Mike Bell News

Austal USA promoted Chris Young to Vice President of Production Operations. Young, formerly Senior Director of Production, is a 26-year veteran of Austal with 19 of those years spent at Austal USA’s new construction manufacturing facilities in Mobile. Young’s tenure with Austal began immediately following school in Perth, Australia, when he joined the company as a structural engineering apprentice. Young was soon asked to travel to the US to join the Austal USA team as it stood up operations in Mobile, Ala.

Austal USA has been investing mightily, more than $600 million to expand its repair and services business for both commercial and military customers; and in the opening of a state-of-the-art steel panel line in Mobile to complement its established aluminum shipbuilding operations. Rusty Murdaugh, President, Austal USA, discusses the rationale behind the investment as Austal USA drives quickly toward a $500m services model.Most of our readers know the Austal USA brand, but can you give a “by the numbers” look at Austal USA today?Austal is about 3…

Known best for its construction of U.S. Navy warships, Austal USA in September 2020 acquired waterfront property along the Mobile River and established a commercial ship repair facility. Mike Bell, Austal’s VP Operations and Harley Combs, Director, Austal West Campus Ship Repair discuss the plan. Austal USA’s long-established shipbuilding facility in Mobile, Ala., is a modern ship manufacturing factory, one of the largest aluminum warship builders in the world producing new ships for the U.S. Navy.

Following the acquisition of additional waterfront along the Mobile River in September 2020, Austal USA reports it quickly established a ship repair facility that has had a booming response.“Almost immediately after word got out Austal USA had purchased the additional waterfront property, we were inundated with calls from commercial captains looking to return to Mobile to have their ships serviced,” Austal USA’s Senior Vice President of Operations Mike Bell said.Austal’s acquisition included 15 acres of waterfront property spanning almost 3…

As ferry operators search for efficiency to reduce pollutants and operating costs, the importance of design, quality construction, and efficient propulsion become ever more important. Such is clearly the case with the Netherlands-based ferry operator Rederij Doeksen, whose two BMT Nigel Gee designed ferries are currently under construction at Strategic Marine’s Vietnam yard for operations between Harlingen on the mainland and the islands of Terschelling and Vlieland. in the Netherlands’ Wadden Sea.

U.S. Coast Guard interdicted Mexican fishing crew poaching red snapper in U.S. The U.S. Coast Guard informs it has interdicted a Mexican fishing crew in the waters off South Texas with approximately 475 pounds of illegally caught red snapper, Sunday afternoon. While on a routine patrol, a 33-foot law enforcement boatcrew sighted a Mexican fishing boat, also known as a lancha, approximately two miles north of the U.S./Mexico maritime border and 16 miles from shore. The crew of four Mexican nationals admitted to fishing in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone. The crew's catch consisted of 133 red snapper. The Coast Guard estimates over 1,100 annual lancha incursions into U.S. regulated waters, taking upwards of 760,000 pounds of red snapper each year.

The Maritime Academy of Toledo Foundation Receives $25,000 First Energy Job Training Grant from City of Toledo. Ms. Renee A. Marazon, CEO, The Maritime Academy of Toledo Foundation today announced that The Foundation’s Cruise Ship Professional Development and required U.S. Coast Guard STCW Basic Safety Training Programs received much-needed financial support from the City of Toledo with a $25,000 First Energy Job Training Grant. Ms. Marazon accepted the ceremonial oversized check at a press conference in the lobby of One Government Center, with City of Toledo Mayor Michael P. Bell, Mr.

Unocal Corporation's Spirit Energy 76 unit said the appraisal well drilled on the Mad Dog prospect in Green Canyon block 782 encountered 250 ft. of oil pay in zones that appear to correspond to those penetrated by the discovery well. The appraisal well was drilled to a measured depth of 20,268 ft. about two miles north of the discovery well. A sidetrack to the main appraisal well was drilled to 21,560 ft., and the results are under evaluation. Unocal holds a 25-percent interest in the 2.5 block drilling unit encompassing most of the Mad Dog structure. BP Amoco is operator, with a 63.56-percent interest in the well. BHP owns the remaining interest.