Vac News

When Greg Trauthwein offered me a column in Maritime Reporter & Engineering News, I received little direction with regard to subjects. I have not yet tested his boundaries of my subjects, and maybe, some day, I will try to slip in a column on the role of nautical fiction in the development of modern literature.So far, I have tried to stick with engineering subjects, although recently I may have pushed the boundaries with discussions on decision making, esthetics and OODA loops.It…

Sea Change - America’s first hydrogen powered ferrySWITCH Maritime’s new 70-foot passenger ferry Sea Change is navigating uncharted waters as the United States’ first zero-emissions, hydrogen fuel cell-powered, electric-drive ferry.The pioneering aluminum newbuild, constructed by Bellingham, Wash. shipbuilder All American Marine, Inc. (AAM), has been completed and was launched this summer, though permitting of hydrogen fuel systems for maritime vessels is still being worked out with the U.S. Coast Guard.“Legislation and laws for passenger safety did not exist yet for this type of vessel.

As nations commit to reducing greenhouse gases, a fishing vessel is designed to do its share. Designed by Norway’s Skipsteknisk and Selvåg AS, it is in build at Cemre Shipyard for Sorheim Holding, the Selvåg Senior is a remarkable concept. Capable of both trawling and purse seining, the 79.5- x16.2-m vessel will have a molded depth of 6.9 m. The RSW holds, in the DNV-GL classed vessel, will have a total volume of just under 2550 cu. m.. The main propulsion engine will be a medium-speed Wärtsilä 8V31DF, producing 4,800 kW at 750 RPM.

The Association of Maryland Pilots has taken delivery of its fourth Chesapeake class launch from Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, Duclos Corporation.Twenty-two Chesapeake class pilot boats have been delivered to 12 pilot associations throughout the U.S. since the launch was introduced by the Somerset, Mass., shipyard in 2003.With a deep-V hull designed by Ray Hunt Design, the new all-aluminum launch measures 52.6’ overall, with a 16.8’ beam and a 4.8’ draft. Powered by twin Volvo Penta D16…

The U.S. Coast Guard said on Saturday it was responding to a report of a discharge of hydraulic oil from Coast Guard Cutter SPAR in Womens Bay, Kodiak, Alaska.Coast Guard said it was monitoring the cleanup which has been contracted to Choctaw Defense Services (CDS). Personnel on scene deployed boom systems, absorbent pads, and a skimmer that is pumping to a vac truck.Watchstanders at the Sector Anchorage Command Center received notification from the National Response Center at 9:40 a.m., that the crew of the cutter SPAR reported a hydraulic oil discharge.

Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, Duclos Corporation announced Friday it has secured an order to build a fourth Chesapeake Class launch  for the Association of Maryland Pilots, scheduled for delivery in December 2020.Since the Chesapeake Class pilot boat was introduced by the Somerset, Mass., shipyard in 2003, 21 have been delivered to 11 pilot associations throughout the U.S.With a deep-V hull designed by Ray Hunt Design, the new all-aluminum launch measures 52.6’ overall, with a 16.8’ beam and a 4.8’ draft.

Eastern Shipbuilding Group has delivered of the M/V Jaden Pasentine (Hull 200). The 70th 90’x 32’x 10’ Inland Towboat built by Eastern for Florida Marine Transporters, LLC of Mandeville, LA. In 2018, Florida Marine Transporters, LLC signed four more additional towboats, bringing the total to seventy (70) vessels contracted over the last 14 years. The M/V Jaden Pasentine  was constructed at Eastern’s Allanton Facility and designed by Gilbert Associates, Inc. of Boston, MA.The M/V Jaden Pasentine  for Florida Marine is powered by two (2) Caterpillar 3512C Tier 3 diesel engines rated at 1…

Eastern Shipbuilding Group has delivered the M/V Brian Boudreaux (Hull 198). It is also the first new construction USCG Sub-M towboat for Florida Marine Transporters, LLC of Mandeville, LA.It was in early 2018, when Florida Marine Transporters, LLC signed four more additional towboats, bringing the total to seventy (70) vessels contracted over the last 14 years. The M/V Brian Boudreaux was constructed at Eastern’s Allanton Facility from a design furnished by Gilbert Associates, Inc. of Boston, MA.

Washburn & Doughty, of East Boothbay, Maine, has announced the execution of a new vessel construction contract with Moran Towing Corporation, of New Canaan, Connecticut, to build two 86’ x 36’ ASD-Type Ship Assist and Escort Z-Drive Tugs, with options to build up to ten vessels.In addition to the two firm tugs, which will be delivered in 2020, the contract provides Moran with four, two-tug options keyed to production milestones of the tugs then under construction.W&D’s team of in-house naval architects and designers will complete the production designs for the new 86’ tugs based on the contract plans and regulatory package prepared by Jensen Maritime Consultants, Inc.

Shipbuilder Vigor said it has been awarded a contract from the Port of Los Angeles to build two 56’ pilot boats.The new vessels, designed by Camarc, will feature a twin chine heavy weather hull form for excellent seakeeping. The design accommodates multiple heavy fender systems facilitating safer pilot transfers in challenging weather. An articulated rescue davit provides man overboard recovery. The overall design also maximizes the available horsepower and performance from a…

The Buckeye Terminal in the Arthur Kill Waterway near Port Reading, N.J. was reopened Thursday, following last week's diesel oil spill.The terminal has resumed full operations with the opening of the south dock Thursday afternoon, the U.S. Coast Guard said.The Unified Command that had been established in response to the September 6 spill is now stood down as the Coast Guard continues to work with NJ/NY State agencies and the EPA to monitor continuing cleanup efforts.As of Thursday morning, an estimated 56,000 gallons of oily product has been recovered.

Michael Hume, President & CEO, holds top marine distributor W&O Supply on a steady course. W&O has been a distribution leader in the commercial marine space for more than four decades for a number of reasons, but it all starts with stability at the top, in the form of the leadership of Michael Hume, President & Chief Executive Officer. Hume has been with the company since 1992, and on a recent visit to his office in Jacksonville, Fla., he discussed the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for his company.

Sunk by Japanese torpedoes near the end of World War II, heavy cruiser USS Indianapolis disappeared to the darkest depths of the Philippine Sea, where it remained undiscovered for more than 70 years. Recently a team of civilian researchers led by Microsoft co-founder Paul G. Allen set out equipped with an arsenal of high-tech search equipment on a mission to locate the historic vessel last seen on July 30, 1945. The story of the USS Indianapolis is one of military might, heroism, tragedy, controversy and mystery.

Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. delivered the DNV classed factory processor fishing trawler F/T Araho (Hull 175) on January 28, 2017 to the O’Hara Corporation of Rockland, Maine. She is the first U.S. flag freezer processor factory trawler constructed in over 25 years. The F/T Araho will be in service in the waters of Alaska. The O’Hara family and Eastern Shipbuilding are no strangers to each other. The F/T Araho is the sixth fishing vessel Eastern has built for the O’Hara family over the last 20 years. This factory processor fishing trawler is far more sophisticated than the prior five vessels. The O’Hara and D’Isernia families go back to the early 1990s with the F/V Enterprise a Catcher Processor Conversion delivered in 1996.

Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. delivered the M/V CAPT. RICKY TORRES (Hull 194) on October 11, 2016, and the M/V CULLEN PASENTINE (Hull 195) on December 28, 2016; the 64th and the 65th 90’ Inland Towboat to Florida Marine Transporters, LLC of Mandeville, LA., continuing FMT’s ongoing new build program. It was in early 2015, when Florida Marine Transporters, LLC signed an additional towboat, bringing the total to sixty-five (65) vessels contracted over the last 10 years. Five of the most recent 90’ inland towboat deliveries to Florida Marine occurred over the past twelve months. The M/V CAPT. RICKY TORRES and the M/V CULLEN PASENTINE were constructed at Eastern’s Allanton Facility from a design furnished by Gilbert Associates, Inc. of Boston, MA.

Designed to combat below-the-surface terrorism, Sea Wasp is the latest generation remotely operated vehicle (ROV) from defense and security company Saab. Presented at the Navy League’s Sea-Air-Space Exposition in National Harbor, Md., Sea Wasp has been engineered to relocate, identify and neutralize underwater improvised explosive devices (IEDs). While most underwater IED threats are disposed of manually by trained explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) divers, Sea Wasp is operated remotely by two-person teams from the surface, allowing operators to keep a safe distance from the explosives.

Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. delivered the M/V Lawrence Campbell (Hull 193) on April 12, 2016, the 63rd 90-foot inland towboat to Florida Marine Transporters, LLC of Mandeville, La., continuing its ongoing newbuild program. It was in early 2015, when Florida Marine Transporters, LLC signed an additional towboat, bringing the total to 65 vessels contracted over the last 10 years. Five of the most recent 90-foot inland towboat deliveries to Florida Marine occurred over the past 12 months.

JonRie Marine Winches has introduced its new Container Master Series of winches, featured on the new Crescent 92-foot ASD Mardi Gras. The new winch was designed with increased braking capability and rope capacity to handle the 8,000 TEU containerships calling on the Port of New Orleans, the manufacturer said. The Container Master Series is a heavy duty design to deal with increased loading due to increased sail area of today’s containerships. The winch system features JonRie’s…

Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. announced it has delivered the 62nd 90-foot inland towboat for Florida Marine Transporters, Inc. (FMT) of Mandeville, La., continuing its ongoing new build program. The new vessel, M/V Harvey Sbisa (Hull 192), was delivered on November 30, 2015. It was in the Spring of this year, when Florida Marine Transporters, Inc. signed an additional towboat, bringing the total to 65 vessels contracted over the last 10 years. Five of the most recent 90-foot inland towboat deliveries to Florida Marine occurred over the past 12 months.

Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. introduced its new 120-foot, 4,200-horsepower Inland Towboat design, THUNDERBOLT, combining twin electric V-Pod propulsion and diesel-electric technology for what the builder calls its “vision of the future for the U.S. Eastern said the idea for the THUNDERBOLT came from across the aisle conversations at the 2013 International WorkBoat Show in New Orleans. On the rivers, thruster propulsion systems are starting to get noticed and are outperforming conventional nozzle propeller propulsion systems with main/flanking rudder steering. Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. and Verhaar Omega, B.V. began discussions and realized they were driving towards a more refined towboat thruster propulsion system design.

Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. introduced its new 120-ft., 4,200-hp Inland Towboat design, Thunderbolt, combining twin electric V-Pod propulsion and diesel-electric technology for what the builder calls its “vision of the future for the U.S. Eastern said the idea for the Thunderbolt came from a conversation at a trade show. On the rivers, thruster propulsion systems are starting to get noticed and are outperforming conventional nozzle propeller propulsion systems with main/flanking rudder steering. Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. and Verhaar Omega, B.V.

Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. delivered the M/V Bill Seymour (Hull 190), the 60th 90’ Inland Towboat to Florida Marine Transporters, Inc. of Mandeville, La., continuing its ongoing newbuild program. It was in early January 2015, when Florida Marine Transporters, Inc. signed an additional towboat, bringing the total to 63 vessels contracted over the last 10 years. Five of the most recent 90’ inland towboat deliveries to Florida Marine occurred over the past twelve months. The M/V Bill Seymour was constructed at Eastern’s Allanton Facility from a design furnished by Gilbert Associates, Inc.

During the 2014/2015 Holiday Season, Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. Inc. of Mandeville, LA. for its ongoing new build program. Also, Florida Marine signed a contract for the 63rd vessel (Hull 193), an additional 90’ Inland Towboat. It was in early January 2015, when Florida Marine Transporters, Inc. signed this additional towboat, bringing the total to sixty-three (63) vessels contracted over the last 10 years. Four (4) of the most recent 90’ inland towboat deliveries to Florida Marine occurred over the past ten months. The M/V TY DOLESE is the 59th Vessel delivered in this ongoing series of now sixty-three (63) vessels. This recently signed vessel, Hull 193 will be constructed at Eastern’s Allanton Facility from a design furnished by Gilbert Associates, Inc. of Boston, MA.