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Piscataqua River News

10 Sep 2020

Sensor Systems Improve Marine Navigation Near US Naval Bases

A Coast Guard ATON (Aids to Navigation) buoy in Kings Bay, Ga., that will house one of the new PORTS current meters. (Photo: NOAA)

Maritime navigational safety near two U.S. Navy installations in Kings Bay, Ga., and Portsmouth, N.H. has been improved thanks to new Physical Oceanographic Real-Time Systems, also known as PORTS, installed by NOAA and the U.S. Navy. They are the first new PORTS in two years, and the 34th and 35th in the nationwide network.The system near Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, the East Coast home to America’s Ohio-class submarines, is an integrated series of sensors which will provide critical real-time information on oceanographic and meteorological conditions.

20 May 2019

RIBCRAFT Delivers Fire Boat to the Portsmouth

Photo courtesy of RIBCRAFT

Professional grade rigid inflatable boat (RIB) manufacturer RIBCRAFT said it recently delivered a specialized 25’ RIBCRAFT 7.8 to the Portsmouth Fire Department.Located on the Piscataqua River in New Hampshire, the Portsmouth Fire Department provides on-water search and rescue operations as well as fire protection to the seacoast community. This RIB, featuring a heavy duty inflatable tube and deep V hull, expands the department’s firefighting and rescue capabilities while providing…

30 Jun 2016

Tanker Allision on the Piscataqua River

The U.S. Coast Guard says it is continuing to monitor the condition of the chemical tanker Chem Venus, after it allided with three unoccupied, moored sailboats Wednesday afternoon at the mouth of the Piscataqua River near Portsmouth, N.H. and Kittery, Maine. It was determined by Coast Guard vessel inspectors on board that the Panamanian flagged chemical tanker sustained bow damage that caused the ship to take on water. The rate of flooding has been stabilized and is being monitored by the Coast Guard and the Chem Venus crew. Despite the damage no pollution has been reported, and the Chem Venus remains safely anchored outside of the Piscataqua River, the Coast Guard said. The vessel was carrying used vegetable oil and a variety of other industrial chemicals.

10 Mar 2014

Tanker Vessel Hits Memorial Bridge

The U.S. Coast Guard reported that it is responding after a 600-foot tanker vessel, Sea Pride, allided with the Memorial Bridge in Portsmouth, N.H., at approximately 5:30 a.m. Friday. The Malta-flagged vessel was outbound from a Piscataqua River facility when it allided with the bridge on its port side, damaging a fender on the bridge. There was no leak on the ship's double hull, no injuries to the crew, and they continued their journey to Portland, Maine, after contacting the Coast Guard.

01 Apr 2013

Disabled Motor Tankship Towed Off Bridge

The tankship 'Harbour Feature' towed free of the Sarah Long Bridge, on the Piscataqua River in Portsmouth, N.H. after drifting alongside the bridge. Tug boats were able to safely tow the 473-foot, Portuguese-flagged, motor vessel Harbour Feature from the bridge to the state pier during slack tide. Earlier, Monday, US Coast Guard watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Northern New England received a report from the Harbour Feature that it had become disabled and allided with the bridge. There have been no reports of injury or pollution, but a six-to-twelve inch rupture above the waterline of the vessel near the port ballast tank has been observed. The incident is under investigation.

23 Sep 2010

USS Helena Leaves Portsmouth Naval Shipyard

 Photo courtesy U.S. Navy

Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Helena (SSN 725) made the seamless transition from the dry dock at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNS) in Portsmouth, N.H., to the waters of the Piscataqua River with the help of their shipyard project team Sept. Shipyard workers, submariners and others gathered at the Shipyard Mall at PNS to celebrate Helena's departure from dry dock. During the gathering, PNS Commander Capt. Bryant Fuller congratulated Helena's team and PNS employees. "Helena is an example of people, standards and processes," said Fuller, referring to the shipyard's current maxim.

13 Dec 2005

Fireboat Would Boost Port Security for NH

The Union Leader reported that security at the Port of New Hampshire is expected to be enhanced by the acquisition of a boat, which would be used to fight maritime fires and help in other water-based emergencies. The information was offered yesterday to members of the of the Pease Development Authority's Division of Ports and Harbors Port Use Ad Hoc Committee. Portsmouth Assistant Fire Chief Steve Achilles told the committee, chaired by State Sen. Martha Fuller Clark, the vessel is expected to be ready by the fall of next year. The fire official said he hopes the vessel can be based at the state-run port on Market Street, since the location provides the best possible access to the Piscataqua River.

30 Apr 2001

‘House Of Hope’ Comes Together on Ocean Barge

Virginia, a 150- x 60- x 9-ft. ocean going barge will have a unique maiden voyage. The vessel, which is temporarily docked at the New Hampshire Port Authority pier on the icy waters of the Piscataqua River is the location of Jan’s House of Hope, a modular home that will go on tour this summer to raise awareness of cancer. NCAF, a non-profit foundation, is producing Jan’s House of Hope and setting it on a tour of seven cities along the east coast this summer. The goal of the foundation is to raise public awareness of cancer and $10 million for cancer and hospice programs. The project is being completely funded by corporate and individual donations. Hughes Marine Firm of Edison, N.J., was completing work on the barge in dry-dock when they learned of the need for the barge.