Offshore
What About Cuba? Political allegiance notwithstanding, continuing unrest and war in the energy critical Middle East continues to wreak havoc with world oil prices, with consumers around the world struggling to keep up with fast escalating gasoline prices. While (at press time) the benchmark prices for a barrel of crude have settled just under $40, the situation has spurred new exploration and production ventures, one such speculation in the Gulf of Mexico off of Cuba. According to a recent report in The Economist (June 5, 2004 edition, page 48), Spain's Repsol has moved into position a Deep Water drilling rig off of the country's northwest coast with the intention of drilling two wildcat wells in what could amount to a successful attempt to energize a failing economy.
Atlantic Drydock Tackles Projects
With its 14,600 LT drydock completely booked until the end of April, which has been utilized to the fullest since it was put into operation last summer, Atlantic Dry Dock has myriad of projects scheduled at its yard. The company's 4,000 LT Marine Railway is back in operation after an extensive overhaul. Upcoming projects include routine maintenance on the dump scow, BTS 401; megayacht, Cakewalk; general cargo ship, Argosy; gaming vessel, La Cruise; and ferry Jean Ribault. Regarding Atlantic's 1,300 LT Marine Railway, the drydock has been busy over the past several months with vessels from both the Tug and Gaming market segments. Upcoming projects include the tug, Chub Key; and gaming vessel, Stardancer.
Titan Saves Container Barge from Rocks
The 6,000 ton container barge Guantanamo Bay Express, departed Jacksonville, Florida at around midnight on November 12th under tow of the US flag SPENCE on her scheduled service to the US Naval Station at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Unfortunately, 30 knot gusts and 12 foot seas led to a parted tow wire allowing the barge to drift on to the rocks of the north Mayport Jetties. The owners of the barge took prompt action and engaged Titan Maritime to undertake salvage operations. Titan immediately mobilized the Smith Maritime tugs ELSBETH (1…
