Publication > Professional Mariner – Page 148

25 Jun

Overnight river cruises stage comeback as American Queen sails again

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime News, Publication > Professional Mariner

The return of the refurbished American Queen sternwheeler to the U.S. inland waterways system marks a major milestone in the rebirth of the American river cruising industry. American Queen was scheduled to return to overnight cruises on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers in April after a $6 million refit at three Bollinger shipyards. The 418-foot boat was laid up in…

22 Jun

For safety, everyone must understand the same language

Professional Mariner StaffA Mariner's Notebook, Maritime News, Publication > Professional Mariner

My grandmother on my mother's side was an immigrant from Greece, and became a U.S. citizen in the 1970s. One of the U.S. government requirements she had to meet to become a naturalized citizen was to read, write and speak English well enough to function in our society. When I was in high school I'd help her by quizzing her…

19 Jun

With fresh paint and new engines, tug begins long tow to Uruguay

Professional Mariner StaffPublication > Professional Mariner, Tugboats & Towing

The 115-foot tug Ocean Tower was recently in New Orleans with a sparkling new paint job and a new power train. With a low sheer line, upper wheelhouse and a fresh coat of blue and white paint, the tug looked ready for a parade. There was probably a parade coinciding with the tug’s visit somewhere in the city, but Ocean…

19 Jun

Last of Navy’s original ‘Big’ harbor tugs still shines in Puget Sound

Professional Mariner StaffPublication > Professional Mariner, Tugboats & Towing

Even though the crew of Pokagon (YTB-836) is civilian, they still have to worry about the brass. The gleaming brass aboard their impeccably maintained tug, that is. Based at Naval Station Everett in Washington, Pokagon continues to assist the Navy’s assets in Puget Sound, even though the Navy now has new azimuthing stern drive (ASD) tugs designed by Robert Allan…

18 Jun

Plimsolls awarded to vessel safety advocate, pilots’ group and digital aid to navigation

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime News, Publication > Professional Mariner

The editors of Professional Mariner have presented Plimsoll Awards for 2012 to the association representing U.S. ship pilots; to the man behind the creation of a new, safer class of lightering support vessel; and to an electronic version of an aid to navigation. Presented annually by the editors of Professional Mariner to honor advocates of safety and innovation in the…

18 Jun

Vessel tracking data changing industry’s course

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime News, Publication > Professional Mariner, Tugboats & Towing

Though the case has yet to even reach the courtroom, the investigation into the January sinking of the Italian cruise ship Costa Concordia is already raising eyebrows as everything from the captain’s actions to his morals are debated publicly. The accident is also raising questions about how the increasing amounts of navigational data available in the wake of incidents like…

24 Apr

Absence of bridge lights cited after ship chooses wrong channel, destroys span

Professional Mariner StaffCasualty News, Publication > Professional Mariner

A roll-on, roll-off cargo ship carrying a space rocket booster destroyed one span of a Kentucky highway bridge when it followed a recreational-vessel channel with low clearance instead of transiting the center span of the bridge. The roll-on, roll-off ship Delta Mariner sits in Kentucky Lake with twisted steel and concrete from Eggners Ferry Bridge covering its bow. The vessel…

24 Apr

Log ship gets into trouble when its cargo shifts in rough seas, high winds

Professional Mariner StaffCasualty News, Publication > Professional Mariner

A log carrier lost about one-quarter of its load and became dangerously unstable in hurricane-like conditions off western Canada. Several broken cargo stanchions are bent over the starboard side of the timber carrier Dry Beam. The vessel underwent inspection at Ogden Point, British Columbia, after heavy seas damaged the deck equipment, caused the cargo to shift and sent many logs…

24 Apr

New Chicago tour boat harkens to luxury yachts of 1920s

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime News, Publication > Professional Mariner

Last August, high water prevented many of the excursion boats plying the Chicago River from clearing the many historic bridges spanning the city's central artery. Those vessels couldn't sail on some of the best cruise days of the year. Excursion boat Chicago's Leading Lady is designed to clear the Windy City's low-draft bridges on the Chicago River. (Brian Gauvin photos)…

24 Apr

Rule changes bring need for more fire training, safety equipment

Professional Mariner StaffLicensing & Training, Maritime News, Publication > Professional Mariner

Maritime training schools are helping vessel operators and mariners gear up for new regulations pertaining to fire safety and equipment, with many operators opting for clean-agent systems as the move away from halon continues as an onboard fire suppressant. New standards for fire protection and training have been proposed on two fronts: for towing vessels and towing vessel personnel in…