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Highway Patrol News

23 Dec 2022

Texas Beefs Up Security with New RHIBs

(Photo: Ocean Craft Marine)

The state of Texas is putting into service a fleet of new, highly capable patrol boats as it works to detect, disrupt and deter criminal activity along the Rio Grande."Now, more than ever, it is imperative that our law enforcement officers and Texas National Guard soldiers adopt innovative solutions," Texas Governor Greg Abbott said during a recent visit tour the state’s enhanced assets along the U.S.-Mexico border. According to Abbott’s official website, the Governor has secured $4 billion in funding for Texas' border security efforts.

20 Dec 2022

Earthquake Offshore California Knocks Out Power for Thousands

©U.S. Geological Survey

A strong 6.4-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of northern California on Tuesday, the U.S. Geological Survey said, leaving thousands without power.The earthquake, which struck at 2:34 a.m. (1034 GMT), was about 10 miles (16.1 km) deep, USGS said, and struck about 7.4 (12 km) west-southwest of Ferndale, California, a Humboldt County town about a four-hour drive north of San Francisco.Local media and others on social media reported there were numerous gas leaks, powerlines down, and at least one structure fire in Ferndale.

26 Jun 2019

New Indictments in Table Rock Duck Boat Sinking

File Image: The Duck Boat salvage operation underway (CREDIT: USCG)

Two more employees of Ripley Entertainment, Inc. – the company that operated duck boat rides in Branson, Missouri – along with the captain of the duck boat that sank at Table Rock Lake last summer, resulting in the deaths of 17 people, have been indicted by a federal grand jury.Curtis P. Lanham, 36, of Galena, Missouri, and Charles V. Baltzell, 76, of Kirbyville, Missouri, were charged in a 47-count superseding indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Springfield on Thursday, June 13.

23 May 2019

Barges Break Free, Hit Oklahoma Dam, Sink

Photo Courtesy: Oklahoma Highway Patrol Facebook Page

According to a report on WeatherChannel.com, a pair of barges broke free and hit Lock and Dam 16 on the flooded Arkansas River on Thursday, May 23, 2019, north of Webber Falls, Oklahoma.Early reports citing the Oklahoma Highway Patrol said there did not appear to be any damage to the lock.The barges broke loose from the Port of Muskogee and passed under the Highway 62 bridge without hitting anything, KOTV reported. (Sources: WeatherChannel.com, Oklahoma Higway Patrol & KOTV)

30 Jul 2018

Investigators Examine DVR Content from Fatal Duck Boat Sinking

The SD card from the digital video recorder system on board the amphibious DUKW "Stretch Boat 7" that sank July 19 near Branson, Mo. (Photo: NTSB)

Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have completed their initial review of the digital video recorder system recovered from the fatal duck boat sinking near Branson, Mo.The Ride The Ducks amphibious vehicle DUKW Stretch Boat 7 had 29 passengers and two crewmembers on board for a tour on July 19 when deteriorating weather conditions caused the vessel to sink in Table Rock Lake, killing 16 passengers and one crew member.Recording media including an…

24 Aug 2010

Landmark Propeller Delivered to Cal Maritime Campus

Photo courtesy California Maritime Academy

On August 26, Cal Maritime will receive and install a massive 18-ton, 18 ft wide brass ship’s propeller which for many years was a landmark of San Francisco’s downtown business district. For several decades, the entrance to the San Francisco office building at 100 Spear Street has been graced by an eye-catching display…..a highly-polished brass ship propeller. This 18-ton piece of “commercial art” was a natural, as the building was home to many offices of ocean carriers serving the West Coast. With industry consolidation, the number of maritime-related offices in the building dwindled.

18 Jan 2009

Crowley Underway with 3 Container Cranes

This will mark the second delivery that Crowley has made in recent months with these types of cranes for Bickerton Iron Works, Inc. The first shipment included three cranes for the SSA terminal in Manzanillo, Mexico. Crowley's tug Mars and Barge 416, which were used in the transport of cranes to Manzanillo in late Nov. and early Dec., are carrying the second set of cranes from Los Angeles to Guam with an anticipated delivery date of Feb. 6. Horizon Lines/Matson Navigation, who jointly own the cranes…

22 Oct 2003

USCG Hosts Intermodal Container Strike Force

The U.S. Multi-Agency Strike Force Operation (MASFO) for the purpose of inspecting the transportation of intermodal containers to ensure compliance with various federal, state, and local regulations. “The Coast Guard is primarily checking containers for proper blocking and bracing of hazardous materials,” said Coast Guard Ensign Tony Migliorini, Director of Compliance and Security. Local police departments check drivers for proper driving credentials, search for contraband, and inspect trucks for safety regulations. Canines from both the Coast Guard and police departments will be used. U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration…

08 Mar 2001

Coast Guard Investigates Sinking of Towboat

At press time, U.S. Coast Guard from Marine Safety Office (MSO) St. Louis investigators were trying to determine the cause of the sinking of the towing vessel Patty Ann, while the Missouri Highway Patrol searched the Mississippi River for Patty Ann's operator, John Distefano. The boat sank at about 11:50 p.m. on Feb. 27 at mile marker 127.2, at the Tower Rock Stone Fleet, on the Upper Mississippi River, approximately three miles north of Ste. Genevieve, Mo. Preliminary reports indicated that two deckhands, Nathan Bauman of Ste. Genevieve, and Eric Mathews of Praire du Rocher, Ill., were able to climb aboard a barge adjacent to the Patty Ann as the towboat began to sink.

20 Jan 2005

AMH Government Services Books Record Year

American Marine Holdings, Inc (AMH) Government Services experienced a record year in sales during 2004, according to Mike Collins, President. AMH, the parent company of Donzi Marine and Pro-Line Boats, formed the Government Services Group in 2003. Mr. Collins stated, ”I am extremely proud of the team we have assembled. John Hotz has been instrumental in our success and was just appointed Vice President of the group”. The past year marked a flurry of activity for the Government Services division, along with many new additions to the team. Mike Page, former United States Navy Lieutenant with the Special Boat Teams, and formally with Boston Whaler and Night Vision Technologies joined the group and now heads up International and Military sales.

29 Mar 2007

Coast Guard Helping Stuck Ship Back into Shipping Channel

Coast Guard crews are working to get a freighter ship unstuck after it lost power and ran aground near the central span of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. The bridge was shut down in both directions this morning as a precaution, snarling rush hour traffic. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the freighter lost power after passing through the central span of the bridge. The pilot of the vessel ran it into a sandbar so it wouldn’t drift near the bridge. Fox showed Coast Guard tugboats circling the freighter. The most recent view showed them helping the ship back into the deeper waters of the shipping channel. Source: fox

14 Jun 2006

Barge hits bridge in Port of Tampa

Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg, Fla., is trying to find the owner of a 60-ft. work barge that struck the northbound lanes of the Howard Frankland Bridge, Interstate 275. The barge has two markings, MB54 and Jacksonville. It is believed that the barge broke free of its moorings due to the high winds and seas of Tropical Storm Alberto. Officials are working to find the owner of the barge and remove the barge from causing further damage to the bridge. Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), Florida Highway Patrol and the Tampa Police Department are working together to assess the damage. The bridge is now open to traffic with only the right lane closed for bridge workers. The barge is carrying no cargo and there have been no injuries.

12 Feb 2003

Coast Guard Searches For Suspicious Boater

The Coast Guard and other local law enforcement agencies are investigating the report of a suspicious boater seen near the entrance of the Oakland, Ca., estuary. The captain of a tugboat reported a near collision with a gray, ten-foot inflatable boat operating without navigational lights. The Coast Guard dispatched a small boat from Coast Guard Station San Francisco, a helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco, the Coast Guard Cutter Hawksbill and requested assistance from the California Highway Patrol, San Francisco Police Department and Oakland Fire Department to help conduct the search. Units are searching the bay and waterfront facilities for the boat and the operator. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Coast Guard Group San Francisco at 415-556-2103

10 Sep 2001

Research Vessel to be Auctioned Online

Bid4Assets, Inc., a full-service asset disposition and advisory services company, announced that it will auction a research vessel for the state of Georgia. The online auction will be held through Sept. 27 on the Bid4Assets Web site, http://www.bid4assets.com. Bidding begins at $90,000. Bid4Assets has been working with the state of Georgia to sell their surplus and retired assets since July 2000, conducting auction sales of construction equipment, highway patrol cars and computer equipment. The research vessel Blue Fin is owned by the university system of Georgia and operated by the Skidaway Institute of Oceanography. The 72-foot boat was built in 1972, and is located in Savannah, Ga.

07 May 2003

ADT to Install $4.75M Security System at Port of Oakland

The Port of Oakland announced today the award of a $4.75 million maritime security enhancement contract to Florida-based ADT Security Services, Inc., a unit of Tyco Fire & Security. Under the contract, ADT will install an integrated security system using advanced technology to assist the Port of Oakland, the nation's fourth busiest container port, in its overall security assessment and improvement program. The contract is being funded through a 2002 seaport security grant award from the federal Transportation Security Administration. The contract calls for a comprehensive system design: automated access control, video surveillance, perimeter intrusion detection, as well as an integrated communications infrastructure.

11 Nov 2002

Coast Guard Stops Vessel From Collision

Coast Guard Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) San Francisco directed three tugboats to help divert a 700-foot dry-dock barge from colliding with the San Francisco Bay Bridge today. At approximately 8 p.m. today a night watchman from Pier 70 in San Francisco noticed that the dry-dock vessel had broken loose and notified the Coast Guard. Upon notification, the Coast Guard directed three tug boats to intercept the adrift vessel. The Coast Guard worked closely with the California Department of Transportation (CalTrans) and the California Highway Patrol (CHP) to ensure public safety on the Bay Bridge. The tug boats Brynn Foss and Andrew Foss of the Foss Maritime Co. and the Sharon Brusco of the Brusco Tug and Barge Co.