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Miami River News

10 Feb 2023

Marco Santoro Takes Over as CEO at RMK Merrill-Stevens

Marco Santoro (Photo: RMK Merrill-Stevens)

Industry veteran Marco Santoro has taken the helm as chief executive officer at Miami yacht repair yard RMK Merrill-Stevens.A naval architect and marine engineer, Santoro began his career in yachting as part of the technical department at Italy's Rodriquez Yachts. In 2003, he joined Italian yacht builder the Ferretti Group as an intern in the after sales and service department, and over the course of 20 years worked his way up through a number of leadership roles, culminating as the company's vice president of refit and retail works. “My journey in this company was amazing.

16 Sep 2020

US Authorities Find Drugs on Cargo Ship in Miami

Law enforcement teams interdicted about 33 pounds of cocaine on board the general cargo vessel La Temperance in Miami, on September 14. (Photo: U.S. Coast Guard)

Law enforcement teams interdicted about 33 pounds of cocaine on board a Togo-flagged cargo ship in Miami on Monday.U.S. Coast Guard Sector Miami and U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations law enforcement teams boarded the 55-meter general cargo vessel La Temperance on the Miami River due to suspected fraudulent mariner credentials. The 55-meter ship has sailed to Miami from Port-de-Paix, Haiti.While on board, the law enforcement teams inspected common spaces on the vessel…

23 Jul 2020

New CEO Takes the Helm at RMK Merrill-Stevens Shipyard

William Clewes (Photo: RMK Merrill-Stevens)

Industry veteran William Clewes has been appointed CEO of Miami yacht repair yard RMK Merrill-Stevens, charged with leading Florida's oldest shipyard through a period or redevelopment, reopening and beyond.“I am excited about building a team and a new facility to bring the RMK Merrill-Stevens facility back to its former glory and beyond,” said Clewes in January after accepting the position. Clewes will lead the North and South yards, which straddle the Miami River, the ongoing redevelopment of both…

20 Nov 2019

Putting Palatka Back on the Map

SJSB President and Owner, Steven Ganoe

Diverse and conveniently located, St. Johns Ship Building has quickly developed into a reliable partner for its many repeat customers. Today, and as a direct result, a lot more people know exactly where Palatka, Florida is located.On the St Johns River, just 60 miles south of Jacksonville, lies the sleepy town of Palatka, Florida. Founded as a trading post in 1821, its location on the highly navigable river made the area attractive to orange growers and timber men alike.In its heyday between 1875 and 1900…

21 May 2018

RMK Merrill-Stevens Adds Boat Hoist

Photo: Marine Travelift

Marine Travelift has recently partnered with RMK Merrill-Stevens for the delivery of a new 100 BFMII (100 metric ton lifting capacity) mobile boat hoist.The custom 100-ton machine will be operational later this summer and will join an older 70 ton Marine Travelift on site, expanding the capacity and versatility of the Miami shipyard as part of their ongoing modernization efforts.RMK Merrill-Stevens is a full-service yacht repair facility performing repair and refit of yachts, commercial craft and government vessels ranging from 30’ to 300’.

11 Jul 2012

New Direct Shipment Service, Miami to Cuba

Direct maritime humanitarian shipment service from the Miami River Port, USA to the Port of Havana, Cuba is now available. IPC's new "direct next day to port service" supersedes the old third country maritime shipping times to the port of Havana of 30 to 60 days and offers the optional convenience of island-wide home delivery via CubaPACK, the largest delivery service company on the island. Once in port, recipients have the option of picking up their shipments or using a one-week all-points Havana delivery service or a two-week island-wide delivery option supported by CubaPACK. As of June 18, 2012, Cuban authorities officially curtailed allotments of duty free food parcels.

23 Jan 2012

USDOJ: Sentencing in Environmental Crime Case

Miami River Compnay Sen tenced to Five Years Probation and $1,000,000 Fine for Oil Pollution and Ballast Water Crimes. Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Rear Admiral William D. Baumgartner, Commander, 7th Coast Guard District, and John Sall, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, announced the sentencing of defendant Americas Marine Management Services, Inc., d/b/a Antillean Marine, a Florida corporation, for oil pollution and ballast water crimes.

04 Dec 2007

Antillean Marine Shifts Services to Port Everglades

Antillean Marine Shipping Corp., a long-time Miami River ocean carrier company, is expanding its business to Broward County’s Port Everglades. The family-owned and operated company has been one of the Miami River’s anchor marine cargo companies since 1963. The move to Port Everglades will enable Antillean to handle higher cargo volumes and transshipment opportunities with other carriers. Antillean Marine will be operating from Port Everglades Terminals (PET) with regular liner service to ports in Haiti and the Dominican Republic and Panama. Port Everglades’ officials estimate Antillean Marine will bring to the South Florida seaport over 60,000 containers annually. The first Antillean ship to call Port Everglades is the Michael J.

21 Jul 2004

Corps Selects Weston/Bean for $75M Dredging Contract

Weston Solutions, Inc, and joint venture partner Bean Environmental LLC (Weston/Bean) announced an initial $11.8 million contract from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) - Jacksonville District for dredging and sediment disposal on the Miami River. "The Miami River project epitomizes our approach to the ports and waterways business," stated Patrick G. McCann, WESTON President and Chief Executive Officer. "By delivering integrated dredging, sediment disposal and beneficial use solutions, we provide our clients the services necessary to restore assets to full use, making operations more productive, more competitive, and environmentally sound.

12 May 2000

State Approves Funds For Dredging

The Florida House and Senate on May 3 approved spending $3 million to dredge the Miami River. The vote, awaiting Gov. Jeb Bush's signature, sets the stage for the first dredging and comprehensive cleanup of the river in nearly 70 years. "This is great news for the citizens of South Florida and a major turning point in our long efforts to clean up the river," said Robert L. Parks, chair of the Miami River Commission. "This river's the source of a lot of the state's maritime trade with the Caribbean. And Biscayne Bay's health depends on this cleanup. Once we secure the county's support, things should start coming together quickly. We couldn't have done this without the support of our Miami-Dade delegation and especially chair Sen. Two Miami-Dade delegation members, Sen. Ron Silver and Rep.

17 Jul 2002

Coast Guard and INS Team Up to Stop Fraud

Coast Guard Investigative Service, Coast Guard Marine Safety Office Miami and Immigration and Naturalization Service agents teamed up to crack two cases of merchant marine document fraud out of Miami July 3. The agencies served and executed search warrants at two locations on the Miami River, helping agents to collect evidence in support of an eight month CGIS investigation; resulting in a series of arrests. The documents seized during this operation included medical certifications, Standards for Training Certification and Watchstanders, employment letters that stated individuals were employees of maritime companies to help obtain U.S.

30 Aug 2006

Tropical Storm Ernesto – Port Closures

The US Coast Guard stated that the south Florida ports of Miami, Miami River, Port Everglades, Palm Beach, and Fort Pierce have been closed due to Tropical Storm Ernesto. The Coast Guard issued a second press release stating that the port of Jacksonville will be closed shortly as Tropical Storm Ernesto approaches. Source: HK Law

23 Jun 2006

Coast Guard Responds to Freighter Taking on Water

Coast Guard rescue crews are on scene and assisting with the dewatering process of a 184-foot freight ship that was reported to be taking on water at 11:40 p.m. last night approximately 12 miles northeast of Miami Beach, Fla. The Coast Guard received a mayday call by the captain that the Sea Taxi was taking on water and his five-person crew needed immediately assistance. The Coast Guard launched an HH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station Miami, a rescue boat from Coast Guard Station Miami Beach and the Coast Guard Cutter Sitkinak. The Sea Taxi was reported to be taking on approximately 120 gallons per minute in the engine room. The crew of the Sitinak sent a damage control team on board and has made temporary repairs to the vessel.

22 Jun 2006

Coast Guard Responds to Freight Ship Taking on Water

Coast Guard rescue crews are on scene and assisting with the dewatering process of a 184-ft. freight ship that was reported to be taking on water approximately 12 miles northeast of Miami Beach, Fla. The Coast Guard received a mayday call by the captain that the Sea Taxi was taking on water and his five-person crew needed immediately assistance. The Coast Guard launched an HH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station Miami, a rescue boat from Coast Guard Station Miami Beach and the Coast Guard Cutter Sitkinak. The Sea Taxi was reported to be taking on approximately 120 gallons per minute in the engine room. The crew of the Sitinak sent a damage control team on board and has made temporary repairs to the vessel.

04 May 2006

Investigators Inspect Damaged Boat

According to the Miami Herald, Coast Guard investigators were looking into what caused a 222-ft. boat to hit the seawall on the south side of the Port of Miami on Tuesday. The boat named Hybur Star headed out of the Miami River. It struck a seawall as it approached Watson Island. The ship was registered in Panama. It was unclear where it was headed. Coast Guard officials conducted drug and alcohol tests on crew members. Source: Miami Herald

04 May 2006

Damaged Freighter Moved From Miami

A 300-ft. freighter damaged when it slammed into a seawall on May 2 has been moved from the Port of Miami to its terminal on the Miami River for repairs, as the investigation continues into the accident which caused the damage. Court Guard officials say they have questioned the crew and the pilot to was guiding the ship to sea from the Miami River, but still have no solid information about what may have caused the accident. The freighter was taking on water at the Port of Miami after a large chunk of the Hyber Star’s bow was ripped off in the accident as it exited the Miami River. The ship was using its own power to navigate, but after the accident three tugboats showed up to see if they could help out. The Panamanian registered ship was heading for Haiti with a shipment of frozen chicken.

03 May 2006

Damaged Ship Moved From Port Of Miami

CBS4 News has reported that a 300-ft. freighter damaged when it slammed into a seawall has been moved from the Port of Miami to its terminal on the Miami River for repairs, as the investigation continues into the accident which caused the damage. Court Guard officials say they have questioned the crew and the pilot to was guiding the ship to sea from the Miami River, but still have no solid information about what may have caused the accident. The 300-foot freighter was taking on water at the Port of Miami earlier in the day after a large chunk of the Hyber Star’s bow was ripped off in the accident as it exited the Miami River. The ship was using its own power to navigate, but after the accident three tugboats showed up to see if they could help out.

08 May 2001

Florida Port Regs Aim To Stop Drugs

Florida's deep-sea ports are about to get a security makeover aimed at slowing the flow of illegal drugs into the U.S., Florida Gov. Jeb Bush said. A bill passed in the waning hours of the state legislative session is expected to earmark more than $30 million for port security enhancement in the next three years as part of an effort that officials say is needed to stem the tide of drugs entering the United States through Florida ports. Bush said the seaport security measure would come on top of existing programs to halt the offloading of illegal drugs from freighters on the Miami River and to divert out to sea smaller cargoes carried in speedier vessels.

12 Sep 2005

Cargo vessel, facility in Miami in violation of MTSA

MIAMI - The U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port Miami today issued an order to suspend operations at a facility that was not in compliance with the Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA). Coast Guard Marine Inspectors, acting on a report from a Coast Guard Auxiliary unit, discovered NRD Shipping and Marine of Miami had been operating for 10 days and had failed to notify the Coast Guard of its intention to conduct cargo operations with vessels subject to the MTSA and International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) regulations. During a routine patrol in the waters surrounding Miami, A Coast Guard Auxiliary unit working for Coast Guard Sector Miami located the Bolivian-flagged, cargo ship Miss Rutha, at an unregulated facility along the Miami River.