Young to Head New Zealand Shipping Federation
The New Zealand Shipping Federation (NZSF) said it has appointed Annabel Young as its new executive director. It said Ms Young was a National Party list MP from 1997 to 2002 and since then she has been the chief executive at Federated Farmers, as well as the Pharmacy Guild. The new executive director wants to get the issue of coastal shipping back on politicians' radar screen. "Everyone talks about road and rail but one look at a map of New Zealand tells you coastal shipping is a really important part of the transport network," she said. The federation started in 1906 and its current members are Pacifica Shipping, Silver Fern Shipping, Strait Shipping, the Interislander, NIWA and cement companies.
Burger Boat Gets $2.9m Assist
Governor Jim Doyle announced a $2,880,128 project that will support improvements to the Burger Boat Company’s facility at the . The award is positioned to spur economic growth in the city of and the surrounding area. “The Burger Boat Company is a valued partner in ’s economy, and a valued part of ’s history,” Governor Doyle said. Burger Boat Company will receive $2,304,102 for the project from the state’s Harbor Assistance Program, and the company will provide the required 20 percent match, $576,026.
Bay Shipbuilding Gets $2M in Tax Credit
Wisconsin’s Governor Jim Doyle announced on March 15 that the Department of Commerce will provide Bay Shipbuilding Company with $2 million in Enterprise Development Zone credits to assist the company as it upgrades the manufacturing facilities at its Sturgeon Bay plant. The Governor made the announcement during a visit to the company. Governor Doyle said. “My Grow Wisconsin initiative calls for investing in manufacturing so we can create good jobs for our citizens. Bay Shipbuilding Co. is modernizing and upgrading its steel-cutting-and-fabricating capability at its Sturgeon Bay facility. Recent increased shipping activity has elevated its commercial shipbuilding, maintenance, and repair business, leading the company to develop a two-phase plan to increase efficiency and expand capacity.
Sunken Sub Appears to be USS Lagarto
Navy divers completed six days of diving operations June 16 on wreckage in the Gulf of Thailand believed to be that of the lost World War II submarine USS Lagarto (SS 371). Divers will send photographs and video of the submarine to the Naval Historical Center in Washington for further analysis. The divers' observations appear to confirm the discovery made in May 2005 by British wreck diver Jamie MacLeod. "Without a doubt, it's a U.S. submarine, a Balao-class," said U.S. 7th Fleet Diving Officer, Cmdr. Tony San Jose. San Jose and his fellow divers reported identifying twin 5-inch gun mounts both forward and aft, a feature believed to be unique to Lagarto. They also reported finding serial numbers and the word "Manitowoc" engraved on the submarine's propeller.
