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Quartermaster News

21 Dec 2023

ACBL Names Schappell SVP of Logistics & Network Operations

Steve Schappell (Photo: ACBL)

Jeffersonville, Ind. based marine transportation company American Commercial Barge Line (ACBL) announced Steve Schappell has been appointed Senior Vice President of Logistics and Network Operations after entering the role on an interim basis in September.Schappell, who joined ACBL in July 2021 as Vice President of Supply Chain and Continuous Improvement, was selected for the position over several external candidates, the company said.Reporting directly to ACBL CEO Mike Ellis, Schappell is responsible for ACBL's Fleets, Terminals, and Interchange business unit.

12 Oct 2023

Fatigue, Complacency a Factor in Washington State Ferries Allision -NTSB

The damaged Cathlamet after the contact with the dolphin (left) and the damaged dolphin (right). (Source: NTSB (left), Washington State Ferries (right))

Fatigue and complacency led to a Washington State Ferries passenger and car ferry striking a mooring structure, or dolphin, at a Seattle ferry terminal last year, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said Thursday. The contact resulted in $10.3 million in damages to the vessel and $300,000 in damages to the dolphin.The Cathlamet had crossed the Puget Sound with 94 people on board and was approaching the Fauntleroy Ferry Terminal on July 28, 2022, when it struck the ferry terminal dolphin.

23 Aug 2021

Electronic Navigational Charts: An Update and Some Issues

(Image: NOAA)

In November 2019, the Office of Coast Survey (OCS), part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), announced the start of a five-year program to “sunset” all raster and paper nautical charts.NOAA has produced electronic navigational charts (ENCs) since 1993. In the 2019 notice, NOAA writes that “ENC sales increased 425% since 2008, while sales of paper charts are now half of 2008 levels.”For NOAA and mariners, a focus on electronic charts and publications promises many advantages. With a singular focus, NOAA can use its resources more efficiently.

01 Oct 2014

US Aircraft Carrier Crew Rescues Fishermen

A fire destroys a fishing boat in the Atlantic Ocean about 90 miles off the coast of Florida. (U.S. Navy photo by William Spears)

Sailors and Marines aboard the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) assisted two fishermen aboard a fishing vessel engulfed in flames off the east coast of Florida, Sept. 29. Theodore Roosevelt watchstanders spotted a rescue flare around 4:30 a.m. approximately 90 miles off the coast and coordinated rescue efforts with nearby Naval Air Warfare Center (NAWC) vessel 38 to assist two fishermen who had climbed into a life raft, the U.S. Navy said in press release.

22 Jul 2014

Today in U.S. Naval History: July 22

Today in U.S. Naval History - July 22 1802 - Frigate Constellation defeats nine Corsair gunboats off Tripoli. 1905 - Body of John Paul Jones moved to Annapolis, Md. for reburial. 1953 - U.S. ships laid down heavy barrage to support UN troops in Korea 1964 - Four Navy Divers (LCDR Robert Thompson, MC; Gunners Mate First Class Lester Anderson, Chief Quartermaster Robert A. Barth, and Chief Hospital Corpsman Sanders Manning) submerge in Sealab I for 10 days at a depth of 192 feet, 39 miles off Hamilton, Bermuda. They surfaced on July 31, 1964. 1974 - Evacuees from the coup on Cyprus arrive on board Navy vessels in the Mediterranean. Operation ended on 24 July. For more information about naval history, visit the Naval History and Heritage Command website at history.navy.mil.

13 Sep 2013

Helmsman Mixed Port With Starboard & Ferry Grounded

MV Blue Puttees: Image courtesy of the owners

The owners, Marine Atlantic, give an update on the grounding of the ferry MV Blue Puttees in Port aux Basques harbour. Immediately following the incident, Marine Atlantic initiated an internal investigation to determine the cause and work towards preventing a similar incident in the future. Two external agencies, namely the Transportation Safety Board (TSB) and RCMP, also initiated investigations. It has been concluded that human error was the cause of the incident. In recent days…

22 Jul 2013

Today in U.S. Naval History: July 22

USS Constellation (U.S. Navy Photo)

Today in U.S. 1802 - Frigate Constellation defeats nine Corsair gunboats off Tripoli. 1905 - Body of John Paul Jones moved to Annapolis, Md. for reburial. 1953 - U.S. 1964 - Four Navy Divers (LCDR Robert Thompson, MC; Gunners Mate First Class Lester Anderson, Chief Quartermaster Robert A. Barth, and Chief Hospital Corpsman Sanders Manning) submerge in Sealab I for 10 days at a depth of 192 feet, 39 miles off Hamilton, Bermuda. They surfaced on July 31, 1964. 1974 - Evacuees from the coup on Cyprus arrive on board Navy vessels in the Mediterranean. Operation ended on 24 July.

16 Oct 2012

'Big E' Makes Final Suez Canal Transit

USS Enterprise Passes Through Suez: Photo credit USN

Aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) has made what is most probably her last Suez transit on way back to US Naval Base, Norfolk. On April 29, 1986, Enterprise did something that no other nuclear-powered carrier had ever done - she transited the Suez Canal, adding another first to an already long list of accomplishments. Twenty-six years later, on Oct. 12, the "Big E" passed through the Suez Canal for the final time as she transitioned from the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR) to U.S. 6th Fleet AOR, entering the Mediterranean Sea for the last time.

13 Feb 2012

GTMO Conducts Oil Spill Response Training

The Port Operations department (Port Ops) at Naval Station (NS) Guantanamo Bay, Cuba conducted training for oil spill response (OSR), and hazardous waste operations and emergency response Feb. 6-10. The annual training ensures NS Guantanamo Bay Port Ops Sailors and contract workers have the necessary skills to operate the installation's OSR boats, equipment, and other assets to quickly react to in-water oil spills on base. "Oil spill response is one of the primary duties for Port Ops," said Senior Chief Quartermaster Paul Bischoff, NS Guantanamo Bay Port Ops leading chief petty officer. "Unlike bases in the U.S., we don't have specialized on-call oil spill response teams available at the other end of a telephone.

22 Jul 2010

This Day in Naval History – July 22

1802 - Frigate Constellation defeats 9 Corsair gunboats off Tripoli. 1905 - Body of John Paul Jones moved to Annapolis, MD for reburial. 1953 - U.S. ships laid down heavy barrage to support UN troops in Korea 1964 - Four Navy Divers (LCDR Robert Thompson, MC; Gunners Mate First Class Lester Anderson, Chief Quartermaster Robert A. Barth, and Chief Hospital Corpsman Sanders Manning) submerge in Sealab I for 10 days at a depth of 192 feet, 39 miles off Hamilton, Bermuda. They surfaced on 31 July 1964. 1974 - Evacuees from the coup on Cyprus arrive on board Navy vessels in the Mediterranean. Operation ended on 24 July. (Source: Navy News Service)

18 Mar 2010

Polar Tankers to Pay $588K for 2004 Spill

Polar Tankers Inc., a subsidiary of ConocoPhillips Co., has agreed to pay $588,000 to help compensate the public for environmental harm caused by the October 2004 crude oil spill into Puget Sound’s Dalco Passage near Tacoma. The payment would come under a proposed settlement agreement or consent decree filed this week in U.S. District Court, Western Washington Division involving Polar Tankers and the United States, state of Washington, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe and Puyallup Tribe of Indians. A consent decree in federal court makes no finding of guilt or innocence. The U.S. Attorney General’s action was made at the request of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S.

21 Oct 2009

River Shipments, Status of Markland Lock

Officials from the Port of Indiana-Jeffersonville and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will conduct a special briefing for the Ports of Indiana Commission on Oct. 22 at the Jeffersonville City Hall. The presentations will be part of the commission’s regularly scheduled public business meeting. Jeffersonville Port Director Matt Smolek will be discussing the current status and economics of cargo shipments moving on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. The expected representative from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is Gene Dowell, operations manager for the Markland Lock and Dam. He will be providing an update on the status of the lock that failed on Sept. 27, as well as the salvage and repair efforts that are currently underway. 11 a.m., Thursday, Oct.

21 Jul 2009

This Day in Naval History – July 22

1802 - Frigate Constellation defeats 9 Corsair gunboats off Tripoli. 1905 - Body of John Paul Jones moved to Annapolis, MD for reburial. 1953 - U.S. ships laid down heavy barrage to support UN troops in Korea 1964 - Four Navy Divers (LCDR Robert Thompson, MC; Gunners Mate First Class Lester Anderson, Chief Quartermaster Robert A. Barth, and Chief Hospital Corpsman Sanders Manning) submerge in Sealab I for 10 days at a depth of 192 feet, 39 miles off Hamilton, Bermuda. They surfaced on 31 July 1964. 1974 - Evacuees from the coup on Cyprus arrive on board Navy vessels in the Mediterranean. Operation ended on 24 July. (Source: Navy News Service)

22 Jul 2008

This Day in Naval History - July 22

From the Navy News Service 1802 - Frigate Constellation defeats 9 Corsair gunboats off . 1905 - Body of John Paul Jones moved to for reburial. 1953 - U.S. ships laid down heavy barrage to support UN troops in Korea 1964 - Four Navy Divers (LCDR Robert Thompson, MC; Gunners Mate First Class Lester Anderson, Chief Quartermaster Robert A. Barth, and Chief Hospital Corpsman Sanders Manning) submerge in Sealab I for 10 days at a depth of 192 feet, 39 miles off Hamilton, Bermuda. They surfaced on July 31. 1974 - Evacuees from the coup on arrive on board Navy vessels in the . Operation ended on July 24.

08 Jun 2004

Flood Attracted to Water

Appropriate, isn’t it, that a man name Flood made his mark on the world painting nautical scenes. Born on the fourth of July in Philadelphia, James Flood has been sketching and painting from the time he was four. His early years embody the stereotypical mold of the artist type — restless and distracted at school, doggedly pursuing his craft and developing his talent, often to the dismay of family. His dedication to the subject was instilled in him at a young age, and was a passion that had outlets beyond the paintbrush and canvas. Flood recalls with joy memories of a young boy who would meticulously create and "sail" his very own fleet of motorized ship models. "I've had a lifelong fascination and attraction to water," he said.

19 Jul 2004

High Speed Vessel Shows RIMPAC the Future

The Navy's newest experimental ship sailed into Pearl Harbor July 5 to participate in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2004 exercise. Of the 40 ships in RIMPAC, this ship stands out as unique. The High Speed Vessel Swift (HSV) 2 is a 321-foot catamaran drawing only 11 feet of draft, with a top speed of almost 50 knots powered by its four swivel water jets. According to Chief Mineman Paul Bertsch, Swift's engineering department head, HSV's primary focus during RIMPAC will be mine counter-measures, to include deploying divers and underwater robotic vehicles to seek out and disarm mines.

01 Aug 2007

Navigation Plots Charts for JTFEX

Nimitz-class aircraft carriers USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), bottom, USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), top, transit in formation with the Royal Navy's Invincible-class aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious (R 06) in the Atlantic Ocean. The carriers are currently participating in Operation Bold Step, bringing together more than 15,000 service members from three countries during a Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFX). U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jay C. By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Adrian J. Escobar, USS Dwight D. USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER, At Sea (NNS) -- The Navigation Department aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D.

31 Jul 2007

Safeguard Completes Final Underway

The rescue and salvage ship USS Safeguard (ARS 50) makes her way through the Java Sea en route to Surabaya, Indonesia for the fourth phase of the 2005 Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise. Safeguard is part of a three-ship task group, including the dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) and guided missile frigate USS Rodney M. Davis (FFG 60) that will take part in CARAT Indonesia beginning July 25. CARAT is a regularly scheduled series of bilateral military training exercises with several Southeast Asia nations designed to enhance interoperability of the respective sea services. U.S. Navy photo by Journalist 2nd Class Brian P. By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Joshua J. Wahl, Fleet Public Affairs Center Det.

15 Jun 2007

Navy Unveils Newest Ship Navigation, Bridge Simulator

Chief Quartermaster Scott Ramsey and Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class Cliff Monroe, both assigned to Afloat Training Group Middle Pacific (ATG MIDPAC), man the lee helm and helmsman positions of a bridge watch team during a Navigation, Seamanship and Shiphandling Trainer (NSST) simulation of an underway replenishment at ATG MIDPAC. NSST is a state-of-the-art bridge team trainer designed to replicate the environment found on the bridge of a Navy ship and utilizes life-like scenarios with visual simulations to train Navy bridge teams. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class James E. Naval Base San Diego hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to unveil its newest navigation, seamanship and ship handling trainer (NSST) on June 11.

19 Jun 2007

USS The Sullivans Celebrates its 10th Anniversary

The crew of USS The Sullivans (DDG 68) with USS The Sullivans Foundation and the people of Staten Island celebrated the 10th anniversary of the ship’s commissioning June 16 at the pier where the ship was commissioned. The USS The Sullivans Foundation, a non-profit organization established to support the crew and ship, hosted the ceremony and following reception as a way to strengthen the tie between the people of Staten Island and the crew and ship. “Ten years ago there were 7,000 people here on this pier to celebrate this great ship,” said Nancy Pouch, a member of USS The Sullivans Foundation. Pouch described the support the foundation has given the ship since its commissioning including donations to the Morale, Welfare and Recreation Fund and a scholarship fund for family members.

22 Jun 2007

Trayer Commissioned at RTC

Sailors salute while manning the rails of USS Trayer (BST 21) during the commissioning ceremony for the Navy's newest simulator. Trayer, along with Battle Stations 21, is the culmination of all training received at the Navy's only boot camp. The simulator is a grueling 12-hour test of a recruit's skills in several shipboard evolutions, including fighting fires and stopping floods. The final evolution, now held entirely in the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer simulator, marks a recruit's final rite of passage into the Navy. U.S. Navy photo by Mr. Scott A. By Scott A. The Navy's newest and largest simulator, USS Trayer (BST 21), was commissioned here June 18.

06 Jul 2007

U.S. Fleet Forces Command Selects New Fleet Master Chief

Adm. Gary Roughead, Commander U.S. Fleet Forces Command (USFF), announced the selection of Fleet Master Chief (SS/SW) Rick West June 18 as U.S. Fleet Forces Command Fleet Master Chief (FLTCMC). “It is truly an honor to be here,” said West. West, a Rising Fawn, Ga., native, recently served as the U.S. Pacific Fleet Master Chief. Prior to that assignment, he was the Command Master Chief of USS Preble (DDG 88). He relieved Fleet Master Chief Jacqueline DiRosa to become USFF’s 14th Fleet Master Chief. DiRosa will now serve as the Director, Command Master Chief Management Office in Washington. With his new assignment, West becomes the senior enlisted advisor for more than 97…

17 Jul 2007

Mitscher Transits the Panama Canal

USS Mitscher (DDG-57) successfully completed a northbound Panama Canal transit early morning on July 12, marking the first trip through the historic canal for the 13-year old warship. Mitscher entered the Miraflores Lock near midnight July 11, and then proceeded north through the Pedro, Miguel and Gatun Locks before emerging at 4 a.m. near Cristobal, Panama. “The Panama Canal transit was a fitting end to the Central and South American phase of our Partnership of Americas deployment,” stated Cmdr. William McKinley, Mitscher’s commanding officer. “Most of the crew had never made the transit and will never forget this event. Sailors were up through the night to assist in navigation and line-handling details, as Mitscher traveled the 44.5 miles of canal.