Intracoastal Canal News

The Gulf Intracoastal Canal Association’s retiring executive director reflects on key progress made and vital work remaining.As my tenure as President, Gulf Intracoastal Canal Association (GICA) ends after 11 years, it is gratifying look at the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW) and reflect on its compelling relevance to our nation. Often referred to as the “Silent Giant,” as I wrote in this publication in 2014, the Giant indeed awoke and emerged as a vital waterway which delivers…

It is truly no accident that Delgado Maritime & Industrial Training Center and Florida Marine Transport collaborate so closely.Zero incidents, zero injuries and eliminating critical barge and equipment failures doesn’t just happen by osmosis. It’s a result of continual safety training that breeds operational awareness and confidence to anticipate a difficult situation on an inland waterway before it actually occurs.With a high school education, Capt. Shelden Detrafford started out making $25/day in the 1960s.

The recent enactment of the Waterways Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014 (WRRDA) has brought a sense of optimism to inland waterways mariners, operators and industries across the nation. Our inland waterways are poised for success, and key to that success is the anticipated support provided in that bill. Of course, follow on appropriations and carefully planned implementation is critical to assure continued success of our waterways system. One segment of that system, the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW) is growing in importance and value to the nation.

The Port of New Orleans has signed on as a sponsor for the 9th annual Oilseed & Grain Trade Summit, taking place here October 7-9, 2014, at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans. The Summit is reportedly the largest annual industry event that convenes buyers, sellers and global leaders in the oilseed, protein meals, vegetable oils and feed grains sectors, and includes discussions on the challenges and opportunities of logistics and transportation in the agriculture sector. Port of New…

On June 20, a diverse coalition of 58 national and regional organizations representing a wide array of leading business, maritime and labor organizations signed on to a letter to Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee Chairman John Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) and Ranking Member John Thune (R-SD) urging that the committee mark up and approve S. 2094, a bill that would establish a uniform, science-based national framework for the regulation of ballast water and other vessel discharges. S. 2094, introduced on March 6 by Sens.

On March 13, a diverse coalition of 59 national and regional organizations representing a wide array of business, maritime and labor interests signed on to a letter to Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee leadership, Chairman John Rockefeller (D-WV) and Ranking Member John Thune (R-SD), thanking them for cosponsoring S. 2094, a bill that would establish a uniform national framework for the regulation of ballast water and other vessel discharges, and urging swift Committee consideration and approval. S. 2094, introduced on March 6 by Sens. Mark Begich (D-AK) and Marco Rubio (R-FL), has 23 bipartisan co-sponsors, nearly one-quarter of the Senate.

The Coast Guard Foundation, a nonprofit organization committed to the education and welfare of all Coast Guard members and their families, announced its 2014 board of trustees. Consisting of 117members, the Coast Guard Foundation Board of Trustees and Directors oversees management of the organization and helps to provide resources to advance the Foundation’s mission to support the service of men and women in the United States Coast Guard. This year, the board welcomes three newly elected officers and four new members to its executive committee, as well as three new board members. Robert J.

A damaged lock on the New Orleans Industrial Canal is creating traffic delays on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW), as well as parts of the Mississippi River. The stretch of river is used heavily for oil and bulk transport and the GIWW is also one of the most heavily used inland waterways in the nation.The Industrial Canal Lock has been closed for emergency repairs since January 3. Repairs are expected to take until at least January 17. The Gulf Intracoastal Canal Association estimates that the closure could ultimately cost users as much as $1 million per day. The lock, more than 90 years old, requires custom parts to replace equipment that is no longer manufactured. The U.S.

Robert J. Flynn Elected Chairman of the Board. ADM Thad Allen and Clay Maitland among an impressive slate of of 11 others. The Coast Guard Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to the education, welfare and morale of all Coast Guard members and their families, announced today that in accordance with its bylaws, a new slate of officers has been elected to serve on the Board of Trustees, beginning January 1, 2012. Robert J. Flynn was elected Chairman of the Board at the organization’s annual meeting in the fall. Joining Mr. Flynn as officers are Al J. Bernard, vice chairman; William E.

Genesis Energy, L.P. has completed the previously announced acquisition of the black oil barge transportation business of Florida Marine Transporters, Inc. and its affiliates (FMT). The purchase price was $141 million plus customary adjustments. The acquired business is comprised of 30 barges (seven of which are being sub-leased under similar terms of an existing FMT lease) and 14 push/tow boats which transport heavy refined petroleum products, primarily serving refineries and storage terminals along the Gulf Coast, Intracoastal Canal and western river systems of the United States, including the Red, Ouachita and Mississippi Rivers.

Marine companies along the Gulf of Mexico have seen little new business since the offshore drilling moratorium was lifted in early October as oil producers apply for permits and decide how to navigate costly safety regulations. At Bollinger Shipyards, Inc., one of the top U.S. boat builders, Chief Executive Officer Boysie Bollinger, said “we're waiting for BOEM to start issuing offshore drilling permits, and no one has any idea when that will be.” He wonders if the government knows when more permits will be released.

MarineNews spoke with Jim Stark, Executive Director of the Gulf Intracoastal Canal Association (GICA) about his background in the industry, current projects on the canal, issues facing GICA’s nearly 250 members and his goals for the organization. Can you describe your background and how you came to be Executive Director for GICA? I spent 28 years in the Coast Guard. I’m a commissioned officer and have served all over the country including a considerable amount of time on the Gulf Coast.

James Stark was named Executive Director of the Gulf Intracoastal Canal Association (GICA), effective July 6, 2010. GICA’s mission is to ensure the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway is maintained, operated and improved to provide the safest, most efficient, economical and environmentally-sound water transportation route in our nation. Stark most recently has been consulting on the response and recovery operations associated with the Deepwater Horizon Spill in the Gulf of Mexico. He also served as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Assistant Administrator for Gulf Coast Recovery.

According to the  Gulf Intracoastal Canal Association, the Coast Guard, Corps of Engineers and inland barge industry have collaborated extensively since the 2005 hurricane season to better prepare for and respond to hurricane events along the Gulf Coast. Specifically, the collaboration  produced a detailed, written protocol for storm preparation, communications and response  efforts as they pertain to the marine industry, including rigid procedures for evacuating  vessels in advance of a storm, or securing vessels in-place when evacuation is not feasible. The protocol proved effective during Hurricane Gustav, with the exception of isolated  incidents inside the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal (IHNC).

The Gulf Intracoastal Canal Association in New Orleans presented Edward G. Conrad, founder of RiverBarge Excursion Lines, Inc., RV RIVER CHARTERS, INC. and Compass Towing Company, with the National Rivers Hall of Fame Achievement Award. The mission of the National Rivers Hall of Fame is to collect, preserve and share the stories of the men and women who have made significant contributions to America?s history on its rivers. ?I am honored to receive such a prestigious award for something I have been passionate about my entire life- sharing America?s stories of how the rivers have influenced our nation?s commerce and industry, history and culture,? says Conrad.

Bollinger Marine Fabricators, L.L.C., (BMF) Amelia, La., a Bollinger Shipyards, Inc. company, has delivered to Progressive Barge Line, Inc., Westwego, La., its first new leading edge double hull OPA’90 Lakes, Bays and Sounds tank barge. Barge PBL 3002 measures 297.6-feet in length, 54.0-foot beam and 13.0-foot depth, with a rated capacity of 28,300 barrels (BBL). Elliot Bay Design Group performed the design and engineering package in support of Bollinger. PBL 3002 departed the Bollinger Amelia facility on October 31st and towed directly to the Progressive Westwego terminal to commence bunkering services on the Mississippi River, throughout the port of New Orleans and the Intracoastal Canal Waterway.

In the Calcasieu Ship Channel, six vessels transited safely into the port and three are expected to transit outbound. The temporary Vessel Traffic Service staffed by Coast Guard personnel and industry stakeholders will control these movements. Contingency operational plans have been devised, as well as equipment and temporary dams placed in at risks areas, in the event of heavy rainfall in the area to counter any problems that may arise from such an event. All commercial docks have been cleared by the Coast Guard to receive vessels. “We’ve made outstanding progress the past few days in getting commercial traffic moving in the Intracostal Waterway and the Calcasieu Ship Channel,” said Coast Guard Captain Thomas Sparks, Captain of the Port of Lake Charles.