Captain fell asleep before tugboat hit Cape Disappointment docks
30 Dec

Captain fell asleep before tugboat hit Cape Disappointment docks

Professional Mariner StaffCasualty News, ,
(WASHINGTON) — On Sept. 11, 2024, the towing vessel Schweiger was transiting the Baker Bay West Channel near Ilwaco, Wash., when it struck the U.S. Coast Guard​ Station Cape Disappointment docks at 12:36 p.m. after veering out of the channel. There were no injuries. About 20 gallons of diesel fuel spilled into the waterway as a result of the contact.…
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Staffing shortages reduce service at REC New Orleans
30 Dec

Staffing shortages reduce service at REC New Orleans

Professional Mariner StaffLicensing & Training
(MARTINSBURG, W.Va.) — Due to staffing shortages at Regional Examination Center (REC) New Orleans, the National Maritime Center (NMC) has implemented the following temporary measures: • Mariner examinations: REC New Orleans will continue to provide mariner testing via scheduled examination appointments only. Examination appointments are available Monday through Thursday 7:30 a.m.-11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. CT. Examination appointments are…
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Lyman-Morse to build three solar ferries for Merrimack Valley
30 Dec

Lyman-Morse to build three solar ferries for Merrimack Valley

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime News, ,
(THOMASTON, Maine) — Lyman-Morse, a Maine-based boatbuilder, has been awarded the contract to design and build three solar-powered ferries for MeVa Transit, operator of public bus service in the Merrimack Valley region of Massachusetts. The Lyman-Morse Workboats Division was selected through a competitive “value bid” process that considered overall design, materials and performance – not just price. The company’s winning…
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Bollinger gets contract for up to four Arctic security cutters
29 Dec

Bollinger gets contract for up to four Arctic security cutters

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime News, ,
(WASHINGTON) — The U.S. Coast Guard on Monday announced the award of two contracts to build up to six Arctic security cutters (ASCs), ships designed to break through and navigate ice-covered waters. Contracts were awarded to Rauma Marine Constructions of Rauma, Finland, and Bollinger Shipyards of Lockport, La. The Arctic security cutters will defend U.S. sovereignty, secure critical shipping lanes,…
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NTSB: Unlit barges, reduced visibility led to Lower Miss. allision
23 Dec

NTSB: Unlit barges, reduced visibility led to Lower Miss. allision

Professional Mariner StaffCasualty News, ,
(WASHINGTON) — On Dec. 10, 2023, about 0139 local time, a tow guided by the towboat William E Strait was pushed in to the bank on the Lower Mississippi River near Norco, La., when the towing vessel Steel Skipper, which was reconfiguring the tow, pushed it astern. William E Strait contacted two moored barges upstream at the Shell Norco Refinery…
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U.S. halts five East Coast wind projects, cites security risks
23 Dec

U.S. halts five East Coast wind projects, cites security risks

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime News, ,
(WASHINGTON) — The Trump administration said Monday it is pausing leases for five large-scale offshore wind projects under construction along the East Coast due to what it said were national security risks identified by the Pentagon, NPR reported. The pause, effective immediately, is the latest step the administration has taken to hobble offshore wind in its push against renewable energy…
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Polar Code adds new safety provisions, includes more vessels
23 Dec

Polar Code adds new safety provisions, includes more vessels

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime News, ,
(LONDON) — Arctic sea ice remains well below average this December with some regions having thinner ice than previous years. In the Antarctic, the pack is retreating toward its summer minimum after a historically low winter maximum. These conditions generate shorter and more unstable navigation windows for polar shipping routes. Starting on Jan. 1, 2026, the new International Maritime Organization…
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NASSCO delivers fifth John Lewis-class oiler to Navy
22 Dec

NASSCO delivers fifth John Lewis-class oiler to Navy

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime News,
(SAN DIEGO) — General Dynamics NASSCO delivered USNS Lucy Stone (T-AO 209), a John Lewis-class fleet replenishment oiler, to the U.S. Navy on Tuesday. Delivery follows the successful completion of sea trials to test the readiness and capability of the ship and to validate requirements. “The delivery of USNS Lucy Stone will provide our fleet with another oiler, enhancing our…
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Stephen Carmel confirmed as new MarAd administrator
19 Dec

Stephen Carmel confirmed as new MarAd administrator

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime News
(WASHINGTON) — The U.S. Department of Transportation on Friday announced that Stephen Carmel has been confirmed as the 21st administrator of the Maritime Administration (MarAd) after the U.S. Senate on Thursday supported the nomination by a 53-43 vote. The MarAd administrator will be central to implementing President Trump’s Executive Order on Restoring Maritime Dominance. In this role, Carmel will advise…
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Improperly secured lithium-ion batteries cited in cargo ship fires
19 Dec

Improperly secured lithium-ion batteries cited in cargo ship fires

Professional Mariner StaffCasualty News,
(WASHINGTON) — Heavy weather and an improperly secured cargo of lithium-ion battery energy storage system (BESS) units led to two fires aboard the 410-foot cargo vessel Genius Star XI as it was transiting the North Pacific Ocean on Christmas Day 2023, causing $3.8 million in damage, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said Thursday. Investigators determined that improperly secured lashing…
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