25 Apr

Preservation group acquires SS United States from cruise line to save ship from scrap yard

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime News, Publication > Professional Mariner
The historic SS United States, the world record holder for the fastest trans-Atlantic crossing by a passenger liner, has officially begun its transition from powerful sea vessel to national landmark. Ownership of the once-luxurious liner, berthed in Philadelphia for almost 15 years, was transferred to the SS United States Conservancy, a non-profit organization dedicated to its preservation and committed to…
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25 Apr

Pipeline industry organizes info campaign to prevent ruptures caused by vessels

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime News, Publication > Professional Mariner
Two organizations want to provide mariners with information to help them avoid vessel collisions with undersea pipelines. Coastal and Marine Operators (CAMO) and GulfSafe intend to mitigate risk to mariners and infrastructure in the Gulf of Mexico. The groups, which were established by the pipeline industry, are using education and hazard notifications. They are producing educational DVDs and plan in-person…
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25 Apr

UN, industry want more aggressive action against Somali pirates

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime News, Publication > Professional Mariner
The United Nations has developed a new international "Action Plan" to combat escalating piracy off Somalia. The plan announced in February by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon calls for improvements in ships' best-management practices to deter attacks and for better cooperation and coordination among navies patrolling the region. The UN wants to help African nations develop their own law enforcement and/or…
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25 Apr

Towboat owner headed for prison, two crewmembers may follow

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime News, Publication > Professional Mariner
A co-owner of the Louisiana towboat company involved in a collision and major spill on the Mississippi River is going to prison. Two of his mariner employees have pleaded guilty to federal charges. The criminal cases resulted from the July 23, 2008, collision between the towing vessel Mel Oliver's barge and the 600-foot tanker MT Tintomara. About 282,828 gallons of…
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25 Apr

NTSB cites both Coast Guard cutter and ferry in collision off Block Island

Professional Mariner StaffCasualty News, Publication > Professional Mariner
While senior officers were getting chow, a chief boatswain's mate aboard a U.S. Coast Guard cutter suddenly encountered thickening fog. Just as the chief started to summon his superiors back to the bridge, the commanding officer appeared. "Captain, I was just trying to reach you," the chief said. "My visibility has closed down to within 200, 300 yards."   {C}…
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22 Apr

Side bitt or shoulder bitt? Mariners invited to standardize towing terms

Professional Mariner StaffPublication > Professional Mariner, Tugboats & Towing
When is a quarter bitt a forward quarter bitt? Never, according to Capt. Eric Johansson, a third-generation tugboater and, since 1994, a professor at State University of New York Maritime College. Founder of the college's annual Towing Forum, Johansson has been sifting through the chaotic lexicon of tugboat terminology and definitions over the past two years with a view to…
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29 Mar

Fleeting company's thoroughbreds keep barges sorted and ready to go

Professional Mariner StaffPublication > Professional Mariner, Tugboats & Towing
In Louisiana, Jean Lafitte is the pirate of choice, his name prominently displayed on everything from a park entrance to a tavern door. It is also the name of a towboat in the Turn Services fleet. Recently I was on Jean Lafitte, accompanied by the company's senior vice president of operations, Mike Marshall. The captain, Jason Pitre, stood between the…
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02 Mar

Cruise ship tests exhaust scrubbing to meet new standards

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime News, Publication > Professional Mariner
As marine operators consider installing exhaust gas scrubbers to meet clean-air regulations, one pilot project is already up and running. Holland America’s cruise ship Zaandam began testing an exhaust gas cleaning system in 2010. The Hamworthy Krystallon scrubber uses seawater to cleanse sulfur compounds out of engine exhaust aboard the 781-foot vessel. Zaandam sails from California to Mexico, Hawaii and…
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