Lake Borgne News

When maritime stakeholders think about dredging, they typically first conjure up visions of harbor deepening projects to accommodate those giant, post-Panamax boxships. Conversely, inland players hope for maintenance dredging in the heartland to keep the nation’s 31,000 cargo barges afloat as they head for the coast. But, there is much more to it than that. In Louisiana, dredging, of course, keeps Louisiana's waterways open for navigation, provides material for coastal restoration and helps industrial plants with drainage. The biggest projects are sponsored by the U.S.

The Coast Guard rescued Jonathan Mason and his 5-year-old daughter from their pleasure craft near the north end of Lake Borgne, Louisiana, Tuesday. Coast Guard Sector New Orleans watchstanders received a report at 4:10 p.m. from the St. Bernard Sheriffs Office that a 17ft pleasure craft was taking on water with two people on board. A Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew was launched at 4:50 p.m. The MH-65 aircrew arrived on scene at 5:10 p.m. and transported the father and daughter to Air Station New Orleans where they were met by emergency medical services and then released to their family members. The father and daughter were reported to be in stable condition.

New data will update nautical charts around the country. As sure as spring arrives, NOAA vessels and independent contractors are hitting the seas for the nation's 180th hydrographic surveying season, collecting data for over two thousand square nautical miles in high-traffic U.S. coastal waters. "Nautical charts are the foundation for the nation's maritime economy, and NOAA hydrographers spend months at sea, surveying critical areas to ensure safe navigation for the shipping, fishing, and boating communities," said Rear Admiral Gerd Glang, director of the Office of Coast Survey.

From the Navy News Service:   1814 - A British squadron captures U.S. gunboats in Battle of Lake Borgne, La. 1944 - The rank of fleet admiral (five star admiral) is established. 1945 - Capt. Sue S. Dauser receives the first Distinguished Service Medal awarded to a nurse. 1965 - The Navy announces completion of 1,272-ft. radio tower at North West Cape, Australia. It is the highest manmade structure in the Southern Hemisphere at the time.   For more information about Naval history, visit the Naval Historical Center Web site at www.history.navy.mil.

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement  (BOEMRE) announced that it has awarded more than $25 million in Coastal Impact Assistance Program (CIAP) funding to the state of Louisiana. The funding is for the construction of a protective land bridge to safeguard against erosion and preserve marsh along the Lake Borgne shoreline, on the eastern edge of New Orleans. The state will partner with Orleans Parish in the proposed three-year Orleans Land Bridge Shoreline Protection project. This is one of the largest single CIAP grants to be awarded since the start of the program. Created by the Energy Policy Act of 2005, CIAP provides funding to the six Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) oil and gas producing states to conserve and protect the coastal environment.

1814 - British squadron captures U.S. gunboats in Battle of Lake Borgne, LA. 1944 - Rank of Fleet Admiral, U.S. Navy (five star admiral) is established. 1945 - Captain Sue S. Dauser receives the first Distinguished Service Medal awarded to a nurse. 1965 - Navy announces completion of 1,272 ft. radio tower at North West Cape, Australia, highest manmade structure in the Southern Hemisphere at that time, as a link in fleet communications. (Source: Navy News Service)

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.

1814 - British squadron captures U.S. gunboats in Battle of Lake Borgne, LA. 1944 - Rank of Fleet Admiral, U.S. Navy (five star admiral) is established. 1945 - Captain Sue S. Dauser receives the first Distinguished Service Medal awarded to a nurse. 1965 - Navy announces completion of 1,272 ft. radio tower at North West Cape, Australia, highest manmade structure in the Southern Hemisphere at that time, as a link in fleet communications. (Source: Navy News Service)

December 14 1814 - British squadron captures U.S. gunboats in Battle of Lake Borgne. 1944 - Rank of Fleet Admiral, U.S. Navy (five star admiral) is established.