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Sweeney News

13 Jul 2022

One Million Gallons Collected from US' Longest Running Oil Spill

Research vessel at the Taylor Energy oil spill site offshore of Louisiana pre-containment. (Photo: NOAA)

Response crews have collected more than one million gallons of oil from a Gulf of Mexico spill that has been ongoing for nearly 20 years.The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and partner agencies have been working to contain oil that continues to leak from damaged wells in Mississippi Canyon Block 20 (MC-20), located 11 miles south of the Louisiana shoreline, after storm surge from Hurricane Ivan in 2004 triggered an underwater mudslide that toppled Taylor Energy's MC-20 platform. The active spill is the longest-running in U.S.

17 Jan 2022

The Big Challenges for Supply Chains in 2022

© Hor / Adobe Stock

In the run-up to Christmas, there was considerable anxiety about shortages of festive food and gifts. Trade friction was already at the core of the Brexit debate, and supply chain issues have been made much worse by the COVID-19 pandemic.For example, a computer chip shortage had a knock-on effect across many industries. Concerns have also been raised about everything from lithium supply for electric vehicle batteries to restaurant food supplies to even coffee shortages.Never has the issue of supply chain management been so prominent.

13 Sep 2021

Energy Firms Face Another Storm in US Gulf

(Image: NOAA)

Royal Dutch Shell on Monday began evacuating staff from a U.S. Gulf of Mexico oil platform, and other energy companies began preparing for hurricane-force winds from a second Gulf Coast storm in as many weeks.Tropical Storm Nicholas was about 105 miles (115 km) south of Port O'Connor, Texas, and moving north with winds of 60 miles per hour (97 kph). It could become a hurricane just ahead of landfall on Monday, according to the National Hurricane Center.Waves stirred up by Nicholas neared 12 feet (3.7 m) in height were reported outside of Port Aransas…

26 Jun 2020

Partners Aim to Build Zero-emissions Ferries in Belfast

(Image: Artemis Technologies)

A Belfast Maritime Consortium led by Artemis Technologies has won a £33 million ($41 million) U.K. government innovation grant to develop zero emissions ferries in Northern Ireland’s capital. With further investment from consortium partners, the total project investment will reach close to £60 million ($74.6 million) over the next four years, creating an initial 125 research and development jobs, and leading to more than 1,000 in the region over the next 10 years.The 13 partner syndicate—which is a mix of established and young companies…

23 Jul 2019

Roughead Joins Fincantieri Marinette Marine Board

Adm. Gary Roughead  (Photo: Fincantieri Marinette Marine)

Former Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead was elected as the chairman of the board of directors of Fincantieri Marinette Marine Corporation July 10.Roughead was the 29th Chief of Naval Operations from 2007 - 2011, after holding six operational commands. He is one of only two officers in the history of the Navy to have commanded both the U.S. Atlantic and Pacific Fleets.Roughead served in several key positions aside from his sea duties, most notably as the commandant of the U.S.

10 Feb 2017

First Meet of Arctic Economic Council held

A meeting of the Arctic Economic Council (AEC) was held in Saint Petersburg on the premises of SCF Arctic, a subsidiary of Sovcomflot Group (PAO Sovcomflot), on 7-8 February 2017. The meeting was attended by business community representatives from Russia, Finland, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Canada, and the USA, as well as several organizations of indigenous peoples of the Arctic: Gwich'in Council International, Aleut International Association, Arctic Athabaskan Council, Inuit Circumpolar Association, and RAIPON (Russian Association of Indigenous Peoples of the North). This event was the first ever meeting held by the AEC in the Russian Federation.

30 Sep 2016

Subchapter M: Post Publication Highlights

Photo: AWO

An extra T in TSMS, nowhere left to hide from systems documentation, and an emphasis on continuous improvement. Back in January of this year, the United States Coast Guard (USCG) predicted Subchapter M would be released in spring 2016. I put my money on June 20, that being the very last day of spring, and on June 20 the long-awaited regulation was finally published. Subchapter M doesn’t come with much we weren’t expecting, which is a good thing. Surprises in this industry are not met with enthusiasm. The USCG should be complimented in that regard.

06 Sep 2016

MN100: Compliance Maritime

Katharine Sweeney (Photo: Compliance Maritime)

Compliance Maritime was founded by Captain Katharine Sweeney in 2010 and has since provided over 400 International Safety Management (ISM) audits and more than 300 vessel security audits. Compliance Maritime is a certified Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB). Clients consist of several key players in the industry, however each and every audit is confidential, and treated as such. Compliance Maritime auditors are certified, insured and current USCG licensed Master Mariners with 150 years of combined experience on a large variety of vessel types.

06 Aug 2016

First “Neo-Panamax” Calls Port of Philadelphia

The first of a new class of “Neo-Panamax” shipping vessels called the Port of Philadelphia to begin a new phase of transport along the Delaware River. The MSC Sofia Celeste, an 8,800 TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit) vessel operated by the Mediterranean Shipping Company, docked at the Packer Avenue Marine Terminal in South Philadelphia for the first time, making it the largest ship to ever call the Port of Philadelphia. “This new service comes as a direct result of the opening of the Panama Canal Expansion,” said David Whene, President of Greenwich Terminals LLC, operator of the Packer Avenue Marine Terminal. The MSC Sofia Celeste was completed in 2014 and has an on-board capacity of 8…

05 Apr 2016

The Master’s Authority: a Vital SMS Caveat

Katharine Sweeney

As safety management systems (SMS) on board vessels evolve, the vessel’s master still holds ultimate authority. Subchapter M is finally underway. A starring role in this new CFR is a safety management system onboard all vessels. While this system dictates how the vessel is to be operated and under what parameters, a key principle of any SMS is that the Master has the authority and the responsibility to override the SMS when safety of the crew, the vessel, or the environment is at stake.

02 Mar 2016

The (Updated) Responsible Carrier Program

Katharine SweeneyMonday, February 08, 2016

Last summer, the United States Coast Guard (USCG) announced its intent to accept the American Waterway Operators (AWO) Responsible Carrier Program (RCP) as an acceptable Towing Safety Management System (TSMS) under pending Subchapter M regulations. The acceptance did not come without some major changes to the RCP, changes that were needed to ensure the RCP would meet USCG requirements and become a viable option for operators once new Subchapter M regulations take effect. When that happens is anyone’s guess.

08 Feb 2016

Subchapter M: The Designated Person Ashore and You

Sweeney

As the workboat industry marches toward Subchapter M, and ever closer to the International Safety Management (ISM) Code, the appointment of a Designated Person Ashore (DPA) becomes more important, the position’s job functions become more defined, and the selection of the right individual becomes more critical. The DPA can be a very important “pressure relief valve” that keeps emerging ethical and safety related concerns from exploding into litigation. The DPA allows anyone working on board a vessel to report perceived unethical behavior or unsafe conditions (including the safety of the crew…

26 Jul 2015

Chinese Navy Plays Down S. China Sea Exercises

The Chinese navy played down recent military drills in the South China Sea and criticised other countries for "illegally" occupying islands in the area, the official Xinhua news service reported on Saturday. China has launched a naval drill in waters to the east of Hainan island, a largely unpopulated region of reefs and shoals in which a number of countries maintain contradictory and overlapping territorial claims. "Holding sea drills is a common practice for navies with various countries. The annual drill by the Chinese navy aims to test the troops' real combat abilities, boost their manoeuvrability, search and rescue power and the abilities to fulfil diversified military missions," Xinhua quoted Chinese navy spokesperson Liang Yang saying.

28 May 2015

Duke Energy to Help Develop Jeffersonville Port Site

Duke Energy Indiana has selected a 140-acre parcel of land inside the Port of Indiana-Jeffersonville in Clark County for the utility's 2015 Site Readiness Program. A key component of Duke Energy's economic development model, the Site Readiness Program identifies, evaluates and improves sites in the company's service territory for potential industrial development. "We see distinct potential for this site to attract businesses that can bring economic growth to this area," said Lisa Huber, Duke Energy Indiana community relations manager for Clark County. As part of Duke Energy's evaluation of the Clark County property, site-selection consultant McCallum Sweeney Consulting will conduct a comprehensive assessment.

27 Dec 2014

China, Vietnam to Address Maritime Disputes

Senior Chinese and Vietnamese officials have agreed to settle their maritime disputes without resorting to "megaphone diplomacy", the official Xinhua news service said on Saturday. The agency's report follows a meeting in Hanoi on Friday between Chinese political advisor Yu Zhengsheng and Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, and it comes as Beijing backs off from aggressive attempts to press its territorial claims in the South China Sea. "Megaphone diplomacy can only trigger volatility in public opinion, which should be avoided by both sides," the report quoted Yu as saying. "The maritime issue is highly complicated and sensitive, which requires negotiations to manage and control differences," he said.

14 Jul 2014

New Marine Terminal for Delaware River

Holt Logistics Corp. says it has entered into a partnership with the South Jersey Port Corporation (SJPC) for the construction of a new, state-of-the-art marine terminal in Paulsboro, New Jersey. The announcement was made at a press conference attended by Governor Chris Christie, Senate President Stephen Sweeney, the Board and staff of the South Jersey Port Corporation, various Gloucester County executives and representatives of Holt Logistics at the future site of the facility, located at the former Paulsboro BP refinery on the banks of the Delaware River in Paulsboro, Gloucester County. The planned 190-acre facility will be the first new multi-purpose marine terminal to be constructed on the Delaware River in over 30 years…

11 Apr 2014

Nanjing Tanker To Be Delisted, First By Central Gov't Backed Firm

Loss-making shipping company Nanjing Tanker Corp will be delisted from the Shanghai Stock Exchange after a five-day grace period, marking the first time for a company backed by the central government to be dropped from a domestic exchange. The delisting comes after the government allowed China's first-ever public bond default in March and underscores the difficulties facing domestic companies saddled with record debt in a slowing economy. The delisting had been widely anticipated after the company said in January it was poised to post its fourth straight year of loss, breaching exchange rules. A statement carried on the Shanghai exchange's official microblog on Friday said Nanjing Tanker will be delisted after booking losses from 2010 to 2013.

07 Apr 2014

Deadbeat Chinese Shipyards Stick Banks with Default Bill

Chinese banks are stuck in a lose-lose legal battle between domestic shipyards and foreign buyers over billions of dollars in refund guarantees that are supposed to be paid out if shipbuilders fail to deliver on time. One in three ships ordered from Chinese builders was behind schedule in 2013, according to data from Clarksons Research, a UK-based shipping intelligence firm. Although that was an improvement from 36 percent a year earlier, it was well behind rival South Korea, where shipyards routinely delivered ahead of schedule the same year. That means Chinese banks may be on the hook to pay large sums to buyers if the yards can't come through per contract, with little hope of recouping the cash from the yards.

04 Feb 2014

US, French Navies Conclude Combined Operations

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Rob Aylward

Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HST CSG) and French Navy Task Force 473 concluded five weeks of combined carrier strike group operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Responsibility (AOR) Feb 2. The two strike groups began conducting integrated operations Dec. 26 in the Gulf of Oman and have operated together in the northern Arabian Sea and the Arabian Gulf to enhance regional maritime security and stability. Ships participating in the combined operations included USS Harry S.

06 Jan 2014

US, French Navies Partner for Security, Stability

Aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) sails alongside the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, flagship for Task Force 473. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Taylor M. DiMartino)

Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HST CSG) began combined operations with the French navy's Task Force 473 in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR) Dec. 29. HST CSG, comprised of the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), guided-missile cruisers USS Gettysburg (CG 64) and USS San Jacinto (CG 56) and guided-missile destroyers USS Bulkeley (DDG 84), USS Carney (DDG 64), USS Hopper (DDG 70) and USS Mason (DDG 87) is operating with the French navy's Task Force 473 to enhance cooperation and interoperability in the region.

30 Dec 2013

USCG: M/V Orsula successfully refloated, no pollution or injuries

The Coast Guard oversaw the successful refloating of the motor vessel Orsula, which was completed Sunday. The Orsula, a 656-foot Marshall Islands flagged ship, ran aground in the vicinity of Tibbets Point in the St. Lawrence Seaway, Christmas Day. At about 5:50 p.m., response personnel from Coast Guard Marine Safety Detachment Massena, N.Y., reported the successful refloating of the vessel to prevention branch personnel at Coast Guard Sector Buffalo, N.Y. The vessel is currently making way toward Montreal and is being escorted by the tug Salvor.

07 Aug 2013

USS San Jacinto Aids Turkish Mariner

USS San Jacinto (U.S. Navy Photo)

Guided-missile cruiser USS San Jacinto (CG 56) transported a Turkish mariner to U.S. Navy Hospital Sigonella early in the morning of Aug. 4 following a request for assistance from Turkish Navy warship TCG Cezayirli Gazi Hasan Pasa (A579). San Jacinto was transiting the Mediterranean Sea conducting routine communications shortly before 11 p.m. local time Aug. 3, when it was hailed by the Turkish warship who requested transportation assistance for a mariner who required immediate medical attention. San Jacinto responded immediately, heading to the ship's location.

30 May 2013

RSC Bio Solutions Re-shuffles Leadership

The company, suppliers of biodegradable cleaners, degreasers & functional fluids, reorganizes its leadership team following its Terresolve acquisition. “With the acquisition of Terresolve Technologies earlier this year, RSC Bio Solutions now possesses an even wider range of proven, readily biodegradable products across a broad spectrum of industries,” said Mike Guggenheimer, president and CEO for RSC Bio Solutions. Mike Guggenheimer is president and CEO of RSC Bio Solutions. He also directs long-term corporate strategy, mergers and acquisitions and the sales and marketing teams for Radiator Specialty Company (RSC), as their vice president of sales, marketing and business development. Mark Miller is executive vice president of sales and was cofounder and CEO of Terresolve Technologies.