14 May

2007 Plimsoll Awards go to class society group, longtime safety advocate, winch maker

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime News
The editors of Professional Mariner presented three Samuel Plimsoll awards for outstanding safety achievement on March 20 at the Connecticut Maritime Association's Shipping 2007 conference in Stamford, Conn. The individual award for outstanding service went to Richard C. Hiscock. Currently serving as Senior Professional Staff for the U.S. House of Representative's Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, Hiscock has…
Read More
14 May

Coast Guard takes over management of Deepwater program

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime News
The Coast Guard has dumped the controversial private-sector venture it hired to manage the Deepwater program. In April, Commandant Adm. Thad Allen announced that Integrated Coast Guard Systems (ICGS) would no longer serve as the prime contractor for the fleet modernization initiative. ICGS, a joint venture between Lockheed Martin Corp. and Northrop Grumman Corp., is eligible to compete for individual…
Read More
14 May

Companies planning offshore LNG terminals commit to using U.S. mariners on tankers

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime News
Agreements between the U.S. Maritime Administration (MarAd) and two energy companies planning liquefied natural gas terminals off the coast of Massachusetts should mean the creation of 300 to 400 jobs for U.S. mariners within the next three to five years. The two companies, Suez Energy and Excelerate Energy, have committed to hiring U.S. mariners to fill a quarter of the…
Read More
14 May

No-smoking regs proposed for U.K. waters

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime News
Britain is formulating no-smoking regulations designed to eliminate second-hand smoke aboard almost all commercial vessels operating in U.K. waters. After the final consultation period seeking public and industry comments ends on May 11, the final regulations are expected to come into law in July 2007. The proposed rules are the result of smoke-free provisions of the Health Act of 2006.…
Read More
28 Mar

Offshore LNG terminals approved by Massachusetts

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime News
The state of Massachusetts has approved construction of two offshore liquefied natural gas terminals.  The facilities for unloading gas from LNG tankers are to be located at points seven and 13 miles off Gloucester, Mass. The projects were approved by Gov. Mitt Romney in December 2006. The state approvals were granted to Neptune LNG/Suez LNG and Northeast Gateway/Excelerate Energy. The…
Read More
28 Mar

Pilot project to test retrofitting technology for reducing emissions from diesel engines

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime News
In an effort to find ways to reduce air pollution from existing marine engines, APL is retrofitting one of its containerships with three promising innovations. The pilot project involves APL's post-Panamax 64,502-gross-ton, 5,108-TEU containership APL Singapore. The ship's two stroke, 66,398-hp MAN B&W 11K90MC-C diesel engine will be fitted with: • a water-fuel emulsion system developed by Sea to Sky…
Read More
28 Mar

Training programs launched to counter shortage of qualified mates on tugs

Professional Mariner StaffLicensing & Training, Maritime News
New training programs are being created to meet the chronic shortage of qualified individuals for the tug and towing industry and to help unlicensed mariners become officers. On the West Coast, Pacific Maritime Institute (PMI) has created a two-year, full-time program for those new to the industry interested in becoming officers. PMI is also offering a 20-week AB-to-mate program. On…
Read More