HILTON HAWAIIAN VILLAGE

Pier Construction Project to Help Djiboutian Village

A pier construction project sponsored by the United States will help bring income to this impoverished village and make access to the area easier for U.S. Navy ships fighting the war on terrorism. The first thing you notice about this village on the north coast of Djibouti is the goats. They're everywhere -- on the porches of the houses, in the streets, blocking the roads. It is a sign of the poverty of this area. The village is in a country where the average per capita income is $450 a year. Shark fishing and raising goats are the main sources of income here. But that will change as a new project sponsored by the United States gets under way. Navy Secretary Donald C. Winter, U.S. Ambassador to Djibouti Marguerita Ragsdale and Djiboutian Defense Minister Ougoureh Kifleh Ahmed cemented cinder blocks in place to signify the start of a $7 million project to build a pier in the village. The pier will support operations by both Djiboutian and U.S. Navy vessels in the war on terror, Winter said. "The United States government greatly values the strong friendship it has with Djibouti, and this pier is symbolic of the relationship," Winter said during the ceremony April 20. The pier also will make it easier for humanitarian aid to reach people in the Horn of Africa and provide commercial berthing for local vessels. "In short, this new pier will become a vital component to Djibouti's increased security and prosperity," Winter said.

USCG Extends Comment Period

The USCG has extended the public comment period for its NPRM on response plans for tank vessels carrying hazardous materials. Additionally, a two-day public meeting will be held on August 12-13, in Houston, at the Hilton-University of Houston Hotel and Conference Center. The deadline for written comments on the NPRM has been exteneded until August 30.

Houghton Joins Hawaiian Tug & Barge/Young Brothers

Hawaiian Tug & Barge and Young Brothers, Ltd. announced the appointment of Mark Houghton as Vice President of Maritime Operations. He succeeds Mark Cohen who moved to the mainland. Houghton is responsible for overseeing the maritime operations of both companies. Houghton was formerly Director of Marine Transportation Sales for Foss Maritime Company in Seattle, Washington, a sister company to HTB/YB. During his 11-year stint with Foss

Willard Delivers New Hawaiian Tour Boat

Willard Marine Inc. delivered the Makaha Explorer, a Sea Force 730 capable of speeds over 40 mph, to Capt. John Charleston for his Hawaiian Tour Boat Company. The boat is a version of the standard U.S. Navy 7m/24-ft. RIB which has over 350 references. It was customized for Capt. Charleston and includes an extended canvas T-Top, centerline back-to-back seating for passengers as well as an enclosed self-contained head underneath the console

Dog Adrift: Day 22

It seems the fate of the little dog Forgea, adrift in the Pacific has now garnered the close attention of the U.S. Coast Guard, as the ship has meandered into U.S. waters near Johnston Island and the USCG is reportedly taken over the recovery of the abandoned tanker. The Coast Guard was sending a salvage tug on a three-day trip to assess the potential environmental danger to the island. The burned-out tanker is said to be carrying in excess of 60,000 gallons of diesel fuel and lube oil.

Young Brothers Promote Gregory Patch

Young Brothers, Ltd., and Hawaiian Tug & Barge (YB/HTB) have promoted Gregory R. Patch from Barge Maintenance Superintendent to Marine Maintenance Manager. In his new position, Patch will be responsible for overseeing the daily and long-term maintenance operations for the companies’ 12 tugboats and nine cargo barges, as well as generators and barge ramps. Patch has served as Barge Maintenance Superintendent since May of last year when he joined the company

AMCV Signs with Ingalls for Luxury Cruise Ship Construction

Ingalls Shipbuilding division of Litton Industries, Pascagoula, Miss., and American Classic Voyages Co. (AMCV), Chicago, have signed a contract for the construction of the first major cruise ships to be built in the U.S. in more than 40 years. Under the terms of the "Project America" contract, which has a potential value of $1.4 billion for three ships, Ingalls will initially build two 1,900 passenger cruise ships for AMCV, with an option for a third vessel

Sea America Dubbed Floating Conference Center

The year 2000 was another busy one for the cruise ship industry. European yards, which are filled to capacity with myriad orders of ship series from major operators - will have their hands full for the next five years. The U.S.' entrance has entered into the cruise shipping market - for the first time in more than 30 years has made headlines, as two separate contracts were signed with Litton Ingalls Shipbuilding last year for new vessels that will have the potential to shape the future of the U

BMT to hold Workshop

BMT Fleet Technology Ltd, a subsidiary of BMT Group Ltd, announced the next Fatigue and Fracture Analysis workshop for Fall 2008.  The popular three day workshop will be held at the Hilton Barcelona on November 18-20. It will be of interest to Naval Architects, Engineers and Ship Superintendents who are responsible for vessel design, maintenance and operation.  Senior students engaged in naval architecture studies would also benefit. 

This Day in U.S. Naval History - March 28

1800 - Essex becomes first U.S. Navy vessel to pass Cape of Good Hope 1814 - HMS Phoebe and Cherub capture USS Essex off Valparaiso, Chile. Before capture, Essex had captured 24 British prizes during the War of 1812. 1848 - USS Supply reaches the Bay of Acre, anchoring under Mount Carmel near the village of Haifa, during expedition to explore the Dead Sea and the River Jordan.   Source: http://www.history.navy