Gulf Islands News

Iran's Revolutionary Guards' navy has unveiled new vessels equipped with 600-km range missiles at a time of rising tensions with the U.S. in the Gulf, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported on Wednesday.The announcement was made during a military exercise off the coast of Abu Musa island, one of three Gulf islands under Iranian control but disputed by the United Arab Emirates.The news agency gave no details about the missiles but cited a commander on the need to defend the islands."The islands of the Persian Gulf are part of Iran's honour and we will defend them…

BC Ferries has awarded Remontowa Shipbuilding S.A. a contract to build an additional liquefied natural gas (LNG)-fueled vessel scheduled to go into service in the Southern Gulf Islands in 2022.This vessel will be identical to the three Salish Class vessels built by Remontowa for BC Ferries in 2016.“Our Clean Futures Plan is our path to replace diesel fuels with clean erenergy options. While this cannot be achieved in a single step, we arecontinually seeking energy sources that offer a cleaner…

German propulsion manufacturer SCHOTTEL has delivered propulsion units for two 81-meter road ferries to Damen Shipyards Galati, Romania. Each of the newly built vessels ordered by Canadian operator BC Ferries will be equipped with two high-efficiency SCHOTTEL Twin Propellers. Once operational, they will serve the Northern Gulf Islands off the coast of Vancouver.Improving environmental stewardship“This class of vessels is very important for BC Ferries as it introduces a state-of-the-art…

Dutch shipbuilder Damen has launched two, 81-metre road ferries for the Canadian ferry operator BC Ferries at its Galati shipyard in Romania.Damen Shipyards Group, which operates 36 shipbuilding and repair yards, said that the ferries were launched “within a few weeks” and they are now undergoing outfitting before the units enter service in 2020.Once operational they will be capable of carrying up to 300 passengers and crew, and 47 vehicles, it added.The ferries have been built to Damen’s Road Ferry 8117E3 design and the order was secured following an extensive, multi-phased, international tender process. BC Ferries is currently undertaking a fleet renewal programme that will see a number of new vessels operating in the province of British Colombia, on Canada’s Pacific coastline.

Following an extensive, multi-phased international tender process, Canadian ferry operator BC Ferries has awarded Damen Shipyards Group a contract to construct two 81-meter ferries. The vessels are part of BC Ferries’ ongoing fleet renewal program. BC Ferries operates 24 ferry routes along the coast of British Columbia, Canada. The new vessels will be able to cover many of the company’s routes to the Northern and Southern Gulf Islands off the coast of Vancouver. Part of a fleet renewal program…

The trustees and BP have identified approximately $134 million in projects to be included in the next proposed phase of early restoration. This milestone comes five years after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The 10 proposed projects would benefit sea turtles, birds and fish; increase recreational opportunities; and improve nearshore and reef habitats. It is anticipated that these projects will be included in a draft Phase IV Early Restoration Plan that will be made available for public review and comment.

WESMAR to supply BC Ferries, with a  dual prop, counter-rotating, bow thruster for the  T-Class Passenger/Car ferry 'M/V Tachek'. M/V Tachek transports cars and passengers among the popular Gulf Islands and the WESMAR Model V2-24, 150 HP AC system will enhance the 162-foot ferry’s maneuvering and docking capabilities, in the waters off Vancouver Island, where the growing traffic of pleasure and commercial vessels crowd the waters, particularly during tourist season. The M/V Tachek,  built in 1969, is undergoing an upgrade project estimated to extend her operating life  and save fuel.

Across the globe, populated islands and the desire of their inhabitants to travel elsewhere has led to a need for reliable waterborne transportation. Nowhere is an organized water transportation system more highly utilized than in the shared waters of Washington State and British Columbia. The international border zigzags around the Gulf Islands of Canada and the San Juan Islands of the US. Ferry traffic from the US and Canada traveling to these islands cross each other’s watery borders daily.

SeaArk Marine, Inc. has delivered a 50-ft. Transporter to Gulf Islands National Seashore in Ocean Springs, MS. The vessel, Captain George, and her crew are tasked with servicing the barrier islands of Mississippi and Florida within the Gulf Islands National Seashore region. The vessel is used daily to transport equipment to the islands of Horn, Ship, Cat, Peti Bois in Mississippi and Fort Pickens in Florida. The SeaArk Transporter Class vessel is constructed of all-welded marine grade aluminum. The vessel features a 5° hull design for stability, load bearing capacity of 22,000 lbs.