The following is text of a news release from the U.S. Coast Guard: (ALAMEDA, Calif.) — The Coast Guard initiated a public comment period Thursday pertaining to proposed safety requirements at several bar entrances in central and northern California. Regulated Navigation Areas are being proposed for the harbor bar entrances to Crescent City Harbor, Humboldt Bay, Noyo River and Morro Bay. The proposed regulation would create additional safety requirements for recreational and small commercial vessels operating in these areas during periods of hazardous conditions, such as high wind or breaking surf, as well as establish clear procedures for restricting and closing these harbor bar entrances in the event of unsafe conditions. The complete notice of proposed rulemaking published in the Federal Register, including a brief summary, background, purpose, legal basis and…
The following is text of a news release from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB): (WASHINGTON) — The National Transportation Safety Board’s marine accident brief 19/11, published Thursday, contains three safety recommendations issued to the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, based upon findings of the NTSB’s investigation of a Jan. 13, 2018, barge breakaway. MAB 19/11 details the findings, probable cause and safety recommendations stemming from the NTSB’s investigation of a 27 dry-cargo barge breakaway from the Jacks Run fleeting area, at mile 4, right descending bank, of the Ohio River near Emsworth, Pa. The breakaway caused $12.5 million in damage, including the total constructive loss of two Army Corps of Engineers vessels. Of the 27 barges involved in the breakaway, seven were lost and…
The following is text of a news release from the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA): (KINGS POINT, N.Y.) — Rear Adm. James Helis, USMS, announced Friday that James Mattis, 26th U.S. secretary of defense, will deliver the 82nd commencement address at the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, N.Y., on Saturday, June 16. “The United States Merchant Marine Academy is extremely honored to have Secretary Mattis as our commencement speaker,” said Helis. “This year marks USMMA’s 75th anniversary. It is especially fitting to have Secretary Mattis — who epitomizes our graduates’ highest aspirations and whose father was a merchant mariner — address the Class of 2018.” Mattis became secretary of defense on Jan. 20, 2017. A native of Richland, Wash., Mattis enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve at the…
(STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.) — Statue Cruises on Wednesday accepted the Rear Adm. Richard E. Bennis Award presented by U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Paul Zukunft in a ceremony at Fort Wadsworth. The biennial award, for Excellence in Maritime Security, Large Company, was presented to the official operator of ferry service for the National Park Service to the Statue of Liberty National Monument and Ellis Island. With a record of nearly 9 million people visiting the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island over the past two years, being able to safely transport thousands of people daily is paramount. Nominees for this award are evaluated based on several criteria, including overall security activities, strategic partnerships that raise overall awareness with public and private agencies, how the organization implements a culture of security…
The “May grays” had dropped a heavy morning curtain on Port of Long Beach, but the lack of sunshine did little to tarnish the gleam of Protector, the harbor’s new fireboat. Designed by Robert Allan Ltd. and built by Foss Maritime, the 108-foot vessel lit up the waterfront as it awaited duty last spring at the Fire Station 20 dock. Moving beyond the sparkle and shine, the newbuild soon proved its mettle on a harbor run punctuated by an impressive display from its 10 water cannons. With the capability of unleashing 41,000 gallons per minute at distances up to 600 feet, Protector is, pound for pound, one of the most powerful fireboats in the world. Two of the fireboat’s 10 FFS monitors are mounted low in the hull to provide…
At mile marker 783 on the Arkansas bank of the Mississippi River, Mid-River Terminal has two deck barges, one with a crane aboard, the other providing moorage for two towboats: the 67-foot Joe Ellis, named for the father of the company’s owner and president, Rick Ellis, and the sparkling new 70-foot Dianna Lynn, named for the owner’s wife. Both towboats hail from Bayou La Batre, Ala. Joe Ellis was built in 1975 at Master Marine and Dianna Lynn, delivered this spring, was built at Rodriguez Shipbuilding. Also new, on the hill overlooking the river is a building complex with three large truck bays sided by a two-story structure housing Mid-River’s offices. Ellis broke ground on the company’s 100-acre riverfront location in 2014. Adjacent to the building are truck scales, piles…
Ports worry about CBP staffing shortages The American Association of Port Authorities said in its latest alert on June 5 that 47 members of Congress have signed a letter urging Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson to allocate more resources to address Customs and Border Protection (CBP) staffing shortages at the nation’s seaports. AAPA said the letter by the House Ports Opportunity, Renewal, Trade and Security (PORTS) Caucus cited a “disproportionate share of resources” for maritime-related CBP activities. The letter said in part: “In fiscal year 2015, when CBP was funded to hire 2,000 staff, fewer than 20 officers were assigned to seaports. We cannot let this disproportionate approach to security continue. Our nation’s seaports handle more than 11 million maritime containers and over 11 million international passengers each year. Annual…
The following is the text of a news release from MetalCraft Marine: (NEW YORK) — MetalCraft Marine Inc. (MCM) would like to congratulate the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) on the completion of their new Firestorm 70. The newest member of New York’s bravest will be christened William M. Feehan in late October. FDNY has had a long history of serving the needs of their community dating back to 1648. It wasn't until 1865 that the modern-day fire department was first established. The professional force was needed to better provide protection to the fast-growing and increasingly complex metropolis. The first reference to the nomenclature F-D-N-Y was made in 1870. This particular version of MCM’s 70-footer is scaled down slightly to fit the FDNY’s needs. The traditional Firestorm 70 is…
Since 9/11, seafarers often have found it difficult to leave vessels moored in the United States for shore leave. The Coast Guard wants port facilities to make that process easier. In December, the Coast Guard published a proposed rule that would require terminals to give seafarers and others timely access between vessels and a site’s gates. The affected seafarers are both American citizens and foreigners. Under the rule, facilities would be required to institute a system within a year, incorporating specific ways to provide timely access at no cost to seafarers and other individuals seeking egress and ingress. The rule would apply to owners and operators of facilities regulated by the Marine Transportation Security Act of 2002 (MTSA). Facility owners include businesses, non-profits and government agencies. Seafarers can be on…
Back in the ‘60s, for those of you who are old enough to remember, the Volkswagen Beetle was “the” small car. Japanese compacts were a distant second, and many brands we know today did not even import into the U.S. until years later. Along with having the most popular small car, VW’s ad campaign was brilliant — “Think Small.” Their idea was simple; basic transportation need not be expensive. So, you ask, what has the iconic VW Beetle to do with maritime training? The car, probably not much. The concept, probably more than you think. I’ll venture that few readers will argue that the maritime industry has changed substantially since the ‘60s when the VW Beetle was the small car of choice. STCW regulations have forced changes on the maritime…
