Response Vessel System News

Smith Berger Marine, Inc. said it has been selected by Edison Chouest Offshore to design and manufacture the Tow Pin Stern Roller units required on its nine new vessels, including five escort tugs and four docking tugs. Edison Chouest is building the new tugs in order to execute a 10-year Ship Escort-Response Vessel System (SERVS) contract with the Alyeska Pipeline Service Company, for which the tugs will provide tanker escort and spill response services in Prince William Sound. The Tow Pin unit has the capacity to sustain 250 tons of line tension and features three individually raised and lowered towing pins, one hold down hook and a 14” diameter stern roller.

Crowley Maritime Corporation’s tanker escort and docking services group in Valdez is celebrating over seven million man hours and more than six years since logging its last Lost Time Injury (LTI). In addition to this remarkable number, the company announced that it had not had an OSHA recordable case in over two million man hours while performing tanker assist and escort work for Alyeska Pipeline Service Company. In 2015, the company logged over one million man hours while safely escorting 236 tankers through Prince William Sound…

Crowley crews commended by U.S. Captain Rodney Layton and his crew aboard Crowley’s Prevention and Response tugboat (PRT) Alert were recently recognized by U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Capt. Paul Mehler III, sector commander captain of the port, for their “professionalism, courage and flawless performance in extreme conditions” during the emergency rescue tow of the drill barge Kulluk off the southern point of Kodiak Island. Capt. Mehler was joined by other USCG members including Sector Chief Gustin…

Crowley Maritime Corporation’s petroleum distribution group in Alaska says it has been recognized by Shell Oil Products US as the 2013 Health, Safety, Security & Environment (HSSE) wholesaler of the year. As Shell’s sole wholesale distributor in Alaska, Crowley faces unique challenges including remote locations, harsh environments, a diverse product and customer base, limited supply options and large fluctuations in seasonal demand. The company currently services 17 Shell-branded retail stations, three of which are owned and operated by Crowley.

Crowley's Ocean Rangers Have Protected Alaska's Environment Since 2008. The State of Alaska's Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) has announced that it has awarded a contract to Crowley Maritime Corporation to continue administering the State of Alaska's Ocean Ranger Program, effective November 2011. The contract directs Crowley to recruit, hire, train and organize the logistics of placing Ocean Rangers on board cruise ships each season to act as independent observers and to assure compliance with federal and state environmental health, sanitation and safety requirements.

Crowley Maritime Corporation announced that Charlie Nalen has been named general manager of the company's Valdez operation. In his new position, Nalen will be responsible for the entirety of Crowley's marine operations in Valdez including ship assist and escort services for Alyeska Pipeline Service Company's Ship Escort/Response Vessel System (SERVS). He will report to Bruce Harland, vice president of contract services, Alaska and will relocate from Jacksonville, Fla. to Valdez. Nalen has held a number of related positions during his 29 years with Crowley.

A light sheen was discovered at approximately 10:38 a.m. on January 16 alongside the SeaRiver Baytown while loading at the Alyeska Marine Terminal in Valdez. Loading operations were immediately suspended. Upon investigation, a hairline-crack approximately 3 ft. above the waterline was discovered. A temporary patch was immediately put in place to prevent further leaking. The initial spill, estimated at less than a teaspoon, was contained within boom always in place during loading operations and immediately cleaned up with absorbent materials. Alyeska made all appropriate notifications. Their Ship Escort and Response Vessel System (SERVS) personnel remain on scene. The Coast Guard is on scene monitoring operations and working with SeaRiver and Alyeska on a load and repair plan.

Derecktor Shipyards delivered its 299 ft. (91 m) high speed catamaran, Flying Cloud, to Woods Hole & Martha's Vineyard Steamship Authority. Completed one week ahead of schedule, the vessel will be used for year-round passenger and vehicle ferry service to the islands of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket. Attaining an excess of 39 knots during sea trials, Flying Cloud demonstrated high stability and ride comfort due to its dynamic ride control system. Its service speed of 36 knots will allow the ferry to cross from Hyannis Port to Nantucket Island in less than one hour - significantly lower than the conventional two hour crossing time. Flying Cloud is powered by Paxman 12VP185 diesel engines driving Kamewa 71SII waterjets.

Ten years ago, a RoRo passenger service called Sealink, commenced in the Bahamas — operating from Nassau to port of Governor's Harbor on the adjacent island of Eleuthera. The vessel that performed this service was an aging 14-knot Greek ferry, which established a solid market within the RoRo sector. Despite its healthy growth spurt, the venture ceased in 1993 resulting from rising repair costs and maintenance, specifically in the machinery department, as some engine parts had since been discontinued. Then a group of local businessmen purchased an Australian RoPax catamaran to re-enter the Eleuthera trade. This vessel, which incidentally is also named Sealink, is from the Sea Transport Solutions (STS) design studio in Queensland, Australia.

Crowley Marine Services has promoted Alex Sweeney to vice president, Valdez Business Unit. Sweeney is responsible for all marine activities in support of the Alyeska Pipeline Service Company's Ship Escort Response Vessel System (SERVS) in Alaska. SERVS' mission is to prevent oil spills by assisting tankers in safe navigation through Prince William Sound and to protect the environment by providing rapid and effective response services. Sweeney and his staff and crews are helping SERVS meet this critical mission in the harsh environment of Prince William Sound by operating the most technically advanced fleet of escort vessels in the world. Sweeney joined Crowley in 1980 and has more than 20 years experience in marine operations for Crowley on the east and west coasts.

Every year, MarineNews chooses a handful of vessels delivered in the past 12 months and bestows upon them the distinction of “Great Boats.” The boats are chosen for innovations in design, construction and utilization. Following are the 17 vessels or groups of vessels chosen as the Great Boats of 2000. Crowley Marine Services delivered Alert, Attentive, and Aware, a series of three 140-ft., 10,000-hp Prevention and Response Tugs (PRTs), to Alyeska Pipeline Service Company in Valdez, Alaska. Specifically designed and developed for Alyeska, the boats will be used by Crowley in the Trans Alaska Pipeline System trade. Alert was deployed in February; Attentive was delivered in June, and Aware was delivered in July.

Friede Goldman Halter, Inc. (FGH) announced the appointment of Robert L. Champagne, CPA, as its Executive Vice President and CFO. Champagne has been employed with KPMG for 28 years, 18 of which he served as a partner in the firm. In addition to Mr. Champagne's appointment, Chuck DeCuir has been appointed Senior Vice President, Contracts, Legal Affairs and Risk Management, of Friede Goldman Halter, Inc. "Since becoming CEO, I have made it a major focus to strengthen the financial and Corporate Risk Management areas of the Company. Bobs 18 years of partnership experience, working with a number of publicly held companies, gives us solid financial leadership.

Crowley's ship assist and escort services group has been awarded ISO 14001 certification for its environmental management system used for its operations in Valdez, Alaska. This certification is applicable to Crowley's provision of ship management and operation of tugboats in ship assist and escort services as well as response barges and oil spill response vessels. Crowley provides these services in Valdez Harbor and Prince William Sound for the Alyeska Pipeline Service Company Ship Escort / Response Vessel System (SERVS). requirements for a total quality environmental management system. externally certified. Evaluations.