Crowley Awarded MSC Contract for ROCON Fleet
Crowley Maritime Corp.’s government services group has been awarded a $130 million technical management contract for five U.S. government-owned, Military Sealift Command (MSC) Roll-On/Roll-Off and container ships (ROCON). The contract will see Crowley provide full turnkey operation and management of the fleet, including crewing and scheduled/unscheduled repair and drydocking services initially for one year with four, additional one-year options. The turnover phase for the ships began on October 1. Of the five ships, two will remain berthed in Jacksonville and three will be homeported in Norfolk – all within the service area of Crowley’s local offices. This contract will have a positive economic impact through the creation of several new jobs in both Jacksonville and Norfolk.
Avoiding the Edges of the Sea
Mariners do best when they avoid the edges of the sea – the shoals, rocks, and other hard spots. Coming into contact with the edges of the sea at other than a slow walking speed can ruin an otherwise pleasant voyage. Unfortunately, though, vessels have been making hard contact with the edges since Noah’s Ark grounded on Mount Ararat, rendering the Ark unseaworthy. For a while, it was thought that the leadline would reduce groundings, but one can’t be swinging the leadline constantly. Lighthouses were another early means of identifying hard spots by means other than direct contact.
Towed RoRo Too Tall, Hits Florida River Bridge
The U.S. Coast Guard has closed a portion of the St. Johns River in Jacksonville, Fla., after the 'USNS 1st Lt. Harry L. The RoRo vessel was being towed from its home pier in Jacksonville to the North Florida Ship Yard for normal dock and maintenance work. There were no injuries reported. Boatcrews from Coast Guard Station Mayport and other law enforcement agencies are currently enforcing a 200-yard safety zone on both sides of the bridge. Florida Department of Transportation bridge inspectors are en route to determine the extent of damage.
MSC Ships Complete at-Sea Offload
Two Military Sealift Command ships completed the at-sea offload of more than 350 pieces of equipment and supplies belonging to the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force today in . The cargo, including wheeled and tracked vehicles, ammunition and supplies, will be used in Cobra Gold – an annual exercise designed to promote regional stability and security throughout . Maritime prepositioning ships USNS 1st Lt. Baldomero Lopez and USNS 1st Lt. Harry L. Martin arrived off the coast of Chuk Samet, April 27.
