Qatar’s New Patrol Boat Completes Sea Trials
The first of two new 48-meter patrol boats for the Qatar Coastguard has completed sea trials. BMT has partnered with ARES Shipyard (ARES) to design and build 17 patrol boats from advanced composites in 36 months – 18 months ahead of schedule. The latest in the series – the 48-meter ARES 150 HERCULES has just completed sea trials with the vessel achieving a maximum speed of 37 knots. The total order from the Qatar Ministry of Interior, Coastguard has comprised of three different vessel sizes: five of 24 meters, 10 of 34 meters and two of 48 meters.
Haifa Port Seeks to Attract Cruise Lines
Haifa Port in Israel is implementing a long-term plan amiing to entice cruise lines back to the "Gateway to the Holy Land" in consultation with Miami-based Access Cruise Inc., which provides sales and marketing representation to the cruise industry. Haifa Port and Access Cruise, along with the director of marketing of the Israeli Ministry of Tourism in North America, met with executives from all the major North American cruise lines during the recent 2016 Seatrade Convention in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. As a result of those meetings, Haifa Municipality and the Haifa Tourism Company board of directors have identified the cruise industry as an important target market for stimulating travel to the region.
Security Concerns Prevent Taiwan Firm's Use of Chinese Vessels
A Taiwanese company has withdrawn notice to use Chinese vessels on a renewable energy project off the island, the port authority said on Thursday, after opposition lawmakers cited security concerns about the joint operation. The last-minute decision to drop the vessels underscores the island's concerns about possible surveillance by Beijing, and comes a day after the Taiwan government said it was making security checks on a Chinese smartphone company. The "Huadian 1001", a Chinese platform vessel, and a towing vessel, departed China's Nantong in Jiangsu Province earlier this month for Taichung port, after getting the all-clear from Taiwan's Maritime and Port Bureau to ply Taiwan waters. The Chinese-registered vessels had been contracted to work on Taiwan's first offshore wind project.
At Least 40 Die After Migrant Boat Sinks Off Libya
At least 40 people died and 51 were rescued after a boat carrying migrants sank off Libya's coast east of Tripoli, Rami Kaal, a spokesman for the Libyan ministry of interior said on Sunday. Libya's porous borders with its sub-Saharan neighbours and its proximity to Italyand Malta across the Mediterranean have made the North African country a common transit route for migrants trying to reach Europe. Image (Reporting by Ahmed Elumami; Writing by Patrick Markey; Editing by Andrew Heavens)
Coast Guard Pacific Area receives new commander
Vice Adm. Charles W. Ray relieved Vice Adm. Paul F. Zukunft as Commander, Coast Guard Pacific Area and Coast Guard Defense Forces West, in a change of command ceremony at Coast Guard Island in Alameda, Calif., April 22, 2014. “This is not a transition, this is a continuity of leadership,” said Zukunft. Zukunft served as the Pacific Area Commander since April 2012, and is leaving to assume the duties as the Coast Guard Commandant in Washington, D.C., upon Senate confirmation. “It has been a pleasure serving as the Coast Guard’s Pacific Area commander for the past two years, and I look forward to the opportunity to continue my service as the Coast Guard’s 25th Commandant,” said Zukunft. Ray served as the Pacific Area deputy since 2013.
Coast Guard Pacific Area Command Changeover
The US Coast Guard informs that Rear Adm. Charles W. Ray will relieve Vice Adm. Paul F. Zukunft (US Coast Guard Commander designate) as Commander, Coast Guard Pacific Area and Coast Guard Defense Forces West, in a change-of-command ceremony at Coast Guard Island in Alameda. Zukunft has served as the Pacific Area Commander since April 2012, and is leaving to assume the duties as the Coast Guard Commandant in Washington, D.C., upon Senate confirmation. “It has been a pleasure serving as the Coast Guard’s Pacific Area commander for the past two years…
First American-built EPS M10 Hovercraft Commissioned
On June 15, 2011, the EPS M10 Hovercraft was commissioned as the “Al-Wajh.” Hovercraft Al-Wajh is the first of two to be delivered by EPS Corporation of Tinton Falls, NJ, to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Ministry of Interior Border Guard. The Commissioning Ceremony was held at the Border Guard Base at Aziziyah. In attendance at the commissioning were the Director General of the Saudi Border Guard, St. Maj. General Zamaim J. Al-Swat, the Assistant Director General, Rear Admiral Awwad Eid Al-Balawi, EPS Chairman and CEO, Mr. Francesco A. Musorrafiti, Mr.
Atlas Elektronik Delivers Coastal Surveillance System
Atlas Elektronik completed the delivery of the coastal surveillance sys-tem, which has been ordered by the Bulgarian Ministry of Finance regarding the completion of the Bulgarian obligations towards the Schengen agreement of the European Union. The Sys-tem, operated by the Border Police (Ministry of Interior), covers the entire Bulgarian coastline of more than 350 km. The contract includes the delivery of the complete coastal surveillance system, whereby already existing radar sites were integrated.
EPS Acquires 50% Stake in VectorWorks
EPS Corporation (EPS) has announced the acquisition of one-half interest in Vectorworks Marine LLC, manufacturer of reinforced plastic composite vessels. The Vectorworks facilities, located on the Intracoastal Waterway, Titusville, Florida, specializes in producing state-of-the-art marine vessels for military, commercial, sport, and recreational use. Vectorworks provides its services to government agencies, commercial entities and other marine manufacturers worldwide. Presently under construction at Vectorworks for delivery in 2009 to the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Interior for the use by the Saudi Arabia Border Guard Naval Affairs, is the first of two EPS M-10 Hovercraft vessels which can operate effectively at sea, in shallow water, and over land.
Australian Boats on Patrol in the Gulf
Austal has designed, constructed and delivered three 22 metre patrol boats to the Kuwait Coast Guard (KCG). In addition to three crew “Kassir”, “Dastoor” and “Mahroos” can each carry 41 people and will be used primarily for the transport of KCG crew and personnel to outlying islands at speeds of approximately 25 knots. The vessels were launched three months ahead of schedule and met all performance criteria on sea trials in Australian waters prior to being shipped to the Gulf region.
Image to Build Vessels for Kuwait
Austal has announced that it has secured an order for three Coast Guard vessels from the Government of Kuwait, Ministry of Interior. The trio of 22 metre aluminium monohulls will be built by Austal subsidiary, Image Marine and are due for delivery by early 2004. Austal Managing Director, Mr Bob McKinnon, said the contract was won against stiff international competition as part of a global tender process, and demonstrated the company’s ability to penetrate new markets. “Securing this contract with the Kuwait Coast Guard, together with our short-listing for the Royal Australian Navy patrol boat project, shows that there is considerable potential for Austal in this market,” he said.
