Newport Beach News

Beaches in a southern California city that were shut because of an oil spill last week are set to reopen on Monday morning, authorities said in a statement.City and state beaches of Huntington Beach city will reopen as water quality testing showed no detectable amounts of oil associated toxins in ocean water, officials from the city and California State Parks said.Last week, some 3,000 barrels (126,000 gallons) of crude oil spilled into the Pacific Ocean, killing wildlife, soiling the coastline and forcing officials to close beaches in the cities of Huntington Beach…

A section of the oil pipeline that burst off the Southern California coast was displaced 105 feet (32 meters) across the ocean floor, officials said on Tuesday, fueling speculation that a ship's anchor may have caused the environmental disaster.The revelation came as the U.S. Coast Guard and drilling company Amplify Energy Corp came under further scrutiny about the time it took to respond to the spill, amid reports that mariners first reported seeing oil in the water on Friday night…

More oil from a massive offshore spill landed on the southern California shore on Monday, with beaches closed and dead fish and birds washing up on shore as officials investigated whether a ship anchor striking a pipeline could have triggered the leak.Crews dressed in white coveralls and helmets raced against an approaching storm as they cleaned damage from 3,000 barrels (126,000 gallons) of oil that spilled into the Pacific Ocean in recent days from a pipeline connected to an…

A large oil spill off the southern California coast left fish dead, birds mired in petroleum and wetlands contaminated, prompting local officials to call it an environmental catastrophe.The U.S. Coast Guard, heading a clean-up response involving federal, state, and city agencies, said on Sunday there was an around-the-clock investigation into how the spill occurred.An estimated 126,000 gallons, or 3,000 barrels, had spread into an oil slick covering about 13 square miles of the Pacific Ocean since it was first reported on Saturday morning…

After two previous successful motorcycling and boating events in 2013 and 2015, organizers of the Boaterz N’ Bikerz of America Hull of a Tour are back this summer for “Pacific Coast Rush,” a nine-day escorted motorcycle ride from Seattle to San Francisco, including a two-day swing down to Big Sur and Monterey. This summer’s Hull of a Tour 3 event runs July 22 – 30 and is sponsored for the second year by Freedom Boat Club, along with marine media sponsor Soundings Trade Only, platinum sponsor Regal Boats, event, producer/publicist Kenton Smith Marketing, and boating host/marine retailer Alexander Marine USA, with locations in Seattle and Newport Beach, Calif.

A Pacific storm pounded Southern California with heavy rain and high winds on Friday, triggering a small tornado, flash floods and mudslides that prompted the evacuation of hundreds of homes, damaged dozens of others and disrupted passenger rail services along the coast. One person was found dead on Friday in a rain-swollen flood-control channel in the Orange County town of Garden Grove, which could mark the third storm-related fatality on the West Coast since Thursday. Separately, rescue teams saved two people after they were swept away in the fast-moving Los Angeles River near a homeless encampment, the Los Angeles Fire Department said in Twitter messages.

Willard Marine, Inc., has acquired the rights to design and manufacture Crystaliner boats, a line of surf and rescue vessels that have been an icon on the West Coast for nearly six decades. Crystaliner was founded in Southern California in 1956 by John Norek and specialized in fiberglass recreational and commercial boats that were particularly popular with lifeguards, harbor patrol and rescue operations. Crystaliner is credited with building the molds for the Navy’s first 16’ fiberglass lifeboat, and in 1959, the first fiberglass boat to win the Miami Nassau Race. Although the company closed its doors in 2012, Crystaliners are still being used by law enforcement and lifeguard divisions in the California coastal cities of Long Beach…

The Newport Beach Company G-Ship LLC finished a four-month validation with the CSC, Advanced Marine Center team led by Alexander Landsburg shows 90% fuel savings for containerships. Since the Steamer came along, sailing vessels have stayed the course as the leader in renewable energy propelled ships. Now, G-Ship LLC has come up with a ship design and propulsion system for improved performance at speeds greater than 25 knots. The unique transformation of a hydropower engine and a fascinating cogeneration strategy were compared using the Emma Maersk as the baseline.

After graduating from the California Maritime Academy with a Bachelor’s degree in Marine Transportation, Scott began a sea-going career with Chevron Shipping. He continued with Chevron in various at-sea positions until July of this year when he joined Hornblower Cruises & Events. In his new position, Scott will work on a number of special projects ranging from feasibility studies, energy and cost savings, risk management, regulatory concerns, procurement projects, business process improvement, SAFECRUISE efforts and Respect our Planet Programs. Hornblower Cruises & Events has been a leading charter yacht and public dining cruise company in California for over 33 years.

Creditors of Brazilian tycoon Eike Batista's Oleo e Gas Participacoes SA approved a restructuring plan for the oil company that could lead to a quick resolution of the largest bankruptcy in Latin America's history, lawyers said on Tuesday. The plan was approved by creditors holding 90 percent of the Rio de Janeiro-based company's nearly 12 billion reais ($5 billion) of unpaid obligations. If a judge approves, creditors will swap debts for about 90 percent of Oleo e Gas stock, said Ricardo Knoepfelmacher of Angra Partners, the consultancy that handled talks with creditors. The judge's approval is expected within days, he said. Creditors include Newport Beach…

The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) has appointed Christopher Land to be its General Counsel and Vice President for Legal Affairs. Land assumes his post on March 3. As general counsel, Land will provide advice, opinions and representation on all areas of law affecting the Institution. Among his duties will be engaging in Institution strategy and business development; providing counsel and advice concerning compliance with federal and state statutes and regulations affecting research and higher education organizations; and negotiating, drafting and reviewing contracts.

Mercy Ships, the charitable hospital ship foundation, is delighted to announce the leadership gift of $20 million from Laguna Beach philanthropists, Sue and Bill Gross. The funds are designated toward a new hospital ship, currently in the design phase, to join the current hospital ship, the Africa Mercy , in delivering hope and healing to the underserved poor. In honor of this generous donation, the hospital onboard the new ship will be named the Sue and Bill Gross Healing Hospital.

Crowley Maritime Corp.’s liner and logistics group was recently presented with its eleventh-consecutive Logistics Excellence Award for export quality – an honor given in recognition of Crowley’s ongoing efforts to safely and efficiently transport Toyota vehicles to Puerto Rico from the U.S. East Coast. Crowley’s Peter Noyer, vice president, national accounts and John Kelley, director, national accounts, accepted the award on Crowley’s behalf during Toyota’s annual logistics partners meeting in Newport Beach, Calif.

Crow's Nest Yachts is the new exclusive dealer for Westcoast Custom Yachts, featuring 62' and 64' Pilothouse models, and a 64' Express Cruiser. Crow’s Nest Yachts  announces it is now the exclusive West Coast dealer for Westcoast Custom Yachts, located in British Columbia, Canada. Crow’s Nest Yachts is featuring the North American-built yachts at its locations in Seattle, Newport Beach and San Diego beginning in early May. Renowned boat builder Forbes Cooper is behind Westcoast Custom Yachts. He’s been manufacturing boats since the 1970’s, first with his Cooper sailboat, and then with the Cooper Prowler series of yachts in the 1980’s. Cooper has come out of retirement to put his mark on these new well-crafted yachts.

Coast Guard investigators working to determine what caused the destruction of the 37-foot sailboat off the Mexican coast, consider that there's a possibility that no eyewitnesses remain. All four crew members of the Aegean were killed. And based on the level of destruction — small pieces of the boat were found spread over a wide area — it may be no one aboard the much larger ship that's believed to have rammed the Aegean ever realized it, says the Los Angeles Times news report. Without discounting the likelihood of a collision, the Coast Guard noted that the last known position of the Aegean was close to a rocky shoreline on one of the Coronado Islands.

Mikelson Yachts will  display two models in the 39th Annual Newport Beach Boat Show during April 19-22 at Lido Marina Village. The show gives exposure to over 300 vessels of varying sizes. Featured in the show for the last 30 years, Mikelson Yachts will be back in attendance this year presenting the 43 Zeus Sportfisher and the 59 Nomad Cruising Sportfish. Attendees will have the chance to view the new spacious layout of the 59 Nomad and learn more about the latest in pod drive technology with the 43 Zeus.

Toyota Logistics Services recently presented Crowley Maritime Corporation's liner services group with its prestigious Excellence in Quality Award for 2010 in recognition of Crowley's outstanding  performance transporting thousands of Toyotas from the U.S. to Puerto Rico during the year. It was the ninth consecutive year Crowley has received the award from Toyota. Charlie Dominguez, vice president, national accounts, accepted the award from Toyota officials on behalf of Crowley in Newport Beach, Calif.

(JACKSONVILLE, Fla.; April 21, 2011) - Toyota Logistics Services recently presented Crowley Maritime Corporation's liner services group with its prestigious Excellence in Quality Award for 2010 in recognition of Crowley's outstanding performance transporting thousands of Toyotas from the U.S. to Puerto Rico during the year. It was the ninth consecutive year Crowley has received the award from Toyota. Charlie Dominguez, vice president, national accounts, accepted the award from Toyota officials on behalf of Crowley in Newport Beach, Calif.

John (Jack) William Gilbert, PE, U.S. Navy Lieutenant, USNR, a world-renowned Naval Architect and Marine Engineer and President of John W. Gilbert Associates, Inc., Hingham, Massachusetts, died at the age of 80 years on July 26, 2010. Gilbert was born in Silver Creek, N.Y., on November 1, 1929, and was a resident of North Scituate, Mass., for more than 48 years. He graduated with a B.S.Nam. from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, in 1955. Gilbert founded John W. Gilbert Associates…

Ambassadors International, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMIE) on March 24 announced that Joseph J. Ueberroth, President and Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors, has resigned as the company's President and Chief Executive Officer effective April 1, 2009 to pursue other ventures. Ueberroth also resigned from the Board of Directors effective March 20, 2009. Mr. Ueberroth first announced his resignation in September 2008 giving the company twelve months notice. However, since the company, as previously announced, is substantially complete with the process of moving its corporate headquarters to Seattle to concentrate on its cruise business, Ueberroth felt it was now the appropriate time for him to leave. Mr.

Ambassadors International, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMIE), announced that Mark Detillion has joined the company March 23 and will become the company's Chief Financial Officer effective April 1, 2009. Detillion has expertise which includes performance and profitability analysis, and venture funding. For the past eight years Mr. Detillion served as the vice president of finance and chief financial officer for Cruise West in Seattle, WA. Prior to Cruise West he spent several years as the chief financial officer for Shilo Inns in Portland, OR. He also served as the director of finance for Holland America Lines. Detillion holds a B.A. in Accounting from the University of Washington and is a certified public accountant in the State of Washington. Ambassadors International, Inc.

Fiat Powertrain Technologies of North America, Inc., (FPT NA), announced an agreement with Costa Mesa-based Boatswain’s Locker for the distribution and service of FPT commercial diesel marine engines and parts in California, Hawaii, and Western Mexico. “We chose to carry the FPT commercial line of diesel marine engines with outputs from 57 to 1300 HP for several reasons,” said Dan Gribble, CEO Boatswain’s Locker. Founded in 1939 in Newport Beach, California, Boatswain’s Locker provides sales and service of marine engine products for both recreational and commercial vessels for over 69 years. Boatswain’s Locker is the distributor for FPT…

Ambassadors International, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMIE) announced that Joseph J. Ueberroth, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, voluntarily foregoes the compensation entitled to him under his employment agreement dated November 2, 2006. Under the terms of that agreement, Mr. Ueberroth was entitled to receive approximately $3m in cash (up to $6m in certain circumstances) compensation due in September 2009. In addition, he decided to forego his 2008 long-term compensation with a value of approximately $750,000 that was due per his contract in stock. Mr. Ueberroth offered to forego the compensation at a recent meeting of the Company's Board of Directors, and to work in any capacity that the Board decided would be in the best interest of the company.