Big John News

Rig firm Seadrill sees tough market continuing in 2016. Firms in Norwegian-born billionaire John Fredriksen's empire saw contrasting fortunes on Tuesday, as rig firm Seadrill booked $1.8 billion in writedowns while tanker firm Frontline turned around its fortunes after years of turmoil. The shipping tycoon, nicknamed "Big Wolf" or "Big John" in the shipping industry, controls companies spanning offshore drilling, shipping of oil and dry bulk and salmon farming. Seadrill, in which Fredriksen owns a 24.17 percent stake, booked $1.8 billion in non-cash impairment charges and goodwill on Tuesday, hurt by oil firms curbing exploration due to low crude prices, and warned of a tough market in 2016.

The Navy will lay the keel for the second Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) Saturday, August 22, 2015 at 10 a.m. John F. Kennedy, designated CVN 79, is the second aircraft carrier to honor President John F. Kennedy for a lifetime of service to the United States of America as a trusted leader and public servant. He wore the uniform of our nation as a Naval Officer and served as the 35th President of the United States of America, 1961-1963. The ship’s sponsor is Ambassador Caroline Kennedy, President Kennedy’s daughter. "The keel-laying for CVN-79 is an important milestone in returning a carrier named John F. Kennedy to our fleet, continuing the rich tradition of the name,” said Honorable Ray Mabus, Secretary of the Navy. Lt. j.g.

On October 4 a tow with three scrap barges hit the west tower of the Baytown high lines at approximately 0600 hrs. The tower was leaning over on the barge with the power cable dangling in the water. VTS Houston closed the channel from Beacon 105 to 124. This area is in the vicinity of ExxonMobil in Baytown. The crane barge Big John is currently hooking up to stabilize the tower following which wires will be disconnected and removed. The channel will be opened for traffic once the wires are removed which is expected to occur in the evening Tuesday October 5. ExxonMobil is open for traffic to/from sea but subject to Coast Guard review. Barbour’s Cut Container Terminal, Bayport, Ports of Texas City and Galveston are open for traffic to/from sea.

Salvages crews recovered the tug vessel J.R. Nichols early the morning of Feb. 13, and the Houston Ship Channel was reopened at 1:15 p.m. to all traffic. The salvage vessel Big John hoisted the sunken 56-ft tug vessel from the Houston Ship Channel at 2 a.m. The J.R. Nichols sank in the ship channel Wednesday evening with five crew members onboard. Four of the five were recovered with minor injuries, while the fifth crew member was recovered deceased by salvage crews Feb. 11. The J.R. Nichols is currently moored near the Lyondell facility as the investigation continues into why the vessel sank. Absorbent boom has been deployed to contain the fuel that spilled from the tug, and while cleanup efforts continue. The cause of the vessels' sinking is under investigation.

The decommissioned aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy (CV 67) is scheduled to arrive March 22 at the Navy's Inactive Ships Maintenance Facility in for preservation and storage. Due to safety and security concerns, the ship will not be open for tours while in storage in . A contracted tug boat began towing the inactive carrier John F. Kennedy from Norfolk Naval Station on March 17. The ship was originally scheduled to be towed to in August 2007, but was instead towed to while the Navy dredged in the vicinity of Pier 4 to further increase the safety of the ship mooring process and the surrounding waterway. The public may view the carrier's journey up the Delaware River from many locations along the river in , , and . These include Gov.

The decommissioned aircraft carrier ex-John F. Kennedy (CV 67) departed Norfolk Naval Station, , March 17 and is currently in tow to the Navy’s Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility in . The ship is scheduled to arrive at the Navy’s facility on March 20 for preservation and safe storage until a decision is made by the Secretary of the Navy on the carrier’s final disposition. A contracted tugboat will tow the carrier up the East Coast to via the . The Navy is working closely with the Coast Guard and maritime authorities to ensure that the carrier is towed in a safe manner that protects both the ship and other maritime traffic. The public may view the carrier’s journey up the Delaware River from many locations along the river in , , and . These include Gov.

USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) reached a benchmark in its maintenance project Aug. 4, as the carrier's combat systems department resurrected Kennedy's pulse. For the first time in eight months, radars came to life in front of a cheering crowd of contractors and Sailors. The team worked hand-in-hand during Kennedy's extended selected restricted availability (ESRA) to ensure all systems were go. "This light-off represents the culmination of work by ship's force and contractor personnel that included numerous new installations, as well as the overhaul or refurbishment of virtually every piece of combat systems equipment aboard 'Big John,'" said Cmdr. Rich Soucie, combat systems officer. According to Lt. j.g.

Repairs and other problems have delayed the deployment of the USS John F. Kennedy. The Kennedy completed more than 30 hours of sea trials earlier this week, meeting or exceeding all standards necessary to prove the carrier is safe and reliable to conduct sustained combat operations. Since December 11, Kennedy Sailors have worked side-by-side with civilian contractors, around the clock, to correct deficiencies identified in a recent INSURV assessment. Sea trials were the payoff for their efforts. Every area identified as deficient was proven to be operational. According to MMCS(SW) Donald Duffy, engineering aft group leading chief petty officer, the Sailors in Engineering Department have been working especially hard.

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Bill Larned, USS John F. Distinguished visitors and guests attend the historical decommissioning ceremony of the aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67). Kennedy served its country with more than 38 years of service and 18 official deployments. U.S. The aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) was decommissioned in Mayport, Fla., March 23. After a 17 gun salute, USS John F. Kennedy Commanding Officer Capt. Todd Zecchin addressed the more than 5,000 guests, former commanding officers, city officials and distinguished visitors. In his speech, he described his feelings for the ship and the legacy of its crew.