Uncategorized – Page 37 – Professional Mariner

28 Feb

Ballast regs tightened to stop spread of exotic species

Professional Mariner StaffUncategorized

A 2003 survey of 81 vessels that entered the waters of the state of Washington found that 24 had discharged improperly exchanged ballast water. Twenty of those vessels "knowingly violated the law in some way," said Scott Smith of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. The ballast water problem is global in nature. Reducing the environmental threats posed by…

28 Feb

Newest simulators expand horizons

Professional Mariner StaffUncategorized

Forget about video games. That's the first thing instructors at maritime academies and training schools tell students about the latest generation of shiphandling simulators. Lee Brown, a systems engineer at the Calhoon MEBA Engineering School, examines charts as the school's new simulator projects images of New York Harbor. Image Credit: Courtesy Calhoon MEBA Engineering School/Michael Roe At the Calhoon…

28 Feb

Saint Mary’s River transit demands peak performance by lake pilots

Professional Mariner StaffUncategorized

The journey north to the two Sault Ste. Maries, Lake Superior's twin international cities, begins through DeTour Village, Mich., at the mouth of the St. Mary's River. Olympic Merit heads up the 63-nm-long river connecting Lake Huron and Lake Superior. Image Credit: Terry W. Phipps Marked by the 63-foot DeTour Reef crib light, the 63-nm river welcomes thousands of…

28 Feb

From Baton Rouge to New Orleans: Towboating in the “War Zone”

Professional Mariner StaffUncategorized

Many towboaters in Louisiana call the 100-mile stretch of Mississippi River between Baton Rouge and New Orleans the "War Zoneâ€� for the heavy traffic that crowds the waters there. Lead hand Edward Green heads out to check lashings of the 35 barges in the tow. Facing page, Chief Engineer Ken Danna with one of his 20-cylinder EMDs. The boat can…

28 Feb

Greek pilots keep old traditions alive while facing new forms of danger

Professional Mariner StaffUncategorized

The Greeks have always been a seafaring nation, going back to Homeric times. After all, the Greek warriors who besieged Troy first had to cross the Aegean in their wooden warships. The world will once again be reminded of Greece's maritime heritage this August, as Athens plays host to the 2004 Olympic Games. Piraeus, the busy port that serves Athens,…

28 Feb

Invader-class refurbishment finished at North Florida Shipyards

Professional Mariner StaffUncategorized

The last Invader-class tugboat to be refurbished as part of a four-year shipyard investment by Crowley Maritime Corp. has returned to her home port in Jacksonville, Fla. The 7,200-hp tug Sentry was delivered by North Florida Shipyards in May and quickly put back to work towing 730-foot triple-decker container barges from Jacksonville to San Juan, Puerto Rico, for Crowley Liner…

28 Feb

Foss making large investment in tractor tugs for heated West Coast markets

Professional Mariner StaffUncategorized

You can't help but be impressed by the expansion plans of Foss Maritime, its parent company and West Coast sister companies. They are pumping out a series of new tractor tugs destined for work in two of the busiest and most competitive ports in the United States. Mikioi is the first in a series of 5,000-hp tractor tugs ordered by…

28 Feb

Smart and semi-smart containers arrive to counter terrorism

Professional Mariner StaffUncategorized

The U.S. Bureau of Customs & Border Protection is encouraging companies to use "smart" cargo containers equipped with high-tech devices that detect security threats and warn inspectors of the danger. But officials at shipping companies are skeptical of the technology, saying it is unproven and costly. "The first issue is to define what a smart container is," said Alan Hicks,…

28 Feb

Navigating by instruments: Towboats testing aviation technology to navigate locks

Professional Mariner StaffUncategorized

As the tug D.L. Johnson approached a lock on the Ohio River, Peter Stephaich, head of Campbell Transportation Co., which owns the tug, broke the silence in the pilothouse, "It ain't rocket science, but it sure is tricky." Stephaich, the chairman and chief executive at Campbell, was one of eight people crammed into the small pilothouse one recent winter morning…

28 Feb

Edison Chouest will sell six tugs to Great Lakes Towing

Professional Mariner StaffUncategorized

Edison Chouest Offshore, Galliano, La., has agreed to sell six of its 15 tractor-style tugboats to Great Lakes Towing, a division of Great Lakes Group, in anticipation of the end of its contract providing ship-assist services in San Diego. Chouest agreed to sell its entire San Diego fleet, comprising vessels called C-Tractor 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 14. The…