Fathom News

Mercury Marine, a division of Brunswick Corporation, on Tuesday announced the launch of its new 5.7L 350 and 400hp Verado outboard engines, said to be the industry's first V10 outboards.The new outboards are compatible with the latest Mercury SmartCraft technologies and will also be offered with an optional dual-mode 48V/12V alternator to pair with Navico Group’s Fathom e-power system, an integrated lithium-ion auxiliary power management system, providing boaters the opportunity…

Has the age of maritime discovery and exploration actually ended? Perhaps not exactly. As the history of maritime resilience and the human element shows, as far back as the 1500s and earlier, from using new navigational aids and improved ship designs, to coastal and inland route sailing, to navigating on open seas with uncertain charts, wayward icebergs, dense fog and luckily at times, clear starry nights, mariners have faced human element and maritime resiliency challenges. "Short of food and water…

The M/V Fathom, a 35’ x 13’ asymmetric catamaran, recently arrived at Nimmo Bay Wilderness Resort in British Columbia, Canada. Boat builder Armstrong Marine partnered with Jutson Marine design to expand the resort’s fleet in 2018.According to designer Scott Jutson, the new vessel is “unique in both function and style.”Twin Yamaha 350hp outboards, paired with SeaStar Pro steering, power the high-performance catamaran, which recorded a 50mph top speed with a comfortable 35mph cruise.Built to Transport Canada standards…

There has been little reaction by way of statements or position papers from marine fuel lubricant manufacturers to the IMO MEPC70 proposals for a global fuel sulfur content cap of 0.5 percent by 2020 but they are fully aware of the implications of the proposed regulations and are taking what could be termed a ‘pragmatic approach’ to fuel regulation compliance. Marine lubricant suppliers have avoided getting involved in the debate as to whether the IMO MEPC70 proposals to reduce permissible marine fuel sulfur content to 0.5 percent or less is good…

Caribbean ship repair yard Grand Bahama Shipyard Limited (GBSL) reported a busy 2016 for retrofit, refurbishments and repairs to vessels from the leading cruise lines. GBSL said it performed work on 20 cruise vessels during 2016, with scope of works included significant propulsion and technical systems overhauls, hull treatment, accommodations and public spaces upgrades and the addition of onboard attraction facilities. The trend continues: for 2017, GBSL has confirmed 23 cruise vessels scheduled for refit, refurbishment or revitalization from its customer base.

Fathom is finalizing preparations for its July 17 Dominican Republic voyage representing the first ever cruise to the Caribbean focused on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) programming. The 7-day cruise will feature specialized STEM-focused workshops for educators that Fathom developed in close collaboration with the Center for Science Teaching and Learning (CSTL). Fathom also will play host to the fifth annual Clean Tech Competition, a unique research and design challenge for pre-college youth. Additionally, advertising students from the Gaylord College at the University of Oklahoma’s (OU) student-run advertising and…

With the implementation date for new container weighing requirements 14-days away, Chairman of the Federal Maritime Commission Mario Cordero said the time has come for ocean carriers to embrace the obvious solution to achieving compliance that Marine Terminal Operators can offer. Specifically, Cordero asserted the weight of export containers, as determined by terminal operators, can and should be classified as the Verified Gross Mass (VGM) of the container. Cordero also noted…

Cruise ship MV Adonia sailed into Havana this morning, completing the first leg of its historic inaugural voyage to Cuba that began on May 1, 2016, from Miami, marking the first time in over 50 years that a U.S. cruise line has sailed from the U.S. to Cuba. The Bermuda-flagged ship Adonia, operated by U.S. based Fathom, the 10th and newest brand of Carnival Corporation & plc., was greeted in the Port of Havana by fanfare and a festive celebration. Havana is the first of three destinations that guests will visit as part of the Fathom’s seven-night voyages to Cuba.

A cruise ship is sailing to Cuba from the U.S. for the first time in more than 50 years. The Bermuda-flagged Adonia sailed from the port of Miami carrying some 700 passengers on Sunday. Cruise firm Carnival's  Adonia left Miami bound for Havana and will also visit the ports of Cienfuegos and Santiago de Cuba on the seven-day trip. “To be a part of truly making history and preparing for an even more positive future for everyone is one of the greatest honors any company can have,” Carnival Corporation chief executive Arnold Donald said. The cruise, which sails for Carnival's Fathom "impact travel" brand, comes after Cuba loosened its policy banning Cuban-born people from arriving to the country by sea, a rule that threatened to stop the cruises from happening.

Carnival Corporation announced it will sail as planned from the U.S. to Cuba with all travelers, including Cuba-born passengers, for the company’s week-long voyages to Cuba. Carnival worked with Cuba to allow its cruise ships to operate in a similar manner as current air charter operations to Cuba, starting with its historic inaugural voyage on May 1, 2016. Last week, in anticipation of this positive outcome, Carnival Corporation announced its new Fathom brand was accepting bookings to Cuba from all travelers, including individuals born in Cuba.

Carnival Corporation & plc said it is continuing discussions with Cuba to allow cruise ships to operate in the same manner as current air charter operations, which transport Cuba-born individuals to and from Cuba. Fathom will begin sailing its 704-passenger Adonia luxury cruise ship to Cuba every other week starting on May 1, marking the first time in over 50 years that a cruise ship has sailed from the U.S. to Cuba. Carnival Corporation also announced that it is accepting bookings on its 10th and newest brand…

The world's largest cruise line Carnival Corp. will be the first cruise company in more than five decades to sail a U.S. cruise ship to Cuba. Cuba has granted Carnival approval to travel there beginning May 1. Carnival, which is led by St. Louisan Arnold Donald, is cleared to operate the 704-passenger MV Adonia through its newest brand, Fathom. It is the first time in more than 50 years that a cruise ship has been approved to sail from the U.S. to Cuba. CEO Donald said, "Today, we made history. I want to thank the U.S. and the relevant Cuba personnel that we've been working with to have this historic opportunity." It stands to reason that both worlds are now interlinked. With the establishment of this historic agreement, Cuba and its connection with Carnival Cruises are forever bound.

Carnival Corporation & plc has received Cuban approval to begin travel to Cuba starting on May 1, 2016. This, following U.S. authorization granted in July 2015, clears Carnival Corporation to operate the 704-passenger MV Adonia to Cuba through its newest brand Fathom, marking the first time in over 50 years a cruise ship is approved to sail from the United States to Cuba. Cuban authorities from Havanatur Celimar, various other agencies and Carnival Corporation today signed agreements enabling cruising by Carnival Corporation to Cuba.

Fathom, the pioneer in social impact travel and Carnival Corporation’s 10th and newest brand, has named industry veteran, Bill Diebenow as the company’s director of sales, affinity and special accounts. In this role, Diebenow will lead a robust sales team and focus on new prospects as well as capitalizing on emerging segments for Fathom, including the retail market for specialized groups, alumni, and faith-based markets. Diebenow reports to David Drier, vice president, sales for Fathom. “Bill’s 20-year proven track record of accomplished leadership and business development makes him an invaluable addition to the Fathom team,” said Tara Russell, president of Fathom and global impact lead for Carnival Corporation. Diebenow joins the Fathom team from American Queen Steamboat Company.

Fathom has engaged 44-year cruise industry veteran Maurice Zarmati to work with the burgeoning company. Fathom, which provides a different kind of cruise that combines travelers’ love of travel with their desire to make a difference, will tap Zarmati’s extensive knowledge of the cruise industry to augment its already robust tools designed to support travel professionals in marketing this one-of-a-kind travel experience. “Maurice has been a trusted advisor to Carnival Corporation and me for more than four decades, beginning in 1972 when my father invited Maurice to be among the small group of founding members of the Carnival Cruise Lines team,” said Micky Arison, chairman of Carnival Corporation.

Some 50 percent of crews working on offshore support vessels are willing to compromise safety rather than say “no” to clients or senior management, while nearly 80 percent believe commercial pressures could influence the safety of their working practices, according to operations and maintenance management software specialist Helm Operations, who commissioned a newly published report on workboat and OSV safety. The independent report, which summarizes six months of research by Fathom Maritime Intelligence and primary data collection and analysis by Southampton Solent University…

ESC Global Security said it is set to warn the international shipping community attending this year’s London International Shipping Week (LISW) of the security risks associated with the development of the autonomous ship. In a paper entitled Phishing and Piracy on the Cyber Seas, to be presented during LISW Week at the Fathom-organized Ship Efficiency conference, ESCGS’s Head of Cyber Security, Joseph Carson, will urge the industry to address the risk of a maritime cyber-attack which, he says, could leave the unmanned ship losing its ability to navigate or, in the worst case, be controlled by third parties for illicit purposes. “New technologies…

Carnival Corporation's new brand Fathom has appointed Michelle Sutter as a company senior sales leader. Sutter will be responsible for marketing and business development supporting sales of the new “social impact travel” brand. A 15-year cruise industry veteran, Sutter joins Fathom from Holland America Line and Seabourn where she was business development manager since 2013. Sutter previously served in several sales roles of increasing responsibility at Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean International.

Carnival Corp. granted U.S. Carnival Corporation & plc said that the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the U.S. Department of Commerce granted approval for the company to begin travel to Cuba. Carnival Corporation intends to take travelers to Cuba beginning in May 2016 via its newly launched fathom brand – a new social impact travel brand providing purpose-oriented, social impact experiences, initially in the Dominican Republic. Carnival Corporation intends to operate fathom travel itineraries directly to Cuba for the purpose of providing cultural…

Hyde Marine, Inc., announced it will attend Nor-Shipping 2015, June 2-5, held at the Norges Varemesse in Oslo, Norway. The marine technology company will present at BIMCO'S Driving Maritime Environmental & Efficiency Management Seminar, June 2. Mark Riggio, product manager, Hyde Marine, will participate during the seminar's Technology Provider Panel and will give a short presentation on how Hyde Marine is using the company's extensive retrofit experience to address concerns about making Ballast Water Treatment System (BWTS) installation and operation seamless for the ship owner and operator.

Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus arrived on Iwo To, the island formerly known as Iwo Jima, March 21 to attend the 70th anniversary commemoration of the Battle of Iwo Jima. On the island where, in 1945, the United States and Japan met in conflict, Mabus spoke of the bravery displayed by those who fought for both sides during the historic World War II Battle for Iwo Jima. "Simply walk through the black sands of Iwo Jima's shores and spend a moment in one of its dark tunnels," said Mabus. "Only then can you begin to fathom the unbelievable, and at some level, past human, fortitude it took to charge these beaches under withering fire, or to fight from a subterranean labyrinth for 36 days. A few heroes here know that courage.

BIMCO today launched a new, multi-part guidance resource to support ship owners and operators in improving their environmental performance and the efficiency of their ships. BIMCO’s Guide to Maritime Environmental & Efficiency Management, developed in partnership with maritime efficiency specialists Fathom, and supported by ClassNK, provides a resource to facilitate compliance with environmental regulations and assist owners and operators in the development of an environmental and efficiency management system. This first-of-a-kind, comprehensive resource allows ship owners and operators to develop an all-encompassing environmental and efficiency management system.

International accountant and shipping adviser Moore Stephens says the time is right for shipping to seek financial backing from the private equity sector to help fund investment in innovative products and services designed to keep the industry competitive and achieve regulatory compliance. Alison Jarabo of maritime efficiency specialist Fathom Shipping told the recent Moore Stephens Opportunities in Shipping Services seminar in London that regulation and the need to control costs were the two main factors driving the growth of technology in the shipping industry.