ACADIA

Decommissioned Navy Ship as a Homeless Shelter?

According to an AP report, if a Hawaii group has its way, retired Navy ships -- often used as museums, for training purposes or simply as scrap metal -- may have a new lease on life: as homeless shelters. The 642-ft destroyer tender Acadia was built in 1981 and sailed around the world several times with a crew of 1,500 before it was decommissioned in 1994. In January, Navy officials decided to dispose of, sell off or give away the vessel, which is docked at Pearl Harbor. Citing Hawaii's relatively tight land resources, a director of the Victory Ohana Prison Fellowship reportedly told The Honolulu Advertiser that Hawaii has to think outside of the box. A coalition of called the Acadia Acquisition Committee is reportedly negotiating with the state for a place to put the ship. Organizers are working to figure the cost of the program, which would first include getting the ship ready for basic accommodations such as air conditioning, revamped bunks and bedrooms. (Source: AP)

Plaquemine Ferry Runs 17-Car Vessel

On Feb. 11, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) announced that the 35-car M/V Acadia was taken out of service at the Plaquemine ferry landing because of a broken rudder. The M/V Acadia was taken to the shipyard and replaced with the smaller 17-car M/V Feliciana. Vehicle restrictions for the smaller vessel are: no trailers, no more than two axles, and no more than six wheels. Large trucks and trailers should use the Interstate 10 Mississippi River Bridge.

Grant for Cleaner Ferry Engines

The DEQ’s grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will help retrofit two of DOTD’s ferry boats – the M/V Acadia, which operates at the Plaquemines crossing, and the M/V St. Francisville, which operates at the St Francisville/New Roads crossing. This is the first step in re-powering DOTD ferries with new cleaner running engines. DOTD plans to re-power other vessels in the future as additional funding becomes available

This Day in Naval History - Sept. 05

From the Navy News Service 1775 - Adoption of first uniforms for Navy officers. 1813 - USS Enterprise captures HM brig Boxer off . 1918 - USS Mount Vernon torpedoed by German submarine off . 1923 - U.S. Asiatic Fleet arrives at , to provide medical assistance and supplies after Kondo Plain earthquake. 1939 - President Franklin D. Roosevelt orders Navy to form a neutrality patrol to report the presence of foreign warships within 300 miles of eastern .

Bay of Fundy Ferry Service to End

Bay Ferries Ltd. announced on June 30 that the Princess of Acadia will make its final three-hour trip between Digby and Saint John, N.B., on Oct. 31.High fuel prices and declining tourist and commercial traffic were among factors in the decision, the company said in a news release. Local government officials are working together to find a way to maintain the area’s ferry service. Many officials are expected to travel to Halifax for talks with cabinet ministers and, possibly, the premier

Negligent Homicide with Yacht Leads to Loss of Coverage

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit ruled that, where the owner of a yacht was convicted of negligent homicide in connection with a fatal collision, the insurance company is not obligated to defend under a policy excluding losses “criminally caused or incurred” by the insured. In the instant case, plaintiff was operating his yacht when it collided with another boat, killing one of the passengers of the boat

Guascor Engines Make Serious Inroads

Guascor Inc, a manufacturer of diesel and gas engines, power systems and marine reduction gears based in Northern Spain and distributed throughout the Southeastern United States by Reagan Equipment Company, Inc. has accumulated a number of interesting references in the past six months, installations that should go a long way in extending the brand to users throughout the country. For the Louisiana Department of Transportation's Ferry Division

M/V Ascension to Undergo Maintenance

Ferry service at the Plaquemine/Sunshine crossing will change tomorrow when the 45-car ferry M/V Ascension goes to the shipyard for a mandatory five-year hull examination and is expected to be out of service for four months. The Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) will continue service using the 17-car ferry M/V Iberville. DOTD expects a second 17-car ferry, the M/V Feliciana, to return to service later next week

Bay Ferries Thrown a Lifeline

According to reports, Ottawa and the province of Nova Scotia will hand over a combined $6m to keep the vital Bay of Fundy cargo ferry service afloat. Nova Scotia Premier Rodney MacDonald announced a $2m lifeline to Bay Ferries Ltd. in order to keep the Digby-Saint John cargo service operating, reports the Halifax Chronicle Herald. That's on top of the $4 million Ottawa says it will kick-in. New Brunswick is also expected to contribute.

U.S. Coast Guard Warns of Hurricane Earl

As Hurricane Earl approaches New England, the Coast Guard is actively tracking the storm’s progress and urging caution and preparedness for mariners and storm watchers. Hurricane force winds, heavy surf, strong storm surges, rogue waves, rip currents and coastal flooding are predicted. Rogue waves near break walls and jetties are particularly hazardous to beach-goers during hurricane conditions. Sudden large waves can easily sweep storm watchers into the water or drag vessels off