inc., a mooring, fendering and marine supply company, has reached an agreement to purchase Lowery Brothers Rigging Center Inc. Both companies are based in New Orleans and Lowery's operations will be integrated with Dreyfus at...

Crowley Maritime Corp.(Workboat Business)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Fred Lupone has joined Crowley Maritime Corp.'s information technology department as director of special projects. Lupone will be based in the company's Jacksonville, Fla., office. Lupone is responsible for the corporate information technology...

Davison Publishing.(Workboat Business)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Orlando, Fla.-based Davison Publishing, which produces the Gulf States Marine Directory, is coming out with the Atlantic States Marine Directory in early 2005. The annual publication is designed as a buyers' guide for vessel owners, captains,...

Hallmar LLC.(Workboat Business)(Beacon (Rauma) Finland Ltd)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Hallmar LLC, a maritime marketing and consulting firm based in Mandeville, La., has been chosen by Beacon (Rauma) Finland Ltd. to market its JAK-ATB coupling systems in the U.S. Beacon officials say the JAK system offers shipyards cost savings...

Digital gyrocompass.(Product Locker)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Sperry Marine, a Charlottesville, Va.-based subsidiary of Northrop Grumman Corp., has introduced its new-generation NAVIGAT X MK 2 digital gyrocompass system to provide a cost-effective solution that satisfies international carriage...

Electronics catalog.(Product Locker)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... O-Z/Gedney, Rosemont, Ill., has introduced an economically priced line of UL-listed weatherproof electrical products that are suitable for use in branch circuit wiring for a wide range of wet, damp or dry indoor and outdoor applications. To...

Battery power.(Product Locker)(Meridian Marine)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Meridian Marine Progressive Products has introduced a series of Northstar maintenance-free AGM (absorbed glass mat or "dry") batteries that are 25 percent lighter and take up 40 percent less space than comparable batteries. Other features...

Collision avoidance.(Product Locker)(EchoPilot Marine Electronics)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... EchoPilot Marine Electronics, Ringwood, Hampshire, UK, recently introduced a sonar system designed to help vessel operators avoid collisions with floating or submerged objects. Detection range is up to 1,200 meters (nearly 4,000 feet) ahead of...

New RIB.(Product Locker)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Ocean Technical Services Inc. (OTECH) has added a new rigid-hull inflatable boat to its Ocean Sprint line of RIBs. The new 18'9"X7'6" SOLAS-approved boat is powered by a Yanmar 125-hp inboard diesel turning a Hamilton waterjet. This Ocean...

Automatic ID transponder.(Product Locker)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based ACR Electronics Inc. has introduced its automatic identification system (AIS) called GlobalWatch[TM] UAIS. AISes are mandated by the Maritime Transportation Security Act and the International Maritime Organization...

Calendar.(Calendar)
August 1, 2004... August 18-20 GICA CONVENTION The Gulf Intracoastal Canal Association Annual Convention, Wyndham New Orleans at Canal Place. Contact: Raymond Butler Tel: 281-996-6915 E-mail: info@gicaonline.com www.gicaonline.com ...

Work boat looks back.(WB Archives)
August 1, 2004... August 1954 * Moore Dry Dock Co., Oakland, Calif., has delivered a 242'X65' ferry to the San Diego and Coronado Ferry Co. The Crown City's half-mile route across San Diego Bay takes 20 minutes round trip. The diesel-electric ferry is...