Maritime Innovation: Fostering Creativity and Working to Make Bright Ideas Work
This is the dawning of the age of AI and Big Data, huge agglomerations of new and transformative energy; almost self-generating, always strengthening and pulling at the reins, seeking to break free and run, a prospect both exciting and terrifying. That image can imply a human is holding the reins. How quaint: these days, AI itself may be holding the reins.In a review of innovation in 2023 – across any industrial or economic sector, not just maritime – AI looms large, a game-changer equivalent to IBM’s programming advances in the 1940s.
Marine News' Top Vessels of 2023
The November edition of Marine News magazine highlighted a selection of the most notable American newbuilds delivered of 2023—from a first-of-its-kind green towboat, to the lead vessel in a series of game-changing ships to train U.S. mariners.Empire StateAs the lead vessel in a series of five new training ships being constructed to serve America's state maritime academies, Empire State is easily one of the most important U.S.-built vessels delivered in recent memory.Built by Philly Shipyard for the U.S.
Record Number of Women Admitted to Danish Maritime Training
The number of female students admitted to Danish maritime education programs has increased by 67%.Out of the 860 prospective students, 50 are women. Last year, that number was only 30.Anne Windfeldt Trolle, director of labor market, recruitment and training at Danske Rederier (Danish Shipping), says: "We are working hard to attract and retain more women in the industry, which is why I am incredibly happy to hear that we now see a record number of women who want a career at sea."Including women employed on the Danish ferries…
Hybrid Research Vessel Delivered to University of Vermont
Derecktor Shipyards NY in Mamaroneck, N.Y. announced it has delivered a new hybrid research catamaran to the University of Vermont (UVM). The innovative vessel, Marcelle Melosira, will serve as a floating classroom and laboratory, enabling advanced research operations and hands-on educational programs.Designed by Chartwell Marine and built in collaboration with UVM and Chartwell, the 64-foot research catamaran has been crafted to fulfill the functions outlined by UVM’s Rubenstein School of Environment & Natural Resources.
Crowley, Massachusetts Maritime Academy Setting Up Offshore Wind Training
Crowley Maritime Corporation and Massachusetts Maritime Academy (MMA) said Tuesday they'd create a first-of-its-kind training and workforce development program dedicated specifically to the New England region’s offshore wind energy industry.The program will be certified by the Global Wind Organisation (GWO), a non-profit that sets international standards for safety training. The academy will coordinate with Relyon Nutec, the world’s largest provider of specialized instruction for energy and industrial sectors…
American P&I Club, ABS Consulting Partner on Cyber Awareness
Collaboration between risk management and insurance sectors will focus on education, training and guidance to reduce maritime cyber riskABSG Consulting Inc. (ABS Consulting), a subsidiary of ABS focused on safety and risk management, and American Steamship Owners Mutual Protection and Indemnity Association, Inc. (the American Club) have joined forces to provide education, training and insurance guidance that address maritime cyber security.As digital transformation in the maritime industry brings both opportunities and new challenges…
OP/ED: Advancing the Passenger Vessel Industry:
A Strategic Look Forward.It is my honor to serve as PVA’s President. My company, Padelford Packet Boat Co., Saint Paul, MN, has proudly, and actively, been a member of this organization since its inception almost 50 years ago when it was previously known as the National Association of Passenger Vessel Operators (NAPVO).While PVA is rich in history, it by no means is stuck in old ways. PVA is always evolving to mirror the ever-advancing world of passenger vessel operations. As the voice of the passenger vessel industry…
SNAME: Plotting the Path Ahead
As the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SNAME) celebrates its 125th Anniversary, the new executive director shares his thoughts on the path forward for a successful future.I’m Gene Sanders, and I have been given the enviable opportunity to take SNAME into its next phase in one the most important industries in the world! In my first few months as SNAME’s new Executive Director, I’ve been working with the Board and various committees on new ventures and directives…
Weeks Marine Invests in Maritime Program at Louisiana College
Weeks Marine, Inc. visited Northshore Technical Community College (NTCC) in Lacombe, La. on July 18 to announce major contributions, totaling $500,000, to support the college’s maritime training program and scholarship fund.Richard “Dick” Weeks, Chairman of Weeks Marine, travelled from the company’s headquarters in Cranford, N.J. to view progress on the construction of NTCC’s second building at the Lacombe Campus. A longtime supporter of higher education and workforce training, Mr.
Donors Give $2.9 Mln to Train BC’s Future Shipbuilders
The Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation, in conjunction with Seaspan, announced today a multi-year, multimillion dollar investment in the future of British Columbia’s marine industrial sector. The commitment totals $2.9 million and includes a three-year, $900,000 donation by the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation to three institutional trades training programs in Canada. This donation has been given in support of the Industrial and Regional Benefits Policy program under the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS).
Newport Unveils Education Series for this year’s Boat Show
Newport Exhibition Group, owners and producers of the Newport International Boat Show, announced today the 2016 Education Series for this year’s Boat Show. Greatly expanding on past offerings, the Newport International Boat Show will host on-water courses, seminars and demonstrations, giving showgoers plenty to look forward to beyond the excitement of new boat debuts and boating gear. This year’s education opportunities include Confident Captain’s At The Helm instruction program; the CruiserPort University seminar series presented by PassageMaker, Sail, Soundings and Power & Motoryacht; and Sail America’s Discover Sailing program.
HII Head Gives Up Salary for Educational Fund
U.S. shipbuilder Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) said it has begun the process of establishing a fund to provide educational assistance for children of HII employees. While details of the educational fund are still being developed, it will be funded annually with HII President and CEO Mike Petters’ salary. HII’s Board of Directors recently approved a motion to enable Petters to reduce his annual salary to $1 per year. The balance of his salary, nearly $1 million, will annually fund this educational assistance program that will be operated by an independent third party yet to be identified.
Career Starters Begin Dual Studies Program at Voith
Press Release -- Twenty-nine young women and men are starting their dual studies program today at Voith in Heidenheim. Alternating between the company and the Baden-Württemberg Cooperative State University (DHBW), 22 students will study the theory and practice of their respective subject areas over a three-year period. Ulm University is the partner for the seven students in the Ulm Model. They will earn two degrees in 4.5 years – a Bachelor of Engineering and a Skilled Worker’s Certificate from the Chamber of Industry and Commerce.
USN Announces Innovation Awards Program
Across the Department of the Navy our talented Sailors, Marines and civilians are continually creating innovative solutions to our most complex problems. Ray Mabus, Secretary of the Navy, wants to recognize the top naval innovators in our workforce today and inspire future innovators to continue developing their bold ideas for the future. The SECNAV Innovation Awards Program seeks to recognize top DON individuals or teams who made significant innovative achievements in Calendar Year 2015. The institution of the Innovation Awards Program is part of a larger effort to incentivize contributors and leaders of innovation across the DON. These efforts include empowering and rewarding innovators by incorporating innovation into performance reviews and providing cash rewards.
Training Program to Boost Abu Dhabi Port Security
Abu Dhabi Ports informs it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the General Authority for the Security of Ports, Borders and Free Zones to establish a joint-training program that will aim to help improve border security and increase ports and ports systems protection across the Emirate. The agreement also looks to potentially engage in other areas of cooperation to further develop capabilities and improve organizational efficiencies. The MoU signed recently by Jassem Mohammad Al Zaabi…
Glycerin Powers into the Propulsion Picture
Maine Maritime Academy Receives a $1.4 Million U.S. DOT Research Grant to Develop a Marine Engine Testing and Emissions Laboratory. The Marine Engine Testing and Emissions Laboratory (METEL) at Maine Maritime Academy (MMA) is working on several initiatives to implement viable emissions reduction technologies for the marine industry. Funded by a $2.8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation, the METEL laboratory was developed to address environmental sustainability needs in transportation. Working with a Maine startup company, Sea Change Group LLC (SCG), the METEL team is helping to develop and implement a fuel that combines glycerin with diesel fuel to lower both operating cost and emissions for marine diesel engines.
NOAA Expands Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary
NOAA today released a final rule and environmental impact statement expanding the boundaries of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary in Lake Huron from 448 square miles to 4,300 square miles. The new boundaries now include the waters of Lake Huron adjacent to Michigan’s Alcona, Alpena and Presque Isle counties to the Canadian border. The expansion is based on several years of research by NOAA and its many scientific partners, and now protects an additional 100 known and suspected historic shipwreck sites. The expansion of the sanctuary was driven by strong public support. During the process to review the sanctuary’s management plan in 2006, several local government and non-governmental organizations passed resolutions or submitted written letters of support for boundary expansion.
Senator Kaine Tours NNS Apprentice School
Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) apprises that it has hosted Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., for a tour of The Apprentice School at the company's Newport News Shipbuilding division. The visit provided Kaine an opportunity to meet with shipyard and Apprentice School leaders and discuss the importance of Career Technical Education (CTE) programs as an alternative to traditional four-year colleges. Newport News Shipbuilding President Matt Mulherin and Newport News Shipbuilding Vice President of Operations Danny Hunley accompanied the senator during the tour, which showcased the facility's eight computer labs, two videoconferencing classrooms, physics lab and gymnasium. During the tour, Kaine took the opportunity to interact with teachers and students in drafting and physics classes.
The Rise of Primary and Secondary Maritime Schools
Education for the next generation, employment for life. A new source of talent emerges for maritime stakeholders everywhere. Primary and secondary maritime schools are sprouting up across the country, inspiring K-12 students to learn about the exciting, yet sometimes obscured domestic waterfront. The goals of these maritime school programs are many and multifaceted, but at the core they motivate and engage students by bringing something new and exciting to the classroom while giving teachers an effective means for capturing the attention of their classes.
Bayport Dredging a Step Closer; Barbours Cut Pending
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has furnished the Port Authority its draft permit for the Bayport Channel Improvement project, Executive Director Roger Guenther reported to the Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority today. The draft permit for Barbours Cut channel dredging will follow soon, he said. The projects at the Port Authority’s two container terminals, which will deepen the channels from 40 feet to 45 feet to match the depth of the Houston Ship Channel, are expected to begin shortly. Reporting on a recent Audit Committee meeting, Port Commission Chairman Janiece Longoria said the financial statement audit of the Port Authority for the fiscal year ended December 31…
BC Shipbuilding & Ship Repair Board: Workforce Strategy Document
The B.C. Shipbuilding and Ship Repair Board (SSRB) announce the release of its workforce development strategy document for the B.C. shipbuilding and ship repair industry: 'Towards 2020: A BC Shipbuilding & Ship Repair Industry Workforce Strategy' is intended to inform and guide public and private investments in future labour market development initiatives over the next decade. It is forecast that throughout the next ten years alone, B.C. employers will need more than 4,000 skilled…
Begich, Wicker, Schatz Introduce NOAA Corps Amendments Act
U.S. Senators Mark Begich, Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Brian Schatz (D-HI) introduced legislation to strengthen the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Commissioned Officer Corps as a national asset and improve its ability to recruit and retain talented candidates like other uniformed services. Begich is chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries and Coast Guard. Wicker and Schatz serve on the subcommittee as well. The NOAA Corps’ primary mission is to operate NOAA’s fleet of research ships and aircraft.
Maritime Academy to Host K-12 Maritime Education Symposium
Renee Marazon, Superintendent, The Maritime Academy of Toledo, announced that the first-ever “K-12 Maritime Education Great Lakes and Inland Waterways Symposium” will be held Friday, April 26, 2013 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at The Maritime Academy at 803 Water St. in Toledo. The symposium is being held the day before, and in conjunction with, The Maritime Academy’s Third Annual Admiral’s Ball, the school’s annual major fund-raiser. The Admiral’s Ball will be held on Saturday, April 27 from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. at the Fifth-Third Center at One SeaGate in Downtown Toledo.