University Of Connecticut News

The U.S. Coast Guard Research and Development Center (RDC) on Monday celebrated its 50th anniversary during an open house event at the center’s campus next to Fort Trumbull in New London, Conn.The event, designed to showcase RDC history and ongoing work, and provide an opportunity to speak with its researchers, focused on several key themes, such as the impact past and current researchers have had on the service as well as appreciation for Southeastern Connecticut, including the City of New London, for its support to the Coast Guard and its resident RDC.On Sept.

The U.S. Coast Guard Research and Development Center (RDC) in New London, Conn. is planning to celebrate its 50th anniversary with a multi-faceted community event.On September 1st, 1972, the Coast Guard Commandant established the RDC as an interim facility at the University of Connecticut’s Avery Point campus in Groton pending construction of a permanent facility. In 2009, the RDC moved to the “Coast Guard City” of New London near Fort Trumbull.For 50 years, the RDC has developed…

Everett Ship Repair (ESR) is a relatively new name in the U.S. ship repair business. Established in October 2019, the Pacific Northwest shipyard is owned by Ice Cap Holdings, LLC, which is also the parent company to another shipyard not too far away: Nichols Brothers Boat Builders (NBBB).Both ESR and NBBB are headed up by CEO Gavin Higgins, who is responsible for the development of new business opportunities and cultivation of new business relationships, including working with industry groups…

Admiral Karl L. Schultz assumed the duties as the 26th Commandant of the United States Coast Guard on June 1, 2018. He previously served from August 2016 to May 2018 as Commander, Atlantic Area where he was the operational commander for all Coast Guard missions spanning five Coast Guard Districts and 40 states. Previous operational assignments include Sector Commander in Miami, Florida, as well as command tours aboard Cutters VENTUROUS, ACACIA and FARALLON. His senior staff assignments include Chief of the Office of Congressional and Governmental Affairs; Congressional Liaison to the U.S.

The R/V Connecticut operated by the University of Connecticut (UConn) Marine Sciences program was recently lengthened from 76 feet to 90 feet, giving scientists and crew on board the oceanographic research vessel some much needed extra space. The 1998-built R/V Connecticut had been operating at its original length of 76 feet since its construction, but the vessel required additional staterooms and lab space. “Things were pretty cramped at the old length,” said Turner Cabaniss, the program’s marine operations manager.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed to designate a dredged material disposal site to serve the eastern Long Island Sound region. The Eastern Long Island Sound Disposal Site (ELDS) would be located offshore from New London, Conn., and would be available for the disposal of dredged material from harbors and navigation channels in eastern Long Island Sound in the states of Connecticut and New York. EPA is proposing the same restrictions on the use of this site as it proposed for the central and western Long Island Sound disposal sites…

Four Williams-Mystic Maritime Studies Program students have been awarded scholarships by Crowley Maritime Corporation. Claire Fahrner, Vitya Romanov, Rachel Earnhardt and Jessica Menges were each chosen as a result of their academic excellence, morale and community involvement. The students also exhibited strong leadership qualities and were articulate spokespeople for maritime education, according to Sarah A. Jordan, Williams-Mystic's director of alumni and development. Farner is a senior at Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts focusing on environmental studies. Romanov is a senior at University of Massachusetts Amherst majoring in geography and studying environment and public policy.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to amend its 2005 rule that designated the Central and Western Long Island Sound Dredged Material Disposal Sites. The proposed amendments will help meet the goal of reducing or eliminating dredged material disposal in open waters of the Sound. These amendments are available for public review and comment through March 25, 2016, and the EPA will also hold two public hearings on the proposed amendments in early March. According to the EPA…

Gavin Higgins has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Ice Floe LLC dba Nichols Brothers Boat Builders (NBBB), the company announced today. Effective immediately, Higgins replaces Matt Nichols, one of the company’s founders who has served as CEO of NBBB since February 2012, also serving as CEO for more than 35 years prior to the company’s sale in 2008. Nichols will remain with the company as its Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing, and as a member of the board of directors.

A new model, developed by economists at Duke University and the University of Connecticut, which resulted from identifying efficient fishing practices and behaviors, may help fishermen earn larger paychecks while reducing the risk of fishery depletion. “We’re not talking about a trivial improvement. In some cases, we found that identifying the most efficient practices led to a 20 percent annual increase in total revenues if the fishery is managed differently,” said Martin D. Smith, professor of environmental economics at Duke’s Nicholas School of the Environment. “Under perfect conditions, you could see up to a 49 percent increase in profits on average,” he said.

SUNY Maritime College will inaugurate Rear Adm. Michael A. Alfultis, Ph.D. as its 11th president on Friday, November 7 at 11:30 a.m. in the campus’ newest facility, the Maritime Academic Center. On Thursday and Friday, the campus will celebrate the investiture of Dr. Alfultis with a variety of educational, celebratory and historical activities, which will embrace the time-honored traditions of learning and leadership. Festivities kick-off Thursday with an inauguration week luncheon for students only on the Mess Deck in Vander Clute Hall. Admiral Alfultis will be on hand to speak with students.

Stevens Institute of Technology has been selected as the lead institution for a new Center of Excellence for Maritime Research (CMR). The selection, announced by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology (S&T) Directorate will provide Stevens with $2 million per year for 5 years. The Center will also include the following partner institutions: MIT, University of Miami, Rutgers University, University of Puerto Rico and Elizabeth City State University. Stevens also has new partners with which it will collaborate on research projects, including LSU, Florida Atlantic University, and the University of Connecticut.

Stevens Institute of Technology announced it has been selected as the lead institution for a new Center of Excellence for Maritime Research (CMR). The selection, announced by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology (S&T) Directorate will provide Stevens with $2 million per year for five years. The Center will also include the following partner institutions: MIT, University of Miami, Rutgers University, University of Puerto Rico and Elizabeth City State University.

Dr. Michael A. Alfultis, a retired U.S. Coast Guard captain, and the director and chief administrative officer of the University of Connecticut’s Avery Point campus, has been named as the next president of the SUNY Maritime College. Dr. Alfultis’ appointment was affirmed today by the SUNY Board of Trustees who met in Buffalo. He will begin his Maritime presidential duties on Monday, July 14. With more than 20 years of undergraduate teaching experience and 13 years of progressive academic administrative responsibility at both military and civilian institutions of higher education…

Viking Welding & Response Marine, Inc. have recently completed a 36’ research vessel, which is being used in United States Coast Guard Academy coursework this fall. Christened the Michael J. Greeley Spirit of ’61, the vessel was largely funded by gifts from the Academy class of 1961 and named after a class member who passed away while a cadet at the Academy. The Michael J. Greeley adds capacity, capability and versatility to the marine research and lab work offerings of the Academy.

Capt. Richard W. Sanders, Ph.D., a member of the Permanent Commissioned Teaching Staff at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and professor of chemistry, has been named Director of the Center for Maritime Policy and Strategy, or CMPS, as of June 1, 2013. Sanders is a 1987 honors graduate of the Academy and received his doctorate in chemistry from the University of Connecticut in 2002. Previously, he has served as the Associate Dean of Academics, Chair of the Department of Science, and Chief of the Chemistry Section. In addition to his academic and teaching contributions, Sanders has directed the Academy’s Coastal Sail Training Program and is an active diver in New England waters. He and his family reside in Lisbon, CT.

Gavin Higgins has joined Nichols Brothers Boat Builders as Chief Operating Officer (COO). Gavin Higgins has been appointed the Chief Operating Officer at Nichols Brothers Boat Builders. Gavin’s duties will include oversight of Engineering, Production, Project Management, Purchasing and Facilities. He will be working with the current team for the successful delivery of two tugs and superstructure for the new Washington State Ferries currently under construction at the Freeland facility.

Underwater metal detector is successfully used for the African Slave Wrecks Project. In October 1619 the naval warship Warwick sailed into the King’s Castle Harbour in Bermuda with an important cargo from England; the colony’s new governor, Captain Nathaniel Butler. After taking on provisions the Warwick was to travel onto the struggling colony at Jamestown, Virginia, but it never made the voyage. Before the ship could sail, Bermuda was hit by a fierce hurricane. Battered by strong winds the Warwick broke free from her anchors…

Carleen Lyden-Kluss, Co-Founder and Executive Director of  the North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA), announced June 25, 2012 it is teaming up with the America’s Cup Healthy Ocean Project during the upcoming America’s Cup World Series being held in Newport, Rhode Island from Saturday June 23rd through July 1st. NAMEPA will be presenting marine environment education opportunities in the Exploration Zone as an America’s Cup Healthy Ocean Project Local Partner. “NAMEPA is honored to be teaming up with the America’s Cup Healthy Ocean Project,” stated Ms. Lyden-Kluss.

The Frank C. Munson Institute of American Maritime Studies at Mystic Seaport has been awarded a “We the People” grant of $166,094 from the National Endowment of the Humanities (NEH). The grant will support “The American Maritime People,” a six-week college and university teacher institute for 25 participants on American maritime history from the colonial era to the present. As the third NEH Institute offered at Munson, the 2010 course will build on the latest research in studies of the sea, providing teachers with the opportunity to enhance course offerings by studying the influence of maritime activities on U.S. history and culture.

Despite harsh weather and ocean conditions, and complex geological characteristics of its drill site, the deep-sea drilling vessel Chikyu, for the first time in the history of scientific ocean drilling, conducted riser-drilling operations to drill successfully down to a depth of 1,603.7 meters beneath the seafloor (at water depth of 2,054 meters). Engaged in the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) Expedition 319, the Chikyu is drilling deep into the upper portion of the great Nankai Trough earthquake zone to gain insights into geological formations and stress-strain characteristics.

MTU has recently appointed Richard Reisig as its head of governmental affairs in Washington D.C. In this role, Reisig will oversee the activities of MTU’s Washington D.C. office and assist with the sale of MTU engines to both the foreign and domestic defence base. Before joining MTU, Reisig worked for GE Transportation Systems in Washington, D.C. as a Director of Business Development for Government Accounts. He brings to this position several years of management, sales, project management and legislative experience gained during his previous employment with GE Energy, the Office of Senator John Warner, Allscripts Healthcare and PriceWaterhouseCoopers.

returned on Sept. vessel's past and plan for its future. August 2002 within NOAA's Gerry E. Sanctuary (SBNMS) off the coast of Massachusetts. and its immediate surroundings. the wreck site. and maintain the archaeological integrity of the wreck site. superstructure and propulsion apparatus. clues into the exact cause of the steamer's sinking, which remains a mystery. down during a ferocious storm on Nov. 27, 1898. the impact of the disaster on the region. scientist. nation's history. serving as the expedition's floating base of operations. century-old wrecks. said Ivar Babb, NURC director. the initial surveys of the Portland. The Science Channel, a service of Discovery Networks U.S. NURC-UConn for archival and further analysis. January 2004. executive producer, The Science Channel.