Professional Mariner Staff – Professional Mariner

04 Nov

Industry Day draws participants from 90 companies to Kings Point

Professional Mariner StaffLicensing & TrainingU.S. Army Corps of Engineers

(KINGS POINT, N.Y.) — The U.S. Department of Transportation reported a record turnout at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy’s Industry Day on Oct. 23, welcoming 180 participants from 90 companies to learn about the academy’s Campus Modernization Plan (CMP) and upcoming federal contracting opportunities. President Trump’s executive order on restoring America's maritime dominance dedicated an entire section to the modernization…

04 Nov

New presidents named at Great Lakes Towing, Great Lakes Shipyard

Professional Mariner StaffIndustry Newsshipbuilding, Tugboats and towing

(CLEVELAND) — The Great Lakes Towing Company and Great Lakes Shipyard have announced the promotions of Gregg Thauvette and Thomas Rigolo, two longtime leaders whose commitment and expertise have been key to the companies' continued success. Thauvette has been promoted from executive vice president to president of The Great Lakes Towing Company, where he will continue to oversee all harbor…

03 Nov

NMC extends mitigation efforts as shutdown continues

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

(MARTINSBURG, W.Va.) — The National Maritime Center (NMC) and all Regional Examination Centers (RECs) remain closed due to the federal government shutdown. Customer walk-in service at the RECs is suspended. Examinations and other REC appointments are canceled. To mitigate the impact caused by the government shutdown, the NMC has implemented the following measures: • Email submission of applications and supporting…

03 Nov

‘Clear warning sign’ as seafarers’ happiness deteriorates

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsLicensing and training, shipping

(LONDON) — The latest Seafarers Happiness Index (SHI) from The Mission to Seafarers reveal a significant downturn in seafarer well-being, raising concerns about worsening working and living conditions at sea after a period of encouraging improvement earlier this year. The average happiness level among seafarers fell to 7.05 out of 10 in the third quarter of 2025, a sharp decline…

03 Nov

Healy monitors foreign research vessels on Arctic voyage

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsSecurity, U.S. Coast Guard

(SEATTLE) — The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Healy (WAGB 20) returned to its Seattle home port Sunday following a 129-day patrol that concluded its annual Arctic deployment. Healy, one of three Coast Guard polar icebreakers, steamed over 20,000 miles this deployment, supporting Operation Arctic West Summer and Operation Frontier Sentinel, protecting U.S. sovereign rights and territory, and promoting national security…

30 Oct

Coast Guard refers case involving fatal barge collision to DOJ

Professional Mariner StaffCasualty NewsTugboats and towing, U.S. Coast Guard

(MIAMI) — The U.S. Coast Guard has referred a case to the Department of Justice (DOJ) for possible criminal prosecution following the fatal collision in July involving a barge and a sailing vessel, the Coast Guard and NBC6 South Florida reported. Three people on the sailboat were killed. The collision near Hibiscus Island on July 28 involved a construction barge…

30 Oct

Master Boat adds floating dry dock to boost throughput

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime Newsshipbuilding, Tugboats and towing

(CODEN, Ala.) — Master Boat Builders has taken delivery of a new state‑of‑the‑art floating dry dock, giving the company direct control over launch schedules and accelerating vessel deliveries. Designed and built by Conrad Shipyard, the dry dock measures 155 feet long by 66 feet wide with 41-foot-tall wing walls. It features a 2,000‑ton lifting capacity and incorporates a barge bow…

29 Oct

Cargo ship spills fuel after striking pier at Port of Galveston

Professional Mariner StaffCasualty NewsU.S. Coast Guard

(HOUSTON) — The U.S. Coast Guard and the Texas General Land Office are responding to an oil spill that occurred after a vessel struck a pier Tuesday near Galveston, Texas. Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston watch standers received a call at approximately 9:50 p.m. reporting a discharge of fuel oil spilled by the cargo ship FWN Merchant near Pier 32 at…

29 Oct

New AWO video highlights industry’s role in national security

Professional Mariner StaffTugboats & TowingSecurity

(ARLINGTON, Va.) — While the mariners who transport cargo and facilitate commerce on America’s rivers, coasts, harbors and Great Lakes are critical to powering the economy, they also play a vital role in safeguarding our nation. This video from the American Waterways Operators (AWO) highlights the American tugboat, towboat and barge industry’s contributions to U.S. national and homeland security.

29 Oct

With dredging complete, Mobile to add new container berth

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsPorts, shipping

(MOBILE, Ala.) — The Alabama Port Authority and APM Terminals Mobile on Tuesday announced an agreement to proceed with construction of a new, 1,300-foot container berth at the Port of Mobile. This $131 million project, funded by federal appropriations to the port authority and enhanced by private investments from APM Terminals, an independent division in A.P. Moller-Maersk, marks the next…