Off-duty female tug captain drowns while tubing in Alabama River

(SELMA, Ala.) -- An off-duty tugboat captain drowned while inner-tubing in the Alabama River, the Selma Times-Journal reported. Shana Cole was dragged underwater along a curve on the river. Her body was found 30 minutes later. Cole had operated tugboats in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.   Click here to view the newspaper's story about the drowning.   Click here to view…
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Schlueter, ship’s engineer plead guilty in bilge bypass hose case

The following is the text of a press release issued by the U.S. Department of Justice:   (PHILADELPHIA) -- Reederei Karl SchlueterGmbH & Co. KG (“RKS”), a ship managementcompany, and Chief Engineer Nikola Ilijic, an officer on a ship operated by RKS, pleaded guiltytoday to a charge they falsified the Oil Record Book pertaining to the commercial vessel M/V MSCUruguay,…
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Clipper Marine pleads guilty in oil case, agrees to retrofit ships

The following is the text of a press release issued by the U.S. Department of Justice:   (NEWARK, N.J.) -- In a case involving illegal discharges of oily waste froman ocean-going vessel that entered Port Newark in June 2006, a federaljudge in Newark accepted a plea agreement today between the governmentand Clipper Marine Services A/S, a Danish company, announced U.S.Attorney…
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Coast Guard automated ID system launched aboard satellite

The following is the text of a press release issued by the U.S. Coast Guard:   (WASHINGTON) -- The U.S. Coast Guard announced Friday the launch of an ORBCOMM concept demonstration satellite, equipped with Automatic Identification System (AIS) capability, from Kapustin Yar, Russia, Thursday.   The satellite attained a proper orbit and is expected to start transmitting operational data within…
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Soaring fuel costs threaten nation’s oceanography research fleet

(SAN DIEGO) -- Rising fuel costs are posing a threat to the nation's fleet of oceanographic research vessels, the San Diego Union-Tribune newspaper reported. Scientific institutes say they may be forced to lay up ships if they don't get more federal funding to cover fuel costs. The number of research-days at sea is already falling nationwide.   Click here to view the…
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Foss Maritime vessels win CSA Devlin Awards

The following is the text of a press release issued by Foss Maritime Co.:   (SEATTLE) -- Foss Maritime Company’s commitment to safety was underscored earlier this month when a top maritime organization recognized 18 of its vessels for outstanding safety records.The Chamber of Shipping of America (CSA) presented the Foss vessels with Jones F. Devlin Awards at the Annual…
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