Maritime News – Page 974 – Professional Mariner

03 Sep

Pensacola port reopens; Gulfport and Pascagoula remain shut

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime News

The following is the text of a press release issued by the U.S. Coast Guard: (MOBILE, Ala.) -- The Captain of the Port of Mobile reopened the port of Pensacola, Fla., Tuesday. The ports of Gulfport, Miss., and Pascagoula, Miss., remain closed to all traffic. The Port of Mobile is open to all traffic with a draft of…

03 Sep

MarAd: Job market for U.S. merchant mariners is strong

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime News

The following is the text of a press release issued by the U.S. Maritime Administration: (WASHINGTON) -- Only months after graduation ceremonies were held on campuses across the nation, approximately 85 percent of 2008 graduates with merchant marine licenses from the United States Merchant Marine Academy and six state maritime academies have found employment afloat in the maritime industry…

02 Sep

Loran to become eLoran

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime News

The reliable, accurate and (relatively) cheap loran radio-navigation system got a new lease on life in February when the Department of Homeland Security announced support for a new flavor of loran called “eLoran” (enhanced loran). This improved version of loran can provide navigators with eight- to 20-meter accuracy and make it a great partner to GPS.This positive news for loran…

02 Sep

Broadband speed and choice expand while costs contract

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime News

At the dock, inshore or offshore, your vessel and crew can always be in touch with the outside world. Cell phones and VHF radio will provide contact in the coastal area. Beyond their reach, you can use MF and HF radio for both voice and text, including email.Or, since using radio can be a bit fiddly (the optimal communication frequency…

02 Sep

Operators recognize value of satellite TV for improving shipboard morale

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime News

Gladiator is a great movie, but, as even the most diehard of Russell Crowe fans will tell you, after the 14th viewing it gets old.So picture this: You are an oil rig worker aboard a crew boat, killing time before arriving at your rig. Or maybe you work on an offshore tug. Work is finished for the day and you…

02 Sep

Man arrested after shooting gun at towboat along Green River

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime News

(HENDERSON, Ky.) -- A man has been arrested and charged with shooting a gun at a towboat, the Courier & Press newspaper of Evansville, Ind., reported. The 21-year-old was camping along the Green River when he allegedly shot about four rounds at the towboat, hitting the vessel once. The boat was tying up barges when the incident happened. None of…

02 Sep

Coast Guard establishes Gustav command center in St. Louis

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime News

The following is the text of a press release issued by the U.S. Coast Guard: (ST. LOUIS) -- The U.S. Coast Guard's Eighth District command and incident management team, usually located in New Orleans, has temporarily relocated its command staff to St. Louis to oversee hurricane response operations. The team of approximately 40 personnel is operating out of…

01 Sep

Coast Guard closes Louisiana ports as Gustav makes landfall

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime News

The following is the text of a press release issued Sunday by the U.S. Coast Guard: (NATCHEZ, Miss.) -- In anticipation of heavy weather caused by Hurricane Gustav, the Coast Guard Captain of the Port of New Orleans will set Port Condition Zulu for all waterways throughout Southeast Louisiana effective 4:00 p.m. today. This condition, prescribed in the…

01 Sep

Crowley: Mother Nature ‘to have her say’ as shipping ceases

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime News

(HAMMOND, La.) -- Hurricane Gustav will have a wide-ranging impact on economic activity in the Gulf region, the Associated Press reported. Shipping is among the industries hardest-hit, with mariners diverting vessels and evacuating crews and equipment. Mark Crowley of Crowley Maritime Corp. said "Mother Nature is going to have her say." Click here to view the AP's story.

30 Aug

Hurricane forces evacuation of hundreds of Gulf oil platforms

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime News

(NEW YORK) -- Workers have been evacuated from 223 Gulf of Mexico oil platforms in preparation for Hurricane Gustav, CNN reported. That represents 77 percent of the region's production that will be shut in until the powerful storm clears the region. Royal Dutch Shell and BP have announced a total shutdown of production in the Gulf. Click here to view…