Workboat articles from March 2006

Workboat archives from March 2006

No vacancy.(EDITOR'S WATCH)
March 1, 2006... There's plenty of work for U.S. boatyards. Some, citing everything from labor shortages to maxed out production capacity, have had to turn down work. Yards from the Gulf to the Northwest and Northeast have order books loaded with newbuild and...

Mariner shortage can be alleviated with more pay.(MAIL BAG)
March 1, 2006... Vessel operators along the Gulf Coast are in a frenzy trying to figure out what to do about the shortage of qualified personnel. Everyone admits there is a staffing problem, but no one wants to say why the problem exists. The answer is...

Don't outsource inland lock-and-dam operations.(MAIL BAG)
March 1, 2006... This is in response to WorkBoat's August issue News Log article "Lock-and-dam operations may be outsourced." I find it incredible to think the Army Corps of Engineers is targeting the operations and maintenance of our nation's critical...

On the water: smoke signals--Part III.(AT A GLANCE)
March 1, 2006... Another angle to look at in the smokers vs. non-smokers debate is what's the policy of the U.S. Coast Guard regarding the health of non-smokers within its own ranks? It's a fair question to ask. The Coast Guard's Tobacco Use Policy, which...

Captain's table: self-regulation for eco-tour operators.(AT A GLANCE)
March 1, 2006... At the Passenger Vessel Association's annual meeting held recently in Seattle, I attended a meeting of whale-watch operators who were discussing self-regulation. John Dunlap of Allen Marine Tours Inc. in Sitka, Alaska, chaired the meeting and...

WorkBoat Composite Index: oil-service stocks boost Index.(AT A GLANCE)
March 1, 2006... The WorkBoat Composite Index began 2006 with a bang, jumping over 11 percent in January. For the month, winners topped losers by a ratio of 17-1. Oil-service issues were hot in 2005 and in January they sizzled. Big oil-service...

OSV day rates: when will the boat and rig markets cool off?(AT A GLANCE)
March 1, 2006... Offshore service vessel operators have been enjoying a bull market that keeps getting stronger and stronger. But is there a slowdown on the horizon? WorkBoat's monthly survey of OSV operators shows that utilization in all vessel classes...

Inland insider: easy entry?(AT A GLANCE)
March 1, 2006... Breaking into the barge and trucking industries is relatively easy. It's staying in the game that's the hard part. The argument goes that the barge industry is extremely competitive because entry is easy, just like in the commercial...

Legal talk: the Fifth Circuit makes seamen personally liable for property damages.(Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit )
March 1, 2006... Recently, I received a call early in the morning. The voice on the other end had the rounded tones of someone who hailed from below the Mason-Dixon line. My wife groaned, and I swung my legs clear of the bed and shuffled into the kitchen for a...

Intracoastal Waterway.(NEWS LOG)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2006... A 264' barge loaded with crushed limestone sank in January in the Intracoastal Waterway at Mile Marker 171, near the Harvey (La.) Locks. The U.S. Coast Guard established a safety zone around the barge, which is owned by Lalande Towing, New...

Two sentenced in fatal New York ferry accident.(NEWS LOG)
March 1, 2006... Sentencing of two principals in the fatal Staten Island Ferry crash took an unexpected turn as a probation officer blasted city management and took a swipe at the U.S. Coast Guard's medical disclosure rules as well. U.S. District Judge...

USCG, Foss team up to rescue barge and crew.(United States. Coast Guard)
March 1, 2006... As searchers in the sky scanned angry seas off the North Carolina coast for signs of a sunken ocean tug's missing crew, three U.S. Coast Guard specialists battled waves and time to rescue a drifting tank barge and prevent a potentially...

Hurdles remain for the Port of New Orleans.(NEWS LOG)
March 1, 2006... The Port of New Orleans is making a comeback, but there are still many challenges to overcome. Six months after the storm hit, port operations have rebounded to 78 percent of pre-Katrina capacity, Gary LaGrange, the port's chief executive,...

AWO sets priorities at New Orleans meeting.(American Waterways Operators)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2006... The American Waterways Operators showed support for the hurricane-ravaged New Orleans area recently by holding its annual Southern Region meeting in the city. "We've had a long relationship with New Orleans," said Chuck King, AWO chairman....

OSV crew released after being held hostage.(offshore supply vessel)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2006... Three crewmen and one passenger were abducted and taken hostage from the offshore supply vessel Liberty Service near the Niger Delta on Jan. 11. They were all safely released on Jan. 30. Three of the hostages were employees of the boat's owner,...

Licensing rule beefs up security requirements.(NEWS BITTS)
March 1, 2006... An Interim Rule that went into effect on Jan. 13 requires all applicants for licenses (original, renewal and raise of grade) and certificates of registry to have their identity checked and fingerprints taken for a criminal record review by the...

Louisiana College to offer marine training.(NEWS BITTS)
March 1, 2006... The L.E. Fletcher Technical Community College in Houma, La. recently received a $1.17 million U.S. Department of Labor grant to implement a two-year training program for people seeking a marine industry career. Some of the money will go toward...

Mo' money: waterways groups seek increase in infrastructure funding in '06.(FOCUS: WATERWAYS)
March 1, 2006... Hurricane Katrina continues to pack a punch when it comes to waterways issues in Washington. Reacting to the costly cleanup from the hurricane, Congress approved a record $5.4 billion budget for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (up from...

Showtime in Seattle: passenger vessel convention presents a host of hot topics.(FOCUS: PVA CONVENTION)
March 1, 2006... When Rear Adm. Thomas H. Gilmore, the Coast Guard's assistant commandant for marine safety, security and environmental protection, addressed the Passenger Vessel Association convention in Seattle recently, he touched on one of the hottest...

Push ups: orders for new towboats stay steady.(VESSEL REPORT: TOWBOATS)
March 1, 2006... Deliveries of new towboats over the past year continued an upward trend that began in 2003. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] After the slow economy and high steel prices resulted in just 12 towboats being contracted for or delivered in 2002,...

Austal lays keel for Navy LCS.(CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY AT WORKBOAT YARDS)
March 1, 2006... Austal USA held a keel-laying ceremony in January to mark the beginning of construction of the U.S. Navy's 417'x100' Littoral Combat Ship (LCS 2) trimaran prototype. The LCS will be built in the Mobile, Ala., shipyard's recently completed...

Washburn & Doughty delivers first 98' tug to Crescent.(CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY AT WORKBOAT YARDS)(Crescent Towing)
March 1, 2006... On Jan. 20, the 98'x37' Bulldog, Crescent Towing's newest tug, arrived at Savannah, Ga., from Washburn & Doughty Associates Inc.'s, East Boothbay, Maine, yard. En route, the tug stopped in Norfolk, Va., for a bollard-pull test. According...

Chouest, Rigdon, Bordelon contracts for Bollinger.(CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY AT WORKBOAT YARDS)
March 1, 2006... Bollinger Shipyards Inc., Lockport, La., is building two 245-class lift-boats for Edison Chouest Offshore, Galliano, La. The steel-hulled boats will measure 137'6"x93'x13', with 245' legs and 40'x16' foot pads. The legs will measure 72" in...

All American finishes first of three for NOAA.(CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY AT WORKBOAT YARDS)
March 1, 2006... Soon, patrolling the Tortugas Ecological Reserve in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary will be a lot more efficient and comfortable, thanks to a new high-speed aluminum catamaran from All American Marine, Bellingham, Wash. The new...

M Ship Co.(M Ship Co)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2006... The first M80 Stiletto has been launched by Knight & Carver YachtCenter, National City, Calif. Designed by M Ship Co., San Diego, the 88' experimental boat features an M-shaped hull built with carbon-fiber composites. "The M-hull form creates a...

Rodriguez Boat Builders.(BOATBUILDING BITTS)
March 1, 2006... After being delayed by hurricane damage, a 1,500-ton, 145'x110' liftboat being built at Rodriguez Boat Builders, Bayou LaBatre, Ala., was scheduled for a test jackup in early February. Just before Katrina struck, yard workers cut 24" holes...

Sneed Shipbuilding Inc.(BOATBUILDING BITTS)
March 1, 2006... Sneed Shipbuilding Inc. recently delivered the 74'x30', 1,700-hp Joe Ray Beaubouef to Harahan, La.-based Blessey Marine Services Inc. Sneed also delivered the Little Gus, a 25'9"x20', 500-hp fleet boat to Blessey.

Lockport Fabrication.(BOATBUILDING BITTS)(Frank Basile)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2006... At Lockport Fabrication, another Louisiana yard, a 166'x36'x14' supply vessel was nearing completion in January. Designed by Frank Basile, Houma, La., the Bertha D will haul offshore supplies for Supreme Services, also based in Houma. A sister...

Boatyard boom: slots are scarce at the nation's busy yards.
March 1, 2006... For most U.S. shipyard owners, times are good. Whether they're building commercial or military vessels in aluminum or steel, order books are loaded with newbuild and repair projects. Some yards report that building slots are filled through...

Tiered takeoff: newest engines to meet EPA standards are high tech.(BOATS & GEAR: DIESEL ENGINES)
March 1, 2006... One consequence of the Environmental Protection Agency's Tier 2 marine-engine emission regulations that go into effect in 2007 is that you've probably seen the last of the old-time diesel mechanics. You know, the guy with a toolbox loaded with...

Crowley Maritime Corp.(WORKBOAT BUSINESS)
March 1, 2006... Crowley Maritime Corp. has promoted Joel Klenck to vice president, ship assist and escort services, a part of Crowley's marine services segment. Klenck has overall responsibility for managing the company's tug services business from Southern...

The American Equity Underwriters Inc.(American Equity Underwriters Inc)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2006... Jack Martone has been named senior vice president of The American Equity Underwriters Inc., Mobile, Ala. Martone was most recently with the U.S. Department of Labor as chief of the Branch of Insurance and Financial Management. During his 27...

The Bayou Companies LLC.(WORKBOAT BUSINESS)
March 1, 2006... New Iberia, La.-based The Bayou Companies LLC has announced the organization of Bayou Welding Works LLC, which represents a return to Bayou's original business. Mike Burke is the president of the new company. Bayou Welding Works will utilize...

Simrad Inc.(WORKBOAT BUSINESS)
March 1, 2006... Lou Rota is the new vice president, sales for Simrad Inc., Lynnwood, Wash. The position was created for Rota, who comes to Simrad from Brunswick New Technologies-Marine Electronics. Rota will be responsible for North American sales for Simrad...

The Pilots' Association for the Bay and River Delaware.(WORKBOAT BUSINESS)
March 1, 2006... The Pilots' Association for the Bay and River Delaware has contracted MITAGS/PMI, Linthicum, Md., to develop a hydrodynamic model of the "Stena Vision Class" Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCC), including a simulated visual database for the...

Iridium.(WORKBOAT BUSINESS)
March 1, 2006... Jim Hamant and David Schoen have been named vice presidents at Iridium, Bethesda, Md., a global supplier of mobile satellite communications services. Hamant is the company's new vice president of product production and distribution, and Schoen...

Bachrach & Wood.(marine surveying and consulting services)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2006... Claude B. Reeder has been named to Bachrach & Wood's board of directors. Bachrach & Wood was founded in 1953 and provides marine surveying and consulting services as well as vessel vetting audits from its offices in Morgan City, La., Fourchon,...

Fidelity Engineering.(WORKBOAT BUSINESS)
March 1, 2006... ALGAE-X International, Fort Myers Beach, Fla., has signed a deal with Baltimore-based Fidelity Engineering for the distribution of its fuel conditioning products and systems. Founded in 1945, Fidelity Engineering is involved in the mechanical...

Bridon International.(WORKBOAT BUSINESS)
March 1, 2006... United Kingdom-based Bridon International, a specialist in the manufacture of steel wire and wire ropes, has acquired the offshore and commercial marine-related assets of Marlow Ropes. The deal enhances the Bridon product range and enables the...

Cold-weather gear.(PRODUCT LOCKER)
March 1, 2006... The Icelander pullover is the newest addition to the Guy Cotten fleece line. The pullover is a more rugged and weatherproof fleece that uses the new Polartec Windpro with Hardface technology. The material is abrasion resistant, sheds rain and...

No-ice box.(PRODUCT LOCKER)
March 1, 2006... San Diego-based Fridge Freeze has introduced a new portable 12/24-volt/ 110-volt refrigerator/freezer that can keep food and drinks cold without ice. The product can be used in the hottest environments with minimal power or amp draw. Tested in...

Circuit breaker boot.(PRODUCT LOCKER)
March 1, 2006... APM HEXSEAL, Englewood, N.J., recently unveiled a new transparent sealing boot designed to fit today's compact, lever-operated circuit breakers. Specifically, the boots were manufactured for breakers with a 1.66" (42.17mm) center-to-center...

New bearing.(PRODUCT LOCKER)
March 1, 2006... Thordon Bearings Inc., Burlington, Ontario, has announced the introduction of ThorPlas, a new proprietary engineered (non-elastomer) thermoplastic bearing. ThorPlas has been formulated to complement the existing range of Thordon elastomer...

Wire feeder.(PRODUCT LOCKER)
March 1, 2006... Miller Electric Manufacturing Co. recently released the 75 Series wire feeder featuring a new Accu-MateT connection and four drive-roll Precision Drive (PD) wire drive assembly. The new design eliminates downtime and other costs associated with...

Calendar.(Calendar)
March 1, 2006... March 6-10 TECHNOLOGY MEETING The World Maritime Technology Conference (WMTC), sponsored by the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology, Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, London. Tel: +44 (0)20 7382 2667 ...

WorkBoat looks back.(Chronology)
March 1, 2006... March 1946 * It took the New York Harbor tugboat strike to demonstrate to Congress the vital links supplied by inland water transport that keep a tightly woven mesh of industrial and commercial economies going. According to several...