Mike Foster News

WindServe Marine's offshore wind crew transfer vessel Windserve Odyssey, built by its sister company Senesco Marine, is embarking upon sea trials on the U.S. East Coast.The news of the vessel launch was shared Thursday by the world's largest offshore wind developer Orsted, via social media.The Windserve Odyssey will support Orsted's U.S. offshore wind projects along the U.S. the East Coast. "After sea trials at Ørsted’s Block Island Wind Farm, the Odyssey will travel from Rhode…

The promise of a vibrant U.S. offshore wind business has been long in the making. While questions remain on timing and pace, there is renewed confidence in the offshore wind sector, particularly in the northeast United States (global pandemic notwithstanding). Investment in the sector had escalated to start 2020, embodied best by Reinauer Group and its WindServe Marine unit, which when combined with its Senesco Marine boatbuilding and logistics hub give its an ‘ A-to-Z, soup-to-nuts’ enviable position to build…

The Board of Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans mourns the passing of former Board Chairman Francis E. “Hank” Lauricella. Gov. Mike Foster appointed Mr. Lauricella to the Board in April of 1997 and he served as Board Chairman from October 2001 until June of 2002. “Mr. Lauricella’s leadership was critical during a period of Port expansion and diversification, such as the construction of the Napoleon Avenue Container Terminal and the meteoric rise of the Port’s cruise industry,” said Gary LaGrange, Port President and CEO. Prior to his service on the Port’s Board, Mr.

Senesco Marine Steps Out Into the Broader Commercial Build and Repair Markets. The largest mid-tier yard in the U.S. Northeast touts deep experience and high standards. Suddenly, operators have another viable choice for newbuild and repair work. After being off the radar for perhaps as many as 12 years – during which the yard was itself quite busy primarily servicing internal Reinauer requirements – Rhode Island-based Senesco Marine LLC has moved more aggressively into the outside commercial markets. Although perhaps representing a somewhat new entity to some clients, Senesco is anything but new on the scene. An accomplished builder of modern tonnage, it is more than capable of taking on any mid-tier shipyard newbuild or repair challenge.

Senator Slade Gorton (R-Wash.) introduced the "States Prevention of Oil Tanker Spills Act" (S. 2506), which seeks to reinstate Washington state oil tanker safety laws overturned by the Supreme Court in Intertanko v. Locke and United States v. Locke. In a press release, Senator Gorton said, "I disagree with the Court's decision, because I believe Washington State should be allowed to protect its shores as it sees fit." The Gorton legislation would reinstate the right of all states to adopt additional standards beyond existing federal requirements governing the operation, maintenance, equipment, personnel and manning of oil tankers. While the legislation would apply to all coastal states, Gorton's interest is focused on recently overturned Washington statutes.

About a year ago MarineNews debuted an article on the "First Families" of the oil patch featuring the Graham, Chouest and Candies families. We continue this series with two real pioneers in this industry whose partnership is still going strong after 57 years. Albert Cheramie and Anthony Guilbeau were among the very first to recognize that when oil and gas exploration moved offshore there would be a need for boats to supply the rigs. In 1947, Cheramie began by running a vessel for Humble Oil to Block 16A barely in the Gulf of Mexico off Grand Isle, La. By 1951 both Cheramie and Guilbeau were working offshore themselves as roughnecks for Texaco. "After five years with Texaco, it didn't seem like I was going to advance very far with only a 7th grade education," Cheramie said.

There are five applicants for Louisiana's 15th and final riverboat gaming license. Once the Louisiana State Police have finished the process of evaluating the applications for completeness, they will begin background investigations to determine the applicants' suitability. If the license is awarded, it will be against the current wishes of Governor Mike Foster. His executive council, Chaney Joseph, gave the gaming board a letter signed by the governor, asking the panel delay any final decision on the 15th license, to give the Louisiana Legislature a chance to repeal authorization for it next year.

The Louisiana Gaming Control Board voted 4-3 to put the state's 15th and last riverboat gaming license on hold until a special legislative session in March. Gov. Mike Foster, through his executive counsel, Cheney Joseph, petitioned the board to freeze the license because he plans to push legislation to kill the 15th license during the session. Legislation to eliminate the license failed during last year's legislative session. This time, the governor plans to have his new choice for House Speaker, Rep. Charlie DeWitt (D-Lecompte) handle the bill to kill the license.

The Louisiana Gaming Control Board voted 4-3 to put the state's 15th and last riverboat gaming license on hold until a special legislative session in March. Gov. Mike Foster, through his executive counsel, Cheney Joseph, petitioned the board to freeze the license because he plans to push legislation to kill the 15th license during the session. Legislation to eliminate the license failed during last year's legislative session. This time, the governor plans to have his new choice for House Speaker, Rep. Charlie DeWitt (D-Lecompte) handle the bill to kill the license.