Sound Transportation News

The ferry MS Chi-Cheemaun has been a staple of Georgian Bay for over 40 years. A $2.4-million renovation to convert the cafeteria into a fine dining area was completed in time for her re-entry into service for the 2016 sailing season. The interior design takes a completely new approach to how the space is used, with creation of seven specific lighting zones, a bar area, and a clear division between the fine dining and general dining areas. Elliott Bay Design Group (EBDG) provided architectural and engineering services…

Until January of this year, Sean Connaughton oversaw seven state agencies with more than 9,700 employees and combined annual budgets of $5 billion. Connaughton is probably better known to MarineNews readers as the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administrator during the second Bush Administration. As U.S. Maritime Administrator, he was responsible for the daily management of that agency and its promotional programs for the marine transportation industry. This included advising and assisting the Secretary of Transportation on commercial maritime matters…

Susan Schrempf, President and CEO of the Owen Sound Transportation Company was honored with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal. Throughout Ms. Schrempf’s tenure with the Owen Sound Transportation Company and Ontario Northland Transportation Commission, she has played a key role in Canada’s transportation industry. She is the past-president and 2nd vice-chair of the Canadian Ferry Operators Association (CFOA). “Susan has been an integral part of Canada’s transportation industry for many years, and we are very happy to see her receive this recognition,” said Serge Buy, CEO of CFOA. The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal marks the 60th anniversary of Her Majesty’s accession to the throne in 1952. The medal honors significant contributions and achievements by Canadians.

U.S.-flag shipping on the Great Lakes provides efficient, safe, and environmentally sound transportation services to industries that are the backbone of the American economy finds a report released on February 12 by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration. The U.S.-flag Lakes fleet is “competitive with other modes of freight transportation in the movement of dry-bulk commodities and appears to be adequately capitalized to meet current market demands. The MARAD report notes that “studies have demonstrated that, on average, transportation cost savings from $10 to more than $20 per ton are associated with the use of lakers compared to the next most competitive transportation mode (rail or truck).”  This is crucially important…

Overall U.S. maritime cargo volumes in the Great Lakes region are recovering from extreme lows experienced in 2009 finds a MARAD study. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) report 'Status of the U.S.-Flag Great Lakes Water Transportation Industry', finds that the U.S. Great Lakes maritime industry is generally healthy, providing efficient, safe and environmentally friendly transportation services. It continues to be competitive with railways and trucks and, supported by responsible regulation and infrastructure maintenance, will remain an essential part of the regional and national economies. “This study shows that the recovery happening in communities all across the country is also happening right here in the Great Lakes…

The Canadian Ferry Operators Association (CFOA) announce its team to lead the organization into 2013. CFOA is a member-based organization representing Canadian ferry owners and operators across the country. Ferries are an integral part of Canada’s transportation system. CFOA has more than 60 members, accounting for nearly all the major ferry routes in Canada. ·         Captain Jamie Marshall, Chair – British Columbia Ferry Services Inc. "“We look forward to working together to…

The Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) has awarded a contract for the five-year drydocking of the M/V Pelee Islander to Great Lakes Shipyard, Cleveland, Ohio. The  Pelee Islander will arrive at Great Lakes Shipyard in early April and will be hauled-out using the Shipyard’s new 700-metric ton Marine Travelift. Work will include hull inspection and painting; propeller, shaft, and rudder inspection; steel work; and other routine maintenance. The M/V Pelee Islander is a passenger ferry operated by Owen Sound Transportation Company, an Agency of the Province of Ontario Ministry of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry, and provides transportation services between Kingsville, Leamington, Ontario; Pelee Island, Ontario; and Sandusky, Ohio.

The vessel construction boom at Crowley continued as the company took delivery of the Nachik, a newly-designed shallow draft tug, from Diversified Marine in Portland, Ore. The Nachik, which means "hair seal" in the native Inupiaq language, will be deployed in Alaska and is the third new vessel to be handed off to Crowley in less than two weeks. The company took delivery of the articulated tug-barge (ATB) Commitment and 650-6 in Pascagoula, Miss., and on March 28 Crowley christened and launched the 455-4, a heavy-lift series deck barge, at Gunderson Marine in Portland.

Retired Navy Vice Adm. Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Ph.D., undersecretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator, unveiled President Bush's proposed 2005 budget for the Commerce Department's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Speaking to more than 125 stakeholders in Washington, D.C., Lautenbacher said NOAA's request totals $3.4 billion, an increase of $146.9 million over the FY 2004 request. "This proposed budget maintains and enhances the services and programs for our scientific understanding of the oceans and atmosphere and allow us to sustain the nation's environmental health and economic vitality," said Lautenbacher. The budget request is based on NOAA's Strategic Plan goals. Key increases are below.

Captain Marine Services, Inc. of Dana Beach, Fla. has been servicing the yachting and sport diving industries for the last nine years for all of their need above and below the waterline as well as, providing immediate procurement consolidation and delivery of marine parts, supplies, and diving equipment. President Capt. Thomas J. Dunzelman recently announced the opening of a new shipping, receiving and agents office in Turtle Cove Marina, Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands, BWI. With many years of experience in the Turks & Caicos Islands, they can advise your clients as well as your crew on what to do and see while visiting Providenciales. Captain Marine Services provides an office where a captain can talk to another captain/engineer about their equipment needs.

For the third year running MarineNews was able to tap the minds of six prominent industry leaders in an attempt to deliver exclusive insights as to the direction of the workboat and shallow draft market for the coming years. • Al Anderson, Vice President of Government and Public Affairs, CHS Inc. • Rick Calhoun, President and Chairman, Cargill Marine and Terminal, Inc. • Steve Golding, President, Golding Barge Line, Inc. • Paul E. Mauer, President, Trinity Marine Products, Inc. MN: What is the most important message about the inland waterways industry that needs to be conveyed to the media and policymakers? Anderson: The most important…

Inc. Pelagos of San Diego, Calif. responsibility. time during our recovery efforts," said Sen. David Vitter of Louisiana. "C&C Technologies Inc. times." Vitter made his comments at a press event Monday in Lafayette, La. determined. Mexico to support U.S. will be carried out by C&C Technologies Inc. top priority. Qualification Based Selection procedures. contracts will expire August 31, 2010. prosperity of the U.S. value of more that $2 trillion," said Capt. Survey. and reliable navigational charts. through NOAA's Ocean Exploration program. Florida. data. unmanned vehicle. of new instruments and sensors.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta announced steps the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) is taking to implement President Bush’s executive order regarding environmental stewardship and the streamlining of environmental review of important transportation infrastructure projects. The executive order calls for a Cabinet-level task force reporting to the President through the chairman of the Council on Environmental Quality to ensure that environmentally sound projects are not held up unnecessarily by inefficient review procedures. “Too many transportation projects become mired for too long in the complex web of clearances required by federal and state law.