Maritime News – Page 2 – Professional Mariner

26 May

IMO adopts first global code for autonomous ships

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsAutonomous shipping, IMO, Regulation

(LONDON) — The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has adopted a new International Code of Safety for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) to support the safe integration of AI-enabled and remotely operated commercial ships into global shipping. The MASS Code sets out a comprehensive, goal-based framework to ensure that remotely controlled or autonomous ships are designed and operated to a level…

26 May

New Bollinger fast response cutter honors 9/11 hero

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime Newsshipbuilding, U.S. Coast Guard

(NEW YORK) — Bollinger Shipyards on Friday joined senior U.S. Coast Guard officials, distinguished guests, and the family of Vincent Danz at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York City for the commissioning ceremony of USCGC Vincent Danz (WPC-1162), a Sentinel-class fast response cutter (FRC). “On Sept. 11, 2001, our nation witnessed acts of extraordinary courage and…

22 May

Gulf Craft delivers Incat-designed ferry to U.S. Virgin Islands

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime Newsferries, shipbuilding

(LAFAYETTE, La.) — Spirit of 1733, a new EPA Tier 4-compliant 104-foot passenger ferry designed by Incat Crowther for the U.S Virgin Islands Department of Public Works, has entered service. The new vessel is operating on a busy tourist and commuter route between Red Hook on the island of St. Thomas and Cruz Bay on the island of St. John…

20 May

American Cruise Lines christens new riverboat in Idaho

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime Newsshipbuilding

(GUILFORD, Conn.) — American Cruise Lines christened its latest modern riverboat, American Encore, on May 12 in Lewiston, Idaho. The vessel, built by Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Salisbury, Md., completed sea trials in March and is now operating on the Columbia and Snake rivers in the Pacific Northwest. During the voyage west, American Encore was helmed by Capt. Andrew Gillilan along…

20 May

U.S. Great Lakes shipping lost 82 days due to ice delays, trade group says

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsGreat Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway System, Icebreaking, shipping

(CLEVELAND) — The numbers are in and U.S.-flag shipping on the Great Lakes lost 1,953 hours or 82 ship days due to inadequate icebreaking during the past winter. To put 82 days in perspective, it is about a third of the shipping season on the Great Lakes as the Soo Locks close on Jan. 15. It took 96 hours after…

20 May

Mariners, operators honored at annual CSA safety awards

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime Newssafety, shipping

(WASHINGTON) — The U.S. maritime industry publicly recognized the merchant mariners responsible for safe vessel operations at the Chamber of Shipping of America (CSA) Annual Safety Awards Dinner in New Orleans on May 4. The event recognized 1,157 vessels with 8,075 cumulative years of accident-free operation. U.S. Coast Guard Rear Adm. Will Watson, commander, Heartland District, joined seafarers, Customs and…

18 May

Canada commissions largest science vessel in its fleet

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsCanadian Coast Guard, shipbuilding

(DARTMOUTH, Nova Scotia) — The Canadian Coast Guard on Tuesday officially welcomed Canadian Coast Guard chip (CCGS) Naalak Nappaaluk to its fleet at the Bedford Institute of Oceanography in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Lena Diab, minister of immigration, refugees and citizenship, alongside vessel sponsor Qiallak Nappaaluk, the crew and community members, participated in the traditional breaking of a ceremonial bottle upon…

18 May

IMO sharpens focus on gender equality in maritime industry

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsIMO, Licensing and training

(LONDON) — This year’s International Day for Women in Maritime (May 18) focuses on embedding gender equality at every level of the maritime industry, both on shore and at sea. Under the theme “From Policy to Practice: Advancing Gender Equality for Maritime Excellence,” the day highlights actions to translate international ambitions and commitments into tangible actions that will make a…

18 May

New Coast Guard icebreaker completes Bering Sea mission

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsIcebreakers, U.S. Coast Guard

(SEATTLE) — The crew of the U.S. Coast Guard’s newest polar icebreaker, USCGC Storis (WAGB 21), returned to their temporary Seattle home port Monday after a 36-day deployment to the Bering Sea. The patrol focused on advancing operational readiness, strengthening interoperability with other military assets and testing new concepts to support prolonged operations in one of the world’s most demanding…

13 May

U.S. indicts Dali operators for fatal Baltimore bridge strike

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime Newscasualties, NTSB, shipping, U.S. Coast Guard

(WASHINGTON) — Federal prosecutors have brought criminal charges against two companies and an employee connected with the 2024 collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, World News Group reported. Dali, a 984-foot containership, crashed into the bridge in the early morning of March 26, 2024. The collapse killed six construction workers on the bridge and resulted in at least $5…