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Galveston Island News

04 Dec 2023

Marine News' Top Vessels of 2023

Empire State (Photo: MARAD)

The November edition of Marine News magazine highlighted a selection of the most notable American newbuilds delivered of 2023—from a first-of-its-kind green towboat, to the lead vessel in a series of game-changing ships to train U.S. mariners.Empire StateAs the lead vessel in a series of five new training ships being constructed to serve America's state maritime academies, Empire State is easily one of the most important U.S.-built vessels delivered in recent memory.Built by Philly Shipyard for the U.S.

01 Jun 2023

Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Secures Dredging Contracts Worth $186.6M

(File photo: Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation)

Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation, a U.S.-based dredging services giant said Thursday it had secured two major dredging contracts in Texas, worth $186.6 million in total.The contracts are for Freeport Harbor Channel Improvement Project, Dredging Reaches 1, 2, and 4 ($157.4 million) and Galveston Entrance Channel and Houston Ship Channel Dredging Project ($29.2 million)The Freeport Harbor Channel Improvement Project entails deepening the channel to authorized depths of 51 to 56 feet, which will make Port of Freeport the deepest port in Texas.

14 Mar 2023

GLDD Preps for its New Hopper Dredge Galveston Island

Image courtesy GLDD

With dredging business booming in the U.S., companies across the country invest in innovative new tonnage to get the job done more efficiently, effectively and safely. Chris Gunsten, SVP, Project Services & Fleet Engineering, Great Lakes Dredge & Dock (GLDD) and Patrick Webb, Senior Director Sales - Global Marine and Stationary, Wabtec discuss the tech inside the new Conrad-built trailing suction hopper dredge Galveston Island.Conrad Shipyard recently launched Galveston Island, the first of two newbuild hopper dredges being built for Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation.

23 Dec 2022

Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Warns on Weaker-than-expected Q4

(File photo: Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation)

Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation this week warned its fourth quarter 2022 revenues and gross profit margins are expected to be lower than previously anticipated.The company said in a press release that its Q4 results were impacted by the earlier than expected retirement of the Terrapin Island hopper dredge, significant weather delays on several projects in the northeast and some project production issues.In addition, unexpected drydocking scope increases resulted in additional costs and delays for the hopper dredges Ellis Island and Padre Island, Great Lakes said.

05 Dec 2022

Conrad Launches Great Lakes' New Hopper Dredge

Galveston Island (Photo: Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation)

U.S. shipbuilding group Conrad Shipyard recently launched Galveston Island, the first of two newbuild hopper dredges being built for Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation, the United States' largest provider of dredging services. The new 6,500-cubic-yard-capacity trailing suction hopper dredge is in the water and is scheduled to be in operation the first half of 2023 as planned, Great Lakes said in an update on Monday.The dredge will be equipped with a direct high-power pump-ashore installation, dredging system automation, dynamic positioning and tracking, U.S.

29 Jun 2022

ABS to Class Great Lakes' New Hopper Dredge

(Image: C-Job Naval Architects)

A second Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company, LLC (GLDD) trailing suction hopper dredge (TSHD) is to be built to ABS Class at Conrad Shipyard.Able to dredge at depths of up to 100 feet, the 6,500-cubic-yard-capacity vessel is expected to deliver in the first quarter of 2025 and will be a sister ship to the Galveston Island, currently under construction at Conrad Shipyard to ABS Class, with delivery expected in early 2023.Steve Becker, Senior Vice President, Fleet Engineering at GLDD, said, “As the leader in the U.S.

08 Jun 2022

Great Lakes Exercises Option to Build Second Hopper Dredge

(Image: C-Job Naval Architects)

The United States' largest dredging contractor, Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation, announced Tuesday that it has exercised its option to build a second 6,500-cubic-yard-capacity trailing suction hopper dredge (TSHD) at Conrad Shipyard in Amelia, La.Expected to be delivered in the first quarter of 2025, the new vessel will be a sister ship to the Galveston Island, presently under construction with delivery in early 2023.This newbuild is identical to the Galveston Island and will feature two 800mm suction pipes and will be able to dredge at depths of up to 100 feet…

02 May 2022

Ferry Passenger Rescued After Going Overboard Near Galveston

A ferry passenger who fell into the water off Galveston, Texas, was rescued on Monday, the U.S. Coast Guard said.Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston command center watchstanders received a report at 11:30 a.m. over VHF-FM channel 16 from personnel aboard the John W. Johnson, a nearby passenger vessel, who saw an adult male fall off the Gibb Gilchrist ferry in the vicinity of Seawolf Park.Sector Houston-Galveston command center personnel issued an urgent marine information broadcast while an already on-scene 45-foot Response Boat–Medium boat crew from Coast Guard Station Freeport diverted to assist.The RB–M boat crew located the person in the water, pulled the individual aboard and transferred the man to awaiting emergency medical services personnel at Coast Guard Station Galveston.

10 Mar 2021

Whitworth Joins Gulf Copper Board

Jonathan Whitworth (Photo: Gulf Copper and Manufacturing Corporation)

Gulf Copper and Manufacturing Corporation has appointed Jonathan Whitworth as a member to its board of directors.Whitworth, a graduate of Texas A&M University at Galveston (TAMUG), brings his extensive working history and experience back to Texas. He holds an MBA in Finance with a focus on marine business and currently serves as vice chairman of the TAMUG Board of Visitors.“I feel very fortunate to have retired and moved back to Galveston Island, a city which has a rich maritime history and a place with great memories for both me and my wife,” said Whitworth.

04 Oct 2019

TSGI Wins TxDOT Ferry Service Contract

Photo: TSGI

In 2017, The Shearer Group, Inc. (TSGI) was awarded a five-year Indefinite Deliverable contract with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). TSGI was tasked to provide the detail design of a double-ended diesel-electric ferry with energy storage capable of carrying construction 495 passengers / 70 cars, providing service from Galveston Island to Bolivar Peninsula. The ferry is currently being built at Gulf Island Shipyard in Jennings, Louisiana. TSGI will provide construction…

31 Aug 2017

The Shearer Group Wins TxDOT Ferry Design Contract

The Shearer Group, Inc. (TSGI) said it was awarded a five-year Indefinite Deliverable contract with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to provide design, engineering and construction oversight services for a new 500 passenger, 70 car ferry providing service from Galveston Island to Bolivar Peninsula.

21 Aug 2017

Search Continues for Missing Army Aviators off Hawaii

Responders continue the search for five Army aviators who went missing Tuesday night approximately two miles west of Ka'ena Point, the westernmost tip of land on the Hawaiian island of Oʻahu. The search began late Tuesday following notification to the Coast Guard from personnel at Wheeler Army Airfield stating they lost communication with one of their UH-60 Black Hawk aircrews. The missing aircrew was reportedly engaged in night time training operations between Ka'ena Point and Dillingham Airfield. None of the aviators have been located yet. No further debris has been recovered. Personnel continue to coordinate efforts at the joint forward operating base at Hale'iwa Boat Harbor.

01 May 2017

Tug and Barge Disabled near Galveston

Photo: USCG

Emergency responders are working to keep a disabled tug and barge from running aground off of Texas. U.S. Coast Guard response and incident management teams are coordinating with G & H Towing and T & T Marine Salvage to prevent a disabled tug and barge from running aground on Galveston Island, Texas. At 2:19 p.m. Saturday, an agent for the integrated tug OSG Independence and its barge OSG 243 contacted Sector Houston-Galveston watchstanders to report that the tug separated from the barge in heavy seas off the Galveston Island Pleasure Pier, while dragging both anchors.

07 Feb 2017

Rudy Teichman: A Marine Salvage Legend

Rudy Teichman (Photo: T&T Salvage)

Rudy Teichman, a legend in the U.S. marine salvage industry, founded T&T in 1957, now one of the world’s largest international salvage companies. In a sense, Rudy was larger than life and one who was often referred to as a “force of nature.” He was an entrepreneur, inventor, salvor, deep sea diver, airplane pilot, licensed mariner, restaurateur, musician, philanthropist, mechanic, machinist, politician, and husband, father and grandfather. And, in spite all of his accomplishments, he was more importantly a man of character, hard work and integrity, in a time when your word was your contract.

27 Mar 2014

Texas City Oil Spill Update: Pollution Affects Coast

Oil washing ashore Matagorda Island: USCG photo

The Captain of the Port of Houston/Galveston opened the bay to all traffic Thursday after multiple cleanup assessments and input from the Texas Department of State Health Services. Oil is washing up on Matagorda Island. Coast Guard recruit volunteer 'Sentinels. After storms Wednesday afternoon and evening slowed cleanup efforts somewhat in the Ports of Texas City and Galveston because of safety concerns, responders quickly ramped up their operations during the first hours of daylight to resume cleaning contaminated areas, Thursday.

25 Mar 2014

Limited Traffic Authorized at Port of Houston

USCG photo

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) has authorized limited marine traffic in the safety zone in the Port of Houston/Galveston for commercial ship traffic, Tuesday. Cleanup operations are still ongoing; however ships are being prioritized for transit by the Port Coordination Team. The USCG said barges are allowed to transit through the Houston Ship Channel and on the Intracoastal Waterway, after assessment teams deemed the channel clear. "The cleanup operations progress is to the point…

24 Mar 2014

Latest Texas City 'Y' Incident News: Port of Houston Remains Closed

File photo CCL

The Port of Houston remains closed as the Unified Command continues to assess the situation with oil in the channel to determine when vessel traffic can resume, advises the US Coast Guard. There are 46 outbound vessels and 47 inbound vessels in the queue for transit in the Port of Houston. The Port of Texas City has 5 inbound and 3 outbound vessels in the queue awaiting transit. Once the channel has been determined safe to navigate, and transiting vessels will not spread oil contaminants, a prioritization list will be established to determine the entry order of vessels.

24 Mar 2014

Collision, Spill Forces Houston Channel Closure

A barge loaded with marine fuel oil sits partially submerged in the Houston Ship Channel, March 22, 2014. The bulk carrier Summer Wind, reported a collision between the Summer Wind and a barge, containing 924,000 gallons of fuel oil, towed by the motor vessel Miss Susan. (USCG photo)

Cleanup continues in response to an oil spill in the Houston Ship Channel that resulted in the release of approximately 168,000 gallons of bunker fuel oil. On March 22, 2014, the M/V Summer Wind and Kirby Barge 27706 collided in the Houston Ship Channel in the vicinity LT 26 near the "Texas City Y", the Houston-Galveston Port Community said in an announcement. The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) announced that Unified Command is working closely with the Vessel Traffic Service, paired with assessments of the Houston Ship Channel, to determine when partial vessel traffic can resume.

23 Mar 2014

Houston Ship Channel Restricted for Oil Spill Recovery, Tankbarge Salvage

Image credit USCG

Part of the Houston Ship Channel has been closed to marine traffic to enable response operations following the recent collision between UTV MISS SUSAN and the bulk carrier M/V SUMMER WIND approximately 100 yards off the Texas City Dike, near lights 25/26 which led to the partial sinking of the Kirby Marine tank barge. Coast Guard inform that progress continued throughout the day Sunday in response to a bunker fuel spill in the Houston Ship Channel that resulted in the release of approximately 168,000 gallons of product.

08 Jan 2014

Career Glance: Starting off on water as a deckhand

When José Tamayo and Calvin Aubry step foot onto the deck of the Galveston Island Ferry, they can be in for a long day as deckhands. But as they both see it, what's better than a day out on the water? The deckhand is the first position for a person vying for a chance to work in the maritime industry. It is a position that opens doors as mariners continue to obtain their U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) certifications. As keeper of the deck, deckhands are usually in charge of some maintenance duties, loading and unloading, and keeping the deck in order. They can start making anywhere from $130 to $170 a day, depending on inland or near coastal service. For deckhands who work on the Galveston Island Ferry, the job allows them the ability to return home each evening after working eight-hour shifts.

19 Aug 2013

T&T Responds to Fire Off of Galveston Island

A Galveston-based firefighting team was dispatched to an oil platform fire in the Gulf of Mexico.    According to the USCG, the unmanned platform was believed to be the casualty of a lightning strike in the early morning hours, 18 August. The T&T firefighting team arrived on board a 95 ft Fast Response Vessel and the salvage support barge CURTIS T, armed with portable high capacity fire pumps and a cache of firefighting foam. The fire was quickly controlled with no significant reports of pollution. Additionally, no injuries were reported as a result of the fire and all T&T personnel have returned safely.

03 Sep 2012

Chinese Maritime Safety Ship Makes First Ever US Visit

"Haixun 31': Photo credit China MSA

Chinese Maritime Safety Administration ship 'Haixun 31' to be hosted by US 14th Coast Guard District in Honolulu Harbor. The Haixun 31 will be escorted into Aloha Tower is to be met 4, September 2012,  by a parade of ships that will include the Coast Guard Cutter Galveston Island and the Honolulu Fire Department fireboat Moku Ahi. The Coast Guard and Chinese Maritime Safety Administration are scheduled to conduct a joint search and rescue table top exercise and on water exercise in Honolulu.

10 Nov 2009

Bisso Marine Buries Pipeline in Gulf

 Photo courtesy T&T Bisso

Bisso Marine, a provider of energy and maritime support services, successfully buried a pipeline 16 feet below the hardened seabed of the Gulf of Mexico. Working in 54 feet of water, the crew of the DLB Big Chief installed a hot tap and used one of the company’s three 2,700 gpm@1,150 psi Super Jet Pump Systems to bury 13,893 feet of pipeline 10 miles off Galveston Island. The pipeline burial was especially challenging because of the hard shear strength of the soil on the seafloor. A vane shear test showed the soil strength at 4,500 psf.