Workboat articles from September 2003

Workboat archives from September 2003

OPA '90: a success story.(Editor's Watch)
September 1, 2003... The Oil Pollution Act of 1990 was passed to do one thing--reduce oil spills in the U.S. waters. The statistics say it has. Oil spills have been reduced over the past 12 years by up to 90 percent, according to some estimates. But most...

What's up with the cover?(Mail Bag)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2003... I was recently staring at the August 2003 cover of WorkBoat. Pictured was the U.S. Army's new Theater Support Vessel, the TSV-1X. Looking closely in front of the wheelhouse I saw something that at first angered me. Old Glory seemed to be flying...

More cover questions ... and answers.(Mail Bag)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2003... On your August cover and the questions that it has raised. It appears that you took artistic license in colorizing the flag that is painted on the roof of the TSV-1X. A true depiction of the vessel would have the flag in grayscale. The...

Impressed with zeal of marine instructor.(Mail Bag)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2003... Kudos to Ron Oyer, as he has the unenviable task of turning out qualified engine room personnel at a time when companies are cutting out entry level positions. ("More support needed for maritime training," Mail Bag, July 2003) I recently...

Professional jealousy?(Mail Bag)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2003... This fellow Mark Finucane ("Just a number," Mail Bag, July 2003) seems well versed in this industry. He states he's been in the business for 30 years with four different companies! This alone should speak for itself. He is obviously what...

Correction.(Mail Bag)(Correction Notice)
September 1, 2003... In the On the Water column on page 10 in the August issue, the phone number for Dial-A-Buoy was incorrect. The correct number is 1-228-688-1948.

Three-watch system needed on the rivers.(Mail Bag)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2003... At first glance, the partnership effort between the American Waterways Operators and the U.S. Coast Guard to assess the problems and offer solutions regarding bridge allisions seems to be a comprehensive effort to improve the situation. We...

Heightened security behind new MMD process.(Mail Bag)(merchant mariner licensing)
September 1, 2003... I am responding to the Mail Bag letter "Wants options for MMD background checks" that appeared in the June 2003 issue of WorkBoat. The unnamed author complained that it is inconvenient to travel to a Regional Examination Center (REC) to be...

On the water: don't wait to renew: Part I.(At A Glance)
September 1, 2003... The renewal process for licenses, merchant mariners' documents (MMDs) and STCW '95 certificates can be tricky. And lately, the Coast Guard has tightened up the procedure even more, primarily because of security concerns, and mariners must pay...

Captain's table: more federal grants for ferry security.(At A Glance)
September 1, 2003... The ferry industry recently received federal security grants that are five-and-a-half times larger than last year. However, most of it went to a single operator. Department of Homeland Security grants totaling $10.8 million were sent to 15...

WorkBoat Composite Index: index begins quarter on up note.(At A Glance)(Industry Overview)
September 1, 2003... After gaining over 16 percent in the second quarter, the WorkBoat Composite Index jumped another 5 percent in July. For the month, losers topped gainers by 19-16. Suppliers and shipyards had a strong month while operators continued to be a drag...

Inland insider: survival of the biggest.(At A Glance)(Industry Overview)
September 1, 2003... Consolidation continues. If your biggest competitors are not going out of business and the only growth in the industry is through consolidation, then you've got to buy them out. That was evident recently when No. 1 long-haul LTL...

OSV day rates: rig picture still gloomy.(At A Glance)(Industry Overview)
September 1, 2003... It's the same old story: Offshore rig utilization is flat or lower, and rigs continue to exit the U.S. Gulf of Mexico for bluer waters farther south. Two additional rigs mobilized to Mexico during July, one semisubmersible and one jackup....

Legal talk: the law supports tough decisions by mariners.(At A Glance)
September 1, 2003... You've been on watch too long, the weather is getting worse, and you're pushing a chemical tow bound for Texas. Balancing these factors and the safety of your crew, you hold up on a slow bell and wait it out before heading across the Gulf. A...

Q&A: a Talk with Harry Cook, former president of the National Waterways Conference.(Interview)
September 1, 2003... WorkBoat: You have observed the evolution of the nation's waterways from a unique perspective for nearly 40 years. How have the challenges to the system changed over time? Harry Cook: In a speech last year, I referred to the waterways...

In July, three teams were awarded contracts by the U.S. Navy for the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) preliminary design.(News Log)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Caption: In July, three teams were awarded contracts by the U.S. Navy for the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) preliminary design. Bath Iron Works, General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, General Dynamics Canada, General Dynamics Electric...

Puget Sound oil-spill prevention gets a boost.
September 1, 2003... At a July press conference in Seattle, Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) announced new oil-spill prevention plans for Puget Sound. Early this year, Murray helped secure $1.6 million in funding to enhance existing oil-spill prevention programs in...

FMC fines Florida port $750,000.(News Bitts)(Federal Maritime Commission fines Port Canaveral)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... The Federal Maritime Commission fined Florida's Port Canaveral $750,000 in July for violating the Ocean Shipping Act. The FMC's action revolves around the exclusive tug franchise arrangement the port has with Seabulk International Inc. for all...

FCC revises marine communications rules.(News Bitts)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... The Federal Communications Commission has consolidated, revised and streamlined its rules governing marine communications. The changes incorporate new international maritime requirements, improve the operational ability of all users of marine...

Operators want port security rules tweaked.(News Log)
September 1, 2003... Hundreds of marine industry officials were on hand for a July 23 Coast Guard hearing held in Washington, D.C., to discuss all aspects of the new security rules that will affect thousands of vessels. Among the big concerns for workboat...

Alaska ferry sold on eBay; Kalakala to be auctioned Sept. 13.(News Bitts)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Looking to retire and sell the E.L. Bartlett, the Alaska Marine Highway System posted the 30-car, 235-passenger ferry on eBay Inc., the Internet auction site, in early August. A minimum bid of $100,000 was required and the auction was concluded...

Raj resigns from VT Halter.(News Bitts)(Anil Raj)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Anil Raj, president and COO of Gulfport, Miss.-based shipyard VT Halter, recently announced his resignation. Company officials said he resigned to pursue other opportunities but gave no further details. Vision Technologies bought Halter Marine...

Tidewater may change its pricing strategy.(News Log)(Brief Article)(Company Profile)
September 1, 2003... Tidewater's domestic Gulf of Mexico fleet continued to be a drain on its earnings, according to figures released by the company in July. Average day rates for Tidewater's fleet fell from $5,979 to $5,469, while utilization increased from...

Corps ordered to cut Missouri River flows.(News Log)(Army Corps of Engineers )(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... A federal court has ordered the Army Corps of Engineers to reduce flows on the Missouri River in August. On Aug. 4, Judge Paul A. Magnuson of the U.S. District Court for Minnesota ended a 22-day stalement when he left in place a July 12...

MMS bullish on Gulf oil and gas production.(Minerals Management Service )(Industry Overview)
September 1, 2003... The Minerals Management Service is optimistic about the future of nil and gas production in the Gulf of Mexico, even on the much-maligned shell. "Total oil production has been increasing," Kevin Karl, MMS's deputy regional director, said...

Volume discount: today's 'small" OSVs have big responsibilities.(Industry Overview)
September 1, 2003... Today's crew/supply, utility and mini-supply boats that work the Gulf of Mexico have adapted to the demands and needs of the companies that hire them. In today's market that often means giving customers more for less. And as more boats...

John Bludworth delivers third Blessey pushboat.(On the ways: construction activity at WorkBoat yards)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... On the Houston Ship Channel July, Blessey Marine Services Inc. continued its quest to get "younger" when it christened another new towboat. The latest addition is the 74'X30'X11' Dane F. Morgan, designed and built by John Bludworth...

Blount Boats builds whale-watcher for Maine.(On the ways: construction activity at WorkBoat yards)
September 1, 2003... The 130' AtlantiCat is not only the newest whale-watching boat running out of Bar Harbor, Maine, it's also the first high-speed aluminum catamaran built by Blount Boats Inc., Warren, R.I. The lines for the 130'6"x36'x5' catamaran were...

'Boomin' Beavers' for Navy security operations.(On the ways: construction activity at WorkBoat yards)
September 1, 2003... Chuck's Boat and Drive Co., Longview, Wash., has found a new market for its heavily built workhorses they call "Boomin' Beaver Barrier Boats." The yard is halfway through a contract for a dozen 19-footers for the U.S. Navy and has started...

Winninghoff Boats builds 14th new fireboat.(On the ways: construction activity at WorkBoat yards)
September 1, 2003... Winninghoff Boats, Rowley, Mass., has designed and built 14 small aluminum fireboats, ranging from 22' to 30'. Except for one that went to Texas and another to Illinois, all the boats have gone to mid-Atlantic or New England fire departments....

Boatbuilding bitts.(On the ways: construction activity at WorkBoat yards)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... NY Waterway celebrated the delivery of its two latest passenger boats by staging a double christening ceremony in July. Named after New Jersey cities, the Bayonne and Jersey City were christened with champagne simultaneously by Bayonne Mayor...

Catamaran patrol boat for Canadian Mounties.(On the ways: construction activity at WorkBoat yards)(A.F. Theriault & Son Ltd. contract)
September 1, 2003... Seafaring criminals trying to outrun the law along the east coast of Canada should watch out. A $3 million (Can.) Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) catamaran patrol boat is scheduled for completion by summer 2004 and should prove to be...

Spill proof? OPA '90 has fostered a culture change among vessel operators.(Oil Pollution Act of 1990)(Industry Overview)
September 1, 2003... The Oil Pollution Act of 1990 officially becomes a teenager this year, and by most accounts the law has had few growing pains. OPA '90's supporters and critics alike give the law high marks. They say it has reduced spills in U.S. waters...

Paddle power: Northwest sternwheeler combines new and old for luxury cruises.(Boats & gear: Empress of the North)
September 1, 2003... Generally speaking, paddlewheel boats are riverboats. The Mississippi River and its tributaries have been home to hundreds, perhaps thousands, of boats built to the classic design that features ornate steel work surrounding multiple passenger...

Paper or plastic? Electronic charting systems continue to squeeze out paper charts.(Boats & gear: navigation)(Industry Overview)
September 1, 2003... For generations, boat operators have been using paper charts to plan routes. Following the development of electronic charts, some navigation plotting has shifted away from paper, but boats are still legally required to carry paper charts,...

2003 power guide.(Diesel Engines)(Buyers Guide)
September 1, 2003... We listened to their needs and delivered a product that exceeds expectations." Cummins Marine chief engineer Scott Halterman said in describing the company's new QSK60 diesel engine that was introduced at last year's International WorkBoat...

Push wire winches.(Product Locker)(Advertisement)
September 1, 2003... Coastal Marine Equipment, Inc., Stennis Space Center, Miss., manufacturers of marine deck machinery, has added new push wire winches to its product line. Originally developed for Sause Bros. Ocean Towing, the winches are sized to hold 200' of...

High-performance rope.(Product Locker)(Advertisement)
September 1, 2003... Samson Rope Technologies, Ferndale, Wash., has introduced a new high-strength synthetic working line for commercial marine customers. Neutron 8 is designed using a patented construction with 100 percent Dyneema fiber, which provides high...

Homeland security monitor.(Product Locker)(Advertisement)
September 1, 2003... Melbourne, Fla.-based EMX Inc. is marketing its new 2306 waterproof 8" LCD color monitor that the company says is designed specifically for homeland security, police, and security patrol craft. The 2306 boasts waterproof BNC connectors, 1440(H)...

Gas cutting torch.(Product Locker)(Advertisement)
September 1, 2003... Victor Equipment Co. says its new Victor[R] Bulldog[TM] HC 1100C Series torches are the toughest, fastest-cutting LP propane/natural gas torches on the market. The cutting tools are designed specifically for scrap yard and demolition jobs where...

WorkBoat looks back.(WB Archives)
September 1, 2003... September 1953 * The Commerce Department announced the sale of Federal Bar Lines to St. Louis Shipbuilding at Steel Co. for $9 million. St. Louis Ship must also add $1 million in new working capital. The federal government retained the...