FRASER SHIPYARDS

MARAD $14.7M in Grants for Small Shipyards

On April 15, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) announced $14.7m in grant awards to help improve 17 small shipyards in 16 states.  The funds will help these shipyards become more competitive by purchasing modern equipment and training workers. “These grants will help modernize small shipyards and strengthen our economy by making sure we maintain the ability to build and repair ships in the United States,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “Small shipyards are an important part of our nation’s shipbuilding industry,” said David Matsuda, Acting Maritime Administrator.  “Shipyards on both coasts, the Great Lakes and our inland waterways will be able to increase productivity and be more competitive as a result of these grants.” The grants, which are part of the Assistance to Small Shipyards program, will go to shipyards around the country that provide essential services to commercial and government ships.  MARAD received over 160 grant applications requesting $180 million in assistance. The grants support a vital segment of the America’s maritime economy and promote long-term job creation and retention opportunities. The following shipyards will receive grants for equipments: •    Boothbay Harbor Shipyard, LLC (Boothbay Harbor, ME) - $360,900 for new wider cradle for 750 ton marine railway

Canada Maritime’s Pacific Gateway Service Makes Strong Start

Canada Maritime's new weekly transpacific service has started off with the first Canada Maritime Asian export containers being shipped on TMM Guadalajara from Shanghai. On arrival at the Fraser Surrey Dock within the Fraser River Port south of Vancouver later today, she will complete Canada Maritime's first ever eastbound transpacific voyage. Whilst in Fraser Surrey Dock, the 2,100 teu capacity vessel will be renamed Canmar Dynasty.

Marinetalk.Com Re-Launches And Updates

Known as the "Internet Portal for Marine Professionals," MarineTalk.com launched the latest version of its Web site. Maintaining all of the existing features that MarineTalk users have experienced, the site has a variety of new features presenting more information, thus making the site easier to navigate. MarineTalk can now check the industry pulse with a new polling capability, as well as providing an interesting new Internet marketing section with information to keep users up-to-date on

Big Canadian Terminal Joins Green Marine

Fraser Surrey Docks (FSD) the multi-purpose marine terminal on the West Coast of North America, joined Green Marine. The Green Marine Environmental Program is an action plan that addresses nine major environmental issues identified by the Canadian and American marine industry. The program requirements are developed with the participation of industry stakeholders and representatives from environmental groups, governments and the academic sector.

New Samson ASD Harbour Tugboat

Samson Tug Boats Inc. launch the 'Kootenay', a BC-locally built tugboat for operations on the Fraser Fiver. Not only is she a local design – she is locally built. The 5,000hp tug, designed by AG McIlwain, was launched from the North Vancouver shores at ABD Shipyards. While it is not uncommon to find 5,000hp tugs in harbours across the globe, the Kootenay is remarkable in that she is less than 20 metres long

Catherwood Towing's New Imp

Catherwood Towing operates a fleet of tugs on the Fraser River in British Columbia, Canada. Owner Ernie Catherwood has built the fleet over the years and has recently been repowering with Cummins engines. In the spring of 2009 Ernie Catherwood took delivery of his first new-build with Cummins KTA19 main engines from Sylte Shipyard Ltd. The Sea Imp IX is 53.6 ft overall with a hefty 22 ft beam and a 9.75 ft draft. As were several of the boats already in the fleet

This Day in Coast Guard History – Dec. 1

1844-Captain Alexander Fraser of Revenue Marine Bureau reported to Congress on the failure of the service's first steam cutters Spencer and Legare. 1944-Office of Air-Sea Rescue set up in the Coast Guard. The Secretary of the Navy at the request of the Joint Chiefs of Staff early in 1944 established the Air-Sea Rescue Agency, an inter-department and inter-agency body, for study and improvement of rescue work with the Commandant of Coast Guard as head.

Catherwood Buys Tugboat, Side-swaps Engines

Catherwood Towing's owner, Ernie Catherwood, adds another tugboat to his 14-boat fleet that operates in and around Canada's Fraser River. The 39-year old boat was at a shipyard undergoing a scheduled Canadian Steamship Inspection. Ernie had marine surveyor Mark McAllister and his port engineer Trevor Sexton check the boat out, and they reported the boat sound with excellent 1/2-inch hull plating. But the old 12V149 Jimmies were tired

McAsphalt Industries, Upper Lakes Group Join Forces

McAsphalt Industries Ltd. and Upper Lakes Group Inc. have recently announced a joint venture for the formation of McAsphalt Marine Transportation Limited. The company will construct and operate a new ATB unit for the carriage of heavy oils and asphalt products serving the Great Lakes, St. Lawrence River and East Coast. A synergy between the two parent companies combine the long experience of an asphalt producer, supplier and marketing team

Boston to Receive 69' CBRN Fireboat from MetalCraft

City of Boston is purchasing a new state of the art fireboat with Chemical, Biological, Radiological emergency response capability for the Boston Fire Department.   This new vessel will replace the current fireboat “FIREFIGHTER” which has been in service since 1972 and does not have the capabilities need for a modern emergency response fireboat. “Purchasing a new fireboat will greatly enhance public safety in the City and in Boston Harbor and I commend Commissioner