Workboat articles from October 2003

Workboat archives from October 2003

Doing the shipyard shuffle.(Editor's Watch)(Industry Overview)
October 1, 2003... For the past year or so, shipyards have seen backlogs shrink, new vessel projects scaled back or cancelled, and even a slowdown in refurb and general repair work. There are scores of boats that need to be built but the commitments aren't...

Seeks details on Venezuela tanker accident.(Mail Bag)
October 1, 2003... I have been a reader of your excellent magazine, along with my son Capt. Fred Markus of Miami, for many years. We lived in Maracaibo, Venezuela, for almost 30 years. During the early '60s the bridge over Lake Maracaibo was built. While I...

Inland marketing efforts should target industry.(Mail Bag)
October 1, 2003... Over the past few months, there have been two exceptional and thought-provoking articles in WorkBoat regarding potential growth of the inland water transportation industry. The first concerned the "temporary" transport of empty containers from...

Offers solution to mariner fatigue problem.(Mail Bag)(Letter to the Editor)
October 1, 2003... I have been reading about watchstanding and fatigue and thought I would pass on an enlightenment I had recently. Having stood the first watch (0600-1200, 1800-2400) and also the after watch (0001-0600, 1201-1800) many times on the...

For terrorists, tugs and barges make soft targets.(Mail Bag)(Letter to the Editor)
October 1, 2003... It is with much fascination that I read articles on combatting terrorism in the marine environment. Most articles focus on the vulnerability of ships on the high seas, nasty things stowed away in containers arriving in port, or terrorist...

Questions uninspected label, tonnage measurement ...(Mail Bag)(Letter to the Editor)
October 1, 2003... I have been under license since 1957, and I never could understand the reason for uninspected anything. These vessels, regardless of size, carry a crew of at least one soul and have promised for payment to carry someone's goods. Of late,...

No one should be exempt from security regulations.(Mail Bag)(Letter to the Editor)
October 1, 2003... This is in reference to the "Marine Charter Association Formed" article in the July issue (page 27). Why is it that someone always feels that they should be exempt from responsibility? I don't suppose any of us believe that the homeland...

Thanks for the recognition.(Mail Bag)(Letter to the Editor)
October 1, 2003... Thanks to Bernie Jacobson for his attention to the Coast Guard's Quality Assurance and Traveling Inspection Staff in the July WorkBoat magazine. ("The traveling inspector," Captain's Table, page 10.) His article summarizes quite well what...

On the water: don't wait to renew: Part II.(At A Glance)
October 1, 2003... The renewal process for licenses, merchant mariners' documents (MMDs) and STCW '95 certificates can be tricky. Mariners need to pay close attention to every single detail in the application package. Last month, we discussed five of the top...

Captain's table: Coast Guard erred in approving river tours.(At A Glance)
October 1, 2003... Passenger safety may have been overlooked recently when the U.S. Coast Guard gave the OK to a grain industry association to offer river tours on a vessel that is not certified to carry passengers. The Coast Guard Eighth District,...

WorkBoat composite index: index adds another 6 percent.(At A Glance)(Industry Overview)
October 1, 2003... The good news continued for workboat-related stocks. After starting the second quarter with a gain of 5 percent, the WorkBoat Composite Index tacked on another 6 percent in August. Suppliers and operators both posted strong numbers. For the...

Inland insider: it was all waterways at Arkansas conference.(At A Glance)
October 1, 2003... Compared to other states, Arkansas isn't ranked very high when it comes to economic development. However, it was a refreshing surprise when the recent Arkansas Governor's Conference on Waterborne Transportation touted the inland waterways...

Legal talk: new rules for towing vessel operators.(At A Glance)
October 1, 2003... On Sept. 15, new Coast Guard rules regarding licensing and manning requirements for officers on towing vessels took effect. The rule changes were prompted by a 1993 towboat accident near Mobile, Ala. In the accident, the barge tow hit a...

OSV day rates: rig use up? Not really.(At A Glance)(Offshore support vessels)(Industry Overview)
October 1, 2003... The Gulf of Mexico rig count reached its highest level in two years in late August, according to ODS-Petrodata in Houston. Utilization of the Gulf's 173 rigs at the end of August was 76.3 percent, its highest level since Aug. 17, 2001. Of...

Container-on-barge service launched.(News Log)
October 1, 2003... The Port of Greater Baton Rouge launched a new container-on-barge (COB) service in August. The service targets customers between Houston and New Orleans, using the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. "It's given our local shippers another option,"...

Tidewater orders eight new vessels.(News Bitts)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... In August, Tidewater Inc. announced it had entered into contracts to build eight new vessels at a total cost of approximately $100 million. Tidewater will build six anchor-handling/tug supply vessels and two more of its next generation class of...

EPA emissions rules deadline looms.(News Log)
October 1, 2003... Starting Jan. 1, 2004, EPA emissions regulations for marine diesel engines start to take effect. After that date, both Tier 1 and Tier 2 standards will be applied to new engines installed in U.S.-flag vessels. Implementation will be based on...

Correction.
October 1, 2003... In an article in the September issue ("Volume Discount," page 24), it was reported that Seacor Marine Inc. purchased boat operator Huey Cheramie. That is incorrect. Seacor Marine purchased Gilbert Cheramie Boat Rentals. In the same article,...

K-Sea files prospectus.(News Bitts)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... K-Sea Transportation Partners LLP has filed a prospectus with the SEC for an initial public offering of common stock. Staten Island, N.Y.-based K-Sea (the former Eklof Marine Corp.) said it planned to sell 3.5 million shares. Lehman Brothers...

Gas supplies need boost, official says.(News Log)(Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton )(Industry Overview)
October 1, 2003... The natural gas crunch has the energy industry and the federal government concerned. Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton said the shortfall between natural gas demand and supply could be 50 percent in less than 20 years. Norton, who...

Plan would abolish chief engineers.(News Log)
October 1, 2003... A proposal to eliminate licensed chief engineers from Virginia's only state-run ferry service is making waves on the James River. Ferry management, citing recruiting difficulties, has requested that the Coast Guard approve a permanent...

Conrad's aluminum facility takes next step.(News Bitts)(Conrad Industries Inc.)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... In July, Conrad Industries completed financing for its expansion into the aluminum marine fabrication, repair and construction business. The $5.5 million in financing for Conrad Aluminum LLC consists of a $1.5 million grant from the state of...

Environmentalist calls for more partnering with barge industry.(News Log)
October 1, 2003... A plea for more partnering between barge industry officials and environmental groups received a lukewarm reception at a recent industry meeting in New Orleans. Attorney James T. Blackburn of Blackburn-Carter, Houston, invited attendees at...

Fireplugs: old fireboats are in line to be replaced by smaller, faster, and more versatile designs.(Vessel Report: fireboats)(Industry Overview)
October 1, 2003... Designing a new fireboat requires careful consideration of many local variables: area to be covered and maximum response times, nature of waterfront facilities. support needs for land-based operations... to name just a few. A technical...

Idle time: opinions differ on the best use of Corps hopper dredges.(Focus: dredging)
October 1, 2003... Twenty-five years ago, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was a veritable one-man show when it came to dredging the nation's inland water-ways. The Corps' fleet of 14 hopper dredges was responsible for keeping ports, harbors and access channels...

Manpower outage: shipyards continue to struggle to find and retain skilled workers.(Focus: shipyards)
October 1, 2003... Shipyards are working to become safer places for employees, customers, and vendors. Many yard now have full-time safety director that provide the training and education needed to help cut down on accidents. A good safety record can also...

Sludge ships: a fleet of tankers takes care of New York City's 'leftovers.'.(In Business: wastewater tankers)
October 1, 2003... Everyone knows that New York City is big. Covering over 301 square miles, the Big Apple is home to over eight million people, many of whom flee the city on summer weekends to beat the heat. This phenomenon, the Friday night mass exodus, has...

Marinette launches penultimate Coast Guard cutter.(On The Ways: construction activity at workboat yards)(Marinette Marine Corp. )
October 1, 2003... In August, Marinette Marine Corp. launched the Coast Guard cutter Sequoia, the 15th in a series of 16 oceangoing buoy tenders being built at the Wisconsin shipyard. The 225'x46' steel Juniper class tenders (WLB) were designed by Marinette...

VT Halter constructing NOAA research vessel.(On The Ways: construction activity at workboat yards)(National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration )
October 1, 2003... Gulfport, Miss.-based VT Halter, Marine is building a 210'x49'x28' research vessel for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The steel-hulled Oscar Dyson will be homeported in Kodiak, Alaska, and work in coastal and...

New passenger cat for Southern California.(On The Ways: construction activity at workboat yards)
October 1, 2003... Island Packers Inc., Ventura, Calif., the transportation concessionaire at Channel Islands National Park off the Southern California coast, took delivery this summer of its second 149-passenger aluminum catamaran from All American Marine Inc.,...

Gladding-Hearn delivers pilot boat to Tampa Bay.(On The Ways: construction activity at workboat yards)
October 1, 2003... When a ship calls from international waters, its first encounter with a U.S. port is usually a pilot boat that manuevers alongside to dispatch the local pilot who guides the ship safely to port. Moving at a boarding speed of up to 12 knots,...

Boatbuilding bitts.(On The Ways: construction activity at workboat yards, Jacobsen Pilot Service Inc., Bollinger Shipyards, Kvichak Marine Industries, Austal USA, Bay Shipbuilding Co.)
October 1, 2003... Bollinger Shipyards, Lockport. La., has "re-delivered" the Elsa Leigh a 245'x44'x16' offshore service vessel, to Aries Marine Corp., Lafayette, La. Originally built as the Seacor Clipper, the supply boat underwent significant upgrading at...

Hope Services completes spec towboat.(On The Ways)
October 1, 2003... Hope Services, Dulac, La., recently completed another one of its signature 72'x30'x8' twin-screw, steel-hulled towboats. The vessel, Hope V, was designed by Entech & Associates, Houma, La.. The towboat was built on spec, but Lou Parker, the...

Leg work: SEMCO's new liftboat is the biggest in the world.
October 1, 2003... Seen from the deck, it's easy to believe SEMCO's claim that the Lafitte, La., company's new liftboat, the Dixie Patriot, is the largest in the world. Her giant legs, each one 8'6" in diameter, reach 280' into the sky. Her three leg...

Mind your monitors: choosing firefighting equipment for small boats requires some expertise.(Boats & Gear: deck gear)
October 1, 2003... Picture this: Alarms go off at the police and fire departments. The old wooden warehouse on the waterfront, full of pallets stacked with cardboard boxes and the equivalent of three container loads of fireworks for the city's Fourth of July...

Fastening system.(Product Locker)
October 1, 2003... Hilti Corp.'s new X-BT Fastening System, designed specifically for the offshore industry, fastens to pre-painted steel without damaging the protective coating on either side of the base material. Applications include grating, cable connectors...

Circuit breaker recall.(Product Locker)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Blue Sea Systems has issued a voluntary recall of its T-1 Circuit Breaker, due to a possible safety problem. Boat owners who have any of the surface mount (Part No. 7120 7133) or panel mount (Part No. 7020-7033) versions of the product can...

Cordless vacuum.(Product Locker)
October 1, 2003... Baltimore's DeWALT has introduced its new cordless/corded portable 2-gal. wet-dry vacuum specifically for contractors. Called the DC500, the new shop vacuum runs off 12-, 14.4-, and 18 volt battery packs (not included) or can be plugged into a...

Electronic charting.(Product Locker)
October 1, 2003... Northern Airborne Technology, Pembroke, Mass., is marketing its new commercial-grade Electronic Charting System for commercial mid-sized coastwise and brownwater vessels. The "plug and play" system is pre loaded with user-friendly software and...

Boat delivery.(Product Locker)
October 1, 2003... Triumph Boats Inc. recently delivered the Triumph 190, one of its Roplene boats, to Sea Tow Services International Inc. The 18'6"x8'1" boat is powered by a 150-hp Evinrude outboard. Roplene is a marine-grade polyethylene material that is molded...

Fuel transfer.(Product Locker)
October 1, 2003... MICAD Marine, Los Angeles, says its new Fuel Master System is the only fuel transfer system designed specifically to accurately measure and monitor fuel transfers between multiple fuel tanks on a vessel. The system consists of MICAD Fuel Master...

Fire monitors.(Product Locker)
October 1, 2003... Ansul Inc., Marinette, Wis., has introduced its new High-Flow Series of foam-water monitors/nozzles. System advantages for a marine environment, according to Ansul, include lightweight stainless-steel construction and an integral copper alloy...

Rear Adm. Richard E. Bennis, who directed a volunteer flotilla of over 100 boats that evacuated an estimated 500,000 people out of Lower Manhattan on 9/11, has died.(Workboat Business)(Brief Article)(Obituary)
October 1, 2003... Rear Adm. Richard E. Bennis, who directed a volunteer flotilla of over 100 boats that evacuated an estimated 500,000 people out of Lower Manhattan on 9/11, has died. As Coast Guard Captain of the Port of New York/New Jersey at the time of the...

Munson-Hammerhead LLC.(Workboat Business)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Munson-Hammerhead LLC, Bow, Wash., recently signed its first licensee, a Venezuelan boatbuilder, to construct its aluminum Hammerhead designs. The company is seeking additional international licensees for its electronically lofted designs.

GE US Equipment Financing.(Workboat Business)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Steve Isaacson has been named national sales leader at GE US Equipment Financing (GE USEF), Danbury, Conn. Isaacson had served the past two years as the northwest regional sales manager for the company. Isaacson joined GE in 2001 after 15 years...

Yanmar Marine diesels have been chosen to power the U.S. Marine Corps' new Small Unit Riverine Craft (SURC).(Workboat Business)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Yanmar Marine diesels have been chosen to power the U.S. Marine Corps' new Small Unit Riverine Craft (SURC). Twin Yanmar 440-hp 6LY2A-STP engines, supplied by Cascade Engine Center, will push each 38-foot craft in excess of 35 knots when fully...

Senesco Marine.(Workboat Business)(Appointments)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... John M. Smith is the new vice president, sales engineering, for Senesco Marine, Quonset Point, R.I. Smith is based out of the company's New Orleans office. He has over 25 years experience in engineering, estimating, sales and construction of...

Marine engine manufacturers Volvo Penta and Wartsila have entered into an agreement for Wartsila to sell and provide service for Volvo Penta's auxiliary engines and marine gensets.(Workboat Business)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Marine engine manufacturers Volvo Penta and Warstsila have entered into an agreement for Wartsila to sell and provide service for Volvo Penta's auxiliary engines and marine gensets. Wartsila will sell and service Volvo Penta commercial marine...

Marinette (Wis.) Marine Corp.(Workboat Business)(Appointments)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Marty Lakes has been appointed vice president/general manager of shipbuilder Marinette (Wis.) Marine Corp., part of Manitowoc Marine Group. Lakes has profit and loss responsibility for the shipyard and will oversee engineering, operations,...

International Surface Preparation Corp. (ISPC), Evergreen, Colo., has acquired USFilter Corp.'s Surface Preparation Group.(Workboat Business)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... International Surface Preparation Corp. (ISPC), Evergreen, Colo., has acquired USFilter Corp.'s Surface Preparation Group. ISPC designs and manufactures standard and custom centrifugal wheelblast, airblast, descaling, peening and de-burring...

Delta "T" Systems Inc.(Workboat Business)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Michael Murray has been named sales/manager engineer for Delta "T" Systems Inc., a ventilation component manufacturer in Riviera Beach, Fla. Delta "T" produces fans, tire dampeners, moisture Murray eliminators, and electronic controls that...

Japan Radio Co. Ltd.(Workboat Business)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Larry DeGraff has joined Japan Radio Co. Ltd. as a sales assistant in the company's Seattle office. DeGraff has nearly 30 years experience in the marine electronics field including stints as a surface sonar technician in the Navy, marine...

Analytic Systems Ltd.(Workboat Business)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Bill Walker is the new business development manager for Analytic Systems Ltd., Surrey, British Columbia. Analytic Systems manufacturers power conversion products such as DC/DC converters, AC/DC power supplies, and DC/AC inverters. Walker's main...

Calendar.
October 1, 2003... Oct. 2-3 MARITIME LAW SEMINAR Tulane University Law School is sponsoring the 21st New Orleans Fall Maritime Law Seminar, Wyndham Canal Place Hotel, New Orleans. Tel: 504-865-5900 www.law.tulane.edu/cdo Oct. 14 PVA...

Work Boat looks back.(Workboat Archives)
October 1, 2003... October 1953 * The N.Y. and N.J. United Sandy Hook Pilots Association took delivery of its first new pilot boat in 50 years. Built by Brigham Shipyard, Greenport, N.Y., the 90'x19' San@ Hook is powered by a Caterpillar D-397 500-hp engine...