BROWN TIDE

UT Research Vessel Up for Sale

According to the Daily Texan, after 35 years of service, the research vessel, Longhorn, is being sold by UT's Marine Science Institute in Port Aransas. The Newspaper reported that Steven Lanoux, assistant director of operations at the institute, said the Longhorn is not worth the $1.5m renovation cost it would take to repair the vessel. The ship requires hull repairs, new engines and new scientific equipment, he said. Private research crews and other universities such as the A&M Research Institute, Tulane University and Duke University pay to use the ship, but their fees will not cover the expensive repairs, he said. The Longhorn's departure poses a challenge for many researchers at the Institute such as associate professor Tracy Villareal, who regularly uses the ship for his red-tide research. Red tide, a marine algae, can turn water a red or brown color. According to the Institute's Web site, Villareal has been conducting a multi-year survey of the Texas coast to understand and predict red-tide movement. Villareal said once he found out the Longhorn was being sold, he used the ship as much as possible with his remaining grant money. Other professors use the Longhorn for teaching purposes. Marine science professor Kenneth Dunton takes his summer undergraduate students into the Gulf for hands-on research. He said he believes there is no better way to teach, because nothing compares to firsthand experience.

Tidewater Takes Delivery of M/V Vickie Tide

Tidewater Inc., has taken delivery of the M/V Vickie Tide, a 175-ft. fast supply vessel. The Vickie Tide, constructed by C&G Shipyard of Mobile, Ala., is the first of a new class of vessel designed by Tidewater that can carry liquid mud below deck, dry bulk and cargo on deck while traveling at speeds in excess of 20 knots. The Vickie Tide has four Cummins KTA-50 engines and is outfitted with a dynamic positioning technology. The vessel’s clear deck space is 20 ft. wide and 100 ft

Seacraft Delivers Laurie Tide on Schedule

In addition to delivering Laurie Tide on schedule, Seacraft Shipyard also surpassed all contractual vessel performance requirements. Christened by her namesake, Mrs. Laurie Kirzner, the vessel holds a top speed of 30 knots, a normal operating speed of 28.5 knots and a contract loaded speed of 27.5 knots; Laurie Tide is the fastest 115 ft. class, propeller driven mono hull, oilfield crew boat ever built, says the company.

ACP Awards Legal Counsel Contract for Expansion

Panama Canal Authority (ACP) announced today that it has awarded the legal counsel contract for the Panama Canal expansion to Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw LLP. A total of seven top-tier international law firms participated in the bid for this contract, and after careful evaluation of the proposals, the contract was awarded to Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw based on the firm's reputable qualifications and previous work experience with similar projects.

Babcock & Brown to Acquire Bluewater Wind

International investment firm Babcock & Brown (ASX: BNB - News), announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Bluewater Wind Delaware LLC and its parent holding companies, including Bluewater Offshore Holdings LLC and Bluewater Wind Holdings, LLC, in an effort to expand its portfolio of wind energy projects and contribute to its goal of developing offshore wind. Hunter Armistead, head of Babcock & Brown's North American Energy Development Group added that Bluewater will

Tugboat Mate Convicted

A Jacksonville, Florida man pleaded guilty in federal court to violating the Clean Water Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. United States Attorney Michael J. Sullivan; Thomas V. Skinner, Acting Assistant Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, Enforcement and Compliance Assurance; William Schenkelberg, Special Agent in Charge of the Northeast Region of the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service; and Thomas J. Healy, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S

Brown Appointed as Asia Pacific Regional Director for U.K. P&I Club

Christopher Brown has been appointed Asia Pacific Regional Director of the UK P&I Club from October 1st. He will also be responsible for providing services to all Thomas Miller’s managed Clubs, particularly UK P&I, TT, UK Defence, ITIC and the Lloyd’s insurer Dex. Based in Hong Kong, Brown will head Miller’s regional management team, leading the offices in the region and supported by experienced managers Nick Sansom in Singapore and Barton Phillips in Sydney.

Chinese Port Upgrades Deep Channel

A channel at China's Ningbo-Zhoushan Port is being deepened to allow 300,000-ton ships, Xinhua reported. The government is investing in dredging the Xiazhimen channel to 73.8 ft. below the possible lowest tide height, and the channel should be put into use in June next year. The project was launched after the number of vessels over 150,000 tons navigating the channel surged from 80 in 2003 to more than 360 last year.

GL Noble Denton Appoints Dr Vicki Niesen

GL Noble Denton appoints Dr Vicki Niesen to lead Hydraulic and Flow Assurance Consulting Services for Americas Brings more than 25 years of industry leadership in flow assurance to GL Noble Denton's American operations alongside senior colleague, Dr Trent Brown. Houston/Texas, 26 April 2011 - GL Noble Denton, the global independent technical advisor to the oil and gas industry, has appointed Dr Vicki Niesen to lead its Hydraulic and Flow Assurance Consulting Services department in the

FGH Expands Marine Insurance Capabilities

Fidelis Group Holdings LLC Announces Additional Excess Marine Liability Capacity For The Maritime Industry. Fidelis Group Holdings LLC (FGH) through its subsidiary company Continental Underwriters, Ltd., a leader in providing Marine Insurance coverages and services, announced today details of their new $25,000,000 Excess Marine Liability facility for the maritime industry.  The insurer for the program is Houston Casualty Company (NYSE: HCC) rated A+ by A.M. Best