Fernandina Beach News

The Great Lakes Towing Company (GLT) on Monday unveiled plans to roll out a new breakbulk and RoRo shipping service serving the Caribbean.The Cleveland, Ohio-based company announced the formation of Great Lakes East (GLE), effectively reactivating Crimson Shipping Company’s former domestic and international marine transportation business, based out of Mobile, Ala. However, GLE will shift the primary load port to Fernandina Beach, Fla.GLE will initially service the trade with the 270- by 80-foot fully enclosed deck barge…

The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Sea Dog (WPB 87373) sustained damage during the crew’s inbound transit from sea to the St. Marys River, Monday, the Coast Guard (USCG) said.The damaged cutter moored in Fernandina Beach, Fla., with assistance from additional Coast Guard assets and a commercial towing vessel, the USCG said.There were no reported injuries, damage to other vessels or environmental impact, and navigation remains unaffected, the agency added, noting the incident is under…

Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation, the largest provider of dredging services in the United States, on Wednesday announced the receipt of several major dredging awards totaling $143.5 million with open options pending award of $102.9 million.The awarded work includes:South Atlantic Division Regional Harbor Dredging 2023 Project (Maintenance, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina, $26.6 million)Fire Island Inlet to Montauk Point, Contract 2 Project (Coastal Protection, New York…

Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation on Monday announced the receipt of several major dredging awards in Georgia and Florida totaling $60.9 million which will be included in the year-end 2020 backlog number.The awarded work includes:North County Comprehensive Shore Protection Project (Coastal Protection, Florida, $21.2 million)U.S. Naval Station Mayport and Jacksonville Harbor Maintenance Dredging Project (Maintenance, Florida, $21.2 million)U.S. Naval Station Kings Bay Entrance Channel Maintenance Dredging Project (Maintenance…

Worldwide Terminals Fernandina (WTF) will implement Octopi, the cloud-based TOS from Navis, part of Cargotec CorporationPort of Fernandina in Northeastern Florida, operated by WTF, has agreed to implement Octopi’s software-as-a-service TOS.Worldwide will run Octopi TOS to help the terminal effectively monitor, manage and improve operations at the site in real-time.Octopi TOS is lightweight and designed to improve vessel planning and gate operations at small-to-medium terminals.Currently handling two mid-size container lines and 300,000 tons of breakbulk cargo annually, Worldwide is located 2 miles from the open ocean in Fernandina Beach…

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) today announced the designation of nine Marine Highway Projects and a Marine Highway Route that will benefit Connecticut, Florida, Michigan, New York, Oregon, Texas, Virginia, Washington State and American Samoa. Marine highways are navigable waterways that can be used as alternate options to traditional shipping methods. “The designation of marine highways by Congress will help move cargo and people to help grow the economy and shift freight off of congested highways,” said Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.

Today’s ATB play seemingly has legs for the long haul, as operators build and market needs fluctuate. The refined product trades are always in flux. Similarly, the supply patterns for products (and for chemicals derived from oil refining) are subject to constant change. At the same time, the distribution of refined petroleum products sees great benefit from the efficiency of Articulated Tug Barges (ATBs), which have the flexibility to adjust to dynamic supply programs between refineries and myriad distribution facilities dotting the coastline. It wasn’t always like that.

Tropical Storm Julia dumped heavy rains as it moved slowly north along the coastline of northeastern Florida and southeastern Georgia early on Wednesday, the National Hurricane Center said. The forecasting body warned that the downpours and wind gusts of 40 mph (65 kph) could force evacuations in low-lying areas near the shoreline and along waterways from Jacksonville, Florida, to Brunswick, Georgia. "These wind speeds are the equivalent of a strong afternoon thunderstorm or a very strong local northeaster but will last for several hours," its advisory read. Julia, the 10th named storm of the 2016 Atlantic hurricane season, is expected to weaken to a tropical depression by late Wednesday as it moved north at 7 mph, the center said. At 5 a.m.

Crewmembers aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Diamondback are towing a 70-foot motor yacht Wednesday and are scheduled to arrive at the entrance to the St. Johns River at approximately 9 p.m. There, the tow will be transferred to a 45-foot Response Boat - Medium from Station Mayport, Fla., and the Belle Amie will be brought to St. Johns Boat Company. Five people aboard the Belle Amie were in distress approximately 50 miles east of Fernandina Beach, Fla., while the yacht was taking on water following a fire aboard Wednesday morning. Watchstanders in the Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville command center were notified of the situation at 8:47 a.m. Wednesday. At 9:40 a.m., the five adults aboard extinguished the fire but the vessel continued to take on water.

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) said its crews are responding to a report of five mariners in distress aboard a vessel taking on water following a fire aboard the 70-foot boat, approximately 50 miles east of Fernandina Beach, Fla., Wednesday. According to a USCG news release, watchstanders in the Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville command center were notified of the situation at approximately 8:47 a.m. Wednesday. The mariner stated there was a fire aboard the vessel Belle-Amie, which had five people aboard. As of 9:40 a.m., the five adults aboard extinguished the fire but the vessel continues taking on water. All five people have reportedly donned life jackets as a precaution. The mariners report the vessel has lost all power and is currently dead in the water.

The U.S. Coast Guard is conducting a port access routing study to analyze potential vessel routing measures and consider adjusting existing vessel routing measures in order to reduce vessel strikes on the highly endangered North Atlantic right whale. The areas under consideration include Cape Cod Bay and possibly Race Point and the Great South Channel in the northern region and approaches to Jacksonville, Fernandina Beach, and Brunswick in the southern region. Comments should be submitted by April 19. 70 Fed. Reg. 8312 (HK LAW)