Florida voters to decide on tax relief for maritime businesses

(MIAMI) -- An amendment on Tuesday's statewide ballot in Florida proposes tax relief for maritime businesses, the Miami Herald reported. Property taxes have risen for waterfront businesses as demand has increased for residential development. Tugboat captains and marina operators say the measure would help preserve working industrial property along the coast.    Click here to view the newspaper's story.
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‘Women on the Water’ conference moves to Calif. due to Ike

The following is an announcement by the U.S. Maritime Administration:   (VALLEJO, Calif.) -- Due to the extensive damage Galveston Island sustained during Hurricane Ike, the Women of the Water (WOW) conference is moving to California. We would like to thank the California Maritime Academy for hosting this conference on short notice and our thoughts are with the students, faculty,…
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Second Hawaii Superferry won’t go into service due to economy

(HONOLULU) -- The second Hawaii Superferry, which was to serve the Big Island, won't go into service because of the slowing economy, the Honolulu Advertiser newspaper reported. The 370-foot catamaran is expected to be delivered soon from the Austal USA shipyard in Alabama. The ferry operator is trying to lease the vessel to an operator outside Hawaii to recover some revenue.…
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Raytheon tests maritime situational-awareness simulator

The following is the text of a press release issued by Raytheon Co.:   (TEWKSBURY, Mass.) -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) hosted a mission profiling experiment earlier this month with the United States Coast Guard Research and Development Center. The experiment allowed active duty members from Boston's USCG First District Command Center to simulate real-time situational awareness and decision-making skills.…
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Gulfport seeks to become one of nation’s largest container ports

(GULFPORT, Miss.) -- The Mississippi Port Authority has approved a $1 billion plan to transform Gulfport into one of the nation's largest container ports, the Sun-Herald newspaper reported. The proposal includes the construction of an entire new port facility south of the existing docks. The plan includes a new channel and an elevated bridge.   Click here to view the newspaper's…
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