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Willamette River News

25 Aug 2017

Bulker Owner Fined for US Ballast Water Discharge

The U.S. Coast Guard said it has issued a $5,000 fine to the owners of a foreign freight vessel for unauthorized ballast water discharge into the Willamette River in Portland, August 16. During a routine port state control ballast water examination on the 590-foot bulk freighter ANSAC Moon Bear, Coast Guard marine inspectors, from Marine Safety Unit Portland, discovered that the vessel had discharged untreated ballast water into the Willamette River on three separate occasions during port calls in 2017. As part of the port state control exam, log books were reviewed during administrative evaluations by the marine inspectors, which led to the ballast water discharge discovery.

17 Sep 2015

Man Rescued from Willamette River in Portland

The Coast Guard rescued a man from the Willamette River after his sail boat capsized near the St. Johns Bridge, in Portland, Sunday night . The man was delivered to awaiting emergency medical services at the Cathedral Park boat launch were he was checked for injuries and released. The Coast Guard was relayed a call from Multnomah County dispatch at 7:45 p.m. reporting a man clinging to the hull of his capsized vessel and yelling for help. Sector Columbia River Command Center watchstanders directed the launch of a 29-foot Response Boat - Small II crew, from Station Portland. The rescue crew from Station Portland was on scene within 6 minutes and rescued the man from the water.

30 Jul 2015

Activists Block Shell's Arctic Drilling Quest

Greenpeace protestors dangling from a bridge on Thursday in Portland, Oregon, halted an icebreaker that Royal Dutch Shell needs in northern Alaska before it can start drilling into the region's oil zone. The 13 Greenpeace protestors, who rappelled down from the bridge over the Willamette River early on Wednesday, are hoping to shorten Shell's Arctic drilling season by stopping the Fennica icebreaker, which is carrying emergency equipment that would cap any blown-out well. Shell needs to have the Fennica in Alaska before it can start drilling into the oil zone in the Chukchi, the Interior Department said last week. Shell would like to have the Fennica in Alaska as soon as possible as drilling season ends in October, when sea ice encroaches. The Fennica stalled once it neared the St.

29 Jul 2015

Oregon Bridge Danglers Hope to Delay Shell's Arctic Drilling

Protestors rappelled off a bridge in Portland, Oregon on Wednesday hoping to delay Royal Dutch Shell's Arctic oil exploration this summer by blocking the return of a ship to Alaska that holds emergency equipment. Greenpeace said 13 protestors lowered themselves from the St. John's bridge in the early morning and 13 others on the traffic level of the bridge are assisting them. "Depending on the weather they can stay there for three to five days," said Cassady Sharp, a spokeswoman for Greenpeace, which says Arctic drilling could be damaging to populations of whales, polar bears and walrus if there is an oil spill. The danglers have food and water and plan to sleep in hammocks suspended over the Willamette River, which provides shipping access to the Pacific Ocean from Portland.

29 Jul 2015

'Kayaktivists' to Launch Blockade of Shell Icebreaker

A small group of protesters and activists are gathering at the Cathedral Park boat ramp in Portland, preparing to stay for a 24-hour vigil as they wait for Royal Dutch Shell Oil's icebreaker ship, the MSV Fennica, to depart from Portland for the Arctic, reports Reuters. Following the lead of protesters in Seattle who tried to block ships headed for Shell's planned oil exploration in the Chukchi Sea, the Portland "kayaktivists" said they would conduct a vigil overnight on the Willamette River, which runs through downtown Portland. "Our goal is to basically demonstrate as much community resistance to Shell’s plans to drill for oil and secure new oil reserves in the Arctic,” said Meredith Cocks, organizer with environmental activist group Portland Rising Tide.

16 May 2015

Drydock Vigilant Expected at Vigor Seattle

The 14,000-long ton capacity drydock Vigilant that will support hundreds of family-wage industrial jobs at Vigor Industrial’s shipyard on Harbor Island is scheduled to arrive in Elliott Bay late Saturday or early Sunday. The 528-foot long drydock, which is being towed from Portland by tugs from Seattle’s Harley Marine Services, will enable Vigor to continue to compete with California and U.S. Gulf Coast shipyards for ship repair, maintenance and construction contracts. The Vigilant replaces a sister drydock that was decommissioned in February. “This is a needed and valuable asset for our Seattle yard, our workers and the local maritime economy,” said Adam Beck, Vigor’s executive vice president of ship repair.

14 Nov 2014

W&O Actuated Valve Solution for Vigorous

W&O

W&O is one of the partners that supported Vigor in the $40m project to build and deliver the largest floating drydock in the U.S. – Vigor Industrial’s Vigorous –  which was delivered recently to its new home in Portland on the Willamette River. W&O provided an actuated valve solution for the ballast system of the drydock, and from design specification through initial commissioning, the W&O team provided technical and product support  for the Vigorous ballast system, a system that uses SPACE Gate Valves, EIM Electric Actuators, reach rods and deck stands.

05 Sep 2014

W&O Supplies Actuated Valve Solution for Vigorous

Image: W&O

The marine industry watched as the United States’ largest floating drydock, the Vigorous, was delivered to its final home at Vigor Industrial’s Portland shipyard on the Willamette River in August. W&O is one of the partners that supported Vigor in this $40 million dollar project, by providing an actuated valve solution for the ballast system of the drydock. From design specification through initial commissioning, the W&O team has provided technical and product expertise for the Vigorous ballast system, utilizing SPACE Gate Valves, EIM Electric Actuators, reach rods and deck stands.

21 Aug 2014

US’ Largest Floating Drydock Heads to Portland

Image: Vigor

The country’s largest floating drydock, the Vigorous, is headed for Portland this weekend. The drydock, a piece of equipment used to lift vessels as large as cruise ships out of the water, is scheduled to arrive at the mouth of the Columbia Sunday. It will make its way up to Vigor Industrial’s Portland shipyard on the Willamette River by Sunday evening or Monday morning, depending on weather and river traffic. Fully assembled, the drydock will be 960-feet long. However, it is currently in three parts, which are stacked aboard a 738-foot heavy lift ship for delivery.

21 Aug 2014

Country’s Largest Floating Drydock Coming to Portland

Image: depiction of new drydock, courtesy Vigor

The country’s largest floating drydock, the Vigorous, is headed for Portland this weekend. The drydock, a piece of equipment used to lift vessels as large as cruise ships out of the water, is scheduled to arrive at the mouth of the Columbia Sunday. It will make its way up to Vigor Industrial’s Portland shipyard on the Willamette River by Sunday evening or Monday morning, depending on weather and river traffic. Fully assembled, the drydock will be 960-feet long. However, it is currently in three parts, which are stacked aboard a 738-foot heavy lift ship for delivery.

16 Apr 2014

Shipbuilding: Vigor Industrial Grows Stronger

 Frank Foti, Vigor Industrial CEO

Vigor Industrial has ballooned from a modest shipyard in Portland, Oregon, to the largest shipbuilder in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. Vigor increasingly thinks big and builds big. The company’s new floating dry dock will be the largest in the United States. And Vigor wants to get even bigger. CEO and owner Frank Foti expresses an ambition to grow to twice the current size in the “next few years.” Foti, who is also chairman of the Shipbuilder’s Council of America, says he is, “striving for critical mass.

27 Mar 2014

Heavy Cargo Barge 'Prometheus' Launched at Gunderson Yard

Scots Pipers at Launch: Image credit Marcon

Brokers Marcon International were in attendance and inform of the launch of the 300’ x 100’ x 20’ heavy deck cargo barge “Prometheus” (Hull No. 104) built and designed by Gunderson Marine, Portland, Oregon, for Ulysses LLC. The new barge was christened by Mimsy Huger Lindner and promptly and safely launched to the sound of the swirling bagpipes of the Clan Macleay Pipe Band. “Prometheus” is a double raked ABS +A1 Barge with recessed bitts, a parabolic bow rake and about a 29,572ft2 clear deck.

01 Oct 2013

Omega Morgan Eyes Aging Bridge Projects

Omega Morgan specially designed a truss beam for the installation of the collapsed Skagit River Bridge.  Piles could not be driven under the Akrow Bridge (part of the Skagit Bridge) so the company’s 70-foot trussed beam was specially made to support the new 950-ton bridge. (Photo courtesy Omega Morgan.)

Omega Morgan, a 22-year-old specialized moving company, has its eyes on the aging bridges in the Pacific Northwest. After successfully employing the jack-and-slide method of efficiently moving bridge spans into place for two high-profile projects, the company sees more opportunities in Oregon and Washington. In January, Omega Morgan moved Portland’s 1,100-foot-long, 3,400-ton Sellwood Bridge across the Willamette River in a single day, in one piece and on an angle, drawing national media and big crowds. Then in Washington State on the night of Sept.

25 Jul 2012

Vigor Industrial: A Rising Star in Shipbuilding in the Pacific Northwest & Alaska Arctic

Vigor Industrial’s CEO, Frank Foti (Photo courtesy Vigor Industrial)

“There is a resurgence of the marine industry in the Pacific Northwest we haven’t seen for 20 to 30 years now,” said Vince Piscitello, Vice President of Business Development for Vigor Industrial LLC. “The oil and gas industry is really new to our area,” he said, although he expects to see it grow significantly with Shell’s exploration of the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas off Alaska’s northern coast. State run ferry operations in Washington and Alaska are at a point where they must renew fleets built in the 50s and 60s.

29 May 2012

Shaver Launches New Ship-Docking Tug

Photo courtesy of: Kurt Redd, Diversified Marine Inc.

On May 18th 2012, at a ceremony on the banks of the Willamette River in Portland, Oregon, Capilano Maritime Design Ltd. was pleased to attend the christening of their latest design of an 80‐foot Columbia Class ASD Ship‐Docking Tug, SOMMER S, for Shaver Transportation Company of Portland, Oregon. The tug was built by Diversified Marine Inc., also of Portland, and is the most powerful in Shaver’s fleet. The 80‐foot ASD vessel is a twin Z‐drive, diesel‐powered ship‐docking tug designed for maximum efficiency in the performance of ship‐handling…

03 Aug 2011

EBDG Launches Electric Buena Vista Ferry

A new cable-guided electric ferry, designed by Elliott Bay Design Group LLC (EBDG), began carrying passengers and vehicles across Oregon’s Willamette River at Buena Vista. The new electric Buena Vista ferry replaces a diesel-powered version which had been in service for more than 50 years. EBDG was chosen to design the vessel, which was built by Diversified Marine of Portland, OR. The new vessel was delivered in May, ahead of schedule, to Marion County, the ferry’s owner and operator. “This ferry has an unconventional propulsion system,” said EBDG Project Manager Mike Complita.

18 Nov 2010

This Day in U.S. Coast Guard History – November 18

1953- Heavy rains in the Coquile, Coos, and Willamette River Valleys of western Oregon caused flooding of the lowland areas and isolation of some towns through the blocking of highways by slides and high water, necessitating the evacuation of families and livestock.   A Coast Guard relief detail of boats, men, and aircraft participated in relief assistance measures, cooperating with the Red Cross and civil authorities. 1999- The 605-foot Russian freighter Sergo Zakariadze, loaded with a cargo of cement dust, ran aground at the entrance to San Juan harbor, Puerto Rico.  Coast Guard Strike Team, MSO San Juan, Greater Antilles Section, among others, responded to the accident. (Source: USCG Historian’s Office)

30 Dec 2009

RNA Proposed for Portland, Ore.

The US Coast Guard proposes to establish a regulated navigation area (RNA) on waters of the Willamette River at Portland Terminal 4 in Portland, Oregon. The RNA is intended to preserve the integrity of engineered sediment caps at the Portland Harbor Superfund Site. Comments on the proposal should be submitted by January 29, 2010. 74 Fed. Reg. 69046 (December 30, 2009). (Source: Bryant’s Maritime News)

17 Nov 2009

This Day in Coast Guard History – Nov. 18

1953- Heavy rains in the Coquile, Coos, and Willamette River Valleys of western Oregon caused flooding of the lowland areas and isolation of some towns through the blocking of highways by slides and high water, necessitating the evacuation of families and livestock.   A Coast Guard relief detail of boats, men, and aircraft participated in relief assistance measures, cooperating with the Red Cross and civil authorities. 1999- The 605-foot Russian freighter Sergo Zakariadze, loaded with a cargo of cement dust, ran aground at the entrance to San Juan harbor, Puerto Rico.  Coast Guard Strike Team, MSO San Juan, Greater Antilles Section, among others, responded to the accident. (Source: USCG Historian’s Office)

02 Sep 2009

Crowley's Newest Heavy-Lift Deck Barge, Portland

Photo courtesy Crowley

Crowley welcomed the newest 400-ft by 105-ft, heavy-lift deck barge to its fleet August 29 at a christening celebration at the Gunderson Marine shipyard in Portland, Ore. Micki Harrison, Crowley's regional human resources manager, did the honors, smashing a bottle of champagne on the side shell of the barge 455 7 and sending it hurtling into the Willamette River. The barge is the fourth heavy-lift deck barge christened by Crowley this year and the seventh in a series of heavy-lift deck barges slated to be built and put into service by 2013.

16 Jul 2009

Crowley Launches Heavy-Lift Deck Barge 455-6

With Crowley's vessel construction boom in full swing, shipyard employees, Crowley personnel and distinguished guests paused this weekend to welcome the newest heavy-lift deck barge to the Crowley fleet - the 455-6 - sixth in a series of heavy-lift deck barges slated to be built and put into service by 2013. Against the backdrop of a Hawaiian-themed christening, Sandi Gresham, the wife of Bruce Gresham of Heerema Marine Contractors in Houston, Texas christened the barge with a bottle of champagne, launching it into the Willamette River at the Gunderson Marine shipyard in Portland.

26 Jul 2007

Crowley to Christen Barge

On July 28, Crowley Maritime Corporation will christen the 455-2, the second of three new Heavy Lift 455 series deck barges being built to handle project work for the offshore energy industry - primarily in the Gulf of Mexico. The 455-2 is one of three 400 x 105-ft.-wide deck barges to be built at Gunderson Marine's shipyard in Portland, Oregon. The media is invited to attend this christening, which will feature the traditional breaking of a champagne bottle against the hull and the subsequent launch and spectacular splashdown into the Willamette River.

11 Jun 2007

Four U.S. Ships Participate in 2007 Portland Rose Festival

A Portland fireboat greets the guided-missile frigate USS Vandegrift (FFG 48) with red white and blue water streams as she passes under the Willamette River's Steel Bridge. Vandegrift is one of four U.S. Navy ships visiting Portland for the weeklong 100th Annual Rose Festival celebration. U.S. Four U.S. Navy ships will participate in the Fleet Week festivities June 7 - 10 during the 100th annual Portland Rose Festival. The guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG 52) led the way as the guided-missile frigate USS Vandergrift (FFG 48), the guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG 53), and the guided-missile destroyer USS Howard (DDG 83) followed behind. For many young Sailors, port visits are very rare and exciting.