Workboat articles from February 2004

Workboat archives from February 2004

Ferries are a safe way to travel.(Editor's Watch)(comments related to New York ferry accident)
February 1, 2004... Most of us have followed the news surrounding last October's tragic Staten Island Ferry accident that resulted in 11 deaths and injured 73. It was also tragic for the pilot of the ferry, Richard Smith, who was at the helm of the Andrew J....

Prefers eight-on/eight-off work schedule.(Mail Bag)
February 1, 2004... I have been employed in the marine industry since 1974 in various positions. My occupation since 1980, for about 95 percent of my career, has been a U.S. Coast Guard licensed operator of both inshore and offshore towing vessels ranging in...

Waste tankers story jogs reader's memory.(Mail Bag)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... After reading in WorkBoat about the New York City "honey boats," ("Sludge Ships," October 2003) I was reminded of this amusing song, SS Shieldhall, by the Friends of Fiddler's Green in Toronto. I hope you find it amusing: I'm the...

It's getting worse out there.(Mail Bag)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... I have read how everyone is getting the raw end, are tired, underpaid, over-worked, and just plain pissed off. Well, it is going to get worse, a lot worse. The American merchant fleet is getting smaller every year. More shipping is going...

On the water: security is hurting mariners.(At a Glance)
February 1, 2004... You wouldn't think that getting on or off a boat is that hard. Mariners must do it all the time as part of their jobs. But because of the new vessel and facility security regulations, this seemingly simple task has become difficult, if not...

Captain's table: Customs planning guidelines for international ferries.(At a Glance)
February 1, 2004... Operators that plan to launch international ferry routes should contact U.S. Customs for guidelines to help them understand and plan for inspection services required to process passengers and vehicles. Customs advises that operators begin...

WorkBoat Composite Index: Index jumps 35 percent in '03.
February 1, 2004... A great year got better as the WorkBoat Composite Index closed out 2003 with a bang, gaining over 11 percent in December. Winners topped losers by a 3-1 ratio. Advances topped declines 27 to 8. For the year, the Index jumped 35 percent,...

Inland insider: supply and demand.(At a Glance)(grain shippers)
February 1, 2004... In a free market economy, prices are normally dictated by supply and demand. If demand increases faster than supply, prices normally increase. Conversely, if demand falls faster than supply, prices normally decrease. But what about when supply...

OSV day rates: another bad year for Gulf operators?(At a Glance)(Ocean Station Vessel)
February 1, 2004... Most Gulf of Mexico supply boat operators were glad to see 2003 end. For most, it was a dismal year. But a new year brings with it the hope that things will improve. However, that's not likely to happen in the Gulf of Mexico in 2004. ...

Legal talk: salvage awards.(At a Glance)
February 1, 2004... The vessel James works on responds to a distress call. A longliner has run aground outside the nearby harbor entrance. With his captain skirting a shoal or two and some quick work on the part of James and the rest of the crew, the fishing...

Bollinger Shipyards agrees to expand in Louisiana.(News Log)(agreement with the state of Louisiana)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... On Dec. 9, the 289' heavy-lift vessel Stellamare capsized while loading a General Electric generator weighing over 300 tons at the Port of Albany, N.Y. The 18-person Russian crew was onboard at the time of the incident. Three perished in the...

Corps can manage Upper Miss better, group says.(News Bitts)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... The Army Corps of Engineers should use better management tools instead of widening locks to cut congestion at Upper Mississippi River Locks, according to a report by the National Academies' Water Science and Technology Board. Among the board's...

World's largest liftboat ready for work.(News Bitts)(the Dixie Patriot liftboat to work in Gulf of Mexico)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... The Dixie Patriot, the largest and most technically advanced liftboat in the world, is set to begin work in the Gulf of Mexico. Danos and Curole Marine Contractors, Larose, La., and Semco LLC, Lafitte, La., recently entered into an operating...

Corrections.(Correction Notice)
February 1, 2004... * In last month's issue, it was reported that Donjon Marine helped move a barge carrying the 204' British Airways Concorde supersonic jetliner G-BOAD up the Hudson River to Manhattan's Intrepid Sea Air Space Museum. In actuality, three tug...

Ohio River container-on-barge service studied.(News Bitts)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... A pre-feasibility study completed recently by the Port of Pittsburgh Commission found that sufficient infrastructure already exists in many steel-handling and other river terminal facilities within the Port of Pittsburgh District to begin...

Coast Guard says most security plans are in.(News Log)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Compliance with the U.S. Coast Guard's requirement that commercial marine companies submit vessel security plans was running at 75 percent a week after the Dec. 31 cutoff date. "We have about two-thirds of the plans in right now," said...

Galleys go dark on Washington ferries.(News Log)(Sodexho North America)(Washington State Ferries' )(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... The largest ferry system in the country no longer offers fresh hot coffee, bowls of clam chowder or other food and beverages served from the galleys on 22 of its boats. Sodexho North America had been the Washington State Ferries'...

DOT can do more for marine transport.(News Log)(United States. Department of Transportation)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... The U.S. Department of Transportation should be out front in reviewing and improving the performance of the U.S. marine transportation system, according to a report from the National Academies' Transportation Research Board. (Sponsors of the...

Former Tyco CEO's yacht for sale.(News Log)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... In a promotional brochure for a 150'X29' sailing yacht, Paul Derecktor of Derecktor Shipyards, Mamaroneck, N.Y., says, "For the right owner this really is an exceptional and unique opportunity." Who that right owner will be remains to be...

Port of South Louisiana again tops in tonnage.(News Bitts)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Louisiana had the nation's largest single tonnage port and four of the top 10, according to 2002 statistics released by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Port of South Louisiana was again No. 1, with 216.4 million tons of total waterborne...

All for show: VT Halter ready to compete. Newbuild planning. Fast-ferry construction picks up steam. New aluminum-plate standard. Building a quiet vessel.(Focus: the International WorkBoat Show)
February 1, 2004... It's been a learning experience for Butch King since taking over as chief executive officer of Gulf shipbuilder VT Halter Marine a year ago. As a former brigadier general in the Army, King understood some of the government side of the shipyard...

Off road: U.S. ferry market continues to grow.(Vessel Report: Ferries)(Industry Overview)
February 1, 2004... The U.S. ferry market is healthy and growing. Approximately 113 million passengers ride ferries annually, according to the Passenger Vessel Association (PVA). [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A report released in late 2000 from the Volpe...

Conrad readies ferry for delivery to Alaska.(Construction Activity at Workboat Yards)(Conrad Shipyard LLC)
February 1, 2004... In mid-December, the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) christened its new roll-on/roll-off passenger/vehicle ferry Lituya at Morgan City, La.-based Conrad Shipyard LLC. Coastwise Engineering, Juneau, Alaska, did the preliminary design...

Blount building new dinner boat for Rhode Island.(Construction Activity at Workboat Yards)(Blount Boats Inc.)
February 1, 2004... For about 53 years, Luther Blount has been designing and building boats in Warren, R.I. He hasn't always had a buyer for a boat he was building, but he always found a place for it, even if he had to set up a company and operate the boat...

New Blessey pushboat at Kody Marine.(Construction Activity at Workboat Yards)
February 1, 2004... More pushboats were built in 2003 than in 2002 and if Kody Marine in Harvey, La., is any indication, the numbers might go up again in 2004. Kody Marine is building a 120'X34'X12'6" pushboat for Blessey Marine Services Inc., Harahan, La.,...

Waller Marine Inc.(Boatbuilding Bitts)(building a barge for Rockson Engineering Ltd. of Port Harcourt, Nigeria)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Waller Marine Inc., a Houston-based naval architectural and marine engineering contracting company that serves the offshore oil and gas industry, has contracted to design and oversee construction of a dynamically positioned multipurpose cable...

Kvichak Marine Industries.(Boatbuilding Bitts)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Kvichak Marine Industries, Seattle, recently expanded its facility with the erection of a 130'X50' sectional enclosure on its waterfront property next to its main building. The new addition creates enough space for Kvichak to accommodate a...

Northwind Marine.(Boatbuilding Bitts)(boats built for customers in Alaska and North Carolina)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Northwind Marine, another Seattle-area aluminum boatbuilder, has delivered two new "Extreme" RIBs to customers in Alaska and North Carolina. The Alaska State Troopers now have a new 23' patrol/search-and-rescue boat powered by a pair of 130-hp...

Washburn & Doughty.(Boatbuilding Bitts)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... On Dec. 19, Washburn & Doughty, East Boothbay, Maine, delivered the 92'X32' Kaye E. Moran to Moran Towing Corp., Greenwich, Conn. The new tug will work at the Dominion Cove Point LNG terminal in Maryland. As required for LNG escort and assist...

Alnmaritec.(Show Boats 2003: from the International WorkBoat Show)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... The 30'X13' Wave-Train 800 is an aluminum catamaran designed primarily as a hose handler and boom layer. Lifting lugs allow davit or crane launch from larger vessels. Power is provided by twin Cummins 6BTA 5.9M diesels (210 hp) driving Hamilton...

Boston whaler.(Show Boats 2003: from the International WorkBoat Show)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... The 27'X8'6" Justice is an unsinkable, high-freeboard, deep-V (23[degrees] at transom) fiberglass patrol boat powered by twin outboards (minimum 400 hp, maximum 500 hp). A 200-gal. baffled aluminum fuel tank allows long patrols, and the center...

Mission Marine.(Show Boats 2003: from the International WorkBoat Show)
February 1, 2004... The Mission Marine 338 Hardtop is a welded aluminum catamaran that measures 29'7"X11'5". Outboard powered (maximum 500 hp), the equipment includes dual-engine parallel battery systems. A long list of options make the boat suitable for multiple...

Performax.(Show Boats 2003: from the International WorkBoat Show)
February 1, 2004... The Model 03 Peacemaker is an aluminum monohull measuring 40'6"X9'9" and powered by twin Yanmar 6LY2A-STP diesel engines turning two Konrad 540 STD outdrives through ZF IRM 220 1:1 gears. Top speed is 60 mph, cruise speed is 32 mph. With a...

Rosborough boats.(Show Boats 2003: from the International WorkBoat Show)
February 1, 2004... The 30'X9'10" RW-30 is described as a "rough water RIB" built from molded vinylester and combination laminates with a Corecell core. Tubes are Pennel Industries 1670 D tex Hypalon. Power can be single or twin outboards, inboard/outboard or...

SeaArk.(Show Boats 2003: from the International WorkBoat Show)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... The SeaArk Model 34 Dauntless "Ram" measures 35'X10' (excluding collar). Powered by twin Cummins 370-hp diesels and Konrad 520 outdrives, the welded aluminum patrol boat has a top speed of 37 knots. The Dauntless series features a deep-V hull...

Ferry safe: in the aftermath of the Staten Island Ferry accident, officials say the ferry industry is safe.(Cover Story)
February 1, 2004... October's tragic Staten Island Ferry accident left 11 dead, 73 injured and resulted in over $2 billion in lawsuits, but the jury is out on whether the accident chartered a course for additional safety standards. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Frontiersman: bayou-built tug is designed with propulsion in mind.(Boats & Gear: 104' Z-Drive Tug)
February 1, 2004... The advent of a new marine diesel engine design is rare enough, but when a new engine is mated to a new Z-drive model from a new manufacturer and put into a new tug design, the result is worth noticing. That's why the 104'X36' tug HMS...

Winch roundup: new models represent steady improvement in design, construction and power.(Boats & Gear: Winches)
February 1, 2004... Other than a boat's engines, no other piece of equipment does more work than a winch. Whether it's holding barges snug to each other and the towboat or keeping tension on a hawser line during a ship assist, the winch is at the business end of...

Welding helmets.(Product Locker)
February 1, 2004... The Lincoln Electric Co., Cleveland, has a new line of auto-darkening Ultrashade[R] welding helmets that eliminate the need to lower or lift the helmet at the start or stop of a weld. The 16-oz. helmets automatically darken to the correct level...

Handheld VHF.(Product Locker)
February 1, 2004... ICOM America is marketing its new M32, a 5-watt marine VHF hand-held. The M32 consists of a one-piece, die-cast aluminum chassis and polycarbonate case. It includes a 5-watt rechargeable NiCd battery that slips inside the radio case and locks...

Adhesives gun.(Product Locker)
February 1, 2004... DTIC Dispensing Technologies, South Lancaster, Mass., has designed a new dispenser for 50-ml, two-component adhesives called the EZ-mix[R]HI Dispenser. The cordless, motorized hand gun is designed for applying highly viscous adhesives outdoors...

Floor anchors/panel fasteners.(Product Locker)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Lynnwood, Wash.-based PYI Inc. now manufactures removable floor anchors and panel fasteners designed and engineered to secure floorboards and frequently opened panels manufactured in wood, steel, fiberglass, aluminum, and cored panels. Made of...

Air-powered gun.(Product Locker)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... The Sheffield House's new Tigair portable air-powered saw can be used in areas that contain non-corrosive chemicals, oil, and waste. It can even be used underwater. Tigair's flat, slim design simplifies cutting in boilers, heat exchangers and...

Automated welders.(Product Locker)
February 1, 2004... Climax Portable Machine Tools, Inc., Newberg, Ore., a strategic provider of comprehensive, on-site machining solutions, has introduced a new line of automated on-site welders designed to decrease weld time and improve productivity for...

Michael J. Ondrus is the new sales and marketing manager for Atwood Mobile Products, Antwerp (Ohio) Operations.(WorkBoat Business)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Michael J. Ondrus is the new sales and marketing manager for Atwood Mobile Products. Antwerp (Ohio) Operations. The company owns Spec-Temp Glass, an ISO9000:2000-certified glass fabricator for industrial, commercial and consumer customers....

IPD, Torrance, Calif., has manufactured engine parts for a variety of heavy-duty engines for 48 years.(WorkBoat Business)
February 1, 2004... IPD, Torrance, Calif., has manufactured engine parts for a variety of heavy-duty engines for 48 years. The company recently announced that it will focus on supplying products for Caterpillar diesel and natural gas engines. As the company...

Rob Mazza, naval architect and engineer, now heads up Alcan Baltek's global marine applications division.(WorkBoat Business)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Rob Mazza, naval architect and engineer, now heads up Alcan Baltek's global marine applications division. Mazza, who has 30 years of experience in the design and construction of custom and production fiberglass boats, is based at Baltek's...

Coastal Marine Equipment Inc., Stennis Space Center, Miss., is currently manufacturing mooring winches for retrofit on several existing oceangoing barges.(WorkBoat Business)(winches for Gulf Marine Repair)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Coastal Marine Equipment Inc., Stennis Space Center, Miss., is currently manufacturing mooring winches for retrofit on several existing oceangoing barges. Two hydraulic mooring winches will be supplied to Gulf Marine Repair for installation on...

Martin K. Pepper is the new senior vice president, global sales and marketing, for American Commercial Lines LLC, Jeffersonville, Ind.(WorkBoat Business)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Martin K. Pepper is the new senior vice president, global sales and marketing, for American Commercial Lines LLC, Jeffersonville, Ind. He was previously ACL's senior vice president for international business development. Pepper has also worked...

Scania U.S.A. Inc.(WorkBoat Business)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Scania U.S.A. Inc., the importer for Scania marine and industrial engines in North America, has introduced a new 16-liter V8 marine engine for commercial applications. The new DI16 M is available with commercial output power ratings of 525 hp...

Calendar.(Calendar)
February 1, 2004... * Visit www.workboat.com for information on other commercial marine events * Feb. 1-4 PASSENGER VESSEL ASSOCIATION CONVENTION The Passenger Vessel Association Annual Convention and Ferry Conference at MariTrends 2004, Hyatt...

WorkBoat looks back.(WB Archives)
February 1, 2004... Jan.-Feb. 1974 * Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding has delivered a steel general-purpose workboat to Melrose Marine Services, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. The 45'X15' Dragon is powered by a 6-71 Detroit Diesel equipped with a PTO and Allison...