Institute Of Tech

'Seasteading' Movement Third Conference

The recent Seasteading Institute conference united those who aspire to live in experimental communities founded in permanent ocean habitations The Seasteading Institute, a nonprofit dedicated to enabling the establishment of permanent communities on the ocean, recently held its third conference, at San Francisco’s Le Méridien Hotel. Since 2008, The Seasteading Institute has been the focal point of the seasteading movement, which aims to utilize the high seas to spur innovation within the government industry. Seasteading enthusiasts believe humanity would benefit from a new place to experiment with new societies, but since all of terra firma is claimed, they look to the ocean as the next frontier. “The ocean provides a space to innovate with political and social systems that could advance and serve humanity,” says The Seasteading Institute director Randolph Hencken. The conference, attracted over one hundred individuals from at least seven countries, representing an array of backgrounds and perspectives, and making for a lively and energetic affair throughout. The focus of the conference was not politics or ideology. Rather, it was on what Maritime Alliance representative William Riedy referred to as the “blue-tech revolution”—the technologies, discoveries, and partnerships that could soon unlock the oceans’ vast potential.

Virginia Tech Ocean Engineering Students Visit USS Memphis

Fast attack submarine USS Memphis (SSN 691) departs Port Everglades, Fla., to provide tours to Virginia Tech students during Fleet Week 2007. Fleet Week celebrates the U.S. Navy through community relation projects and tours of various ships. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Christopher Lange By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW) Robert Keilman, Commander, Submarine Force Public Affairs

ACP Appoints Deputy Administrator

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) Board of Directors has unanimously appointed engineer Jose Barrios Ng as its new deputy administrator after serving as ACP chief financial officer since 2002. He will continue to oversee his former position until a replacement is appointed. Barrios Ng holds a master's in economics engineering from the University of California at Los Angeles, a master's in electrical engineering from Georgia Tech and a degree in corporate finance from the Massachusetts

Gas to Solid Transport Tech Coming

Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co. reported that it is about to develop a practical technology to convert natural gas into a solid for low-cost maritime transportation. The planned natural gas hydrate (NGH) technology is expected to become practical in fiscal 2008, Mitsui Engineering said in a joint report with such concerns as Osaka University and the National Maritime Research Institute to an international study forum in Tokyo.

Diakun Named VP at Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman Corporation has appointed Peter C. Diakun to vice president of platform integration and technology development. He reports to Eric Womble, vice president of the advanced capabilities group for Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding. Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding, the newly-formed sector of Northrop Grumman Corporation, is made up of the former Northrop Grumman Ship Systems and shipbuilding sectors. Diakun's responsibilities include leading technology development and platform

Ingram Taps Taylor as Controller and SVP

Ingram promotes Crystal Taylor to Senior Vice President and Controller.   Ingram Barge Company today announced the promotion of Crystal Taylor to Senior Vice President and Controller effective June 1. Ms. Taylor joined Ingram in 1993 as a staff accountant at Ingram Book Company. She transferred to Ingram’s marine group in 2003 as Director of Financial Projects and was named Vice President for Finance and Accounting in 2011. She will succeed Al Oldham who is retiring. Mr

Senator Boxer Introduces High Tech Port Security Act

Senator Boxer (D-CA) introduced a bill (S. 1147) to protect United States ports, and for other purposes. The High Tech Port Security Act would require that all new shipping containers be blast resistant, that all containers be inspected with advanced technology before leaving a port after unloading from a ship, and that high tech command and control centers for maritime security be established in the 20 busiest U.S. seaports. This bill illustrates that idle hands are the devil's playthings

Panama Canal Tugs go Z-Tech

With the introduction of three new Z-Tech tugboats, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) introduces the most powerful tugs in its history. The new tugs will replace aging boats in the Canal’s current fleet, featuring cutting-edge technology that should lower lockage times by providing greater maneuverability and 82 percent more towing power than the existing tugs. The Z-Tech tugs will assist vessels in the process of going in and out of the existing locks and are equipped to handle

Bay-Houston Towing Takes Delivery of Lexie M

Bay-Houston Towing Co. has taken delivery of another of their innovative Z-Tech 7500 tugs. The Z-Tech 7500 design is the largest of the Robert Allan line of Z-Tech tugboats. The Lexie M was delivered to Bay-Houston on July 8, 2008.

Shipbuilding Career Day at Old Dominion

The Shipbuilding Repair and Maritime Career Day Event 2010 was held in the Ted Constant Convocation Center on March 30 in Norfolk, Virginia. About 700 students and 70 teachers from different schools in Hampton Roads area participated in this daylong event. This year the scope of this event was extended to include maritime industry. The event offered an educational and fun-filled environment for middle and high school students to learn about various career options in shipbuilding