Anchor Systems

Tank Barge Measure To Enter Force

The first phases of a USCG final rule implementing measures for maintaining or regaining control of a tank barge that will reduce the likelihood of a tank barge's grounding and spilling its cargo are effective June 19, 2000. These measures are necessary, according to USCG because without them a tug that loses its tow lacks ready means for regaining control of it. The rule is designed to increase the safety of marine transport and protect the environment. On January 19, 1996, the tugboat Scandia, towing the oil barge North Cape, caught fire five miles off the coast of Rhode Island. The crew could not control the fire, and without power they were unable to prevent the barge, carrying four million gallons of oil, from grounding and spilling about a quarter of its contents into the coastal waters. The North Cape spill led Congress to add, in section 901 of the 1996 Coast Guard Authorization Act (Pub. L. 104-324), a new statute, 46 U.S.C. 3719. It directs the Secretary of Transportation to issue rules necessary to reduce oil spills from single-hull non-self-propelled tank vessels. On October 6, 1997, we published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on safety of towing vessels and tank barges (62 FR 52057). With the interim rule we published on December 30, 1998 (63 FR 71754), we adjusted safety measures proposed in the NPRM

MagnaShear Motor Brakes & PosiTorq Winch Tension Control Brakes in the News

Oil Shear Technology Lasts Longer with Virtually No Maintenance MagnaShear oil shear motor brakes and Positorq oil shear winch tension control brakes from Force Control Industries are ideal for marine applications because they eliminate normal maintenance and adjustment, operate smoothly, and last up to 10-times longer than standard brakes.  High grade castings, marine duty coatings, stainless steel fasteners and accessories make these brakes the ideal solution for onshore and offshore

Tug Avik Joins Crowley’s Alaska Fleet

Crowley's petroleum services group has taken delivery of its newest tug, Avik, to serve in the company's oil transportation and distribution fleet. The 76-ft. tug was designed by Crowley's Vessel Management Services team and built by Dakota Creek Industries in Anacortes, Wash. It was delivered on June 3 and has been put into service in Alaska. The purpose-built tug was designed for both shallow water and ocean towing operations

New Orders for Cargotec

Following a successful run of deliveries to Bourbon’s Liberty 200 series of AHTS vessels, the offshore services specialist has now placed orders for a further four state-of-the-art MacGregor anchor-handling systems from Cargotec. Cargotec has won a contract to supply four sets of MacGregor anchor-handling systems to a series of anchor-handling tug supply (AHTS) vessels on order at Sinopacific Group in China for major offshore oil and gas services company, Bourbon

HiPAP 500 for Ardmore Single Anchor Loading System

Tuscan Energy has awarded Kongsberg Maritime a contract to supply and install a HiPAP 500 system on board the Nomis Shipping vessel, MV Dea Commander. The vessel will operate on the Ardmore Field in conjunction with two Single Anchor Loading (SAL) systems. These will be used to transfer oil to shuttle tankers using a flexible seabed riser. This loading system comprises an anchor point on the seabed where the loading risers and mooring lines are terminated into interconnected swivel

MAIB Repots on Pipeline Damage

The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) issued the report of its investigation of an oil tanker, on June 25, 2007, dragging its anchor in the North Sea five miles east of Teesport and snagging a natural gas pipeline, resulting in material damage to the pipe, but no release of product. Due to heavy weather, the ship started to drag anchor. While weighing anchor so as to get underway, the ship’s windlass hydraulic motor exploded and the cable ran out to the bitter end

Coast Guard Investigates Anchor Losses

The US Coast Guard said that it, the Washington State Department of Ecology, and the Alaska Tanker Company are jointly investigating two recent incidents in which the anchors on tankers were lost in heavy weather while the ships were proceeding from Valdez to Long Beach. Inspection of the remaining anchor in each ship revealed a material defect. The ships have been taken out of service until the anchors are replaced.

Anchor / QEA Merge

Anchor Environmental, L.L.C. (Anchor) of Seattle, Washington, and Quantitative Environmental Analysis, L.L.C. (QEA) of Montvale, New Jersey, have announced that the companies will merge to create a national environmental and engineering consulting firm that specializes in aquatic, shoreline, and water resource projects. Effective early January 2009, the two firms will operate under the name Anchor QEA, L.L.C. (Anchor QEA) and will be headquartered in Seattle, Washington

Wesmar’s Vertical Anchor Windlass

Wesmar is introducing the new WM3500 Stainless Steel Vertical Anchor Windlass. The Wesmar Anchor Windlass addresses the critical act of anchoring, quicker and more safely. With a touch of a button, the Vertical Anchor Windlass provides stress-free anchoring, requiring minimal crew and effort.  The risk of accidents is next to none with a safety lock to help protect against unintentional windlass deployment. Ross Lund of Classic Yacht Service in Fort Myers said

Coastal Marine Delivers for Louisiana Floodgates

Coastal Marine Equipment delivered the winches, controls, hydraulic system, four roller fairleads and guide sheaves for the houma navigational canal and bayou grand caillou floodgate projects built by Bollinger Shipyards and Gulf Island Marine Fabricators. This system is responsible for the opening and closing of each floodgate to help protect Louisiana in a hurricane storm surge. Coastal Marine Equipment manufactures a complete line of marine deck equipment including anchor windlasses