A Mariner’s Notebook – Page 31 – Professional Mariner

08 Nov

Looking for information about New Brunswick ferry and barge

Professional Mariner StaffA Mariner's Notebook, Tugboats & Towing

I am looking for the manufacturer of the articulated tender and ferry barge that operates out of Deer Island, New Brunswick. The barge is the "Hopper I" and the tender "Hopper II". I've attached photos of this very unusual set up.Please contact me if you have any information. Andy Smallsmalla@nwdc.navy.mil

05 Nov

How Ancient the Mariner? A new career as an AB

Professional Mariner StaffA Mariner's Notebook, Licensing & Training

He went like one that hath been stunned And is of sense forlorn:A sadder and wiser man,He rose the morrow morn. excerpt from:The Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge The recent popular news has been telling us about the wave of Boomers who are approaching retirement but still need and want to work. I count myself among this crowd.…

31 Oct

The problem with the new pilot boats

Professional Mariner StaffA Mariner's Notebook

One of the things I have noticed in the new generation of pilot boats is their tendency to insulate the operator from the working environment. The new designs totally insulate the operator from the actual operation of bringing a boat alongside a ship and seem to make the actual boarding of the pilot into more of a video game than…

24 Oct

Turn it off!

Professional Mariner StaffA Mariner's Notebook, Tugboats & Towing

It’s 0430 in New York Harbor and promising to be a very busy day. There’s a line of ships stretched out from the “Con Hook” range to Ambrose Tower. I’m steering from the upper wheelhouse of a 4200 hp tug, pushing a light oil barge, and bound for Bayway barge docks. I’m relieved that I’ve managed to stay ahead of…

22 Oct

Big changes underway at Coast Guard Regional Exam Centers

Professional Mariner StaffA Mariner's Notebook

Years ago I was a cadet assigned to the containership SeaLand Galveston. Joining the ship in Seattle, the skipper, Virgil Robinson, told me, "We're scheduled to sail in two days. So you're free to go into town tomorrow and have some fun." I couldn't believe my…