Sears News

The government of Maine has selected a section of state-owned area on Sears Island as its preferred site for a port facility development that will support the floating offshore wind industry.The selection of the site, announced by the Governor of Maine Janet Mills, follows an extensive public stakeholder process led by the Maine Department of Transportation and Maine Port Authority to consider the state’s primary port development options, including multiple potential sites in the Port of Searsport…

Ex-USS Taylor (FFG-50) was towed from Philadelphia Naval Shipyard to Detyens Shipyard in Charleston, S.C. where the vessel will be converted in preparation for delivery to the Taiwanese government as part of the U.S.’ foreign military sales program. The 33-year-old Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate was decommissioned at NS Mayport, Fla. in 2015, where it had been homeported since 1993. During its service, Taylor, named for Cmdr. Jesse Taylor, a naval aviator who was awarded the Navy Cross posthumously for his heroism in the Vietnam War…

Eighty-nine Crowley Maritime Corp.-owned and operated vessels were honored with Certificates of Environmental Achievement for years of safe operations during the eleventh-annual Chamber of Shipping of America (CSA) awards ceremony today. Crowley received an award for each vessel that worked at least two consecutive years without an environmental incident. The 89 vessels have logged a combined 968 years of service without incident, a true testament to Crowley’s commitment to keeping harbors and oceans clean.

Moose Boats is recognized for being a leader in supplying high quality customized mission-specific catamaran vessels. Shallow draft, high load capacity and safety during dive or rescue operations make Moose Boats outfitted with water-jet propulsion ideal vessels for emergency response and law enforcement agencies. Engineering excellence, attention to detail in combination with exceptional fit and finish quality has bolstered Moose Boats’ reputation. Moose Boats is arguably known domestically as the highest quality source of aluminum small-craft for Military…

Vantage Yacht Club, offering shared yacht ownership announce additions to its Fleet Membership and Non-Member rental fleets with the delivery of four electric Duffy Boats. Arrival of the electric boats is the first such initiative in Chicago. Electric boaters will cruise the Chicago River taking in the sights and sounds of the city while promoting environmental responsibility and sustainability. These zero-emission electric boats are available to rent by-the-hour beginning April 1, 2012 from 8:00 am until midnight, seven days a week.

Caterpillar Marine Power Systems and Caterpillar Emissions Solutions announced that the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has certified Cat 3500 Series Marine Emissions Kits according to EPA Rule 40 CFR Part 1042. This Marine Remanufacture Program applies to many commercial engines flagged or registered in the United States, and the requirements include a 25 percent particulate matter reduction at overhaul. By replacing the mechanical unit injector (MUI) system and other associated components on the engine, the upgrade kits offer vessel owners an in-hull solution that exceeds the requirements, and offers operational benefits.

Intelsat S.A., the world's leading provider of fixed satellite services, announced today that it has entered into an agreement with MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. ("MDA") for the servicing of Intelsat's on-orbit satellites via a space-based service vehicle to be provided by MDA. The innovative technology has the potential to extend the useful lives of Intelsat's satellites and enhance in-orbit reliability. The services provided by MDA to Intelsat under this agreement are valued at more than US$280 million over the timeframe during which services will be delivered.

Dahlman Rose & Company, LLC, announced the appointment of Elliott Etheredge as Managing Director and head of the firm's Marine Transportation Investment Banking group. Etheredge is one of several recent executive hires by Dahlman Rose, as the firm continues to strengthen its investment banking, sales and trading, and research capabilities. "Dahlman Rose has made a commitment to our clients to be there for them in good times and tough times. With this challenging credit environment, we believe equity capital and creative solutions for financing needs are at the forefront," said Simon Rose, Chief Executive Officer at Dahlman Rose. Etheredge began his career in transportation more than 15 years ago heading logistics operations in Mexico for Intertrans Corporation and Sears, Roebuck.

Kaleva, which was carrying nine passengers – including U.S. diplomatic courier Henry W. Antheil, Jr. – mysteriously exploded 10 minutes after taking off from Tallinn’s airport on the first day of the Soviet-blockade of Estonia during World War II. News of the blockade and of Kaleva’s crash was overshadowed by the Nazi occupation of Paris, which also occurred on June 14. To this day the wreckage of Kaleva and the remains of its nine passengers have never been found. Estonia’s Minister of Defense Jaak Aaviksoo requested the assistance of a U.S. Navy survey ship in searching for the downed airplane in a January 2008 letter to U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates. “We are excited to collaborate with the Estonian military and to search for Kaleva,” said Capt. Nicholas H.

Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC), Mid-Atlantic, awarded a $12,030,960 contract, Feb. 28, to the Hascall Company, Jacksonville, Fla., for design and construction of a two-story damage control school trainer facility at Naval Support Activity, Norfolk. "The Navy's commitment to training our Sailors is reflected in the construction of this new and modernized facility," said Lt. Al Sears of the Center for Naval Engineering Learning Site. Damage control schools give recruits firsthand experience in firefighting and hull repair at sea. The new facility will provide student training on techniques to arrest ship flooding. Construction includes a damage control wet trainer (Buttercup), trainer rooms, classrooms, and support spaces.

Friede Goldman Halter, Inc. announced that its Halter marine segment received an outstanding rating for the completion of the USNS Mary Sears sea trials. Rear Adm. William Schmidt of Insurv and U.S. Navy captain Philip Johnson of Supships Pascagoula participated in the trials along with personnel from the U.S. Coast Guard, Navy Insurv Board, Naval Sea Systems command, Military Sea Lift Command, Pascagoula Supervisor of Shipbuilding and the Naval Oceanographic Office. The USNS Mary Sears is the sixth Pathfinder T-AGS 60 class built for the Navy by Halter Marine. The vessel is a multi-mission oceanographic survey ship capable of surveying in either coastal or deep-ocean waters, and always forward deployed- having no stateside homeport.

While there is a plethora of marine service companies, many of them family-owned, few can boast six family members actively involved in the business at the same time. Donjon Marine Co., Inc. in Hillside, NJ, is one company to know if you haven't heard of them before. Led by J. Arnold Witte, Sr., Chief Executive Officer and President of the company he founded in 1967, Donjon is a multi-faceted marine service company that offers salvage and wreck removal, but through a controlled expansion, boasts a serious diving capability, marine engineering and heavy lift services, towing, dredging, barge chartering, demolition, and spill clean-up and pollution prevention services.