Maryland Department Of Natural Resources News

The November edition of Marine News magazine highlighted the most notable newbuilds delivered in 2022. From sturdy and nimble workboats, to the first new Jones Act laker in a generation, each vessel on display showcases the industry’s engineering prowess and technological ingenuity, with the focus on improving efficiency in operations. The maritime industry has no shortage of challenges to overcome, and each of Marine News’ top vessels will, in one way or another, aid efforts to tackle them.Mark W.

Warren, R.I. shipbuilder Blount Boats announced it has delivered a new buoy tender/ice breaker built for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.Eddie Somers was handed over on May 19 at Somers Cove Marina in Crisfield, Md. The 94- by 227-foot shallow draft vessel will replace the J. Milliard Tawes, which has been in service for nearly 50 years.Designed by BMT Designers and Planners, the Eddie Somers is powered by Cummins QSK19, Tier III marine engines, each producing 750HP at 1,800RPM, Twin Disc MGX-5202SC marine generator sets and, two 42x27, 5 blade NIBRAL propellers.

More than 44 pounds of cocaine was seized from a Marshall Islands-flagged bull carrier anchored in the Chesapeake Bay near Annapolis, Md., on Wednesday.The drugs were discovered during an early morning examination by officers and agents from the DEA, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Coast Guard, and Maryland Department of Natural Resources Police aboard the 958-foot Samjohn Solidarity. The 20 bricks of cocaine found concealed inside the vessel’s anchor locker has a street value of more than $1 million.No arrests were made…

Warren, R.I. shipbuilder Blount Boats said it has been awarded a contract to build a 90-foot icebreaking buoy tender vessel for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. The vessel will be designed by BMT Designers and Planners, Inc. of Arlington, Va.The new vessel will replace the 100-foot, 167-ton M/V J. Millard Tawes commissioned by the U.S. Coast Guard in 1942 and in service for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources since 1972. Delivery of the new vessel is scheduled for June 2022.The J. Millard Tawes serves as the primary icebreaking asset for Crisfield Harbor and Smith Island.

In 2014, Forbes Associate Director for Maritime Services at Control Risks stated that maritime risks are on the rise. Mariners and ship owner/operators experienced a 26% spike in maritime piracy and armed robbery since 2014  and the North Sea Oil Industry admitted that it had been targeted and thwarted cyber attacks, attacks that if successful could have caused untold financial and logistical damage. •    Within the last decade, plans to attack a cruise ship in a major U.S. port were revealed. Maritime surveillance systems play a key role monitoring sea lanes and ports while supporting worldwide maritime safety and security. The ability to operate effectively and securely in any environment (air, land or sea) depends on an acute awareness and understanding of the surrounding elements.

Leading networking company, TESSCO Technologies Incorporated, informs it has worked closely with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to successfully implement, for the first time, real-time video streaming from police boats monitoring Chesapeake Bay. This technology effort supports Governor O’Malley’s extensive programs to protect the Chesapeake. TESSCO explain that after four years of planning and product testing, TESSCO, partnering with the IT staff of the DNR’s Natural Resource Police and RAD Data Communications, based in Mahwah, N.J., delivered a solution using RAD’s Airmux Mobility system to achieve over 4 Mbps throughput per boat while traveling at up to 20 knots over distances of up to seven miles.

SeaArk Marine, Inc. recently delivered a 36’ Patrol Boat to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Police in Stevensville, MD. The 3612-V Dauntless Ram Class vessel is an addition to a similar SeaArk Dauntless patrol boat, and multiple Commander Ram Class patrol boats, previously ordered by the DNR Police through the GSA 1122 program. The vessel, Mattawoman, is tasked with patrolling the Chesapeake Bay, Potomac River and surrounding estuaries within the jurisdiction of the Maryland DNR. The Dauntless Class vessel is based on a hull designed by C.

The cargo ship Montrose began its trip to safe anchorage in the Chesapeake Bay. Divers will conduct an underwater inspection after its arrival 12 miles south of where it ran aground. The divers will look for any damage under the ship. The 712-foot Liberian flagged ship was carrying 74,215 metric tons of coal when it ran aground Feb. 28 near Sharps Island, Md. Multiple tug boats working together were unable to free the Montrose from being stuck and a Unified Command determined coal needed to be offloaded to re-float the ship. Crews working for the Unified Command met their goal of transferring approximately 7,100 metric tons of coal to a barge alongside at about 10 p.m. Tuesday. Their operations were suspended Monday evening due to inclement weather and resumed Tuesday afternoon.

Operations are underway in an effort to re-float the 712-ft. Liberian flagged cargo ship Montrose currently aground in the Chesapeake Bay, west of the Choptank River. Crews under the direction of the Unified Command began the process known as lightering Sunday afternoon at approximately 3 p.m. Since then, approximately 4,800 tons of coal have been transferred from the ship to an attached barge. If weather permits, crews on-scene anticipate having the coal of the Montrose transferred to nearby barges. When the coal transfer evolution is complete, a process known as de-ballasting will begin. De-ballasting is the removal of water that was used to keep the ship stable during the lightering process. Attempts to re-float the Montrose are scheduled to begin on Tuesday, weather permitting.

The Coast Guard will escort a liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipment into Dominion’s natural gas facility in Lusby, Md., Friday about 2 p.m.; the first vessel to unload product at the facility in 23 years. The Coast Guard Captain of the Port of Baltimore in consultation with other federal, state, and local agencies verified the Cove Point facility is ready to resume operations and is capable of safely receiving and handling shipments of LNG. Homeland Security is a top priority of the Coast Guard, and the agency’s marine safety offices in Hampton Roads, Va., and Baltimore worked with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Police, Virginia Marine Patrol and other local maritime enforcement partners on security related plans.