18 Sep

U.S Maritime Insitute offers Integrated Maritime Auditor course

Professional Mariner StaffLicensing & Training
The United States Maritime Institute announced the scheduling of an integrated training course for auditing both the ISM and ISPS Code simultaneously. The aim of the class is to impart the participants with detailed knowledge and understanding of the ISM Code, ISPS Code, and auditing techniques, thus being able to carry out simultaneous ISM Code and ISPS Code internal audits…
Read More
17 Sep

Northwest Passage could become shipping lane due to melting ice

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime News
(September 17, 2007) The Northwest Passage, sought for hundreds of years by explorers, could become an open shipping lane due to melting Artic ice, according to the Associated Press.The European Space Agency said that nearly 200 satellite photos taken in September showed an ice-free passage along northern Canada, Alaska and Greenland. The images also show ice retreating to its lowest…
Read More
14 Sep

Coast Guard investigates barge sinkings

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime News
(BEAR MOUNTAIN, NY -- September 14, 2007) The U.S. Coast Guard is investigating the grounding and sinking of two barges on the Hudson River near the Bear Mountain Bridge in Bear Mountain, N.Y., after the two barges broke free of the tug Buchanan 12 at 0400 on Sept. 11.The barges dumped thousands of tons of crushed stone into the river,…
Read More
12 Sep

Dangers in the Use of VHF Radio in Collision Avoidance

Professional Mariner StaffUncategorized
Note to Ship owners, Masters, Skippers, Officers and Pilots of Merchant Ships, Yachts and Fishing Vessels   This note supersedes Marine Guidance Note MGN 27 (M+F)   Summary ● Although the use of VHF radio may be justified on occasion in collision avoidance, the provisions of the Collision Regulations should remain uppermost, as misunderstandings can arise even where the language…
Read More
12 Sep

Caution on the use of VHF Radio in collision avoidance

Professional Mariner StaffUncategorized
1) Many investigations worldwide have revealed that VHF communication is one of the contributing factors in collisions at sea. The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore has on 16 Jun 2005 issued a Shipping Circular ("SC") No. 23 of 2005 on "CAUTION ON THE USE OF VHF RADIO IN COLLISION AVOIDANCE". A copy of this circular is attached. 2) Ship…
Read More
12 Sep

Prosecutors drop charges against airboat operators

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime News
(NEW ORLEANS, LA -- September 6, 2007) Federal prosecutors will not criminally charge the operators of an airboat that overturned in 2004, killing two of the 16 passengers and injuring 10 others, according to WWLTV of New Orleans. Administrative charges are still being contemplated in the Louisiana Swamp Tours accidents, according to Lt. Cmdr. Cheri Ben-Esau, spokeswoman for the U.S.…
Read More