Baird News

Offshore wind energy planners are giving close review to fixed-tower systems in order to extend lessons learned to floating wind towers, under development now. In the U.S., floating towers have been most closely associated with plans for new wind energy areas (WEA) in the Pacific, off of California and maybe Oregon and Washington. But important research is also taking place in Maine, at the University of Maine, because of deep ocean Atlantic areas there, and floating towers may also be used in the Gulf of Mexico.As most readers likely know…

Underwater foul-release coatings company Propspeed announced it has hired Chris Myers as Vice President of Sales Americas. In his new position, Myers is tasked with directing Propspeed’s sales efforts across the Americas, as well as growing and supporting Propspeed’s network of partner boat yards, marinas, applicators and distributors.A marine industry insider for nearly two decades, Myers he has been professionally involved in all aspects of the field, including stints with boat and product manufacturers, holding positions predominantly in sales and finance.

Underwater foul-release coatings company Propspeed said it has partnered with Marine Protection Systems to educate and provide solutions to prevent corrosion and minimize damage to vessels and the marine biosphere.The insulative properties of Propspeed combined with correct anode solutions greatly improve efficiencies, reducing fuel burn and operational costs, while also minimizing the environmental impact that corrosion and coating loss has on the oceans. Propspeed and Marine…

Propspeed, an innovator of underwater foul-release coatings, received an endorsement from FarSounder, a pioneer in navigation and obstacle avoidance systems, which has tested the Propspeed Foulfree foul-release coating and recommends it for application by their customers, dealers and partner shipyards.“Our unique, patented technology is designed to paint a clear picture of what lies ahead underwater and along the bottom,” said Cheryl Zimmerman, CEO, FarSounder. “Marine growth on our transducers could limit the effectiveness of our products and potentially put a vessel in a hazardous situation.

Underwater foul-release coatings company Propspeed announced Tuesday that its big investment in global expansion at the beginning of this year is paying off in a big way.The New Zealand-based company said it achieved "unprecedented growth" in 2021, including an expanded focus on the commercial maritime industry, despite the lockdowns and supply chain issues that have plagued recent history.“After navigating 2020 and the paradigm shift that occurred in how the industry as a whole does business…

Pilot LNG, developer of the Galveston LNG Bunker Port (GLBP) project, announced that it has awarded the front-end engineering and design (FEED) contract for the project’s marine infrastructure engineering to W. F. Baird & Associates.Baird will provide a variety of services to Pilot LNG including design of marine structures, metocean modeling including storm surge and tidal currents, dredging design and dredged material placement analysis, and support for vessel maneuvering assessments.

The Coast Guard rescued a 76-year-old man after his sailboat ran aground in Crystal River, Monday. Rescued was Jack Baird, 76, from Dunnellon. At 11:32 a.m. Sector St. Petersburg watchstanders received a report of a disabled and aground 45-foot sailboat near the Crystal River navigational marker 2A. Baird reported he was unable to communicate with a local commercial salvage company and needed assistance. A Station Yankeetown 24-foot Special Purpose Craft - Shallow Water boatcrew was launched with Nature Coast Emergency Medical Services aboard. Baird reported suffering a hand injury and seasickness symptoms. The boatcrew transferred Baird to River Haven Marina, Homosassa. Baird was met by his wife at the marina. "Mr. Baird did the right thing," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Jason R.

FUSION announced today that its STEREOACTIVE purpose-builtportable marine stereo has won the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) Innovation Award in the Watersport Equipmentcategory at the 2017 Miami International Boat Show. “We are very proud of the passion and dedication our design and engineering team has put into STEREOACTIVE and are deeply honored to be recognized by the NMMA,” said Chris Baird, managing director of FUSION Entertainment. “After 10 years in the industry, we really wanted to push the boundaries and enable smaller boats to easily and cost effectively add quality, purpose-built entertainment to their vessel.

FUSION announced today that it signed a partnership with Ribeye Ltd. Under the terms of the agreement, Ribeye’s full Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) range will be offered with the option of either the FUSION BB100 Black Box Entertainment System or the compact RA70 Stereo, as well as Signature Series Speakers on the PRIME Series. All audio systems will include the FUSION Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) receiver and antenna. A full-featured marine entertainment system, the MS-BB100 featuring FUSION-Link via NMEA 2000 control, Bluetooth audio streaming and Multi-Zone technology, blends performance and subtlety to deliver the ultimate audio solution for helms where space is at a premium.

FUSION announced today an exclusive partnership with XO Boats to install the compact MS-BB100 black-box audio entertainment system and Full Range Marine speakers on all 2017 model-year XO Boats. The deal was announced at boot Düsseldorf 2017, held January 21st through 29th at the Dusseldorf fairgrounds. “All XO boats are crafted to face the blow of the wind, the ruthlessness of the freezing temperatures and the power of the whipping waves of our local waters,” said Calle Nyman, sales and marketing manager, XO Boats Oy. “This is why we make sure that every detail of every boat, from the seats to accessories, is built to deliver a complete user experience no matter the sea conditions.

Interferry has unveiled a strategic plan promising to put safety issues at the heart of its work as the voice of the worldwide ferry industry. The pledge came at the global trade association’s 41st annual conference in Manila – a venue chosen to spotlight the challenges of domestic ferry safety in developing nations. According to Interferry, the plan signals its overriding ambition to help lift ferry safety in all parts of the world to the very high standard already in place in North America and Europe, where casualties in recent decades have been extremely rare.

LIVERPOOL City Region has launched a new  £2.5 million maritime training academy which it believes is the only one in the U.K. to create vitally needed skills and become a beacon of international excellence. Hugh Baird College, Bootle, and its supporting partners officially launch the Port Academy Liverpool (PAL) with some 200 guests from across the U.K. representing the maritime industry, Merchant Navy, Royal Navy – both past and present - and charitable trusts. Port Academy Liverpool will provide first class academic…

FUSION, announced today that it signed a partnership with Axopar Boats. Under the terms of the agreement, the full range of Axopar boats will be offered with FUSION audio entertainment including the MS-BB300 Black Box Entertainment System, MS-NRX200i Wired Remote Controller, MS-FR6021 speakers and compatible amplifiers. When space is at a premium at the helm, a compact entertainment solution is needed to blend performance and subtlety. There’s no room for compromise, because every boat needs access to FUSION’s unbeatable entertainment. The full-featured MS-BB300 Black Box Entertainment System offers FUSION-Link via NMEA 2000 control, Bluetooth audio streaming and Multi-Zone technology.

U.K. skipper Alexander Baird, who pleaded guilty to a charge of not operating his ship in a safe manner, has been sent to prison following a hearing April 21 at Mold Crown Court, where he received a custodial sentence totaling nine months. Baird admitted the charge which covered a number of deficiencies found on his fishing vessel, St Amant. Baird was skipper of the vessel between November 2007 and April 2012. During that period St Amant was inspected on nine occasions and a number of problems found. These included safety equipment not working or not ready for immediate use, cluttered deck, failure to brief crew on emergency procedures or holding drills and making sure they had taken legally-required safety courses.

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has partnered with the World Ocean Council (WOC), an international business leadership alliance dedicated to Corporate Ocean Responsibility. For years, cruise lines have implemented policies and procedures to reduce the industry’s environmental impact. While CLIA members’ approximately 300 oceangoing cruise ships, expected to transport 24 million travelers this year, comprise far less than 1 percent of the global merchant fleet’s 50,000 oceangoing ships, they are at the forefront of developing responsible environmental practices and innovative technologies that lead the world’s shipping sector. Many cruise lines not only meet, but exceed environmental regulatory requirements in a number of areas.

FUSION confirmed today that its industry-leading marine entertainment systems are featured on the premier vessels produced by Dutch yacht builder, Linssen Yachts. Marine equipment and technology distributor Technautic provides Linssen with the latest head units from FUSION Entertainment, including the MS-RA205, MS-AV650, MS-AV750 and MS-AM504. “Linssen Yachts builds some of the most innovative steel yachts in the business,” said Chris Baird, managing director, FUSION Entertainment. “Their clients demand the very best systems when outfitting their new yachts and FUSION delivers. The audio systems our sales partner Technautic supplies…

FUSION Entertainment,the worldwide leader in marine-audio engineering, announced today it has sponsored the Innovative On-Board Design Solution Award at the inaugural Boat Builder Awards, during the Marine Equipment Trade Show (METS) in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. The awards gala dinner was held on Wednesday, November 18th, 2015 at The National Maritime Museum, Amsterdam. FUSION presented the award to Galleon Yachts for its new 500 Fly. FUSION is recognized as a leader in the marine market and chose to sponsor this award as it closely matches the company’score values of promoting cutting-edge innovation. The prestigious new Boat Builder Awards for business achievement…

FUSION, a worldwide leader in marine audio, announced today the release of a new platform for its FUSION-Link Remote Control app. The app now allows for Bluetooth control of compatible FUSION marine entertainment systems directly from Android mobile devices. Designed for smartphones and tablets, once it is downloaded the FUSION-Link Remote Control app allows navigation, streaming and control of music sources and independent audio zones. Users are able to navigate albums, artists and playlists with the same ease as the FUSION stereo interface. Simply downloading and pairing the device with the mobile stereo is all that is required for on-the-go control of FUSION’s on board entertainment.

Caterpillar Inc. Group President of Energy & Transportation Jim Umpleby and Director of Investor Relations Rich Moore will speak at the Baird 2015 Industrial Conference on Wednesday, November 11. They are scheduled to speak at 11 a.m. Central Time. The presentation materials will be available at http://www.caterpillar.com/en/investors/events-and-presentations.html. The event will be webcast in real-time and available to the public at http://wsw.com/webcast/baird44/cat. Listeners should go to the website at least 30 minutes before the live event to register and to download and install any necessary audio software. The webcast will be available for replay for 90 days; no transcripts from the presentation will be made available.

The last operational British-built wooden hull three-mast top sail schooner, Kathleen & May, as supplied with a new Volvo Penta engine from Liverpool, U.K.-based engine specialist James Troop & Co. James Troop was tasked with supplying a Volvo Penta engine for the historic Kathleen & May, working in collaboration with fellow maritime firm Cammell Laird to fit the D13 450 brake horsepower engine, along with a new generator, on the vessel at its mooring at Liverpool’s Albert Dock.

FUSION, the worldwide leader in marine entertainment, announced today its FUSION-Link audio access system is now supported by the Furuno NavNet TZtouch2 series. Providing the ability to control all FUSION-Link enabled 700 and 750 Series marine entertainment systems capabilities and functions directly from the TZtouch2 multi-touch display, FUSION-Link makes it easy for Furuno owners to enjoy their onboard audio and video entertainment from their multi-function display (MFD). “We are excited to extend FUSION-Link capabilities to Furuno’s latest and most advanced TZtouch2 displays,” said Chris Baird, managing director, FUSION. The only ‘True Marine’ entertainment solutions on the market…

FUSION announced today the release of its line of hardened marine-specific stereo amplifiers. Purpose-built for installations on boats of all sizes, the new line of amplifiers is engineered for long-lasting performance. Offered in two configurations, the 400 Watt, 2-channel MS-AM402and the 500 Watt, 4-channel MS-AM504marine amplifiersare perfect for enhancing powerful audio performance throughout any vessel. The new FUSION amplifiers are housed in marine grade chassis with stainless steel bottomand endplatesthat provide a stunning finish and excellent environmental resistance. Conformal-coated circuitry adds protection from salt air and moisture ingress to maximize product life.

While many Asian ports restrict ships’ sulfur emissions, the level is far higher than limits in the U.S. and Europe, says a report in the WSJ. Many popular destinations, including Singapore, Australia and several of the Pacific Islands, apply international maritime guidelines restricting ships’ emissions of sulfur—a pollutant associated with acid rain—to 3.5% of fuel volume. But that is 35 times the U.S. and European limit. Activists have been urging regulators to mandate stricter standards, but they say that in the meantime multinational cruise companies such as Carnival Corp. and Crystal Cruises should act. The fuel used in international shipping contains on average 2,700 times more sulphur than the fuel used for cars, resulting in higher sulphur oxide (SOx) emissions.