Major Port Hedland Navigation Project Completed
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has completed a major A$15.5 million two-year project to repair and rejuvenate essential aids to navigation (AtoNs) off the coast of Port Hedland, Western Australia.AMSA commissioned the works following Severe Tropical Cyclone Veronica in 2019, which caused significant damage to electrical equipment, access ladders, platforms, day markers and fenders.AMSA has replaced the top of 13 AtoNs, installed new platforms and above water pile sections…
On Deck: Cashing in on Safety
Patterson’s YoYo Barge Winch transcends efficiency, while creating a markedly safer workplace. In business since 1858, the Patterson Company of Pittsburgh, PA has shown the staying power like few others in the ever-changing and always competitive marine industry. A barge and towboat winch manufacturer more than a half century, the company is primarily known for their contributions to that market even today. Their newest entry into the winch market – the Patterson YoYo Winch – may be their most important ever.
Safety Board Determines Cause of 2006 Barge Fire
The National Transportation Safety Board determined that the failure of Athena Construction to require its crews to pin mooring spuds securely in place on its barges led to an unintentional release of one of the spuds. This resulted in a pipeline rupture that killed six. Blanche Bay oil field in Louisiana, en route to a pile- driving location. side of barge IBR 234. The Miss Megan was secured astern of IBR 234 pushing both barges. a well in the bottom of the boat and used for mooring) on the Athena 106 released from its fully raised position. The spud dropped into the water and struck a submerged, high- pressure natural gas pipeline. The resulting gas released ignited and created a fireball that engulfed the towing vessel and both barges.
Florida Marine Adds Trinity Barge
Florida Marine Transporters has added tank barge FMT 3008 to its fleet. The barge, the second of several being built by Trinity Marine Products, Inc., reflects an ongoing commitment by Florida Marine to shift to double-skin tank barge equipment. "Double-skin" tank barges, designed with an interior cargo shell and a secondary exterior hull, are primarily used for transport of petrochemical products over the nation's waterways. The hull configuration is designed to reduce cargo spills resulting from collisions, which rupture the barge hull. OPA 90 mandates all tank barges be "double-hulled" by the year 2015. Florida Marine has responded by moving well ahead of the mandated date, to make these barges available.
