Begins Service

Qualifications for License as Mate on U.S. Towing Vessels

The U.S. Coast Guard National Maritime Center (NMC) has issued Policy Letter 07-02 entitled Qualifications for a License as Mate (Pilot) on Towing Vessels. The letter provides guidance regarding persons seeking such license who began service or training before May 21, 2001 and who will complete all requirements before May 21, 2003. Source: HK Law

Harrington Hoists Launches Kito Americas in S America

Harrington Hoists, Inc. has expanded into South America under the Kito brand.  In doing so, Harrington has launched the newly created Kito Americas; a Kito brand to support these markets.       “This is an exciting time for Harrington” commented Carlo Lonardi, VP Sales & Marketing, “for the first time Kito Corporation has sanctioned our expansion into the South American marketplace

BC Ferry to Set Sail for Canada

On Friday January 30, 2009 a new cruise ferry from ’s Flensburger Shipyard built for British Columbia Ferry Service is scheduled to leave the yard for its journey to , . The ship, Northern Expedition, is 150 m long, capable of carrying 600 passengers and 130 vehicles. It offer 55 modern cabins for customers and an expanded range of food services and other amenities. The transfer voyage will take about 45 days, and the vessel most likely will stop for refueling in , Canary Islands

TUI AG and RCL to Launch JV

TUI AG and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. announced today they will launch a new joint venture serving the German cruise market. The new company, TUI Cruises, will begin service with one ship, in early 2009, and grow quickly with two newbuilds planned for 2011 and 2012. Sales and marketing will commence earlier in Spring 2008. Both partners will hold a 50 percent interest in the joint venture, which is subject to regulatory and board approvals before completion.

New Rescue Boat to Begin Service in Bay Area

The Bay Area USCG's newest heavy surf rescue boat are the workhorses of search and rescue stations. The 47-ft. motor lifeboats' primary missions include search and rescue and law enforcement. The new MLB's are self-bailing and will return to an upright position in eight seconds or less if overturned. The boats are built to pass through heavy surf as high as 20 ft., and attempt rescues at sea in the most severe weather conditions.

Silversea Buys Ship; Refurb Next

Silversea Cruises Group Ltd. bought the expedition ship World Discoverer. The company took delivery of the vessel in Singapore on September 17. The ship will undergo a multi-million dollar refurbishment before it begins service in spring 2008. After the planned refurbishment, World Discoverer will accommodate approximately 140 guests (reduced from current 175) and a crew complement of 106 in a state-of-the-art vessel sporting the latest communications systems, audio-visual equipment

WSDOT Ferries Supplements Bremerton Route

WSDOT Ferries Division (WSF) is adding two 149-passenger foot ferries to the one auto ferry service between Seattle and Bremerton for the Monday afternoon commute and until further notice. WSF is contracting with private operator Victoria Express to provide this service. Pending fog delays, passenger-only service will begin Monday, Aug. 31, with one 149-passenger ferry leaving Bremerton at 3 p.m. and leaving Seattle at 4 p.m

Two Cruise Lines Sign Up to Sail Out of Port of Houston

The Port of Houston Authority partners with two cruise lines, PrincessCruises & Norwegian Cruise Lines, to use Bayport Cruise Terminal. Princess Cruises will make passenger cruise calls during the 2013-2014 cruise season, while Norwegian Cruise Lines has committed to begin service in 2014. The Port Commission authorized entering into agreements with both lines after meeting in executive session. The Port Authority's agreement with the lines is significant

Aker Philly Delivers Containership to Matson

Matson Navigation Company, Inc. announced that its newest containership, MV Maunalei, has been delivered to the company by Aker Philadelphia Shipyard. The delivery of the Maunalei represents the completion of a historic four ship modernization and replacement strategy, following the delivery of the Manukai in 2003, the Maunawili in 2004, and the Manulani in 2005. "Having added only one new ship to the Matson fleet between 1983 and 2002

Kuwait Coast Guard Orders Atlas VTS

Bremen-based STN Atlas Elektronik has been awarded a major contract to supply the Kuwaiti National Coast Guard with a new purpose-designed radar-based coastal surveillance system due to begin service in 2005. The system will comprise a series of nine Atlas 9760 VTS high-resolution radar stations providing loss-free digitized raw video for operator detection of all sizes of targets, particularly very small ones. Additionally