Workboat articles from March 2004

Workboat archives from March 2004

Waterway budget blues.(Editor's Watch)
March 1, 2004... President Bush unveiled his fiscal 2005 budget recently and it wasn't good news for waterway interests. In recent years, the Bush administration has been starving the Army Corps of Engineers by steadily cutting it s budget. The latest proposal...

Mariner training schools are not all the same.(Mail Bag)
March 1, 2004... It seems all that seamen have been doing lately is going to school for upgrades, Coast Guard requirements such as STCW, etc. Not all mariner training schools are the same. Be careful which school you or your company chooses. I chose one...

MMD process is costing mariners money.(Mail Bag)
March 1, 2004... I would like to know how Capt. E.J. Fink (commanding officer, USCG National Maritime Center) thinks a system of 17 Regional Exam Centers are enough for the whole country to get fingerprinted ("Heightened security behind new MMD process,"...

... more on MMD costs.(Mail Bag)(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2004... Regarding the requirement that currently licensed mariners visit a local Regional Exam Center to renew the paperwork, I have contacted my senators and congressman concerning this out-landish requirement. Additionally, I have contacted Sen. Kay...

Who will man the vessels?(Mail Bag)
March 1, 2004... I wrote some time back on the shortage of American seamen and ways to attract the younger generation to the industry. ("New blood needed on U.S. vessels," April 2003, page 11.) Now we have a greater problem. At the rate the Coast Guard is...

On the water: seeing red: part I.(At a Glance)(NIGHT VISION)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Scientists call it scotopic vision, but to the layman it is known as night vision. Night vision is a very important aspect of human physiology that affects 24-hour marine operations much more than most think. Not surprisingly, it is widely...

Captain's table: where to put a new ferry terminal.(At a Glance)
March 1, 2004... The toughest task when starting up a new ferry service usually isn't the waterside of the operation. It's the landside location for a terminal that can be problematic. Let's assume a new operation has sufficient revenue sources to pay for...

WorkBoat Composite Index: index begins '04 with small gain.(At a Glance)
March 1, 2004... After a strong close to 2003, the WorkBoat Composite Index rose just under 1 percent in January. Winners topped losers by a 4-3 ratio. Most indexes gained or lost less than 1 percent for the month. The lone exception was the Operators Index,...

Inland insider: successful port planning.(At a Glance)
March 1, 2004... Several communities have recently expressed an interest in developing river ports. In part, this is a reaction to signs of apparent prosperity at other established river ports. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In the age of intermodalism and...

OSV day rates: rig market drags down supply boat rates.(At a Glance)(U.S. Gulf of Mexico)
March 1, 2004... U.S. Gulf of Mexico rig demand hit a 10-month low in January, according to ODS-Petrodata in Houston. At the end of January, 117 of 163 rigs were under contract, a five-rig decrease from the previous week. As a result, the utilization rate fell...

Legal talk: written and oral contracts.(At a Glance)
March 1, 2004... It has been said that an oral contract is not worth the paper it is printed on. However, "oral" charters in the marine business can be quite binding. A charter is a type of contract. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] There are several types of...

Q&A: a talk with John Paul Woodley Jr., assistant secretary of the Army (civil works).(At a Glance)(Interview)
March 1, 2004... WorkBoat: What is your assessment of the inland waterways infrastructure? John Paul Woodley Jr.: This system has a lot of old facilities, and it calls for special care, and the Corps is committed to giving it the care it deserves. We're...

The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Wire (above left), a 65-foot icebreaking tug homeported in Saugerties, N.Y., was one of nine vessels the Coast Guard used to clear ice in the New York area in Janauary and February.(News log)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Wire (above left), a 65-foot icebreaking tug homeported in Saugerties, N.Y., was one of nine vessels the Coast Guard used to clear ice in the New York...

2005 budget: a bust for inland waterway users.(Bush administration budget)
March 1, 2004... Too bad the Bush administration doesn't consider the nation's inland waterways and maritime industries to be part of the war on terrorism, part of the military, or part of national security. In that case, the nation's ports and waterways would...

High-speed ferries need careful planning.(News Log)
March 1, 2004... Whether public or private, starting up a high-speed commuter ferry operation is a daunting task, according to experts at the recent Passenger Vessel Association convention held in New Orleans. "Big boats cost big bucks," said panel member...

New waterways group to streamline message.(Waterways Council Inc.)
March 1, 2004... In an effort to create a more unified voice for the waterways industry, two industry groups have merged into one national association. The Waterways Council Inc. was formed when Waterways Work! and DINAMO (Association for the Development of...

VT Halter study could lead to construction of dual-use vessel.(News Log)
March 1, 2004... Gulfport, Miss.-based VT Halter Marine Inc. announced recently that it would partner with the Maritime Administration to study the feasibility of building a new type of vessel for both military and commercial use. "The study will look at a...

More for NOAA in fiscal 2005 budget request.(News Bitts)(National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... President Bush's $3.4 billion fiscal 2005 budget request for the Commerce Department's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) represents an increase of $146.9 million over the fiscal 2004 request. Highlights include: $8.6...

Pittsburgh seeks bids for water taxi service.(News Bitts)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... The Port of Pittsburgh Commission plans to purchase three small passenger vessels for a downtown water taxi service. The port is seeking proposals for a seasonal operation with six to 12 downtown stops. The operator will be responsible for the...

Coast Guard says most security plans are in.(News Bitts)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... In early February, the U.S. Coast Guard announced that 90 percent of vessels and port facilities had turned in security plans required under the Maritime Transportation Security Act. Penalties are being issued to those that have not submitted...

Course change: BC Ferries is now an 'independent' company.(Focus: BC Ferries)(Company Profile)
March 1, 2004... Just about a year ago, BC Ferries entered a new era. After struggling for years with its ill-fated PacifiCats, the three fast vehicle ferries were finally sold at auction in March for pennies on the dollar. And then within days of shedding...

Slow go: soaring steel prices help slow pushboat construction.(Vessel Report: Towboat Market)
March 1, 2004... Slow continues to be the word when shipyard officials discuss the inland towboat construction market. Last year, new construction didn't come close to the 50 or so pushboats that were built in 1998. In fact, it was less than half that amount....

Two more tugs underway at Washburn & Doughty.(On the Ways)
March 1, 2004... It seems like Washburn & Doughty Associates Inc. has a regular assembly line for its 92-foot tugs. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In January, the East Boothbay, Maine, shipyard was busy building another pair of 92-footers. One is the...

New ATB for BC's Island Tug & Barge.(On the Ways; articulated tug-barge )
March 1, 2004... Island Tug & Barge Ltd., Vancouver, British Columbia, (not to be confused with Seattle-based Island Tug & Barge) has begun regular runs of the Island Trader, its new articulated tug-barge (ATB), between Vancouver and Puget Sound. ...

FuelShips completing two small tankers.(On the Ways)(FuelShips)
March 1, 2004... FuelShips, Pompano Beach, Fla., is finishing up the two smallest double-hulled tankships built to date in the U.S. The steel, 61'X15' mobile marine fueling tank ships, Provider I and Provider II, were designed and built by Ted Peterson,...

Willard Marine.(On the Ways)(Enforcer the newest boat information )(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... The 11-meter/36-foot "Enforcer" from Willard Marine is one of the newest boats purchased by the U.S. Navy for force protection on Navy ships. The fiberglass RIB is wrapped with Wing Inflatable tubes and is powered by new twin Cummins QSB-420...

Scully's.(On the Ways)(2072V workboat information)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... The 2072V workboat measures 20'X8'6" with a 12[degrees] deadrise bottom. It can be powered by outboards up to 225 hp. Six-passenger custom cabins with fore and aft watertight doors, and push knees, as seen in the photo above, are a few of the...

Hanko's metal works.(On the Ways)(information)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Hanko's 22'X8'8" aluminum workboat is rated for outboard power from 135 hp to 250 hp. The 3/16" 5086-alloy hull features a 1/8" air-tight double bottom, which can also be foam filled. The 7-foot-long, fully encloseded cabin has two watertight...

Kann manufacturing.(On the Ways)(boats)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... This 20' flat-bottomed, welded-aluminum runabout for the Coast Guard has a 72" bottom and a 96" beam at the top of the 30" sidewalls. While this model has a center console, Kann can build them with cabins and a wide variety of other...

Ambar Marine.(On the Ways)(11-meter AM1100 patrol/rescue boat)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... The 11-meter AM1100 patrol/rescue boat from Ambar/Silver Ships measures 36'X10' and can handle up to 500 hp. The welded-aluminum hull is built from extruded pieces including the keel, chine, gunwale and hull planks. Deck gear includes two...

Alexander/Ryan.(On the Ways)(rescue boat)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... The BH-HR7 high-speed 23' rescue boat is designed specifically for offshore oil rigs and has a maximum capacity of 12 persons. This model is powered by a 236-hp Buck-Steyer diesel engine that drives an Ultramarine waterjet. Rescue features...

Boatbuilding bitts.(On the Ways)
March 1, 2004... Even though the Gulf offshore market is still struggling, boatbuilding for the industry continues apace. The new year began with several deliveries and announcements of new contracts. On Feb. 5, Bollinger Shipyards and Tidewater christened...

Boatyard bucks: government funds help boost shipyard development.(Cover Story)
March 1, 2004... When a professional sports franchise threatens to move, state and local officials from the team's home state--and those from areas hungry to land the team--spring into action. Money that was not previously there suddenly becomes available. ...

Prince Edward Island provides $16 million for two tugs.(Cover Story)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... In a boost to Atlantic Canada's ailing shipbuilding industry, the province of Prince Edward Island is providing $16 million to Atlantic Towing Ltd. for the construction of two tugs. The loan will mean employment for 95 workers at Irving...

Philadelphia Shipyard working to right itself.(Cover Story)
March 1, 2004... In 1799, Congress authorized spending $522,678 for the first naval shipyard in the U.S. Almost 200 years later, the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard fell victim to base closures and ceased operations in 1996, leaving 7,000 workers unemployed....

New Zs for YTBs: surplus Navy tugs get azimuthing upgrades at McAllister Towing.(Boats & Gear: Yard Tug Boats)
March 1, 2004... Capt. Brian McAllister has an eye for good looking tugboats and a clientele looking for Z-drive or tractor-tug technology. With about 65 tugs spread out from Maine to Puerto Rico, New York-based McAllister Towing has been energetically updating...

Pollution pressure: meeting EPA guidelines drives new engine technology.(Boats & Gear: Diesel Engines)
March 1, 2004... By now, most commercial boat owners know that when they install a new or rebuilt diesel (of a certain size) that was purchased after Jan. 1, the engine must meet Environmental Protection Agency emission requirements. Currently, commercial...

Workboat looks back.(WB Archives)
March 1, 2004... March 1954 * When Bourg Mud and Chemical Co. Inc., Lockport, La., needed to add a vessel capable of transporting large quantities of oilfield muds, it had three choices--build a new self-propelled barge, a standard tug and barge, or...