Rich Miller – Professional Mariner

28 Feb

Boxship aground off Newfoundland cannot safely be refloated

Rich MillerCasualty NewsCanadian Coast Guard, shipping

(WILD COVE, Newfoundland and Labrador) — Almost two weeks after running aground on the coast of Newfoundland, the containership MSC Baltic III remains firmly settled on the seabed, with salvage operations hampered by bad weather as authorities consider building a road to access the ship, World Cargo News reported. The 2,478-TEU vessel, which ran aground near Wild Cove on Feb.…

25 Oct

Staten Island Ferry, NYC Ferry trialing renewable diesel

Rich MillerMaritime NewsEnvironment, ferries, propulsion

(NEW YORK) — Staten Island Ferry and NYC Ferry will begin testing the use of renewable diesel fuel, a petroleum-free alternative to traditional diesel fuel. Renewable diesel reduces carbon emissions by 60 percent or more and its use in the ferries will help nearly 30 million annual riders navigate the city’s waterways in a more sustainable way. NYC Ferry will…

08 Aug

San Francisco taps Moose Boats for new response vessel

Rich MillerMaritime Newsshipbuilding

(VALLEJO, Calif.) — Moose Boats has secured a contract with the City and County of San Francisco to build an M1-46 fireboat to service the San Francisco International Airport (SFO). The boat will be operated by the San Francisco Fire Department’s Airport Division. According to San Francisco Fire, “The Airport Division is responsible for providing fire protection, fire prevention, code…

13 Jun

Cruise ships calling Seattle home required to use shore power

Rich MillerMaritime NewsClimate change, Ports

(SEATTLE) — The Port of Seattle on Tuesday became the first port in the nation to independently require that 100 percent of all cruise vessels home-ported in Seattle be shore-power capable and utilize shore power. The order passed by the Port of Seattle Commission takes effect in the 2027 cruise season, three years before the port’s previous goal of 2030.…

28 Nov

Coast Guard honors mariners for Golden Ray response

Rich MillerMaritime Newscasualties, Salvage, U.S. Coast Guard

(BRUNSWICK, Ga.) — The U.S. Coast Guard presented public service awards Monday to maritime partners for their commendable actions during the capsizing of the motor vessel Golden Ray and subsequent response. The public service awards recognized each individual’s actions that resulted in the preservation of life and mitigation of environmental hazards and economic impacts during the Golden Ray capsizing and…

27 Oct

MarAd advisory: Hostilities in Eastern Mediterranean

Rich MillerMaritime NewsSecurity, shipping

The following advisory was issued Thursday by the U.S. Maritime Administration (MarAd): (WASHINGTON) — In light of current tensions and hostilities in the Eastern Mediterranean, there is an increased risk to commercial vessels operating in the region. Vessels operating in the Eastern Mediterranean are advised to exercise caution; conduct a risk assessment; review security measures; review current NATO Shipping Center…

12 Aug

Shippers join relief effort for fire-ravaged Maui town

Rich MillerMaritime News, UncategorizedPorts, shipping

(KAHULUI, Maui) — Cargo carriers are prioritizing relief shipments to Maui after wildfires devastated the town of Lahaina earlier this week, leaving thousands homeless. The Port of Kahului is fully operational, according to a report by Supply Chain Dive, and inter-island freight and transport company Young Brothers noted in an Aug. 9 operations update that it is focusing its efforts…

12 Aug

NTSB: Fatal cutter collision due to lack of proper lookout

Rich MillerCasualty NewsNTSB, U.S. Coast Guard

(WASHINGTON) — The fatal collision between the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Winslow Griesser and a small boat off the coast of Puerto Rico last year resulted from the failure of either vessel to maintain a proper lookout, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said Tuesday. Maintaining a proper lookout, by sight and sound, is a fundamental rule of the Convention…

11 Aug

Propspeed receives type approval from Bureau Veritas

Rich MillerIndustry News

(AUCKLAND, New Zealand) — Propspeed has announced that after significant third-party testing, its foul-release coating system has received type approval from Bureau Veritas. Marine materials and equipment certification is the review and testing process that ensures ships’ component parts conform to the technical standards established by regulatory bodies. Bureau Veritas provides certification services for shipyards, suppliers and manufacturers, helping keep…

10 Aug

Three rescued as push tug sinks off North Myrtle Beach

Rich MillerCasualty News, UncategorizedTugboats and towing, U.S. Coast Guard

(NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, S.C.) — U.S. Coast Guard and partner agency crews continue to respond to a 59-foot push tug that sank Tuesday night approximately 3 miles off North Myrtle Beach. Horry County Fire Rescue personnel rescued the three crewmembers aboard the tug, the name of which has not been disclosed. The vessel is currently in 30 feet of water…