Professional Mariner Staff – Professional Mariner

21 Mar

Crowley deploys first U.S. LNG carrier to serve Puerto Rico

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsJones Act, LNG, shipping

(JACKSONVILLE, Fla.) — Crowley has raised the U.S. flag on American Energy, commencing operations of the first domestic liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier to transport U.S.-sourced natural gas to Puerto Rico. The milestone will provide Puerto Rico with increased access to the reliable supply of U.S.-produced LNG, helping address the island’s ongoing power demands. Crowley and Naturgy have entered into…

21 Mar

NTSB: 68 bridges need analysis for vessel strike collapse risk

Professional Mariner StaffCasualty NewsNTSB

(WASHINGTON) — The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recommended Thursday that 30 owners of 68 bridges across 19 states conduct a vulnerability assessment to determine the risk of bridge collapse from a vessel collision, part of the ongoing investigation into the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. The NTSB found that the Key Bridge, which collapsed after…

21 Mar

Safety alert: Donning of Viking PS2006 immersion suits

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime Newscasualties, Safety alert, U.S. Coast Guard

(WASHINGTON) — The U.S. Coast Guard was recently notified of several vessels whose mariners were unable to properly don their Viking PS2006 immersion suits. This issue was encountered across crewmembers of various sizes, all sizes of the PS2006 immersion suit (small, universal and jumbo), and multiple manufacturing lots. Therefore, manufacturing date and/or body type alone should not be used to…

21 Mar

Eastern wins contract for Dutra Group hopper dredge

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime Newsdredging, shipbuilding

(PANAMA CITY, Fla.) — Eastern Shipbuilding Group (ESG) has been awarded a contract for Adele, a 10,464-cubic-yard trailing suction hopper dredge, to be built at ESG's Allanton and Port St. Joe facilities. Delivery is scheduled for late 2028. Adele will join The Dutra Group’s 9,870-cubic-yard trailing suction hopper dredge Stuyvesant serving the nation’s essential waterways. “We are proud to partner…

12 Mar

Trump: Office of Shipbuilding will have ‘huge impact’

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime Newsshipbuilding

(WASHINGTON) — The Trump administration wants a sweeping government-wide overhaul of the U.S. commercial and military maritime sectors in an effort to catch up to China’s unrivaled shipbuilding capacity, according to draft documents obtained by USNI News. The draft of an executive order, dated Feb. 27, calls on administration officials to create a maritime action plan over the next six…

11 Mar

Canada taps Davie for second new polar icebreaker

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsIcebreakers, shipbuilding

(LEVIS, Quebec) — The government of Canada has awarded a $3.25 billion contract to Chantier Davie Canada for the construction a polar icebreaker under the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS). This marks a significant milestone in strengthening Canada’s Arctic sovereignty and security. As part of its fleet renewal plan, the Canadian Coast Guard is acquiring two polar icebreakers. The other polar…

11 Mar

Conversion of two WSF ferries delayed due to World Cup

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime Newsferries, Hybrids, shipbuilding

(SEATTLE) — Gov. Bob Ferguson announced Thursday he will delay hybrid-electric conversion for two of the state’s largest ferries, putting Washington on the path to restoring full domestic ferry service by this summer. As a result of this plan, Washington State Ferries (WSF) will have 18 operating vessels in the water for the first time since 2019. Full domestic service…

10 Mar

U.S.-flagged tanker burns after being hit by boxship off Britain

Professional Mariner StaffCasualty Newsshipping

(LONDON) — A U.S.-flagged oil tanker spewed black smoke and flames Monday after being struck by a containership off Britain's North Sea coast, NPR reported. U.K. Coastguard and firefighting helicopters were hovering over the burning ships as lifeboats ferried survivors away. The chief executive of a nearby port told local media there was a "massive fireball" following the collision. Authorities…

10 Mar

Polar Star finishes frigid duties, departs Antarctica

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsLicensing and training, U.S. Coast Guard

(SOUTHERN OCEAN) — Accomplishing its missions, the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Polar Star (WAGB 10) and crew departed the Antarctic region Tuesday after 65 days south of the Antarctic Circle in support of Operation Deep Freeze 2025. Operation Deep Freeze is an annual event, led by the U.S. Antarctic Program (USAP) in conjunction with the Department of Defense, to support…

10 Mar

Safety alert: Recalled defective mechanical heat detectors

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsSafety alert, Tugboats and towing, U.S. Coast Guard

(WASHINGTON) — The U.S. Coast Guard recently investigated an engine room fire on an inspected towing vessel which led to the discovery of issues with the maintenance and installation of fire detection systems on multiple towing vessels. During the investigation, several towing vessels were discovered to have defective heat detectors installed in their engine rooms. These detectors had been recalled…