GLOVER

Ferry Co. Charged with Dumping Sewage

A company based in Marblehead was charged on Jan. 7 in federal court with dumping sewage into North Shore waters from a popular ferry it operates out of Salem. United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz, Rear Admiral J. L. Nimmich, United States Coast Guard, Commander, First Coast Guard District and William Schenkelberg, Special Agent in Charge of the Northeast Region of the Coast Guard Investigative Service, announced today that The Rockmore Company, Inc. was charged in a Criminal Information with two violations of the Rivers and Harbors Act arising out of its practice of dumping human waste into local waters. The Information alleges that, from 1990 to 2006, the company has operated a 59-ft long passenger vessel named the P/V Hannah Glover based in Salem. The Hannah Glover provides dinner cruises and sightseeing tours in the waters along the shores of the Massachusetts towns of Marblehead, Beverly and Manchester-by-the-Sea. On several occasions, the vessel ferried passengers to the Charles River in Boston to view the annual 4th of July celebration on the Charles River Esplanade. The company also regularly shuttled children from Marblehead to a summer camp on Children’s Island just off the Massachusetts coast. The company also operated a 116-ft barge called the P/V Rockmore, on which the company maintained a restaurant.

Fast Ferry Study Enters New Phase

Kitsap Transit will pile sand and gravel on a few beaches in early fall to see how much a passenger-only ferry boat will take away. It’s part of the agency’s attempt to bring back the half-hour commuter run between Bremerton and Seattle. The study, which could begin in late September, is designed to measure the impact of ferry wakes left by a newly designed ferry. It also would determine whether renourishing an affected area is a viable way to repair ongoing beach damage from vessel wakes

Study at Cleveland Port Reveals Options

The Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority has received a capacity study identifying options for sustaining the Port's position as an engine for manufacturing jobs, while the City of Cleveland is opening up the lakefront for greater public access and economic development. The study's main finding was that as the Port vacates key docks and storage areas, then those maritime facilities would need replacement given any reasonable future business projection.

State Maritime Employees Barred from Jones Act Suit

The Supreme Court of the State of Alaska ruled that a state-employed seaman injured on job may not recover against the state for alleged personal injuries in an action under the federal Jones Act. In the instant case, plaintiff was employed as a crew member on an Alaska state ferry. He was allegedly injured while working when the vessel was underway. When the state handled the injury under the state’s worker’s compensation system

Washington Court Will Not Hear Alaska Dispute

The Court of Appeals of the State of Washington affirmed the dismissal of a lawsuit on the basis of comity. In the instant case, plaintiff seaman was allegedly injured while working as a crew member on an Alaska state ferry. When the state started handling the injury as a workmen’s compensation issue in accordance with state law, plaintiff filed a declaratory judgment action in Alaska state court. After losing at the trial level

New Strathclyde Marine Institute, Glasgow

A new institute dedicated to pioneering research and technology for the marine sector has been launched at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow. Scotland's Chief Scientific Adviser, Professor Anne Glover, met with researchers from the institute, which aims to contribute to the UK's marine economy by providing industry and government with cutting-edge research into marine energy, the environment and transport.  

U.S. Navy To Pay Cheney's Utility Bill?

The White House is asking the U.S. Navy to pay the six-figure utility bill for Vice President Dick Cheney's house, as Democrats accused Cheney, the administration's point man on energy policy, of "staggering insensitivity." The bill for electricity, gas and water for the 33-room official vice presidential residence at the U.S. Naval Observatory is projected at $136,000 for fiscal 2002 which ends in September, compared with a budget of $43,600, the White House said

Northeast Maritime Shiphandling Contest

Northeast Maritime Institute (NMI) has announced plans to hold a competition that will identify the world’s most skilled ship handlers.  The competition, to be held June 5 to June 7, 2009 in Fairhaven, Mass. will offer a total of $50,000 in prizes to the top three contestants. The International Shiphandling Championship will challenge contestants to demonstrate their skills in handling four different vessel types ranging in size from modern tugs to large containerships

ASCE to Release New Report Detailing Trade Impacts

ASCE to Release New Report Detailing Trade Impacts of Failing to Invest in America’s Seaports/Inland Waterways. Engineers, International Trade and Ports Experts to Outline Modernization Needs; Opportunities for Job Creation The nation’s seaports and inland waterways are critical links that make commerce possible. With the expansion of the Panama Canal by 2015, these facilities require rapid modernization

Vibration Mitigation on Fast Craft

Whole body vibration affects crew & passengers on fast craft   The professional maritime sector recognizes the need to reduce the effects of Whole Body Vibration (WBV) but this is not a straightforward process for those operating planing craft. These vessels can expose crews and passengers to high levels of repeated shock and vibration which has been shown to increase the risk of injury. In flat sea conditions there is vibration from the engine