M Fuel Dock News

Joe Hudspeth is the Director of Business Development for Global Marine at BAE Systems in Endicott, N.Y. BAE Systems offers complete, efficient propulsion and auxiliary power systems utilizing electric technology. Hudspeth has been involved with maritime sales, marketing and product development since 2000. He currently serves as a regional co-chairman for the Passenger Vessel Association, is a judge for the Worldwide Ferry Safety Association student design competition, and frequently speaks and writes on maritime and ferry related issues. Hudspeth lives in Bellingham, Wash.

Harvey Gulf International Marine is continuing its push to diversify, announcing on Monday its plan to convert four of its platform supply vessels (PSV) to be redeployed in the lightering support market.The four vessels will provide lightering services in California, Texas, Louisiana and Florida, said Shane Guidry, CEO of Harvey Gulf. “In this market, we will offer a larger vessel with newer equipment in order to provide a safer service, all at the price of the smaller vessels presently doing this work…

U.S. based offshore vessel owner Harvey Gulf International Marine announced Monday it has signed two 18-month contract extensions for two of its liquefied natural gas (LNG) powered platform supply vessels (PSV), Harvey Liberty and Harvey Freedom. The extensions will keep both vessels under charter well into 2022."Each vessel will produce EBDITA returns on a annual basis north of 50% to the company," Harvey CEO, Shane Guidry told Marine Link.Harvey also announced it signed a long term contract to supply diesel fuel to a super major for its new fuel dock in Port Fourchon…

California Commercial Marine Operators Take Advantage of Grant Money to Repower with Eco-Friendly Engines. Capt. Joe Nazar recently repowered his whale watching excursion vessel in San Francisco with twin Volvo Penta Tier 3 diesels, and he couldn’t be happier with the results. Since the new engines were installed, he is seeing dramatic improvements in fuel efficiency, lower emissions, reduced noise levels and better performance. He has another good reason to be happy. A large percentage of the cost of repowering the boat came from a State of California grant. Nazar’s 64-ft. catamaran, Kitty Kat, was retrofitted with a pair of Volvo Penta D11 625 hp Tier 3 engines in April, replacing the previous 12-liter Tier 2 engines.

When it came time to replace the old engines in his whale-watching vessel, Capt. Joe Nazar chose Volvo Penta and has enjoyed the benefits of improved fuel efficiency, lower emissions, reduced noise levels and better performance ever since. Nazar’s 64-ft. catamaran, Kitty Kat, was retrofitted with a pair of Volvo Penta D11 625 diesel engines in April, replacing the existing 12-liter Tier 2 engines. The installation was performed at Bay Marine Boatworks in collaboration with Helmut’s Marine Service, an authorized Volvo Penta Power Center in San Francisco.

Galveston Wharves’ board of trustees today unanimously approved a project to repair pilings and pier deck in the Pier 19 area of the port. The board awarded the contract, with a not to exceed value of $190,000, to Taylor Marine Construction, Inc. to replace damaged pilings and deck. The work, which is expected to last approximately three months, is scheduled to begin in February 2015. Pursuant to the Charter of the City of Galveston, the port is charged with maintaining the Pier 19 public facility. The contract awarded today is one of two current projects. Last month, Texas Gulf Construction Company, Inc was awarded a $120,000 contract to rebuild the pier that connects the fuel pier to shore. On October 25, 2014 a section of the wooden pier that provides access to the fuel dock collapsed.

Harvey Gulf International Marine has sold its towing division to Signet Maritime Corporation. Through the deal, Signet will acquire eight offshore towing vessels (OTVs) ranging in size from 75 to 153 metric tons bollard pull. The sale will encompass all Harvey OTVs, spares, business and supplies. The transfer of OTV ownership was completed on May 15, 2014 in New Orleans, Louisiana with financing provided by Wells Fargo Equipment Finance as part of a $209 million syndicated financing facility.

‘No man is an island.’ Today, the interconnectivity of business can drive opportunity, but those same interactions can significantly affect us and our businesses. Today’s marine businesses have to manage and prepare for the actions of “the other guy” as much as they have to manage their own operations. While businesses often ask their customers, tenants and subcontractors to carry insurance, they often do not carefully delve into insurance specifics to assure that gaps in insurance coverage don’t exist, that limits are adequate, or that they have the right coverage for their operations. To explain some unforeseen liability issues that may occur…

New Orleans based Harvey Gulf International Marine, has announced  the closing of its asset purchase of Abdon Callais Offshore, a deal worth $460 Million USD in cash, while simultaneously selling six of the older assets to Adriatic Marine for $72 Million USD. CEO Shane Guidry commented: "It's been a very busy year. Abdon Callais is the third company I have purchased in the last 12 months, adding 58 vessels to my fleet. Today, I have 14 vessels at 5 shipyards ranging in size from 220' to 340' in length under construction to meet our customer’s needs today and for the future.

Located in the heart of San Mateo County, Oyster Point Marina, offers San Francisco boaters direct access to the bay. The City owned marina recently completed replacement of piers 8 and 11. Bellingham Marine, world renowned marina builder, was contracted to perform as the general contractor. Oyster Point’s existing 20 plus year old glu-lam, timber system was replaced with Bellingham Marine’s concrete floating docks fitted with upgraded utilities and accessories. Upgrades were made to the marina to provide improved moorage for boaters in the San Francisco Bay area.

City of Valdez and U.S. Coast Guard personnel responded to a report of a vessel fire at the Crowley fuel dock within the Valdez Small Boat Harbor. At approximately 11:30 a.m. Monday morning, the 28-foot recreational vessel Falcon, with two adults and three children onboard, caught fire at the Crowley fuel dock in the Valdez Small Boat Harbor. All five persons aboard were transferred to shore and Crowley dock employees quickly secured fuel to the pier’s pumps. The Valdez Fire Department, Valdez Harbormaster’s Office, and Coast Guard immediately responded to the scene and found the Falcon engulfed in flames and a small fire on the Crowley fuel dock.

Unfortunately, it is all too common for gasoline and diesel storage tanks at marinas to contain excess water and other contaminants such as bacteria and debris. These contaminants can be pumped into boaters’ fuel tanks and can cause an engine to shut down or cause permanent damage. The presence of ethanol gasoline, ultra low sulfur diesel fuel and biodiesel makes this situation even worse. To combat this problem, all Certified ValvTect Marinas must have their fuel tanks tested…

Responders continued to monitor and prepare salvage, firefighting and pollution contingencies for a tug and barge that allided with a pipeline near Bayou Perot 30 miles south of New Orleans Wednesday. All crew members were able to exit the tug; the captain reportedly suffered second to third-degree degree burns. ES & H, the oil spill response organization, is on scene and has mobilized 7,218 feet of containment boom and 6,000 feet of 18-inch containment boom, one cabin boat, five responder class boats, one Marco skimmer and two 24-foot express hull vessels in response to the incident.

Sea Tow Reports Increased Boating Activity and Calls for Assistance Midway Through July 4th Holiday Week. Incidents Underscore the Need to Follow Commonsense Boating Safety Guidelines. The extended July 4th holiday has been one of the busiest in recent years for Sea Tow Services International Inc., the nation’s leading on-water assistance provider, and its network of Sea Tow locations across the U.S. This increased activity reflects a growing desire among boaters to enjoy the many benefits of the boating lifestyle with friends and family. By midway through the July 4th holiday week, which runs this year from June 29-July 8, 2012, Sea Tow already had received more than 2,200 calls for assistance.

Toronto – Northport Systems Inc. and MarineFuel.com announced today that they have entered into a long-term partnership agreement. Under the terms of the agreement, the two companies will provide software solutions designed to extend and enhance MarineFuel.com’s service offerings. An e-commerce data portal which centralizes marina and marine fueling information for the U.S., Bahamas and the Caribbean, Marinefuel.com is a resource for digital and on-demand services regarding real-time fuel dock prices, marina travel logistics, and wholesale fuel brokerage. “Our partnership with Northport Systems is a natural next step in the evolution of MarineFuel.com’s development in the online and mobile markets,” said William McKenna, president and CEO of MarineFuel.com.

Stuart, Fla. – Northport Systems Inc., a producer of desktop and mobile navigation and mapping software products, and MarineFuel.com announced today that they have entered into a long-term partnership agreement. Under the terms of the agreement, the two companies will provide software solutions designed to extend and enhance MarineFuel.com’s service offerings. An e-commerce data portal which centralizes vital marina and marine-fueling information for the U.S., Bahamas and the Caribbean, Marinefuel.com provides on-demand services regarding real-time fuel dock prices, marina travel logistics, and wholesale fuel brokerage. “Our partnership with Northport Systems is a natural next step in the evolution of MarineFuel.com’s development in the online and mobile markets…

Law enforcement officers from USCGC Mustang terminated an F/V's voyage in Prince William Sound, after they discovered safety violations aboard the vessel. The USCG cited Sheelagh M's captain for several violations, including: Not having immersion suits for the four people aboard his vessel; not having the required number of fire extinguishers; and having a cracked life-ring buoy. Also, enforcement officers from USCG Station Ketchikan terminated vessel Cape Fairweather because of safety violations. Boaters in the downtown Ketchikan area called the USCG to report the vessel being operated negligently. Cape Fairweather is a 49-ft. purse seiner from Ketchikan. The Station Ketchikan boat crew located the F/V at a Ketchikan fuel dock and conducted boarding on it.

Marine Travelift dealer increases local marine economy sales. Two Ohio marinas purchased new Marine Travelift Mariner Forklifts from Interstate Lift Truck, an established Marine Travelift dealer for 20 years. The sales are a positive indication that the marina economy is growing from its 2008 economic decline. Since then, vessels have continued to develop in size and weight; and Foxhaven Marina and Whiskey Island Marina remain invested in the future of the industry. Rack storage has been a primary source of revenue for Foxhaven Marina since 1973.

The transient fuel dock at Morningstar Marinas Mayport has recently been replaced. Located at the Mayport Inlet just East of Jacksonville, Fla., the fuel dock replacement was part of the complete redevelopment of the marina waterfront. “The basin was in-operable and the fuel dock had been destroyed in a collision,” reported Matt Shapiro, Assistant Vice President of Morningstar Properties. Morningstar Properties hired Bellingham Marine to replace the 14-ft by 229-ft fuel dock. “We built the original fuel dock in 1994,” said Ron Carey, Manager of Project Development for Bellingham Marine.