Personnel With Systems News

The New York State Canal System, Advance Marine and MelCal Cranes all enjoy a reputation for versatile applications in challenging conditions. It’s no wonder that their recent deal to replace an aging maintenance crane was also a similarly good fit.When Advance Marine recently delivered a telescopic boom crane to New York State Canals, the decision regarding which type and brand of crane to select wasn’t made in a vacuum, nor was it made lightly. That’s because commercial utilization of America’s original superhighway – the Erie Canal – is on the rise again. The New York State Canal System is a 524-mile long, commercially viable waterway connecting the Hudson River with the Great Lakes, Finger Lakes, and Lake Champlain.

Classification society DNV GL reports it has signed a contract for the first Cyber Secure class notation with Stena Drilling. The contract covers the application of the “Basic+” notation to the drillship Stena IceMAX and includes the vessel’s dynamic positioning, drilling and blowout prevention systems (BOP). It will be integrated with Stena Drilling’s own safety management systems.“Being cyber secure is an important step towards ensuring the digital integrity of our vessels, making sure that we take all the necessary safety precautions for our personnel and systems…

Ampelmann has opened its first office in Germany, in response to growing business in the offshore wind sector. The new base, located in Hamburg, will be led by Tim Börner, who has been appointed as Business Development Manager Offshore Wind Germany for Ampelmann. Mr Börner joins the company from Global Renewables Ship Brokers GmbH where he most recently held the role of Offshore Shipbroker for more than five years, focusing on the offshore wind market. “I am excited to be joining Ampelmann at such a pivotal moment…

Damen licenses another U.S. Robert E. Derecktor Inc. and Damen Shipyard Group have entered into a license agreement authorizing Derecktor to act as an official builder of Damen designs. The agreement will see Derecktor offer its customers pilot boats and wind farm support vessels combining the range and international experience of Damen designs with its own American craftsmanship, which Derecktor says creates an innovative, cost-effective experience for its customers, with proven performance and reliable U.S.-based support and maintenance.

Jones Act and LHWCA employers must protect Medicare’s interest or pay the price. It may be boring, but it is important. Read and heed. Attention maritime entities that employ Jones Act Seamen covered by liability insurance, including self-insurance, or land based employees covered by no-fault insurance or any workers’ compensation act:  you MUST protect Medicare interests. These plans are also known as Non-Group Health Plans (NGHP). Failure could mean a fine of $1,000.00 per day per claim or liable to reimburse Medicare for payments made to a claimant.

As the energy industry expands and installations are pushed ever further offshore and into more challenging environments, the vessels servicing these installations must be relied upon to operate in wider spectrum of conditions and take on more complex challenges. The rules, which entered into force on 1 May 2012, have been developed by bringing together, for the first time, all of the relevant GL rules and the international codes and recommendations which can be used for the classification of Crew Boats. The rules will allow designers to develop vessels built to the special needs of clients according to the rules with full confidence in the fact that their vessel can meet with classification approval.

ABS has released the first Guidance Notes on Ergonomic Design of Navigation Bridges, a notable new addition to its suite of practical guides that address the role of human factors within marine safety. “We recognize that the vast majority of shipping accidents involving collisions and groundings stem from activities on the navigation bridge,” says ABS Manager of Safety Assessment & Human Factors Denise McCafferty. The new Guidance Notes build upon ABS’ pioneering work from its 1998 Guidance Notes on the Application of Ergonomics to Marine Systems. This latest addition provides practical criteria for the effective ergonomic design and layout of interfaces located within the navigational bridge area.

The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure passed the Deepwater Integrated Program Reform Act, H.R. 2722, authored by Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (D-MD), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation. The Committee also passed the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2007, H.R. 2830, authored by the Chairman of the full Transportation Committee, James Oberstar (D-MN) and by Congressman Cummings. Both bills passed on voice votes. “As Chairman of the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, I am determined to be the number one supporter of the Coast Guard – but also to ensure that…