CCRI Designated as Maritime Training Center of Excellence
Last week, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration announced the designation of 27 Centers of Excellence for Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and Education (CoE), recognizing community colleges and training institutions that prepare students for careers in the U.S. maritime industry.One of the 27 schools and institutions recognized is the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI).The designation allows CCRI to work with MARAD to enter into cooperative agreements to help advance recruitment of students and faculty…
Atlantic Pioneer Gets to Work at Block Island
The first US-built and operated offshore wind farm crew transfer vessel will be named at an official christening ceremony in Quonset Point, Rhode Island. Following the Christening the ‘Atlantic Pioneer’, owned and operated by Atlantic Wind Transfers, the commercial wind support services arm of Rhode Island Fast Ferry, will embark on the first phase of a 20-year charter to support the construction and operation of the Block Island offshore wind farm. The Block Island site, currently under construction by developer Deepwater Wind off the coast of Rhode Island…
First US Offshore Wind Workboat Build Underway
Atlantic Wind Transfers, Blount Boats and Deepwater Wind welcome key U.S. Atlantic Wind Transfers, the commercial wind support services arm of Rhode Island Fast Ferry, joined boat builder Blount Boats and offshore wind developer Deepwater Wind on August 12 for an official Ribbon Cutting ceremony and to tour the first offshore wind farm crew transfer vessel in the U.S currently under construction. The event at the Blount Boats yard in Warren, R.I., brought together local supply chain businesses to celebrate the economic benefits of the Block Island Wind Farm project to U.S. firms.
Rhode Island on Forefront of National Freight Network
One of the most important components of a healthy economy is modern port infrastructure to feed our maritime transportation system. By investing in waterways, jobs are created, economic competitiveness is improved and prosperity is built for the long term. At the Rhode Island Ports Showcase in Providence, Acting Maritime Administrator, Paul "Chip" Jaenichen spoke about DOT’s commitment to making such investments. At the Port of Providence alone, port-related employment has grown from 800 jobs 15 years ago to 2,400 jobs today.
NUWC Dedicates $11m Facility
The Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Division Newport cut the ribbon and officially dedicated a new $11 million Maritime Subsurface Sensor Operations Laboratory on Tuesday, Aug. 16. Sen. Jack Reed and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse attended the event, as well as Rep. David Cicilline. NUWC attendees included the Warfare Center Commander Rear Adm. Thomas Wears and NUWC Technical Director Donald McCormack, and the NUWC Newport Technical Director Dr. Paul Lefebvre. "This project resulted in a significant addition to the towed array facility and a major upgrade to our capabilities," said Wears. Under construction since its July 31, 2009 ground breaking, the 40,000-square-foot, single-story laboratory provides secure workspace for the testing, refurbishment, and maintenance of towed arrays.
USS Providence Visits Namesake City
The Los Angeles-class, fast-attack submarine USS Providence (SSN 719) and residents celebrated their namesake relationship during "USS Providence Day" June 9. "USS Providence Day" is a one-day community outreach effort designed to foster the relationship between residents and their namesake submarine. "We've enjoyed a long and prosperous relationship with the city of ," said Cmdr. Michael Holland, commanding officer. "USS Day" was composed of numerous outreach events, including engagements with area business and civic leaders and visits to local organizations. During a visit to the , crew members toured the facility and spoke with patients. "This is just a great day for me," said Army veteran and patient Thomas Quartino.
KeySpan LNG Meeting
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) will meet in Washington, DC to receive comments on the KeySpan LNG, LP proposed LNG facility upgrade at Providence, Rhode Island from U.S. Senators Lincoln Chafee and Jack Reed, U.S. Representatives Patrick Kennedy and James Langevin, Rhode Island Attorney General Patrick Lynch, and Providence Mayor David Cicilline. 70 Fed. Reg. 11010 (HK Law)
