Comet News

A new 20-meter aluminum patrol vessel, AD Comet, has been delivered to Mohamed Saqr Alfalahi General Maintenance to replace the company’s current vessel, undertaking general and patrol duties in the Abu Dhabi waters. The twin-screw vessel is built according the latest standards in the closed aluminum newbuilding shed at Albwardy Marine Engineering in Sharjah (Damen Shipyards Sharjah). Yuji Nakamori, General manager of Mohamed Saqr Alfalahi General Maintenance commented, “The delivery…

LCT 7074, the last known landing craft to survive the D-Day invasion in 1944, has been refloated as part of a project to lift and save the vessel which began in March 2014, almost exactly four years to the day after she had sunk. The vessel, which came out of service at the end of the WWII after numerous deployments to the Normandy beaches, was converted to a naval repair facility for a short while, and then became a floating nightclub berthed in Liverpool from around 1950. Unique Seaflex (Seaflex)…

Dorian LPG Ltd. today reported its financial results for the three months ended September 30, 2014. Took delivery of the second vessel under our VLGC newbuilding program, the Corsair, from Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. Ltd. ("Hyundai"), on September 26, 2014 - which is trading in the spot market. Captain John NP recorded time charter equivalent ("TCE") rate of $71,355 for the three months ended September 30, 2014. John Hadjipateras, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We made progress in Q2 2015, as we continued to build out our fleet with the delivery of the Corsair in late September. We currently own and manage a modern fleet of 5 VLGCs and one pressurized LPG carrier.

Representatives from the U.S. Coast Guard, Federal, State, County and several members of the maritime community have received a Coast Guard Meritorious Team Commendation award during a ceremony held at the Canaveral Port Authority Maritime Center in Port Canaveral, Florida, informs the US Coast Guard. On July 1, 2014, the 584-foot bulk carrier J.S. Comet, sought refuge off Port Canaveral, Florida when 19 of the 21 crewmembers aboard were stricken with symptoms of food poisoning and were unable to continue to safely operate the vessel. The coordinated response involved five Coast Guard units, three fire departments, Cape Canaveral Hospital…

Dorian LPG Ltd. a leading owner and manager of modern VLGC's (very large gas carriers), today announced that it has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU"), with HNA Logistics Group Co., Ltd. to explore opportunities in the liquefied petroleum gas logistics market. John Hadjipateras, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer commented, "We are very pleased to form a strategic relationship with HNA Logistics. Their unique presence in the Chinese market creates opportunities to develop energy related transportation, finance, infrastructure and distribution. "The MOU with Dorian LPG presents a significant opportunity for our company to collaborate with a leader in the LPG industry." Director and Vice President of HNA Logistics, Mr.

Nineteen sick crew-members, thought to be suffering from food poisoning aboard the 584-foot cargo ship 'JS Comet' have been hoisted from their anchored vessel 3 miles off Port Canaveral, Florida. USCG informs that two MH-60 helicopter crews from Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater safely hoisted the crewmembers from the vessel in 35 knot winds and five to 6-foot seas associated with Tropical Storm Arthur. Due to deteriorating weather conditions and the crew’s symptoms worsening, the Coast Guard determined the safest course of action was to evacuate the patients via helicopter rather than a Coast Guard smallboat. The JS Comet crew became ill early Tuesday reportedly suffering food poisoning like symptoms…

Drew Marine announced it is merging with ACR Electronics, Inc., a global provider of safety products and solutions to the aviation, marine, military and commercial markets worldwide. ACR’s core products include life-saving devices such as rescue beacons, safety lights, and other safety equipment which have been sold for decades under the ACR and Artex brands. Drew Marine is a global provider of technical solutions and services to the maritime and offshore industries specializing in fire, safety and rescue (FSR), water treatment, maintenance chemicals, fuel management and welding and refrigeration products. “The addition of ACR to Drew Marine is part of our strategy to expand our offerings in the safety and rescue markets,” said Len Gelosa, Drew Marine President and CEO.

The Maritime Administration has launched a virtual tour on its website of the USNS Comet, a non-retention vessel currently located at its Suisun Bay Reserve Fleet in Benicia, California. This 360 degree photographic tour provides the experience of walking onboard the ship. Built in 1957, the Comet was the first of its kind deep draft ocean going vessel designed for roll on/roll off handling of vehicles and other wheeled cargo. The virtual tour can be viewed at: www.marad.dot.gov/Assets/html/usns_comet_main.html www.marad.dot.gov

Dr. Arthur H. Sulzer, Captain USN (Ret), Sworn in as Member, Advisory Board of the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation. Dr. Dr. Arthur H. Sulzer, Captain USN (ret), is President of Arthur H. Sulzer Associates, Inc., a position he has held since 2001. From 1974 to 2005, Captain Sulzer served in the United States Navy. His active duty assignments included Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, where he commanded the U.S. Naval Ship COMET. In 2003, Captain Sulzer joined several colleagues from Philadelphia to open Maritime Academy Charter High School.

The U.S. Senate confirmed William J. Mielke and Arthur H. Sulzer as members of the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation Advisory Board on January 1. William J. Mielke is Chairman of the Board, President and CEO of Ruekert/Mielke, a consulting engineering company located in Pewaukee, Wisconsin. He has been a Director of Bank Mutual Corporation since 2000 and its subsidiary, Bank Mutual, since 1988. Mielke is also a Fellow of the American Consulting Engineers Council and has served as a diplomat of the American Academy of Environmental Engineers. From 2006 to 2007, he was a member of the Special Committee on the Great Lakes Water Resources Compact.

Babson Capital provides US$12-million In subordinated debt to support Drew Marine acquisition of Chemring Marine Group’s Rescue Division. Babson Capital Management LLC, a global investment manager with $149 billion in assets under management and operations on four continents, announce it provided $12 million in mezzanine debt to support Drew Marine LLC’s acquisition of the Chemring Marine Group’s Rescue Division. Under Drew Marine’s ownership, Chemring’s Rescue Division will be renamed Drew Marine Signal and Safety. Drew Marine Signal and Safety is the world’s leading supplier of marine distress signals to the commercial shipping and leisure markets. The Company’s products are marketed under established brand names including Pains Wessex, Comet, Aurora and Oroquieta.

Here is a multiple choice question:  which of the following contracts is considered to be a “maritime contract” under U.S. law? You will be forgiven if you simply tried to apply logic in answering this question and guessed that all four are maritime contracts. If you know your maritime law, however, then you should have answered that “c” and “d” are maritime contracts whereas “a” and “b” are not. Or, at least, that is the current state of the law. Why might this matter? In the first place…

Drew Marine has completed the acquisition of the Chemring Marine business, now named Drew Marine Signal and Safety (DMSS). DMSS brings 125 new employees to Drew Marine with locations in Bremerhaven, Germany, Hampshire, UK, Pamplona, Spain, and Melbourne, Australia. DMSS is a manufacturer and supplier of pyrotechnic marine distress signals business, under recognized brands such as Comet, Pains Wessex, Oroquieta and Aurora. DMSS offers a large selection of SOLAS compliant products sold through an unparalleled distribution network in 80 countries. It also sells signal and safety products to the non-SOLAS/leisure market. Len Gelosa, Drew Marine’s President & CEO said “As a global organization…

President Barack Obama ha announced his intent to nominate Captain Arthur H. Sulzer, USN (ret) as a Member, Advisory Board of the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation. Captain Arthur H. Sulzer, USN (ret), is President of Arthur H. Sulzer Associates, Inc., a position he has held since 2001. From 1974 to 2005, Captain Sulzer served in the United States Navy. His active duty assignments included Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, where he commanded the U.S. Naval Ship Comet.

Affiliates of Drew Marine (Drew Marine) completed of the previously announced acquisition of Chemring Group PLC’s (Chemring) maritime interests for cash consideration of £32 million. Under Drew Marine's ownership, the acquired business will be named Drew Marine Signal and Safety (DMSS). DMSS is the world's leading supplier of marine distress signals including handflares, manoverboard buoys, line-throwers and other required rescue products under established brands including Pains Wessex, Comet, Aurora and Oroquieta. The Company's products are produced in Bremerhaven, Germany; Pamplona, Spain; and Lara, Australia. The business will continue to be headquartered in Hampshire, UK.

Affiliates of Drew Marine (“Drew Marine”) have reached a definitive agreement with Chemring Group PLC (“Chemring”) to acquire Chemring’s maritime interests (“Chemring Marine” or the “Company”) for a cash consideration of £32 million, subject to standard closing adjustments. Under Drew Marine’s ownership, the business will be named Drew Marine Signal and Safety (“DMSS”). Chemring Marine is the world’s leading supplier of marine distress signals including handflares, manoverboard buoys, line-throwers and other required rescue products under established brands including Pains Wessex, Comet, Aurora and Oroquieta. The Company’s products are produced in Bremerhaven, Germany; Pamplona, Spain; and Lara, Australia. The business will continue to be headquartered in Hampshire, UK.

Exactly 100 years ago, the Danish ship Selandia set an example for international shipping as a pioneer within CO2 reduction. Now we are ready for yet another environmental quantum leap. The most distinctive feature of the M/S Selandia was the fact that it had no funnel emitting black smoke up into the sky. The M/S Selandia marked the beginning of the end of steamships. As the first ocean-going ship, she sailed on diesel instead of coal. A technological revolution built at the B&W shipyard. And at the same time, a major gain for the environment.

According to a report from the Daily Comet, the Terrebonne Port Commission’s application for $10m in hurricane-recovery money had been approved by the state. The money, designated by the state to support economic development in the wake of hurricanes Gustav and Ike, will build a large public dry dock that will be leased by the Edison Chouest Offshore project and used to launch large boats, such as the $150m Arctic service vessel the Galliano-based company currently has under construction. (Source: Daily Comet)

Crowley continued to reward exemplary students at maritime schools around the country this week, presenting Thomas B. Crowley Sr. Memorial Scholarships to four deserving midshipmen from the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) at the Containerization and Intermodal Institute's Connie Awards dinner in Newark, N.J. The USMMA cadets Christina Becker, David Irish, Lesley Walz and Gregory Otto were recognized with Crowley scholarships for their strong academic records, leadership capacity and financial need.

According to a report from the Daily Comet, Cuba has ventured into deepwater exploration to become more energy-independent, but some in the oil-and-gas industry fear that will be hard to do so safely given the decades-old trade embargo with the United States, a leading provider of oilfield technology. Given the push for higher deepwater standards in the wake of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, some are saying it’s crucial to collaborate more with Cuba to be sure that drilling is done safely in the Gulf that both countries share. (Source: The Daily Comet)

According to a September 25 report from The Daily Comet, dredging will begin soon on a seven-mile stretch of the Houma Navigation Canal where silt has caused problems for area businesses that use the waterway to move large ships and offshore structures. The Corps of Engineers will spend up to $4.5m to dredge the stretch of canal through Terrebonne Parish, with the goal to start in October and finish by the year’s end. (Source: The Daily Comet)

According to the Daily Comet, Edison Chouest Offshore has confirmed that it is starting a new shipbuilding operation in Tampa. The Galliano-based ship builder will take over a lease formerly held by the Tampa Shipbuilding and Repair Company. The property is owned by the Bender Group of Mobile, Ala. Chouest plans to build offshore supply boats and other vessels, but terms of the deal were not disclosed. (Source: Daily Comet)

Matson Navigation Company has been awarded ship management contracts by the Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration (MARAD) for three ships in its Ready Reserve Fleet. Two of the vessels, SSs Comet and Meteor, are ro-ro ships that are currently in reduced operating status (ROS) in Alameda, California and the third, SS Cape Jacob, is a break bulk vessel in full operating status (FOS) on duty with the U.S. Navy Military Sealift Command's Pre-Position Program. The contract for the ROS vessels is for four years, with two three-year extensions possible, and the FOS vessel contract is for one year, with potential for two one-year extensions.