One dead after tour boat capsizes in Texas lake
17 Aug

One dead after tour boat capsizes in Texas lake

Professional Mariner StaffCasualty News
(CONROE, Texas) — One man died and another person was injured after a double-deck tour boat capsized during a thunderstorm Saturday night on Lake Conroe, CNN reported. The sternwheeler Lake Conroe Queen capsized at 8:12 p.m with 53 people on board. Officials from several agencies responded to rescue the passengers from the water, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department said.…
Read More
Maine Maritime requiring students to be vaccinated for COVID-19
13 Aug

Maine Maritime requiring students to be vaccinated for COVID-19

Professional Mariner StaffLicensing & Training, Maritime News
(CASTINE, Maine) — Maine Maritime Academy (MMA) has announced a COVID-19 vaccine requirement for students this fall. Students will be required to complete the vaccination process by Oct. 1. MMA will begin welcoming students back to campus later this month and the college’s faculty and staff are preparing for a busy semester. In addition to a continued focus on academic…
Read More
Crowley chooses Markey hawser winches for all-electric tug
13 Aug

Crowley chooses Markey hawser winches for all-electric tug

Professional Mariner StaffIndustry News
(SEATTLE) — Crowley Maritime has chosen two Markey model DEPC-48 hawser winches to outfit the first all-electric-powered ship-assist tug in the United States. Informed of Crowley’s selection, Markey President Blaine Dempke expressed pride at joining the team building this groundbreaking vessel. “Crowley’s eWolf heralds the era of zero-emissions assist tugs for the maritime industry," Dempke said. "As a one-of-a-kind vessel,…
Read More
SEACOR Power didn’t receive weather warnings due to technical problem
11 Aug

SEACOR Power didn’t receive weather warnings due to technical problem

Professional Mariner StaffCasualty News
(NEW ORLEANS) — A U.S. Coast Guard commander testified Monday that a technical problem with the service's Navtex system prevented it from relaying severe thunderstorm and marine warnings during the period on April 13 when the liftboat SEACOR Power capsized off Port Fourchon, La., killing 13 of the 19 people aboard. Cmdr. Vince Taylor said the issue involving Navtex, which…
Read More
Bollinger gets Coast Guard contract for four more FRCs
11 Aug

Bollinger gets Coast Guard contract for four more FRCs

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime News, Shipbuilding
(LOCKPORT, La.) — The U.S. Coast Guard has exercised a contract option to award Bollinger Shipyards four additional Sentinel‐class fast response cutters (FRCs). This announcement brings the total number of FRCs awarded to Bollinger to 64 vessels since the program’s inception. To date, the Coast Guard has commissioned 43 FRCs into operational service. “We’re incredibly proud of the work we…
Read More
Nichols delivers second fast ferry to Kitsap Transit
09 Aug

Nichols delivers second fast ferry to Kitsap Transit

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime News, Shipbuilding
(FREELAND, Wash.) — Nichols Brothers Boat Builders (NBBB) has delivered the second of two 255-passenger ferries to Kitsap Transit of Bremerton, Wash. Like Enetai, the first-in-class vessel, Commander exceeded design expectations during trials. “They are the Audi A8 of passenger ferries — fast, smooth and quiet,” said Nick Zustiak, director of manufacturing at NBBB. “Customer friendly, modern, reliable ferries is…
Read More
Bankruptcy judge approves sale of Bouchard vessels
09 Aug

Bankruptcy judge approves sale of Bouchard vessels

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime News, Tugboats & Towing
(HOUSTON) — Tugboat and barge operator Bouchard Transportation, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in September, has secured court approval to sell its two main asset groups for $245 million, Reuters reported. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge David Jones on Thursday approved the sales to Rose Cay GP LLC and JMB Capital Partners LLC. Lawyers representing Bouchard, however, said at the…
Read More
US designates $4 million in grants for green ferries
09 Aug

US designates $4 million in grants for green ferries

Professional Mariner StaffClimate Change, Maritime News, Propulsion, Shipbuilding
(WASHINGTON) — The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has announced the availability of up to $38 million in competitive grant funds through a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) for FTA's Passenger Ferry Grant Program. The Passenger Ferry Grant Program funds capital projects that help eligible project sponsors support existing passenger ferry service, establish new ferry service, and…
Read More