09 Sep

Ferry union: Ship vibration may cause hip and thigh pain

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime News
(NANAIMO, British Columbia) -- A ferry in British Columbia may be causing hip and thigh pain among its crew, Canadian OH & S News reported. The union representing workers aboard the Coastal Renaissance says catering staff have had health problems, potentially because of excessive vibration. The union is considering the use of anti-vibration mats or gel-filled insoles aboard the BC…
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08 Sep

While Fremont Tugboat Co. stays small, business still steady

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime News
(SEATTLE) -- Fremont Tugboat Co., still with only 10 employs, continues operating profitably after 93 years, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported. The tug company services fishing boats and does vessel recover and barge transport. The management says the Seattle company specializes in small jobs that other, larger maritime companies don't want.    Click here to view the newspaper's story.
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05 Sep

Report calls for better vessel crew survival training, equipment

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime News
(HALIFAX, Nova Scotia) -- Canadian Forces issued a report rejecting the idea of staffing its search and rescue helicopters around the clock, Canadian Press reported. The report said the proposal would be too expensive for the number of lives saved. Instead, the report calls for better ship crew emergency training, survival equipment and communications.   Click here to view CBC's story.
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05 Sep

Feds holding up West Coast vessels to thwart invasive insects

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime News
(SEATTLE) -- U.S. Customs and Border Protection inspectors are finding gypsy moth and apple moth aboard ships, the Associated Press reported. Vessels have been diverted or quarantined near Seattle and San Francisco as the agency attempts to thwart the introduction of invasive insects in the U.S. Inspectors are even placing restrictions on the ship crews' own food, which could carry…
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04 Sep

Drydock workers exposed to asbestos from quarantined cruiseship

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime News
(CURACAO, Netherlands Antilles) -- Shipyard workers were exposed to asbestos from a quarantined cruiseship, the Web site Asbestos.com reported. The Curacao Drydock Co. withdrew its workers from the vessel Freewinds after the risk was discovered. Nordica Engineering of the U.S. was later hired to refurbish the ship while the vessel still contained dangerous levels of asbestos.   Click here to view…
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