POINT MARINE

Awarded: $17.1m in U.S. Shipyard Grants

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration today announced $17.1 million in grants to 14 small shipyards in 10 states.  The grants are part of the Assistance to Small Shipyards program. “Small shipyards are vitally important for the health of the maritime industry, and for the nation’s economy,” said Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood.  The purpose of the grants is to make capital and infrastructure improvements that facilitate the efficiency, competitive operations, and quality in ship construction and repair.  Small shipyards fall into two categories: those with fewer than 600 employees, and those with between 600 and 1200 employees.  All but two of today’s recipients have fewer than 600 employees. Recipients, amounts, and purposes of grants are as follows: - Pacific Ship Repair & Fabrication, Inc., San Diego, California: $319,365 for waterjet cutting machine, press brake, shear -North Florida Shipyards, Inc., Jacksonville, Florida: $3,312, 369 for waterblast equipment and a 600-ton travelift -Bollinger Shipyards Lockport LLC, Lockport, Louisiana: $1,146,596 for a press, plasma cutting table, 6” mill -Total Marine Services of Jefferson, Inc., of Harvey, Louisiana: $640,264 for 100 ton crawler crane and welding equipment

VT Halter Marine To Build Two Additional OSVs

VT Halter Marine To Build Two Additional Offshore Support Vessels VT Halter Marine, Inc. (VT Halter Marine), a subsidiary of VT Systems, Inc. (VT Systems), today announced that Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc. (NYSE: HOS) has exercised the options for two additional Offshore Supply Vessels (OSV), valued at a total of US$89m with deliveries expected in the fourth quarter of 2014 and first quarter of 2015. VT Halter Marine announced on 18 November last year that it had secured the contract

Friede Goldman Halter Finalizes $40 Million In New Contracts

Friede Goldman Halter, Inc. announced that it has recently finalized six new contracts with a total value of approximately $40 million. The contracts are with the following customers: · The Venezuelan government for the construction of two 153-foot LCU-type logistics support vessels. Financing for the project has been secured through the Export-Import Bank and all guarantees have been obtained. Construction for the vessels is anticipated to begin during the second quarter at the company's

VT Halter Delivers ATB for Bouchard

VT Halter Marine, Inc. delivered the 112-ft. ATB Offshore Tug, Evening Star, for Bouchard Transportation Co., Inc., a tug similar to others built for Bouchard in previous years by Halter Marine. Measuring 112 x 35 x 17 ft., the 4,000-hp tug is classed by ABS as A1 Towing Vessel, Dual Mode, and is equipped with an Intercon Coupler System. Construction of the vessel began in June 2011 at VT Halter Marine’s Moss Point Marine facility in Escatawpa, Miss

Bollinger to Acquire Halter Marine

In what amounts to what would be an amazing turn of fortune over a number of years, Bollinger Shipyards, Inc., Lockport, La., has signed a contract, pursuant to approval of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, to acquire the assets and operations of Halter Marine from Friede Goldman Halter, Inc. Bollinger Shipyards has always been regarded as a well-run builder of quality vessels for the U.S. and foreign markets. However, less than a decade ago

Supply Boats Auctioned off

On a gray Wednesday morning, five supply and anchor handling tug supply boats were auctioned off on the U.S. Federal Courthouse steps in Lafayette, Louisiana. About 26 people attended the auction with ten registered bidders signing in and showing proof of deposit. At 10:00 o’clock a.m. after the Clerk of the Court read the court orders and terms and conditions of the sale, individual bidding started on the 180’ x 40’, 2700HP “Seacor Osprey” at $5,000

VADM Stewart Announces Retirement from USMMA

Vice Admiral Joseph D. Stewart, Superintendent of the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, has announced his retirement from government service.  VADM Stewart’s career spanned over 44 years of public service to the as a Marine Corps officer and member of the civilian Senior Executive Service. "After 10 years at Kings Point and over 44 years in service to our nation, Kathy and I are looking forward to retiring from public service," said VADM Stewart

USCG to Decommission Local Cutter

USCGC Point Huron, an 82-ft. patrol boat with more than 32 years service in Hampton Roads was decommissioned during a ceremony at USCG Station Little Creek, Va. Point Huron was placed in service Feb. 17, 1967, and arrived at Station Little Creek May 3, 1967. The cutter's primary missions included search and rescue, drug interdiction, fisheries, marine environmental protection, recreational and commercial vessel safety, maintaining security zones, aiding in coastal defense and public affairs

GD NASSCO USNS 'Montford Point' Christening

General Dynamics NASSCO San Diego Shipyard the venue of the christening by Alexis (Jackie) Bolden. The U.S. Navy's newest ship, USNS Montford Point (MLP-1) named in honor of Camp Montford Point, the Jacksonville, N.C., site where the first African-American Marines were trained, is the first ship of three Mobile Landing Platform (MLP) vessels being designed and built by NASSCO. More than 1,000 people attended the Saturday morning christening ceremony at NASSCO's San Diego shipyard

Hurricane Katrina – USCG Operations in Sector New Orleans

The U.S. Coast Guard issued a Marine Safety Bulletin expressing its appreciation for the overwhelming industry support during the ongoing response effort to Hurricane Katrina. Marine Safety Unit (MSU) Morgan City will serve as the primary point of contact for the marine industry with regard to Sector New Orleans issues. Source: HK Law