BOLLINGER MORGAN CITY

A Rest For Joint Venture

Subsequent to various tests by the U.S. military, the 315-ft. (96-m) experimental vessel HSV-X1 Joint Venture that had been delivered by the U.S. Army to Bollinger Morgan City, was successfully drydocked at the yard on October 31, 2002 for routine maintenance and periodic regulatory inspection. Upon completion of sea trials on November 14, the vessel was then delivered to the U.S. Navy for additional operational testing of its military capabilities. The project, which was managed by Bollinger Morgan City, also encompassed the coordination of a variety of subcontractors including Incat Tasmania, Caterpillar and Maritime Dynamics - interfaced with SupShips New Orleans - the government's project manager. SupShips also coordinated the efforts of the ship's crew as they performed crew-responsible maintenance activities. According to Chris Bollinger, president of Bollinger/Incat USA, "An extensive scope of work was accomplished in a limited amount of time through effective scheduling and complete cooperation by all involved. Each group had a clear understanding of the objective and the importance of getting the vessel and crew back on time with all work accomplished." The Joint Venture, a product of Bollinger/Incat USA, recently underwent extensive field testing by the U.S. Navy, Army, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Special Forces Command in the world wide military exercise Millennium Challenge 2002

Coast Guard Announces Temporary Service Centers

The Coast Guard is opening temporary offices in Morgan City, La., and Memphis, Tenn., to provide services to mariners affected by the closure of the Regional Examination Center in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina. The Morgan City office, now open, accepts completed applications and offers fingerprinting services, identity verification, and administration of oaths for mariners. On Oct. 3, the Coast Guard will open a temporary full-service REC in Memphis

Working Shallow Draft In the Gulf of Mexico

Rodriguez Boat Builders, of Bayou LaBatre, Ala., will deliver one more of their popular lugger tugs to Central Boat Rental of Morgan City, La., at the end October. Designed for the specialized tasks of supporting shallow water oil wells in the Gulf of Mexico they are as much supply boat as tug. Joe Rodriguez explains that the 65 by 24-ft. boat can work in water as shallow as five ft. While it features a model bow for open water work

Diversification Keeps Gulf Vessel Builders Afloat

By Susan Buchanan, in the January edition of MarineNews Companies building vessels on the U.S. Gulf are servicing a flock of domestic and overseas clients while their offshore oil and gas customers wait for Washington to issue more drilling permits and safety rules. Some of the region's builders are busy making repairs. After a federal ban on deepwater drilling ended in October — three months after BP's well was capped — the Gulf remains quiet

Conrad Industries Withstands Rising Waters

Conrad Industries, Inc. (OTC Pink Sheets: CNRD.PK) provided an update today on the impact of the rising waters of the Mississippi River and the Atchafalaya River on its operations. Johnny Conrad, President and CEO stated, “On May 11, 2011 we announced the potential adverse impact on our business of the rising water levels along the Mississippi and Atchafalaya Rivers. We are happy to report that the only adverse impact to date has been the temporary suspension of operations at our

'Yo Ho Ho' Divers Find More Pirate Treasure

Underwater Archaeologists dig deep for iconic privateer Captain Henry Morgan's lost Caribbean fleet, find various artefacts  For the third year in a row, with the help of the Captain Morgan brand, a team of leading U.S. archaeologists returned to the mouth of the Chagres River in Panama in search of real-life buccaneer Captain Henry Morgan's lost fleet. The search began in September 2010, when the team discovered six iron cannons belonging to Morgan off the coast of Panama

Bachrach & Wood Celebrates 50 Years

Bachrach & Wood was formed 1953 to provide marine surveying and consultant services to the shipping industry in New Orleans. This year marks its 50th year of service. Over the years, Bachrach & Wood has changed its focus from bluewater shipping to the offshore oilfield, now providing builder’s risk surveys for heavy lifts and pipeline construction, warranty surveys for trips-in-to, vessel safety and security audits, and on/off charter surveys for barges and boats

USCG – South Louisiana Area Maritime Security Committee

The US Coast Guard is seeking qualified applicants for membership on the South Louisiana Area Maritime Security Committee. This committee advises the Morgan City Captain of the Port/Federal Maritime Security Coordinator on maritime security issues in South Louisiana. Requests for membership should be submitted by July 1. Source: HK Law

Fugro Gulf Selects SafeNet

Fugro Gulf Inc., has contracted with ABS Nautical Systems for seven modules from their suite of advanced SafeNet fleet management system software. Fugro Gulf's contracted ship management company, New Offshore Inc., Morgan City, La., will use the modules and manage vessel operational activities on behalf of Fugro Gulf Inc. Fugro Gulf Inc. has contracted for the Maintenance & Repair, Purchasing & Inventory Control, Replication Manager & Financial Reporting

Greek Ship Chartered Way Below Previous Rate

Diana Shipping Inc has signed a contract for one of its dry bulk vessels at $13,000 per day, 76 percent below the ship's previous charter rate Diana chartered its dry bulk carrier the Salt Lake City to Morgan Stanley Capital Group Inc with effect from August this year, reports Reuters. Rates for dry bulk vessels, which transport commodities such as coal, iron ore and grain, crashed in the last four years as the delivery of a large number of new ships coincided with a global economic downturn