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Signal International News

30 Mar 2016

Alabama Shipyard to Repair MSC Tanker

MV Lawrence H. Gianella (U.S. Navy photo)

World Marine of Alabama (WMA), a division of World Marine, LLC, competitively bid and won a contract to dry-dock and repair the USNS Lawrence H. Gianella (T-AOT-1125), a Military Sealift Command (MSC) tanker operated by Ocean Shipholdings, Inc. World Marine, LLC purchased all the assets of Signal International in December 2015, including the Mobile, Alabama-based shipyard. World Marine remains one of the safest shipyards in the country, with its Alabama facility boasting zero accidents for over 460 days, and an OSHA total recordable injury rate (TRIR) of 0.0 for 2015.

15 Jul 2015

Signal International Files for Bankruptcy

Photo: Signal International

Facing a wave of lawsuits filed by workers recruited from India to work on the U.S. Gulf Coast, marine services company Signal International has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection to help save its business and resolve litigation, the Wall Street Journal reported. Accused of labor trafficking, marine services company Signal lost the first of many lawsuits filed against it by more than 225 Indian workers who say they were promised good jobs repairing rigs damaged by Hurricane Katrina. As many as 500 workers came from India to work for the company.

28 Jan 2015

Signal Ship Repair Achieves OSHA Milestone

Photo courtesy of Signal Ship Repair

Signal International announced that on December 31, 2014, the Signal Ship Repair Operations located in Mobile, Alabama achieved one full year and worked 387,926 manhours, without the occurrence of an OSHA recordable incident. This is a  safety milestone within the United States shipyard and marine fabrication industry, thus representing world-class safety performance, the yard said. By realizing the goal of a zero OSHA recordable incident, which includes work-related injuries such as cuts…

11 Sep 2014

MN 100: Signal International

11 N. With four yards, Signal offers new construction, rig and ship repair, offshore and technical services. The new construction facility in Orange, Texas has undergone a major transformation over the past several years, including the addition of a new panel line and steel processing facility. The Pascagoula facility handles rig fabrication and repair and has improved automation as well as dredging a deep hole for thruster work and space for storage of offshore equipment. The 30,000 ton Dual Carrier/heavy lift dry dock is located at this facility.

07 Jul 2014

Demand for Coastal and Transoceanic ATBs Grows

Along the way, ATBs gain speed, efficiency, safety – and popularity. Operators of articulated tugs and barges, or ATBs, say they like the maneuverability, weather reliability, stability, speed of these units, and the manner in which the tug pushes the barge. As a marine transportation concept, they can also simply be described as versatile. ATBs move petroleum, chemicals, coal, grain, containerized cargo and rail cars for customers on the U.S. coasts, rivers, the Great Lakes and overseas. As a result, demand for articulated units expanded in the last two decades with new technology.

29 May 2014

Streamlined Service for the Offshore Sector

In a business where time is money, Signal Ship Repair’s niche ‘high blocking’ repair methods have significantly reduced repair times and increased shipyard efficiencies. If Signal Ship Repair’s (SSR) primary business can generically be described simply as ship repair and conversion, then it can also be said that its practice of ‘high blocking’ to facilitate faster, and more efficient in-house Z drive repairs is its signature service. Utilizing a simple but highly effective shipyard technique, SSR has taken a routine practice originally used to facilitate naval ship drydockings, and turned it into a signature service that helps offshore clients with drop down thrusters, z-drives, pods and keel coolers get repairs done rapidly.

29 Jan 2014

Kirby Christens ATB in New Orleans

Inland and coastal giant christens ATB duo Jason E. Duttinger and Winna Wilson in an October New Orleans ceremony. The crew of the Jason E. Duttinger took a break from hauling coal between Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, and Florida on Oct. 30 as Kirby Corp. of Houston christened the articulated tug-and-barge unit in New Orleans at the dock of the Hilton Riverside Hotel. Both units were named in honor of two special individuals. Jason Duttinger was a senior transportation specialist at North Carolina-based Duke Energy when he died of cancer in 2011.

02 Oct 2013

Seakeeper Launches New Professional Division

To serve growing worldwide demand for gyro stabilization, Seakeeper has established its new Professional Division, which will formally launch at the International WorkBoat Show. With it, Seakeeper offers a dedicated team and focused product offerings for commercial, military, workboat, offshore, research and patrol markets. Driving Seakeeper's initiatives for the Professional Division are new team members Carl Wegener, Commercial Sales Director – Americas and Sean Hatherley, International Commercial Sales Director – APAC & EMEA.

13 Sep 2013

Signal International

Signal International Texas Yard.

With a family of three yards located along the Gulf of Mexico in Alabama, Mississippi and Texas, Signal International offers new construction, rig and ship repair, offshore and technical services. Marine construction and repair needs are complimented by three dry docks; a 30,000-ton lift rig dock, a 22,000-ton Panamax dry dock and a 4,500-ton lift dry dock. In Mobile, Ala., Signal Ship Repair (SSR) offers 4,400 ft. of water front along the Mobile River with a maintained channel depth of 44 ft. This facility specializes in ship repair and conversion.

11 Sep 2013

Signal International Delivers Second Deck Barge

A Signal Shipyard facility: Photo courtesy of Signal International

Signal International has announced delivery of the MARMAC 304, the second new 300’ x 100’ x 20’ ABS ocean classed deck barge built for McDonough Marine Service by Signal’s Orange, TX Division this year. The barge was designed with an ABS load line maximum cargo capacity of 13,200 short tons and uniform deck strength of 4,500 lbs/sq. ft. It will be ready for charter through McDonough Marine Service in September and eventually will be fleeted in Amelia, La. “Using modular construction techniques we are capable of a highly efficient and cost competitive operation with unequaled quality.

30 Aug 2013

McDonough Launches New Ocean-going Barge

Photo: McDonough

McDonough Marine Service announced the launching of another new barge MARMAC 304 (300’ x 100’ x 20’), the third in a series of new ABS ocean classed deck barges commissioned by the barge and tug company.  The barge was built for McDonough Marine Service by Signal International in Orange, Texas.   The MARMAC 304 barge was designed with an ABS Load line maximum cargo capacity of 13,200 short tons and uniform deck strength of 4,500 lbs/sq. ft.   The MARMAC 304 will be delivered and ready for charter early next week and eventually will be fleeted in Amelia, La.     mcdonoughmarine.com

09 Aug 2013

Maritime Safety Awards Announced

Pictured Left to Right: Mike Lapeyrouse (AEU), Otto Candies, Jr. (Candies Shipbuilding), Perry Triche (US United Bulk Terminals), Coach Gene Stallings, Bill Hardy (Beacon Maritime), John Bullock (Willis of AL representing Signal International), Jimmy Burgin (AEU)

On July 29, 2013, The American Equity Underwriters, Inc. (AEU) presented the 2012 Safety Awards at the annual American Longshore Mutual Association (ALMA) Conference in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, where Coach Gene Stallings was the keynote speaker. The awards are given each year to the best performing ALMA members nationwide and are based on the number of accidents and the severity of accidents for the calendar year. The award is an acknowledgement that these companies are leaders in the most important aspect of business operations - protecting employees from injury or death.

03 Jun 2013

Palfinger Sells Two Cranes to Kirby

Photo: Palfinger Marine

With the support of Donovan Marine, Palfinger Marine crane dealer for the Gulf of Mexico, two Palfinger PK 11001 MC foldable knuckle cranes were delivered to Signal International in Orange, Texas to be installed on two newly constructed 126ft ATB tugs for Kirby Ocean Transport Company. The cranes will be used for launching a small work skiff into the water and general maintenance as well as store stores handling. The tugs are designed to couple with coal barges for transporting coal from Louisiana to a power station in Florida.

16 Apr 2013

Signal Demands Arbitration on GLDD Design Modifications

3-D Rendering of ATB Hopper (Photo: Business Wire)

Signal International, Inc., announced that work toward the design of an Articulated Tug/Barge Hopper Dredge for Great Lakes Dredge and Dock (GLDD) has been discontinued. Signal and GLDD entered into a contract for both the design and build of an AT/B Hopper Dredge in August 2012, with construction originally scheduled to begin in January 2013. According to Signal, the project has undergone numerous delays and construction has not started due to a series of major design changes initiated by GLDD.

04 Apr 2013

'Carnival Triumph' Blown off Berth in Repair Shipyard

Carnival Triumph Incident: Photo credit USCG

Strong winds parted the cruise ship's moorings in the BAE shipyard, setting her adrift in the Mobile River until assisted by tugs. One shipyard worker reported missing and is being searched for by Coast Guard Sector Mobile, while one other employee was recovered safely. The tug New Wednesday was on scene stabilizing the Triumph, and four additional tugboats were en route to assist. The Coast Guard has issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast for mariners to keep a look out for the missing BAE  employee on the Mobile River.

31 Jan 2013

Signal Ship Repair Achieves 1000 Days

Signal Ship Repair, a division of Signal International, Inc., recently attained a milestone of 1,000 days without a lost time injury, on January 30th, 2013. This significant milestone was achieved by the commitment of all Signal Ship Repair employees towards a safe work environment. Signal Ship Repair has several crafts which never had an injury, including; maintenance, security, inside machinist, scaffolding, carpenters, structural welders, riggers, operators, electricians, laborers, and the safety department. The painters and drydock crew will have attained a two-year injury-free milestone on March 15th and 16th respectively. On May 11th the pipe and structural ship fitters will be injury-free for one year.

25 Sep 2012

Signal Invests in the Future

Signal invests $40m in Orange, TX shipyard; Building ATBs currently for Kirby Ocean Tranporation Co. A ubiquitous presence in the Gulf of Mexico ship construction and repair market is Mobile, Ala.-based Signal International, a Marine and Fabrication company which employs about 1800 in its four production facilities across Alabama, Mississippi and Texas. Signal specializes in new construction, ship repair, and rig repair. Signal can handle marine construction and repair needs with three dry docks…

31 Aug 2012

Ocean Tug & Barge Designing AT/B Dredge Tug

Ocean Tug & Barge Engineering Corp. will design the tug portion of a new AT/B dredge to be built at Signal International, in Orange, TX, for Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Co. The “RAPID” Class AT/B’s high speed parent form lines for both the tug and the barge were developed by OT&BE and Taisei Engineering, of Tokyo. MARIN is adapting the lines to the specific dredge requirements and engaging in the associated optimization. The design feathers near-ship speeds with ship-like horsepower and is a great advance in AT/B design. Container AT/B’s under design with the same hulls will be capable of 16+ knots at near-ship HP levels. OT&BE will also design the supporting structure in the notch area of the barge to accept the Articouple connection system that will be used to connect the tug and barge.

23 Aug 2012

Signal International Lands Hopper Dredge Deal

Articulated Tug & Barge ("ATB") Trailing Suction Hopper Dredge.

Signal International, Inc., has landed a $94 million contract from Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation, (GLDD) to build an Articulated Tug & Barge ("ATB") Trailing Suction Hopper Dredge. The 15,000-cubic-yard-capacity Dual Trailing Arm Suction Hopper Dredge with a 14,000-horsepower tug is believed to be the world’s first fully integrated ATB Dredge and the largest hopper dredge in the United States. The dredge barge dimensions are 410 ft x 92 ft x 36 ft (124.97m x 15.85 x 10.97m) with the tug measuring 150 ft x 52 ft x 36 ft (45.72m x 15.85 x 10.97m).

06 Aug 2012

American Equity Safety Awards Announced

The American Equity Underwriters, Inc. (AEU) 2011 Safety Awards were presented at the annual American Longshore Mutual Association (ALMA) Conference in Grand Cayman on July 30, 2012. The awards are given each year to the best performing ALMA members nationwide and are based on the number of accidents and the severity of accidents for each calendar year. The award is an acknowledgement that these companies are leaders in the most important aspect of business operation – protecting employees from injury or death. This is the one effort that should lead all others as businesses strive for improved results and better performance. Marine Cargo Handling: International Transportation Service, Inc. Marine Cargo Handling: Levin Enterprises, Inc. Marine Cargo Handling: Schaefer Stevedoring, Inc.

06 Aug 2012

Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Issues Major Vessel Contracts

Photo credit Great Lakes Dredge & Dock

Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corp. contracts Signal International for construction of hopper barge & tugboat. Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation the largest provider of dredging services in the United States and a major provider of commercial and industrial demolition and remediation services, announce the execution of definitive contracts for the construction of a 15,000-cubic-yard-capacity trailing suction hopper barge and 14,000-horsepower tug. The Company has contracted with Signal International Inc.…

31 May 2012

Signal International Expands Sales Team at SSR

Tom Godfrey, Domestic Sales and Marketing, Signal Ship Repair (SSR) facility in Mobile, AL.

Signal International, Inc. announces the appointment of Tom Godfrey to the position of Domestic Sales and Marketing at the Signal Ship Repair (SSR) facility in Mobile, AL.   Godfrey complements the sales staff with his 18 years of ship repair experience. Godfrey has a solid background in the Maritime industry including Planning and Project Management as well as sales. In recent years, Godfrey’s sales experience has focused on foreign and domestic blue water market. He is a 1986 graduate of the State University of New York Maritime College.

09 Mar 2012

GSSC Shipfitter Boot Camp Produces 18 for Industry

12 Graduate from GSSC Shipfitter Boot Camp and Have Jobs Waiting for Them. In November 2011, 18 individuals started an intensive 10-week shipfitter boot camp that was developed by the Gulf States Shipbuilders Consortium (GSSC) to prepare workers for entry-level employment in the maritime industry. Before an invitation was extended to participate in the training program, candidates completed prequalification activities that included drug testing, WorkKeys® assessments, industry presentations, shipyard tours, and interviews. On Thursday, March 1, the 12 individuals who successfully completed the pilot program participated in a graduation ceremony hosted by Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC) at its Advanced Manufacturing and Technology Center (AMTC) in Gulfport, Mississippi.

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