Professional Mariner Staff – Professional Mariner

26 Apr

Fourth channel allows deep-draft ships to depart Baltimore

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime Newscasualties, Ports, Salvage, shipping, U.S. Coast Guard

(BALTIMORE) — The captain of the port on Thursday established a fourth channel, the Fort McHenry Limited Access Channel, which will run the length of the northeast side of the federal channel at the Francis Scott Key Bridge and provide additional access to commercially essential traffic. The bridge collapsed on March 26 after being hit by the containership Dali. The…

25 Apr

Philly Shipyard, HD Hyundai look to partner on U.S. projects

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime Newsshipbuilding

(PHILADELPHIA) — Philly Shipyard and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) have signed a memorandum of understanding to explore a potential business relationship relating to future U.S. government shipbuilding projects as well as maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) projects. The memorandum was signed during a visit from HHI to Philly Shipyard on April 12 and was attended by officials from both…

25 Apr

Undetected flooding from pipe led to capsizing of dredger

Professional Mariner StaffCasualty Newsbrownwater, dredging, NTSB

(WASHINGTON) — A company’s lack of requirements for crew to regularly check below-deck compartments led to undetected flooding and the eventual capsizing of a dredging vessel last year on the Mississippi River, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said Thursday. The non-propelled dredging vessel WB Wood capsized on the early morning of Jan. 16, 2023, during dredging operations. Before the…

24 Apr

New report details ‘persistent’ maritime cyberthreats

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsCyberthreats, Ports, shipping, U.S. Coast Guard

(WASHINGTON) — U.S. Coast Guard Cyber Command (CGCYBER) has released its annual Cyber Trends and Insights in the Marine Environment report, with many of the findings mirroring previous studies. Four key takeaways from the new report: • Many of the same findings and recommendations discussed in the 2021 and 2022 reports were noted again in 2023. • Emerging technologies create…

24 Apr

Coast Guard seeking applicants for towing safety panel

Professional Mariner StaffTugboats & Towingbrownwater, safety, U.S. Coast Guard

(WASHINGTON) — The U.S. Coast Guard is accepting applications to fill 18 vacancies on the National Towing Safety Advisory Committee. This committee advises the secretary of homeland security, via the commandant of the Coast Guard, on matters relating to shallow-draft inland navigation, coastal waterway navigation and towing safety. Completed applications must reach the Coast Guard on or before June 10.…

24 Apr

New Maine ferry to feature ABB hybrid-electric propulsion

Professional Mariner StaffIndustry Newsferries, Hybrids, shipbuilding

(ZURICH, Switzerland) — ABB has been selected by the Maine Department of Transportation to supply a grid-to-propeller solution for the new double-ended, hybrid-electric ferry that will provide service between the town of Lincolnville and the island community of Islesboro. Due to replace an existing diesel-powered ferry, the new vessel will demonstrate the preference of publicly funded organizations in the U.S.…

23 Apr

Baltimore lawsuit: Dali ‘unseaworthy’ before bridge strike

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsNTSB, Ports, Salvage, shipping, U.S. Coast Guard

(BALTIMORE) — The mayor and city council of Baltimore have filed a lawsuit against the owner and operator of the ship that struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge last month, causing its collapse and killing six people working on it at the time, Reuters reported. The lawsuit, filed in Maryland federal court on Monday, seeks unspecified damages from the registered…

23 Apr

NTSB: Obstructed valve led to partial sinking of towboat

Professional Mariner StaffCasualty NewsNTSB, Tugboats and towing, U.S. Coast Guard

(WASHINGTON) — An obstructed check valve on a bilge pump led to the flooding and partial sinking of a towboat last year while moored at a shipyard near New Orleans, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said Tuesday. The towboat Joanne Marie was found partially submerged a day and a half after being moored and deactivated at the Bollinger Quick…

23 Apr

Dakota Creek delivers oil spill response barge for Alaska

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsOil spill response, shipbuilding

(SEATTLE) — Dakota Creek Industries (DCI) has delivered an oil spill response barge to the Alyeska Pipeline Service Co. for operation in the coastal waters of Alaska. The barge, Allison Creek, was specifically designed by Elliott Bay Design Group (EBDG) to meet the rigorous requirements in Prince William Sound. Allison Creek has a capacity of 13,600 barrels, an overall length…

22 Apr

SAAM Towage brings all-electric tugs to Port of Vancouver

Professional Mariner StaffTugboats & TowingClimate change, Ports, propulsion, shipbuilding

(VANCOUVER, British Columbia) — SAAM Towage and its coalition of partners in the public and private sector have unveiled the first 100 percent electric, zero-emission tugboats that will service local clients in the Port of Vancouver starting this spring. The official launch took place at the Port of Vancouver on April 10 and opened with a traditional welcome from the…