Maritime News – Professional Mariner

Facing eviction, SS United States may be scuttled off Florida coast, reimagined as massive artificial reef

The future for the famed ocean liner SS United States, which is facing eviction from its longtime home in Philadelphia, could be underwater. Florida’s Okaloosa County in late August signed a contingent contract with the vessel’s owner, the SS United States Conservancy, to acquire the 990-foot ship to create the world’s largest artificial reef off Destin-Fort Walton Beach in the…

IMO ban on heavy fuel oil in Arctic waters has limited effects initially

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) instituted a ban on heavy fuel oil (HFO) in the Arctic Ocean in July. But the environmental groups that supported the rule warn its effects will be limited due to widespread exemptions and Russia’s nonparticipation. “It completely gutted the effectiveness of the heavy fuel oil ban,” Bryan Comer, an environmental scientist and the marine program…

Maersk pays mariner more than $700k following whistleblower case

Company also agrees to change internal policies for reporting safety concerns Maersk Line Limited (MLL) will change internal safety reporting policies following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor that found the shipping company violated federal law by firing a mariner who reported apparent safety concerns directly to the U.S. Coast Guard. The Labor Department announced the settlement in…

SF Bay Ferry places hydrogen-powered vessel into trial service

The San Francisco Bay Area’s public ferry service has placed a zero-emission passenger vessel into service for a six-month pilot program that could demonstrate the viability of hydrogen as a maritime fuel. The Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA) placed the 70-foot Sea Change into service in San Francisco starting July 19, 2024. Operator Blue & Gold Fleet will run the…

Federal Maritime Commission launches probe into Canada’s ballast water rules

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has launched an investigation into Canada’s ballast water rules that would require American ships to install ballast water treatment systems to call on Canadian ports. The rule takes effect in September for a handful of American ships involved in the Great Lakes trade and in 2030 for the rest of the U.S. laker fleet. It…

Coast Guard extends grace period for lapsed merchant mariner credentials amid workforce challenges

The U.S. Coast Guard has temporarily extended the grace period for lapsed merchant mariner credentials from one to six years, a move the service acknowledged could help the industry preserve the nation’s maritime workforce. The change, which was announced in an April policy letter and took effect immediately, gives mariners six years to renew lapsed credentials without requiring them to…

Coast Guard announces changes to MMC format

The U.S. Coast Guard is now issuing merchant mariner credentials (MMCs) in a single-sheet format, replacing the legacy passport-style red book and associated endorsement labels longtime mariners likely are accustomed to receiving. The change took effect March 1, driven in part by reliability issues with the custom printers used to produce MMC books, Capt. Bradley Clare, commanding officer for the…

Joint venture backed by BP to build tugboats specifically for charter

A new joint venture on the West Coast comprised of tugboat industry veterans will build Jones Act-compliant ship-assist tugboats specifically for the charter market. Ursa Major is a partnership between the international oil giant BP and Tug Construction LLC, which includes Diversified Marine founder and owner Kurt Redd and Harley Franco, the founder of Harley Marine Services. The new company…

Industry groups say federal action necessary to bolster maritime workforce

The U.S. Maritime Administration (MarAd) has launched a five-year plan to expand the nation’s maritime workforce through recruitment, training and retention. Industry groups are supportive but say federal action will speak louder than words. The blueprint, known as the “Mariner Workforce Strategic Plan — FY 2023 to FY 2027,” outlines strategies to address persistent workforce challenges that worsened during the pandemic.…

Coast Guard launches rare Board of Inquiry to study port safety

The U.S. Coast Guard has launched a formal inquiry to study how larger ships and increased congestion pose risks to critical infrastructure such as bridges, cargo terminals and power plants. Coast Guard Rear Adm. Wayne Arguin, the assistant commandant for prevention policy, will lead the Ports and Waterways Safety Board of Inquiry. He expects the body will gather best practices…