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Texas A M University News

01 Mar 2024

Texas A&M to Reduce Tuition For Merchant Mariner License Students

(Photo: Texas A&M University at Galveston)

Texas A&M University at Galveston said it will reduce fees for current and future out-of-state students seeking a merchant mariner license from the Texas A&M Maritime Academy, in an effort that aims to help the maritime industry fill worsening labor gaps.Texas A&M Maritime Academy students earn their U.S. Coast Guard license while completing one of several license-option four-year bachelor’s degree programs at Texas A&M at Galveston.Effective September 1, under a new three-tiered fee structure approved by the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents…

12 Oct 2023

Port of Galveston to Co-pilot Shore Power Project

© Irina Starikova / Adobe Stock

Galveston Wharves has been awarded a $1 million grant for a shore-power pilot project in partnership with Texas A&M University at Galveston to reduce emissions from cargo shipping operations.Funded by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), the pilot project will include establishing an onshore electricity microgrid to provide a clean portable power source to a docked ship as an alternative to using the ship’s diesel-fueled auxiliary engines.The project study team will evaluate the microgrid’s feasibility…

24 Jul 2023

John McDonald Named ABS President

John McDonald (Photo: ABS)

ABS Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Christopher J. Wiernicki, and the Board of Directors have announced that John McDonald was elected President of ABS at its Board meeting on July 18. McDonald, who has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the company since July 2021, will take on the title of President and remain the Chief Operating Officer of the company.“John McDonald has seized the opportunity to demonstrate his leadership skills since becoming…

22 Jun 2023

ABS and Texas A&M University Partner on Fuel and AI Research

Patrick Ryan, ABS Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, with Dr. Arul Jayaraman, Executive Associate Dean of the Texas A&M College of Engineering (Source: ABS)

ABS and Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) have signed a research agreement to investigated ammonia as fuel, ship electrification, carbon capture and sequestration, trusted artificial intelligence (AI), and safety of industrial wearable visualization technologies, among other topics.The research agreement is part of the continuing collaboration between ABS and Texas A&M which includes a recent endowment establishing the ABS Ocean Engineering Department Chair. The…

01 May 2023

Texas A&M Takes Over MMA Training Ship

Source: Texas A&M

Texas A&M University at Galveston has taken over a new training ship, the TS Kennedy.The 540-foot vessel will enhance year-round training for Texas A&M Maritime Academy cadets in ship navigation and marine engineering systems, maintenance, safety and security.State maritime academy training ships are federally owned vessels operated by the six state maritime academies to serve cadet-training purposes. Successful legislative efforts in Washington, D.C. secured the transfer of the TS Kennedy from Massachusetts Maritime Academy (MMA) this year and a new National Security Multi-Mission Vessel…

18 Jan 2023

Steel Cut for Fourth National Security Multi-Mission Vessel

(Image: MARAD)

Philly Shipyard held a steel cutting ceremony for the fourth in a series of new training ships it is building for the United States' state maritime academies.Scheduled for delivery to the Texas A&M Maritime Academy in Galveston, Texas in 2025, the new National Security Multi-Mission Vessel (NSMV) is being built under a program for the U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration (MARAD), which owns and operates training ships for the nation's state maritime academiesMARAD's NSMV program is designed to provide a purpose-built…

12 Jan 2023

Lobsters Versus Right Whales

© karenfoleyphoto / Adobe Stock

Lobsters versus right whales: The latest chapter in a long quest to make fishing more sustainableMaine lobster fishermen received a Christmas gift from Congress at the end of 2022: A six-year delay on new federal regulations designed to protect critically endangered North Atlantic right whales.The rules would have required lobstermen to create new seasonal nonfishing zones and further reduce their use of vertical ropes to retrieve lobster traps from the seafloor. Entanglement…

22 Sep 2022

Holy Land Shipwreck Reveals Tenacity of Ancient Traders as Empires Shifted

© Eli Majewski / Adobe Stock

An ancient shipwreck found off the shore of Israel and loaded with cargo from all over the Mediterranean shows that traders from the West still came to port even after the Islamic conquest of the Holy Land, researchers say.A surprise storm? An inexperienced captain? Whatever the reason, the merchant ship made from fir and walnut trees and carrying containers with delights from far-off lands sank in the shallow waters off what is today the Israeli coastal community of Ma'agan Michael more than 1…

13 Sep 2022

Hentschel Joins The Shearer Group, Inc.

Ryan Hentschel (Photo: TSGI)

The Shearer Group, Inc. (TSGI) announced a new addition to its naval architecture, marine engineering & marine surveying firm. Ryan Hentschel has joined TSGI as a naval architect.Hentschel holds a Naval Engineers degree and a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). His studies focused on naval construction and marine engineering with an emphasis in naval ship design, systems engineering, and DoD acquisition. He is also a certified Engineer-In-Training in the state of Texas.Prior to TSGI…

26 Aug 2022

Callan Marine Promotes Two VPs

Chris Dearing and Oliver Jones (Photo: Callan Marine)

Texas-based dredging and marine construction company Callan Marine announced the promotions of Chris Dearing to Vice President of Engineering and Production and Oliver Jones to Vice President.Dearing brings extensive experience in the development and management of production and field engineering programs at some of the leading dredging companies in the nation. He will continue to lead the development and training of Callan’s engineering personnel assigned to field-based and office-based roles.

25 Aug 2022

Keeping the Inland Waterways Open: Balancing Maintenance and Operational Requirements

Copyright Michael/AdobeStock

Inland waterways, sometimes called ‘nature’s superhighways’ provide a strategic advantage related to security, economics, and trade for any nation whose geography, topography, and climate enable this natural infrastructure. Economic benefits are realized in small rural areas through large urban communities that utilize the system for efficient transportation and improved markets. However, deliberate operational, resource, and policy efforts, along with broad stakeholder integration, are required to maintain and operate such a system.

22 Aug 2022

ABS Hires Hernandez to Head its Offshore Division

Miguel Hernandez (Photo: ABS)

Classification society ABS announced it has appointed veteran offshore industry leader Miguel Hernandez to head its offshore division. The former MODEC general manager of sales and marketing is now ABS Senior Vice President of Offshore Business Development, leading global offshore including the FPSO, FPU and floating offshore wind sectors.“As the world’s leading offshore class, we are always looking to innovate and develop our services for clients. This is why we have appointed Miguel…

19 Aug 2022

AET Awards Maritime Scholarships

(Photo: Texas A&M University - Galveston)

Tanker shipping company AET said it has awarded 10 scholarships in partnership with the Texas A&M Foundation at the Texas A&M University Galveston Campus.The university is home to the Texas A&M Maritime Academy, one of seven maritime academies in the United States, offering a specialized maritime training and education program.The scholarship initiative supports undergraduate students majoring in Maritime Transportation for their bachelor’s degree program, aspiring to become deck officers."By awarding scholarships…

04 Apr 2022

Texas A&M Partners with Great Lakes to Open Dredging Lab

(Photo: Great Lakes Dredge & Dock)

The United States' largest dredging contractor Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation announced it has signed an agreement with the College of Engineering at Texas A&M University to provide funding and technical support for what will become the Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Laboratory of Dredging and Coastal Studies.Lasse Petterson from Great Lakes commented, “Our company has had a long and robust relationship with Texas A&M that has included research, participation in dredging short courses, and advocacy for the ocean and coastal engineering profession.

10 Aug 2021

Callan Marine Hires Dearing as Engineering Director

Chris Dearing (Photo: Callan Marine)

Galveston, Texas-based dredging contractor Callan Marine announced it has hired Chris Dearing as its new director of engineering. Dearing brings extensive experience in the development and management of production and field engineering programs at some of the leading dredging companies in the nation. In his new role at Callan Marine, he will lead the development and training of engineering personnel assigned to field-based and office-based roles. Dearing will be crucial to the development of training resources…

02 Aug 2021

Two Texas A&M Students Earn Crowley Scholarships

Mavry Sepulvado (Photo: Crowley)

Crowley Maritime Corp. has awarded Thomas B. Crowley Sr. Memorial Scholarships to Mavry Sepulvado and Andrew Hubert of the Texas A&M University Maritime Academy. The recipients earned the scholarships based on their academic performance, cadet shipping experience and interest in pursuing a career at sea.Sepulvado, a senior from New Caney, Texas, is pursuing a degree in marine transportation. He is a first-generation college student and serves as treasurer for the Triathlon Club. Sepulvado served his sea term aboard the Crowley-managed tanker Golden State.

13 Jul 2021

The Shearer Group Adds Two Naval Architects

From left to right: Colton Bonnaure and Jacob Frost (Photo: TSGI)

Naval architecture, marine engineering and marine surveying firm The Shearer Group, Inc. (TSGI) announced two new additions to its team. The company has hired Colton Bonnaure and Jacob Frost as naval architects.Bonnaure graduated from Texas A&M University with a B.S. in Ocean Engineering and was the Senior Captain of the Texas A&M Human Powered Submarine Team, where he redesigned a new controls system for a one-man submarine. For his undergraduate research project, Bonnaure assisted…

07 Jul 2021

McDonald Named ABS Chief Operating Officer

John McDonald (Photo: ABS)

John McDonald will become ABS Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer as Tony Nassif has announced his plans to retire on December 31, 2021.As part of the company’s succession planning process, McDonald will assume the head operations role on July 26, 2021. Celebrating 25 years of service with ABS this year, McDonald joined ABS in 1996 as a surveyor and served in various frontline operational roles in Korea, the Northern Europe and Africa Region and the Central Region for the former Americas Division.

22 Mar 2021

Fairbanks Morse Names Clark COO

Michael Clark (Photo: Fairbanks Morse)

U.S.-based engines manufacturer Fairbanks Morse said Monday it has named Michael Clark its new chief operating officer. Clark will guide the company’s operations, engineering, supply chain and program management departments. He will also be responsible for the company’s environmental health and safety (EHS) initiatives.“Michael is a transformational leader dedicated to continuous process improvement,” said George Whittier, CEO of Fairbanks Morse, a portfolio company of Arcline Investment Management.

10 Mar 2021

Whitworth Joins Gulf Copper Board

Jonathan Whitworth (Photo: Gulf Copper and Manufacturing Corporation)

Gulf Copper and Manufacturing Corporation has appointed Jonathan Whitworth as a member to its board of directors.Whitworth, a graduate of Texas A&M University at Galveston (TAMUG), brings his extensive working history and experience back to Texas. He holds an MBA in Finance with a focus on marine business and currently serves as vice chairman of the TAMUG Board of Visitors.“I feel very fortunate to have retired and moved back to Galveston Island, a city which has a rich maritime history and a place with great memories for both me and my wife,” said Whitworth.

12 Apr 2021

Callan Marine Promotes Morris to Lead Brown Water Division

Micah Morris (Photo: Callan Marine)

Galveston, Texas-based dredging contractor Callan Marine said it has promoted Micah Morris to operations manager of its brown water division.Morris most recently served as project manager on the brown water projects. He takes over leadership of Callan's brown water division from the company’s vice president of operations, Kevin Pearse, who was previously responsible for both the blue and brown water divisions. “Our portfolio of projects continues to expand,” said Maxie McGuire, president of Callan Marine.

15 Mar 2021

Five New Ships Poised to Transform US Maritime Training

(Image MARAD)

For professional maritime training, the 2020 holiday season was bright indeed. In a world clutching for optimism, officials from the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) made a series of announcements that will strengthen, expand and intensify America’s maritime academic programs—really the maritime industry—for at least the next decade, likely much longer. Consider this string of news:On December 15, MARAD announced cutting steel for the first new National Security Multi-Mission Vessel (NSMV) at Philly Shipyard Inc.…

07 May 2021

Texas A&M Maritime Academy's New Training Ship Named

(Image: MARAD)

The Texas A&M Maritime Academy said it has been notified by the U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration (MARAD) that the National Security Multi-Mission Vessel (NSMV) expected to arrive on its Galveston campus in 2025 will be named the Lone Star State.The ship, which is slated to be built by Philly Shipyard, is the fourth in a new series of vessels specifically designed to support both maritime training needs and disaster response capabilities.“The Galveston…