Workboat articles from February 2008

Workboat archives from February 2008

New look for a new industry.(Editor'sWatch)
February 1, 2008... A lot has changed in the workboat world in the last decade. Everything from shipyards to vessels and their components have become much more sophisticated and efficient. A decade ago, you could still find shipyards--especially small Gulf...

Government clueless on how boats operate.(MailBag)
February 1, 2008... I read the interview with Maurine Fanguy in the November issue of WorkBoat (Q & A, page 16) and have come to the conclusion that the government has no idea how we operate in the Gulf oilfields or on boats in general. The company man calls...

Don't blame the coasties.(MailBag)(Letter to the editor)
February 1, 2008... When I read November's "On the Water" column ("Washington rumblings," by Joel Milton), it brought out a bit of anger. It seems that some people would like to blame the Coast Guard for their own problems. The Coast Guard is not where the...

On the water: personnel proposal would compromise safety.(At AGlance)(United States. Coast Guard issues rule for training of sailors)
February 1, 2008... The U.S. Coast Guard, after being petitioned by a Gulf Coast company, has published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (http://www.regulations.gov, docket # USCG-2006-26202) that would help alleviate the personnel shortage by creating an alternate...

Captain's table: when are old ferries obsolete?(At AGlance)
February 1, 2008... How long can a critical part of any major ferry system be expected to function safely, securely, and in an environmentally acceptable manner? Is age the best indicator of usefulness? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] These are questions that...

WorkBoat Composite Index: Index jumps over 30 percent in '07.(At AGlance)
February 1, 2008... Make it three strong years in a row for the WorkBoat Composite Index. After rising 22 percent in 2006 and 21 percent in '05, the Index surged over 400 points in 2007, a 31.5 percent increase. The increase came despite the Index losing over 3...

OSV day rates: rates erode in '07.(At AGlance)
February 1, 2008... The U.S. Gulf workboat industry closed out 2007 on a down note, with day rates and utilization losing ground during December. Utilization rates fell by as much as 4 percent for some vessel types during the month. Day rate erosion during...

Q & A: John A. Witte Jr., president of the American Salvage Association, and president of Donjon Marine Co. Inc., Hillside N.J., a marine transportation and salvage firm.(At AGlance)(Interview)
February 1, 2008... WorkBoat: The salvage industry has been waiting for the U.S. Coast Guard to release regulations that will guide salvage and firefighting operations. Why are these regulations important? John Witte: Implementation of the proposed...

Inland insider: grain prices and new barges.(At AGlance)
February 1, 2008... "Soybeans trade at a 34-year high," "Corn trades at an 11-year high," "U.S. wheat stocks at a 60-year low." The boom in grain prices is a combination of strong domestic demand, including for alternative fuels such as ethanol, and strong...

Legal talk: insurer or friend?(At AGlance)
February 1, 2008... As we enter the new year, it's important to take the time to review your insurance policy. It makes for dry reading, but it defines the relationship with your insurer. Insurers are generally a good bunch, but your relationship is not a...

VT Halter Marine recently launched the Pisces, the third of four new 209' x 49' fisheries survey vessels being built for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration by the Pascagoula, Miss., shipyard.(NEWS LOG)
February 1, 2008... VT Halter Marine recently launched the Pisces, the third of four new 209' x 49' fisheries survey vessels being built for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration by the Pascagoula, Miss., shipyard. The new boat, like the first two...

U.S. officials bear down on foreign-flag cruise lines.(NEWS LOG)
February 1, 2008... U.S. Customs and Border Protection plans to crack down on foreign-flag lines that offer cruises with just one brief stop outside the U.S. The main objective of the foreign stop is to avoid complying with the Passenger Vessel Services Act...

Corn, soybean exports expected to grow in 2008.(NEWS LOG)
February 1, 2008... Corn exports could hit record highs this year and soybean exports are also looking strong, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. During the fourth quarter of 2007, USDA reported that corn exports could go as high as 62.23 metric tons...

New engines mandated for California harbor craft.(NEWS LOG)(California. Air Resources Board issues law to reduce harmful emissions )(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... In November, the California Air Resources Board approved a measure that will require owners of tugs, towboats, ferries and other commercial harbor craft to replace marine diesel engines with the newest, cleanest models available sometime before...

Hawaii ferry service restarts operations in December.(NEWS LOG)
February 1, 2008... After more than $10 million in delays going back to last summer, Hawaii Superferry finally restarted regular service in mid-December between Oahu and Maui, although service was suspended for several days in late December because of high seas. A...

Ambassadors signs management contract with Monaco company.(NEWS BITTS)
February 1, 2008... Ambassadors International announced a deal in November with V.Ships Leisure to manage the vessel operations of its Majestic America Line. Monaco-based V.Ships provides ship management services to fleets worldwide. The U.S. subsidiary, V.Ships...

USCG rescues nine.(NEWS BITTS)(United States. Coast Guard)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... In December, the U.S. Coast Guard rescued nine members of the work-boat Lady Marie after it ran across a wellhead in the Gulf of Mexico about seven miles from shore. Four HH-65C rescue helicopter crews from Air Station New Orleans medivaced six...

Family of Trailer Bridge founder wants to sell out.(NEWS BITTS)(Jefferies and Company Inc.)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... Trailer Bridge has hired Jefferies & Co. Inc. to explore strategic alternatives for the Jacksonville, Fla.-based marine freight and trucking service. The announcement came shortly after members of the family of the late company founder Malcolm...

Shelved: boat owners stay profitable amidst the sluggish shelf.(Focus: Gulf of Mexico)
February 1, 2008... Since September, Gulf of Mexico jackup rig activity has picked up, albeit at a slow pace. The gains have been small, but any uptick in jackup utilization is good news for Gulf supply and crewboat operators. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] But...

Pipe dream: new training facilities target mariners looking to move up.(Focus: Mariner Training)
February 1, 2008... "Who is going to run all these boats?" [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] It's a question many in the workboat industry ask themselves every day. Shipyards are delivering new boats at a brisk pace. The average age of U.S. merchant mariners is 50....

People movers: ferry market continues to make inroads.(VesselReport: Ferries)
February 1, 2008... In 2006, the U.S. ferry market enjoyed one of its healthiest years ever. Last year was also a good one, with plenty of new construction, and the addition of routes and services. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Ridership growth over the past...

Philadelphia gets fast fireboat.(CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY AT WORKBOAT YARDS)
February 1, 2008... "She embarrassed a few muscle-boat yachts," said Ken Harford of Robert Allan Ltd., the designer of the city of Philadelphia's newest fireboat, the Independence. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] He was talking about powerboats "that were passed...

Moose Boats delivers its first 44-footer to New York state.(CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY AT WORKBOAT YARDS)
February 1, 2008... Moose Boats in Petaluma, Calif., delivered its Ml-44 aluminum, waterjet-powered catamaran to New York's Naval Militia late last year. Part of the state's Division of Military and Naval Affairs, the Naval Militia is the only federally recognized...

Lockport Fab to deliver utility boat to Supreme Services.(CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY AT WORKBOAT YARDS)
February 1, 2008... Lockport Fabrication Inc., Lockport, La., is putting the finishing touches on the 166'x36'x12' DP-1 capable offshore service vessel Penny F for Supreme Services Inc. The boat, which will be delivered later this quarter, is referred to as both a...

Bollinger Shipyards Inc. has signed contracts for the construction of three new double-hulled tank barges--one 80,000-bbl. and two 60,000 bbl.--for Melville, N.Y.-based Bouchard Ocean Services.(BOATBUILDING BITTS)
February 1, 2008... Bollinger Shipyards Inc. has signed contracts for the construction of three new double-hulled tank barges--one 80,000-bbl. and two 60,000 bbl.--for Melville, N.Y.-based Bouchard Ocean Services. The 80,000-bbl. manned ocean, clean oil tank barge...

Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, Somerset, Mass., has delivered a new rigid-bottom, soft-sided pilot boat to the Galveston Texas-City Pilots.(BOATBUILDING BITTS)
February 1, 2008... Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, Somerset, Mass., has delivered a new rigid-bottom, soft-sided pilot boat to the Galveston Texas-City Pilots. The waterjet-driven, all-aluminum Galveston Bay measures 43'xl3'10", including the hybrid foam/air collar....

Bay-Houston Towing, Houston, has taken delivery of the Wesley A, a 99'x39' shiphandling harbor tug built by Main Iron Works, Houma, La.(BOATBUILDING BITTS)
February 1, 2008... Bay-Houston Towing, Houston, has taken delivery of the Wesley A, a 99'x39' shiphandling harbor tug built by Main Iron Works, Houma, La. Designed by Robert Allan Ltd., Vancouver, British Columbia, the Z-Tech tug is a sister to the Thor, which...

The Candy Factory, the third of a four-boat order for the Candy Fleet, Morgan City, La., was delivered in late 2007 by Swiftship Shipbuilders, also of Morgan City.(BOATBUILDING BITTS)
February 1, 2008... The Candy Factory, the third of a four-boat order for the Candy Fleet, Morgan City, La., was delivered in late 2007 by Swiftship Shipbuilders, also of Morgan City. The 175'x30' crewboat/fast supplier is powered by four Cummins KTA 38 M1 main...

The New York City Department of Environmental Protection is looking for someone to build a 60'x14' aluminum trash skimmer.(BOATBUILDING BITTS)
February 1, 2008... The New York City Department of Environmental Protection is looking for someone to build a 60'x14' aluminum trash skimmer. The vessel must be completely self-contained and able to haul three crew, 400 gals. of fuel and 7,000 lbs. of garbage at...

Passenger list: passenger vessels face a soft economy, high fuel prices and other concerns in '08.
February 1, 2008... Capt. Jeff J. Stewart has high hopes that 2008 will be a good year. It had better be because he's adding a second boat to broaden the scope of the New Jersey business he and his wife, Mary, have run since 1993. The 110' Spirit of Cape May...

Moving up: Maine yard builds its first ATB tug.(Boats & Gear)(Moran Towing Corp.)
February 1, 2008... When Moran Towing Corp. decided to build its fourth articulated tug-barge combination, the company turned to Washburn & Doughty Associates for the tug. The East Boothbay, Maine, yard has built a bunch of 92', Z-drive, ship-assist tugs for the...

Jet drivers: new control systems make waterjet handling easier and safer.(Boats & Gear)
February 1, 2008... A lot of inexperienced boat operators have damaged their own boats, other boats, or docks because what the operator wanted to do at low speed was very different from what happened once he starting moving shift and throttle levers while turning...

New flexible hose.(WBProducts)
February 1, 2008... Flexaust, Warsaw, Ind., is marketing its new crush-resistant heater, and defroster and auxiliary power unit hose (Flexaust Dayflex DFD-T Heater & Defroster Hose) for marine and related applications. The new product is made from lightweight...

Commercial transmission.(WBProducts)(ZF Marine to introduce transmission)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... ZF Marine recently introduced the ZFW17000 to the North American market. Unveiled during the 2007 International WorkBoat Show, the ZF W 17000 series marine gear is designed for medium-speed (700 rpm-1,200 rpm) engines and is available for...

New solenoids.(WBProducts)(Waytek Inc. to add a new line of solenoids)
February 1, 2008... Waytek Inc., Chanhassen, Minn., a distributor of electrical wiring supplies, has added a line of solenoids to its inventory of marine products. The new solenoids are offered in single pole, single throw (SPST), and continuous or intermittent...

Marine TV antenna.(WBProducts)
February 1, 2008... King Controls, a manufacturer of mobile satellite antenna systems, has introduced its new Sea-King 1800-HD and 1500-HD marine satellite TV antennas. The new products are a redesign of King's satellite domes and works with HDTV programming from...

Metal polisher.(WBProducts)(CS Unitec's new finishing machine)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... CS Unitec's new finishing machine, the PTX Eco Smart Professional Surface Finisher, features balanced straight line handling, high torque, and electronic speed control. It produces matte, satin and other fine surfaces up to a mirror finish on...

Calendar.(Calendar)
February 1, 2008... Feb. 2-5 PVA CONVENTION The Passenger Vessel Association Annual Convention and Ferry Conference, Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Chicago. 800-807-8360 Feb. 3-6 BIODIESEL FUEL CONFERENCE The National Biodiesel Fuel...

WorkBoat looks back.(WBArchives)(American Barge Line Co. to sue Orleans Parish)(Santa Helena vessel)(sternwheeler Delta Queen river steam boat)
February 1, 2008... February 1948 * On this month's cover is the commercial fishing vessel Santa Helena, built by Avondale Marine Ways Inc., New Orleans. It is reportedly the world's largest purse seiner. The vessel will fish for tuna in the Pacific Ocean....