ROBERT PORTER

Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against Tug Operator, Navy

After a four-day trial, a federal judge ruled on Dec. 18 in favor of the family of Freddie Porter, Jr., a 19-year-old U.S. Navy enlisted seaman from New Jersey who in 2007 was killed when the small craft carrying him was overrun by a tugboat pushing a large flotilla on Virginia's James River. The tug, owned and operated by Vulcan Materials Company, collided with the Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB) carrying Porter as he engaged in nighttime military training exercises. The court found the United States Navy 80 percent responsible for Porter's death and Vulcan 20 percent responsible, awarding Porter's family $1,250,000. Attorneys for the victim's family believe the judge's ruling against Vulcan and the Navy will have widespread implications for the nation's tugboat operations in U.S. waterways. Porter's family was represented by Kreindler & Kreindler LLP, the N.Y.-based maritime and aviation law firm. The accident occurred on the James River near Jamestown Island, VA, the evening of October 11, 2007. Upon collision, Porter was sucked under the water beneath the 600 ft of the flotilla's eight barges and was eventually killed by the tug's propellers. Judge Henry Coke Morgan, Jr. of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia found in the wrongful death suit that Vulcan was liable for failing to post a proper lookout aboard the tug/barge flotilla, which otherwise would have prevented the collision. The judge held the U.S

USS Porter Repair/Modernization Contract Awarded

Naval Sea Systems Command awarded a $49,435,634 firm-fixed price contract contract for the maintenance, modernization and repair of USS Porter to BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair. The fiscal year 2013 chief of naval operations (CNO) extended dry-docking selected restricted availability (EDSRA) was competed on a coast-wide basis to maximize competitive pricing and best-value to the government. The scope of work includes damage repairs resulting from the Aug

Toronto Port Authority Welcomes new passenger/vehicle ferry

The Toronto Port Authority welcomed its new passenger and vehicle ferry in latter part of 2006. Built at a cost of $5M it will serve passengers and vehicles going to and from the new passenger transfer facilities built for Toronto City Centre Airport (YTZ).The new pasenger facilities built to accomodate the increase in passenger traffic flying on Porter Airlines. Porter are flying daily to several destinations in Canada and soon to the US.

Porter of Horizon Lines Honored

Tamara (Tami) Porter, Director of East Coast & Gulf Terminal Operations for Horizon Lines was named a 2007 Women of Influence honoree at a breakfast held yesterday in Jacksonville, FL. The Women of Influence Award honors women in Jacksonville and Northeast Florida who have demonstrated leadership and the entrepreneurial spirit within their particular industry or business sector as well as contributed their time and

News: A New Boat for Newfoundland

Edmund Porter, of Port de Grave, Newfoundland, started fishing with his father some 35 years ago as a teenager. A few years later, having moved out on his own, he was joined by his wife Marian. In 1979 he built his first vessel, a 33-ft. trap boat. The couple have now shared three decades as a fishing family. This past July, they christened a new boat, the MV Ashton & Cody named after their two grandchildren. The naming of the boat for a new generation is particularly fitting as the boat

Global Announces New Vice Presidents

Global Industries, Ltd. announced that it has appointed three to vice presidential positions. Eddie J. Evans has been named to the position of Vice President - Health and Safety. This new position reflects the importance Global places on safety in the workplace and its integral role in Global's success. Mr. Evans joined Global in January 1998 as Corporate Director of Safety responsible for all safety and health measures worldwide. He came to Global from J. Ray

Pirates Demand $1M Ransom

Somali pirates who seized a Japanese tanker six weeks ago have threatened to kill the 22 crew members unless a US$1 million ransom is paid, the AP reported. The Golden Nori is carrying crew from the Philippines, South Korea and Myanmar. According to maritime officials cited in the report, the hijackers have threatened the crew with death if the ransom demands are not met. Negotiations have been under way to free the chemical tanker, currently anchored in Somali waters and carrying up to 40

This Day in Naval History – Dec. 24

1814 - Treaty of Ghent ends the War of 1812. 1864 - Naval Forces under Rear Admiral David Dixon Porter with Army forces under Major General Benjamin F. Butler begin unsuccessful two-day attack against Fort Fisher, NC. 1950 - Under cover of naval gunfire support, Task Force 90 completes a 14-day evacuation of 100,000 troops and equipment and 91,000 refugees from Hungnam, North Korea. (Source: Navy News Service)

This Day in Naval History – Feb. 22

1865 - RADM Porter's gunboats' bombardment cause surrender of Wilmington, NC . 1870 - After arriving on USS Nipsic, and supported by USS Guard and USS Nyack, the Darien Expedition, commanded by CDR Thomas O. Selfridge, Jr., begins active operations ashore at Caldonia Bay to survery the Isthmus of Darien, Panama, for an interoceanic ship canal. 1909 - Great White Fleet returns from round the world cruise to Hampton Roads, VA

Xodus Appoints New Operations Director For London

International energy consultancy Xodus Group has appointed Alistair Porter as Operations Director for London to drive forward business across the company’s technical and commercial activities.   Based in London, Mr Porter has been with Xodus since it was founded seven years ago and previously held the role of Global Process and Facilities Director where he managed a team of 130 engineers.  As Operations Director for London