CATEGORIES

Mariner's role still unknown as autonomous shipping gains speed

Mariners’ role still unknown as autonomous shipping gains speed

Piracy edges closer to home with wave of raids in southern Gulf

In the brief cellphone video recorded by a crewmember on the offshore supply vessel (OSV) Remas, the pirates walk back and forth on the deck of the ship, clenching their guns and using them to point as they order around the crew. Their faces are draped in clothing and bandanas.

Casualties

NTSB: Dredge hit Texas gas pipeline, causing fire that killed four

IMO emissions report raises new concerns about methane slip

A recent report from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) reveals that global shipping emissions increased nearly 10 percent from 2012 to 2018, with the industry facing a growing challenge concerning methane slip.

Bay State brothers find industry niche by making old into new

Zero non-conformities is what you want to hear when the U.S. Coast Guard inspects your tugboat. Once you’ve prepared your vessel, the inspectors come aboard to peruse your paperwork. They ask you pointed questions, to which they expect straightforward answers. Perusal completed, they then scrutinize all of the related safety systems, from bilge to antennas — even the ship’s bell.

Signals

A year into the pandemic, thousands ‘essentially indentured’ on ships

Analysis points to faulty loading, low ballast in Golden Ray rollover

While the salvage of the sunken vehicle carrier Golden Ray has been delayed for months due to COVID-19 and the hurricane season, analysis by the U.S. Coast Guard has determined a possible cause for the rollover: a combination of vehicles placed too high on the ship’s decks, and not enough ballast water gave the placement of the cargo.

Seastreak newcomer pushing through dip in demand

Two years ago, Seastreak LLC took delivery of Seastreak Commodore, a 600-passenger fast ferry, from Gulf Craft of Franklin, La. Designed by Australia-based Incat Crowther, the vessel is the largest of its kind in the United States and was built to meet the burgeoning demand for service in the New York-New Jersey market.

New year in a new world: Navigating COVID's maritime realities

In a matter of days, the decorative time balls will drop, “Auld Lang Syne” will fill the air, and ships at anchor will sound their horns as the world welcomes in the new year.

Advanced props, rudders provide new efficiencies below the waterline

It took a decade or two from the invention of the marine propeller in the 19th century for the technology to become widely accepted. Thereafter, adoption has been nearly universal, but progress toward improved efficiencies has come in fits and starts.

CAPTAIN MURCHISON - Texas Game Wardens gain crime-fighting advantage in the Gulf of Mexico

It’s a cat-and-mouse game on the high seas: Unlicensed commercial fisher-men from Mexico head north into Texas waters in small, swift boats called “lanchas,” hoping to catch a haul of seafood before the authorities catch them.

MADONNA - Madonna adds flexibility, ice-breaking capacity for Wisconsin operator

For most of this century, the Washington Island Ferry Line had a single icebreaking vessel available for winter runs across Lake Michigan’s Death’s Door Passage. The arrangement caused some sleepless nights for company President Hoyt Purinton.

FERRIES/EXCURSION - COVID-19 threatens once-robust passenger vessel market

The passenger boat market has been relatively strong over the past few years, driven largely by ferry operators on all three coasts replacing older vessels and adding to existing fleets. Meanwhile, the relatively robust economy stoked demand for new excursion and tourist vessels.

Matson continues fleet renewal with versatile Kanaloa-class ships

Matson Navigation has a proud history in the Pacific dating back more than a century. The 870-foot container/roll-on, roll-off (conro) Lurline will build on that legacy well into the future.

MEGAYACHTS - Megayacht demand remains strong in North America despite virus impacts

Twelve months ago, 2020 looked to be a banner year for megayachts. Sales were on the rise, clients were interested and yards were buzzing with projects. The 2019 fall boat shows, which informally kick off the yachting industry’s year, saw record attendance both in terms of exhibitors and visitors. The Marine Industries Association of South Florida reported that the 2019 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show brought in more than $715 million in sales.

SEAWAY PILOT V - Seaway Pilots' launch built to take on the icy St. Lawrence

The St. Lawrence Seaway Pilots work in some of the harshest conditions imaginable. The pilots’ new launch, Seaway Pilot V, has already shown itself up to the task.

SHEARWATER - Speedy Shearwater creates new opportunities for offshore research

The scientists at Duke University Marine Lab had a good idea what they wanted in a new research vessel. It had to be quick enough to keep pace with the speedy pilot whales, and efficient enough for voyages well offshore.

FIRE/PILOTS/PATROL - Military stokes patrol boat demand; GladdingHearn leads on pilot boats

There were plenty of noteworthy small ships built within the last year in the pilot, patrol and fireboat sector.

RESEARCH/SURVEY - Seaspan delivers again for Canadian science; new RCRVs take shape at Gulf Island

The promise of new orders and a couple of prominent deliveries — led by the latest addition to Canada’s oceangoing fleet — kept North American shipbuilders engaged in the research and survey sector during the past year.

WINDSERVE ODYSSEY - Jones Act newbuild signals growing potential from offshore wind

It’s likely a matter of when, not if, offshore wind power will take off in the United States. WindServe Marine has made an early investment in crew transfer vessels (CTVs) to get ahead of the coming boom.

Workboat capsizes during Louisiana oil spill exercise, killing two

A workboat that capsized and sank during a boom deployment exercise on the Lower Mississippi River, killing both people on board, turned broadside to the current moments before it rolled over.

Sixty-three injured in fire aboard Navy ship; vessel's fate unknown

USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) sustained extensive damage from an onboard fire that started while it was tied up in San Diego, and Navy officials say it is too soon to know if the amphibious assault ship will return to service.

NTSB cites lack of ‘decision point' in Atchafalaya bridge strike

Edna T. Gattle and the spud barge Terral 2 approached the Union Pacific Railway Bridge over the Atchafalaya River when the towboat’s captain requested the swing bridge open.

World War II tow down the Hudson takes New York by storm S

Stone scows don’t draw much attention, and the principal activity of the New York State (NYS) Marine Highway Transportation Co. is moving stone.

Weeks flagship dredge builds its name on Jersey shore

Magdalen vacuuming sand from a borrow site off the coast of Surf City, N.J

Marquette blames captain, pilot after crane barge hits bridge

Kristin Alexis approached the west span of the Sunshine Bridge near St. James, La., pushing the crane barge Mr. Ervin.

Six months into outbreak, cruise lines still repatriating crews by ship

Though the COVID-19 pan-demic brought passenger travel to a halt for all major ocean-going cruise lines, many ships were still sailing an estimated 15,000 to 20,000 crewmembers to their home countries in July, according to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).

Navy continues to modernize yard tug fleet with launch of YT 808

The U.S. Navy took another step toward replacing its aging yard tugboats with the launch of the first vessel in the YT 808 class at Dakota Creek Industries in Anacortes, Wash., in May.

Faster, safer, cheaper: Drones taking flight for ship inspections

Drones are everywhere these days, from far-flung battlefields to family events. Where they haven’t gone, until recently, is into the confined hull spaces of ships.

COVID actions testing relationship between MSC, civilian crews

As the COVID-19 pandemic gripped the planet in March, a “gangway up” order by the Military Sealift Command (MSC) restricted thousands of civilian mariners to U.S. Navy vessels around the world.