Bellingham Marine News

The island nation of Fiji is thriving in its seventh straight year of economic growth. From textiles to sugar, one of Fiji’s fastest growing sectors is manufacturing. The country has now expanded into pontoon manufacturing with the announcement of the partnership between Bellingham Marine and Marine Structures and Consultancy (MSC) Limited. Two of the country’s best-known marine service operators, Hall Dredging and Bob Oldham, recently took control of MSC. Both have worked on Bellingham projects over the years and maintain an excellent working relationship with Bellingham Marine New Zealand (BMNZ). In the final week of July, the first Unifloat pontoons were manufactured in the Fiji plant under the watchful eye of BMNZ management, who gave the pontoons their stamp of approval.

The unique berth at D44 in Long Beach, Calif., designed in partnership by Seabulk and Bellingham Marine, was developed in response to a need for an environmentally friendly, low cost berthing system designed specifically for the docking of Panamax-class, self-discharging bulk carriers. The berthing system developed by the team for Eagle Rock Aggregates includes two stifflegs supported by match-cast, post-tensioned floating concrete platforms. The legs position the self-unloading bulk carrier and provide a load path to bearing walls at the top of the bank.

Eagle Rock Aggregates, U.S. subsidiary of Polaris Materials Corporation, has completed a new aggregate import facility at the Port of Long Beach that features a docking structure which will be used for mooring mid-sized cargo ships. “The existing berth structures at the site were designed for barges,” said Herb Wilson, President and CEO of Polaris Materials. “We removed them and replaced them with an advanced berthing system designed specifically for the docking of our Panamax- class, self-discharging bulk carriers. The new berthing system includes two stiff leg, dual purpose moorings.

Marina builder and dock manufacturer Bellingham Marine recently named Michael LaRocque General Manager of the company’s Northeast Division. LaRocque will be responsible for the day to day operations of the division including project administration, detailed scheduling of manufacture and construction activities, and budgeting. A veteran of the construction industry with a background in civil engineering, LaRocque has over 20 years’ experience, holding a number of varied positions in the civil engineering and construction management trades.

Located in the heart of San Mateo County, Oyster Point Marina, offers San Francisco boaters direct access to the bay. The City owned marina recently completed replacement of piers 8 and 11. Bellingham Marine, world renowned marina builder, was contracted to perform as the general contractor. Oyster Point’s existing 20 plus year old glu-lam, timber system was replaced with Bellingham Marine’s concrete floating docks fitted with upgraded utilities and accessories. Upgrades were made to the marina to provide improved moorage for boaters in the San Francisco Bay area.

Bellingham Marine New Zealand and its employees are celebrating 25 years of operation this year during its silver anniversary. Although much has changed since its first marina project in 1985, Bellingham Marine New Zealand has maintained the same principle throughout its 25 year history:  bring to each project a commitment to utilizing proven technology and proper construction, to adopting strict quality control measures, and to conducting all transactions with a level of professionalism that is unrivalled. A quarter of a century and nearly 9000 berths later those same commitments remain the foundation of the company’s success. “Our…

The transient fuel dock at Morningstar Marinas Mayport has recently been replaced. Located at the Mayport Inlet just East of Jacksonville, Fla., the fuel dock replacement was part of the complete redevelopment of the marina waterfront. “The basin was in-operable and the fuel dock had been destroyed in a collision,” reported Matt Shapiro, Assistant Vice President of Morningstar Properties. Morningstar Properties hired Bellingham Marine to replace the 14-ft by 229-ft fuel dock. “We built the original fuel dock in 1994,” said Ron Carey, Manager of Project Development for Bellingham Marine.

All American Marine, Inc. and Teknicraft Design, Ltd. have successfully made a proposal to Kitsap Transit to bring a new passenger ferry to Rich Passage. On Tuesday, April 21st, the commissioners of Kitsap Transit unanimously approved $5.3m for the purchase of a 77 ft ultra-low wake Teknicraft catamaran and on May 18th, All American Marine received the signed notice-to-proceed. The high speed passenger catamaran will carry 118 passengers and operate between Bremerton and Seattle, Washington at speeds of 29 to 38 knots.

Ambassadors International, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMIE) on March 24 announced that Joseph J. Ueberroth, President and Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors, has resigned as the company's President and Chief Executive Officer effective April 1, 2009 to pursue other ventures. Ueberroth also resigned from the Board of Directors effective March 20, 2009. Mr. Ueberroth first announced his resignation in September 2008 giving the company twelve months notice. However, since the company, as previously announced, is substantially complete with the process of moving its corporate headquarters to Seattle to concentrate on its cruise business, Ueberroth felt it was now the appropriate time for him to leave. Mr.