Rich Miller – Page 68 – Professional Mariner

13 Apr

Crowley, Shell partner to boost decarbonization

Rich MillerMaritime Newstechnology, towing

(JACKSONVILLE, Fla.) — Continuing to demonstrate their commitment to decarbonization of the maritime sector, Crowley and Shell Trading (U.S.) have entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the aim of supporting alternative energy solutions for the future of shoreside and terminal operations. The MOU follows an ongoing joint project that was previously initiated between the companies to provide lower-carbon…

13 Apr

MarAd announces nearly $20 million in small shipyard grants

Rich MillerMaritime News, Shipbuildingshipbuilding

(WASHINGTON) — The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MarAd) has announced the availability of nearly $20 million in fiscal year 2022 federal funding to support funding to help modernize small U.S. shipyards and train workforce in this critical sector. MarAd’s Small Shipyard Grant Program strengthens the economic competitiveness of shipyards by providing grants that can be used to purchase…

13 Apr

Conrad to build pair of icebreaking tugs for Army Corps

Rich MillerShipbuilding, Tugboats & Towingshipbuilding

(MORGAN CITY, La.) — Conrad Shipyard has been awarded a contract by the U.S Army Corps of Engineers for the design and construction of two CELRE Detroit icebreaking tugboats. The vessels will handle various pieces of floating equipment on the St. Marys River, upper Great Lakes and Soo Harbor, as well as breaking ice up to 12 inches thick and…

13 Apr

Polar Star back in dry dock after Antarctic duty

Rich MillerMaritime NewsCoast Guard, Icebreakers

(ALAMEDA, Calif.) — The 140-member crew of U.S. Coast Guard cutter Polar Star (WAGB 10) returned to the United States and entered dry dock Friday after completing a 147-day deployment in support of the U.S. Antarctic Program and national interests in Antarctica and the Southern Hemisphere. Polar Star’s crew departed their Seattle home port on Nov. 13 for the cutter’s…

06 Apr

Everett Ship Repair adds second dry dock, floating crane

Rich MillerIndustry News, Shipbuildingshipbuilding

(EVERETT, Wash.) — Everett Ship Repair (ESR) has expanded its operation with the addition of the dry dock Emerald Lifter. With a lifting capacity of 2,000 tons and working deck area of 220 by 62 feet, it will be relocated to the ESR facility at the Port of Everett. ESR is also adding a 150-ton capacity floating crane, which will…

06 Apr

Former Coast Guard exam center worker charged with bribery

Rich MillerLicensing & TrainingCoast Guard

(NEW ORLEANS) — A former U.S. Coast Guard employee has been charged with bribery while serving in his role at a Coast Guard examination center in Louisiana. Eldridge Johnson was previously charged with one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States in an indictment that pertained to Johnson's conduct after he retired from the Coast Guard. The superseding bill…

06 Apr

Russians sink Dominican cargo ship in Ukraine

Rich MillerMaritime News

(MARIUPOL, Ukraine) — The Commonwealth of Dominica Maritime Administration reports that motor vessel Azburg was indiscriminately attacked, sunk and destroyed while at berth in Mariupol, Ukraine. On April 4, the vessel was heavily fired upon by Russian armed forces after they intentionally shelled the vessel twice a day earlier. Specific characteristics of firing on the vessel remain unknown; crew reported…

05 Apr

Captain’s sleep inertia led to tow striking lock gate

Rich MillerCasualty Newsbrownwater, towing

(WASHINGTON) — A captain assuming a watch immediately after waking led to a tow striking a lock gate in the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said in Marine Investigation Report 22/09 released Tuesday. On March 22, 2021, the towing vessel Ava Claire was transiting westbound pushing two fully loaded tank barges in the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway…

05 Apr

Biden nominates first female Coast Guard commandant

Rich MillerLicensing & TrainingCoast Guard

(WASHINGTON) — President Joe Biden has nominated Adm. Linda L. Fagan to serve as the 27th commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard. Upon confirmation, Fagan will be the first woman to serve in the post. Fagan currently serves as the 32nd vice commandant, having assumed the duties on June 18, 2021. The vice commandant is the vice service chief and…

05 Apr

DNV, partners launch autonomous safety project

Rich MillerMaritime NewsAutonomous shipping, technology

(OSLO, Norway) — At the Nor-Shipping trade fair Tuesday, DNV, Kongsberg Maritime, Kongsberg Seatex, Basto Fosen and NTNU announced the launch of the new SAFE Maritime Autonomous Technology (SAFEMATE) project. The project will work on improving and assessing the safety and efficiency of autonomous navigation systems and deploy a pilot on an operational ferry, Basto VI. The promise of automating…