THE BLACK WATCH

Blohm + Voss Inks Repair Deal

Germany’s Blohm + Voss Repair GmbH (B+V) has signed a contract with Norway’s Red Band AS, Oslo, for the repair and extensive alteration work onboard the 28,670 grt passenger ship Black Watch. The 1972-built vessel will arrive at B+V during April next year (2005), the first time she has visited the yard since November 2003. The remodelling and modernisation work will concentrate on reducing the vessel’s noise and vibration level. A complete new propulsion system with four MAN/B&W 7L32/40 diesel engines, each with an output of 3,500 kW at 750 rpm, will be installed. The repair will also include the installation of new Renk double step-down gear units, NDSL-2800, and two MAN/B&W 8L21/31 Gensets for the generating power supply. "We are very proud to be playing such a decisive role in the remodelling of the Black Watch. This project underlines the outstanding position of MAN driving systems in shipping", emphasised Dr. Stefan Spindler, Board member of the German diesel engine contractor MAN/B&W Diesel AG. The new propulsion system will be fitted elastically on prefabricated foundations; the propeller blades will also be renewed and adapted to the new engine output. All measures will contribute to considerably reducing the noise and vibration level after the modification work is completed. The two existing exhaust boilers for steam production will be replaced by four new units

MTN Provides VSAT for Fred.Olsen Fleet

MTN Satellite Communications (MTN) announced that it has signed an agreement with Fred.Olsen Cruise Lines, an international shipping company based in Norway, to outfit its entire fleet of ships, Balmoral, Boudicca, Black Watch, and Braemar, with MTN’s state-of-the-art VSAT equipment and services providing global, reliable broadband connectivity. Under the agreement, MTN will provide services such as OceanPhone calling, StreamXcel, a bandwidth optimization service

Dead in the Water

Electrical System Failure at Sea The world watched as the Carnival Triumph sat still, dead in the water in the Gulf of Mexico after a main space fire caused a total loss of electrical power.  For the 3,143 passengers and 1,000-plus crewmembers, there was no heat or air conditioning, toilets or sanitation, lights or  ventilation.  Fortunately, despite the seriousness of the fire, which was caused by a leaking fuel line, nobody was hurt

NOAA Releases Study on Deepwater Horizon Controlled Burns

During the 2010 BP/Deepwater Horizon Gulf oil spill, an estimated one of every 20 barrels of spilled oil was deliberately burned off to reduce the size of surface oil slicks and minimize impacts of oil on sensitive shoreline ecosystems and marine life.   In response to the spill, NOAA quickly redirected its WP-3D research aircraft to survey the atmosphere above the spill site in June. During a flight through one of the black plumes, scientists used sophisticated instrumentation on board

Port of San Diego Initiates Neighborhood Watch

Prior to the 4th of July, the Coast Guard kicked off its new “Neighborhood Watch” program for San Diego’s port and coastline. San Diego Operation Port Watch enlists the support of San Diego’s citizens, boaters, professional mariners, and waterside business people to be on alert for suspicious activities and help protect the Southern California and the Port of San Diego from potential threats. Operation Port Watch hopes to tap the knowledge of those that work and use the local waters for

Black, Navionics Sen.VP of Sales & Marketing

Navionics, provider of electronic charting and digital navigation data, named Mr. Don Black as Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing. Mr. Black will head the Navionics Teams for Sales, Marketing, Product Management and Business Development, working across all divisions. Black’s most recent position was CEO/President at SeaWave, in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, a company which developed ship to shore wireless communications

USS Porter Trains with Black Sea Navies

The guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78) arrived in the Black Sea in early February to train with the Ukrainian and Romanian navies. As part of a strategic focus to the south and east, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe/Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet (CNE/C6F) have increased engagement in the Black Sea in an effort to increase cooperation with regional partners. “This is my second time in the Black Sea in the past nine months and the third time we have had ships operating here

Navy Activates Detachment in Sarangani

Philippine Navy officials activated a naval detachment Friday for maritime security and to catch illegal fishermen, pirates, and illegal entrants, according to a Sun Star report. The Glan detachment, which is part of the naval forces in eastern Mindanao based in Davao City would also watch over maritime vessels passing to and from Makar Wharf in nearby General Santos City. The naval detachment backs up the naval coast watch station at Tinaka Point, also in Glan

Keppel FELS Contracted to Build Two Semi-submersible Rigs

Keppel FELS signs contract to construct the rigs for Ukraine's National Joint-Stock Company "Naftogaz of Ukraine" (Naftogaz). The contract is worth about US$ 1.2-billion, but is dependent upon final corporate approvals. The rigs will be built to Keppel FELS' proprietary DSSTM 38U design which is customised for the Black Sea environment. The harsh weather conditions of the Black Sea include extreme freezing temperatures, storms with strong winds and heavy seas.

NOAA Buoys Deployed in the Arctic

Now traversing the Northwest Passage, the Ocean Watch crew - four professional sailors, a scientist and an educator - recently completed the deployment of three NOAA Global Drifter Program buoys. Dr. Ignatius Rigor, research scientist at the University of Washington Applied Physics Laboratory (UW-APL) Polar Science Center and Coordinator of the International Arctic Buoy Program (IABP) is directing these activities. This project