technology – Page 5 – Professional Mariner

01 Dec

Advanced props, rudders provide new efficiencies below the waterline

Professional Mariner StaffShipbuilding, Trends and Currentsengineering, propulsion, technology

It took a decade or two from the invention of the marine propeller in the 19th century for the technology to become widely accepted. Thereafter, adoption has been nearly universal, but progress toward improved efficiencies has come in fits and starts. Now, though, a combination of factors — ranging from advances in computer numerical control (CNC) machining and modeling software…

01 Dec

Mariners’ role still unknown as autonomous shipping gains speed

Professional Mariner StaffCorrespondenceautonomous vessel, Coast Guard, technology, USCG

At the behest of Professional Mariner and many other interested parties within and outside of the maritime industry, I’ve been asking many questions about maritime autonomous surface ships (MASS) relating to safety, security and future maritime careers. I have sought answers from the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Maritime Administration (MarAd) and sources in the…

01 Oct

App provides anonymous path to report violations on the water

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime Newsapp, Coast Guard, law enforcement, technology, USCG

The U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS) has received numerous reports of marine infractions after launching an app for anonymous tips in May. “We got one on an illegal charter performing livery for hire, and they even sent photos,” said Michael Berkow, director of CGIS. The images sent via the CGIS Tips app showed that the boat had some of…

01 Oct

Faster, safer, cheaper: Drones taking flight for ship inspections

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsCOVID-19, drones, pandemic, surveying, technology

Drones are everywhere these days, from far-flung battlefields to family events. Where they haven’t gone, until recently, is into the confined hull spaces of ships. There, using tools that haven’t changed much in the past century, skilled professionals have been putting themselves at risk — sometimes amid toxic fumes or inadequate oxygen — to seek signs of metal fatigue, corrosion,…

01 Oct

Technology helps shoreside eyes monitor every maritime move

Professional Mariner StaffA Mariner's Notebooktechnology

During the summer between our sophomore and junior years at the California Maritime Academy, we were required to do an internship at a maritime company or organization to get a glimpse of how things worked shoreside. Being from Washington state, I was assigned to the Port of Seattle, and under the tutelage of Mr. Fox learned a lot about the…