U.S.’s oceanic exploration ship to be commissioned in Seattle

(SEATTLE) -- The U.S. is ready to commission it's first-ever ship devoted purely to oceanic exploration, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer newspaper reported. The 224-foot Okeanos Explorer will undergo sea trials this year and then will begin Pacific Ocean exploration in 2009. The vessel belongs to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.   Click here to view the newspaper's story.
Read More

California, Louisiana react much differently to their oil spills

(HOUSTON) -- Recent maritime oil spills in California and Louisiana illustrate how differently the public and political leaders can react in different areas of the country, the Houston Chronicle reported. After the Cosco Busan disaster, California declared a state of emergency, independent investigations were launched and the region's Coast Guard commander was reassigned. After this month's larger spill in the…
Read More

Coast Guard cutter Healy to survey Arctic continental shelf

(LOS ANGELES) -- The U.S. and Canada are cooperating on a voyage that will explore previously uncharted areas of the Arctic, London's Telegraph newspaper reported. The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Healy, with Canadian scientists on board, will attempt to define the extent of the Arctic continental shelf. The expedition will gather information that may be useful in determining how much…
Read More

Despite rising water levels, U.S. Great Lakes tonnage flat in July

(CLEVELAND) -- The U.S.-flag Great Lakes fleet carried 12 million tons of cargo in July, the Web site BusinessNorth.com of Duluth, Minn., reported. That's unchanged from the 2007 level, even though water levels are higher this year. The need for more dredging is hampering the ability of lakers to carry loads up to what their capacities should be.   Click here to view…
Read More