27 Aug

Coast Guard begins enforcing nontank vessel spill-plan rules

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime News

The following is the text of a press release issued by the U.S. Coast Guard:   (WASHINGTON) -- The U.S. Coast Guard announced today the beginning of enforcement of the requirements for owners and operators of large cargo vessels, known as nontank vessels, to prepare and submit plans for responding to a worst case oil spill from their vessels.  …

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27 Aug

Ships in Northwest Passage must report to Canadian Coast Guard

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime News

(TUKTOYAKTUK, Northwest Territories) -- Canada will require all large ship entering the Northwest Passage and other Arctic waters to report to the Canadian Coast Guard, CBC reported. Prime Minister Harper said Canada also will apply its maritime environmental laws to the region. Cruise, mining and supply ships already voluntarily report their positions to the Coast Guard just in case they…

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26 Aug

Coast Guard crew honored for bravery in shipyard fire response

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime News

The following is the text of a press release issued by the U.S. Coast Guard:   (PORTLAND, Maine) -- A boat crew from Coast Guard Station Boothbay Harbor received awards at the station Thursday for their response to a fire July 11, 2008, at the Washburn and Doughty Shipyard in East Boothbay, Maine.  Rear Adm. Dale G. Gabel, the commander…

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26 Aug

Opposition coalesces against Savannah harbor deepening plan

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime News

(SAVANNAH, Ga.) -- At least two community groups are threatening to oppose a plan to deepen the Savannah harbor, the Savannah Morning News reported. The proposal being considered by the Army Corps of Engineers would result in a 48-foot depth, compared with the current 42-foot channel. The Savannah River Maritime Commission and the Coastal Conservation League instead propose a Jasper…

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26 Aug

NOAA seeks comment on whale-strike reduction rules

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime News

The following is the text of a press release issued by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: (WASHINGTON) -- NOAA’s Fisheries Service is seeking comment on the final environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Ship Strike Reduction Rule. The EIS is one of the final steps in the process to implement a final rule. The ship strike reduction rule aims…

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25 Aug

Hawaii Superferry’s fate still depends on court decisions

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime News

(HONOLULU) -- The Hawaii Superferry's future is still dependant upon the result of a court appeal, the Star-Bulletin newspaper reported. Three environmental groups have sued to block a law that allows the ferry to operate. If the law is struck down, the ferry operator will need to submit a new environmental impact statement.   Click here to view the newspaper's story.

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25 Aug

Newfoundland shipyard loses order to build Coast Guard boats

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime News

(MARYSTOWN, Newfoundland) -- The Peter Kiewit Sons Co. shipyard will not received a previously planned contract to build 12 patrol boats for the Canadian Coast Guard, CBC reported. The shipyard also lost a contract to build Joint Support Ship military vessels. The government said the bids came in too high. Marystown's mayor said the community had expected to gain 700…

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25 Aug

Coast Guard officer gets $5,000 fine, probation in pollution case

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime News

The following is the text of a press release issued by the U.S. Justice Department:   (WASHINGTON) -- David G. Williams, a former Chief Warrant Officer in the U.S. Coast Guard and main propulsion assistant for the Coast Guard Cutter Rush, was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Hawaii for making a false statement to federal criminal agents investigating allegations…

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22 Aug

Metal thieves cause leaks on derelict ship on Columbia River

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime News

The following is the text of a press release issued by the U.S. Coast Guard:   (PORTLAND, Ore.) -- The Coast Guard, Environmental Protection Agency, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and the Washington Department of Ecology are beginning the process of removing hazardous materials aboard a derelict vessel on the Oregon side of the Columbia River near Longview, Wash., and…

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22 Aug

Vandal-thieves cause damage at Toledo Harbor Lighthouse

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime News

The following is the text of a press release issued by the U.S. Coast Guard:   (TOLEDO, Ohio) -- The Coast Guard Investigative Service is investigating a report of vandalism to the Toledo Harbor Lighthouse after damage was discovered on Tuesday at approximately 2 p.m.   The specific date of damage to the lighthouse is unknown.    Coast Guard Station…

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