Rich Miller – Page 27 – Professional Mariner

22 Feb

NOAA Custom Chart Version 2.0 now available to public

Rich MillerMaritime NewsLicensing and training, Navigation

(WASHINGTON) — The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Office of Coast Survey has released NOAA Custom Chart Version 2.0, a dynamic map application, which enables users to create their own paper and PDF nautical charts derived from the official agency electronic navigational chart (NOAA ENC). The online application uses the latest official NOAA ENC data to create nautical charts with…

21 Feb

Demand for offshore wind in U.S. nearly doubled in 2022

Rich MillerMaritime NewsClimate change, offshore wind, shipbuilding

(BALTIMORE) — Demand for offshore wind in the United States nearly doubled in 2022 and investments in the market tripled, marking not only a transformative year, but an inflection point when the industry began its transition to commercial-scale operations, according to the Business Network for Offshore Wind. The network, the leading nonprofit representing more than 500 businesses working to accelerate…

21 Feb

Study links small propeller defects, increased cavitation

Rich MillerMaritime Newsengineering, propulsion, shipbuilding

(OTTAWA, Ontario) — The slightest deviation in the machining, polishing and finishing of ships’ propeller blades could result in underwater radiated noise and cavitation, even if defects are within the maximum tolerance allowed by classification societies and the ISO 484-1 standard. A Canada Transport-funded study on the impact of manufacturing tolerances on propeller performance – carried out by Memorial University…

20 Feb

New guidance issued for reporting sex misconduct on U.S. vessels

Rich MillerMaritime NewsLicensing and training, U.S. Coast Guard

(WASHINGTON) — The U.S. Coast Guard has released Marine Safety Information Bulletin 01-23, “Reporting Sexual Misconduct on U.S. Vessels,” to emphasize the service's commitment to investigating and pursuing appropriate enforcement actions for all reports of sexual misconduct on U.S.-flagged vessels. Sexual misconduct that occurs on board U.S.-flagged vessels harms mariners, interrupts safe operations and often leads to accidents, lost careers…

20 Feb

Cutter commander relieved of duties after fatal collision off Puerto Rico

Rich MillerMaritime Newscasualties, U.S. Coast Guard

(SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico) — Lt. Cmdr. Benjamin Williamsz was relieved of duties as the commanding officer of USCGC Winslow Griesser (WPC 1116) on Friday. Rear Adm. Brendan McPherson, commander of the Seventh Coast Guard District, effected the relief due to a loss of confidence in Williamsz’s ability to effectively command the cutter. Williamsz was administratively reassigned to shore duty…

17 Feb

Gard details changes in California’s berthing regulations

Rich MillerMaritime NewsPorts, Regulation, shipping

(LONDON) — While container, reefer and passenger vessels are so far the only vessel types required to control their emissions while berthed in California, all vessels must submit a report to the authorities within 30 days after visiting one of the state’s ports, Gard noted in a regulatory update on Wednesday. Controlling emissions from vessels at berth is nothing new…

16 Feb

AWO applauds passage of Jones Act resolution in Washington state

Rich MillerTugboats & Towingbrownwater, shipping

(ARLINGTON, Va.) — The American Waterways Operators (AWO) commended the Washington state Senate on recent passage of Senate Resolution 8611, recognizing the importance of the Jones Act to the state. The Jones Act – named for its original author, then-U.S. senator for Washington state Wesley Jones – is the federal law requiring that vessels transporting cargo between two U.S. ports…

16 Feb

Great Lakes iron ore cargoes hold steady in January

Rich MillerMaritime NewsGreat Lakes, Ports, shipping

(CLEVELAND) — Iron ore shipments on the Great Lakes totaled 2.5 million tons in January, a near match to 2022. Loadings were above the month’s five-year average by 21.3 percent, according to the Lake Carriers' Association (LCA). Since 1880, the LCA has represented the U.S.-flag Great Lakes fleet, which today can move more than 90 million tons of cargoes annually…

15 Feb

NTSB: Combustibles near hot work led to New Orleans steamboat fire

Rich MillerCasualty Newsbrownwater, NTSB

(WASHINGTON) — Combustible materials left unprotected near hot work led to a fire on a passenger vessel in New Orleans, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said Tuesday. The fire resulted in $1.5 million in damage to the vessel. The passenger vessel Natchez was moored and out of service when a fire broke out on May 3, 2022. Natchez operated…

15 Feb

Austal USA opens San Diego ship repair facility

Rich MillerMaritime Newsshipbuilding

(SAN DIEGO) — Austal USA celebrated the opening of the company’s new San Diego waterfront ship repair facility Monday during an afternoon reception that brought together military and community leaders, elected officials and representatives from across the ship repair industry. The shipyard, located adjacent to Naval Base San Diego, will provide full-service repair, maintenance and modernization services for small surface…