ERIE SHIPBUILDING

Erie Shipbuilding to Undergo Expansion

Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell announced that three Erie County manufacturers – including the county's largest employer -- plan to invest more than $19 million to grow their respective operations in northwest Pennsylvania, adding 385 new jobs to the local economy over the next three years. The Governor said the state is supporting the growth through a series of investments totaling more than $1.5 million, which include grants and tax credits. Today's announcement included $500,000 to the county's largest employer, GE Transportation Systems; $702,250 to Erie Shipbuilding LLC; and $207,000 to National Steel Products Inc., a start-up company in Corry that will make leasehold improvements to a facility that has been mostly vacant for more than 15 years. Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Governor Rendell. Dennis Yablonsky visited Erie County today to make the announcements on behalf of GE Transportation Systems plans to implement lean manufacturing techniques at its rail plants in Erie and Grove City, Mercer County, a project that is expected to cost $12.8 million. By applying this new operational strategy, the company expects to lower costs and shorten lead times to deliver orders and products. GE Transportation Systems has already fulfilled its commitment to the commonwealth to create 120 new jobs, and is also retaining 4,486 existing jobs in Erie and 915 additional jobs at other Pennsylvania locations.

Wrap Yourself in History

Crucial Sea Battle — Battle of Lake Erie — from War of 1812 Commemoration set for 2013 One of the most famous sea battles in U.S. naval history took place in September 1813, not upon the sea, but on the waters of Lake Erie, between what is now Ohio and Ontario, Canada.  In the War of 1812 against Great Britain, the Battle of Lake Erie was a crucial and decisive victory for America and itsNavy, and the flotilla led by 27-year old Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry. 

No Discharge Zone in Ohio waters of Lake Erie – proposal

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a Notice stating that it has received an application from the State of Ohio to have Ohio waters of Lake Erie designated a No Discharge Zone for vessel sewage. Normally, this is largely a matter of concern for recreational vessels. In this instance though, state waters extend out to the boundary with Canada. Commercial vessels transiting these waters, extending the majority of the distance from Buffalo to Detroit

GE V250 is Tier II Compliant

GE Marine received U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Tier II emissions compliance certification for its V250 diesel engine family. “The EPA Tier II compliance certification for our V250 family of medium-speed diesel engines comes just months after we announced similar certification for our V228 diesel engine family,” said John Manison, manager of GE’s marine & stationary power business, Erie, Pa. “These certifications offer customers the flexibility to select from two GE engine

Seacor and Donjon Christen Erie-Built Tug-Barge Unit

Erie, Pa. – Seajon LLC, a partnership between Seacor Holdings Inc. and Donjon Marine Co. Inc., held an open house and christening of the 34,000-ton capacity self-unloading articulated tug and barge (ATB) Ken Boothe Sr. and Lakes Contender. This ATB is the first of its kind to be built in Erie, Pennsylvania, since 1972. Donjon reopened the yard in December, 2009. "We are so pleased to christen this state-of-the-art ATB here in Erie

Donjon to Build Hopper Barges for Sterling

Donjon Shipbuilding and Repair, located in Erie, Pennsylvania, was recently awarded a contract by Sterling Equipment of Quincy, Massachusetts to construct two hopper barges, with an option for a third. The principal dimensions of these barges are 225’ long x 42’ wide x 12’ deep. Delivery of the barges is to be made by the middle to end of August 2013. Donjon Shipbuilding & Repair's facility, equipped with 1,250 ft. by 120 ft. by 22 ft

Gladding-Hearn Delivers Fast Ferry for Lake Erie

Gladding-Hearn has again added to its reputation as one of the preeminent builders of fast craft in the U.S. with the delivery of Jet Express III, a new 88-ft. (26.6-m) high speed passenger ferry for Put-In-Bay Boat Line and Put-In-Bay Township Port Authority of South Bass Island, Ohio. The catamaran, built to the Incat design, will transport up to 149 passengers between Port Clinton and South Bass Island on Lake Erie. The owner currently operates two 98-ft

'Horrendous' Winter a Challenge for Coast Guard Icebreakers

The 2000 Great Lakes shipping season ended on Feb. 8, when the Canadian Transport loaded 29,000 tons of coal at the Pittsburgh & Conneaut dock in Conneaut, Ohio. The cargo was then delivered to Ontario Hydro's power plant in Naticoke, Ontario. "Ice conditions were horrendous from early December on," said George J.Ryan, president of Lake Carriers' Association, the trade association representing the major U.S.-Flag Lakes lines.

Great Lakes Storm of 1913

In early November, 1913, a blizzard struck the U.S. Midwest and the Canadian province of Ontario. The Great Lakes storm of 1913 reached its highest intensity on November 9. A total of 19 ships were sunk and another 19 were stranded on Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, and Erie. Cargo losses were in excess of 68,300 tons and were valued at over a million dollars. More than 280 mariners lost their lives in the most destructive natural disaster to ever strike the Great Lakes.

CG Photo: Coast Guard Preps Cleveland Waterway for Winter

Coast Guardsmen bring Cleveland Harbor's East Basin Channel Lighted Buoy 11 aboard the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Bristol Bay, based in Detroit, Dec. 2, 2010, to replace it with a smaller unlit buoy designed to better withstand damage from ice as Lake Erie freezes during the winter months. U.S., Canadian and industry partners work together to retrieve or replace about half of the lighted and unlighted buoys and beacons throughout the Great Lakes in an evolution known as Operation Fall Retrieve