Webb Institute News

Spencer Johnson has joined Birdon as the ship design director building on his extensive career in shipbuilding, naval architecture and engineering. Johnson will lead Birdon’s engineering and integrated product teams to deliver 27 vessels to the U.S. Coast Guard for the Waterways Commerce Cutter (WCC) Program.“Spencer’s background leading large ship design and construction projects make him a great fit for Birdon’s team,” said Birdon president, Rob Scott. “Spencer’s extensive leadership and engineering experience will help Birdon grow its ship design team of structural engineers…

The 2023 Maritime Risk Symposium (MRS) will be held Nov. 14-16, 2023, as an in-person event, hosted by Maritime College, State University of New York (SUNY) at the Maritime Academic Center. The theme of the 14th annual event is “Managing Impacts of Supply Chain Disruptors, Renewable Energy, Emerging Technology on the Maritime Transportation System (MTS)” with a focus on offshore infrastructure risk and disruptors. Founded in 1874, Maritime College is the oldest maritime college in the United States, providing mariner training for 150 years.

Bristol, R.I. based naval architecture, marine engineering and consulting firm Bristol Harbor Group, Inc. (BHGI) announced the continued expansion of its naval architecture and marine engineering firm with two new hires: Taylor Althouse and Kasey Kennedy.Althouse joined BHGI as a Naval Architect. Althouse graduated from the University of Michigan with a Master of Science in Engineering in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering. During his time at the University of Michigan, Althouse interned at Hornbeck Offshore Services, LLC.

“We will need your leadership vision, not to mention every ounce of your ingenuity and sweat, if our industry is to meet both the challenges and opportunities we face today.”That was the message from Christopher J. Wiernicki, ABS Chairman, President and CEO to the graduating class of 2023 at the Webb Institute. He explained that Webb Institute alumni can expect to answer the call to leadership during their careers because of their education and training.“Remember, you have been expressly trained to become the maritime leaders of tomorrow.

Shipbuilder Austal USA said its chief naval architect Spencer Johnson has been recognized by the Mobile Area Council of Engineers (MACE) as the Marine Engineer/Naval Architect of the Year. A tradition since 1967, MACE recognizes engineers in the community for their achievements and leadership.“We’re always incredibly proud when the hard work and accomplishments of one of our own is recognized by their industry peers,” Austal USA President Rusty Murdaugh said. “Spencer’s technical expertise in the engineering field has put our programs on a trajectory for success.

Bay Ship & Yacht founders Bill Elliott and Alan Cameron step back, name Joel Welter CEO, Gerona Goethe General ManagerBill Elliott, who during a 45-year career catapulted Bay Ship & Yacht (BS&Y) from operating out of a single, mobile shipping container known as the “Shipyard in a Box” to becoming a premiere ship repair conglomerate in San Francisco Bay, announced a new generation of leadership for the company.Joel Welter, currently Chief Naval Architect, was named Chief Executive Officer and Gerona Goethe, currently Assistant General Manager was tapped tas General Manager.

AqualisBraemar LOC ASA Group's (ABL Group) operations in the USA announced the new appointment of Sean Murphy as Senior Surveyor based in Boston, adding to ABL’s strengths in both the local maritime and offshore renewables industries.Murphy is a chartered naval architect and marine engineer, and a graduate of Webb Institute with a masters in engineering management from Duke University.He has extensive experience in marine casualty investigations for various interests, serving as an expert witness in his field.

Stolt Tankers announced on Friday that is has appointed Maren Schroeder as Managing Director, Stolt Tankers Shipowning (STSO), with effect from April 1, 2022. Schroeder joined Stolt Tankers in 2019 as Fleet Director and will succeed Mark Martecchini who is retiring in April 2022, after serving with the company for more than 38 years.Lucas Vos, President of Stolt Tankers, said, “The appointment of Maren Schroeder is good news for Stolt Tankers, and retaining Mark Martecchini’s experience until April will help to ensure her smooth transition into the leadership team.

Webb Institute announced on Wednesday that Mark Martecchini will become the 16th president in the school's history, effective July 1, 2022. Selected by a Webb Board of Trustee search committee Martecchini will succeed R. Keith Michel who has served as Webb’s president for the past nine years.Board of Trustees chair Bruce S. Rosenblatt, said, “[Martecchini] is a visionary leader who is passionate about the mission of Webb Institute and is committed to building upon our 130-year history of excellence in engineering education.” During a 38-year career with Stolt-Nielsen…

What: Natural Propulsion in Ship DesignWhen: November 16, 2021Where: Webb Institute, Glen Cove, NY (broadcast live)Hosts: Webb Institute, Marin Institute, and Wind Support NYCA new conference on the use of natural propulsion in the global shipping industry will take place in New York on November 16, 2021, hosted by Webb Institute in Glen Cove, NY, and broadcast live.The conference aims to introduce to the audience the design of hybrid merchant ships capable of harnessing free and renewable energies available onboard – wind…

After nine years president of Webb Institute, R. Keith Michel announced plans to retire effective June 30, 2022, and the search is on for his successor at this top-ranked undergraduate institution specializing in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering. Founded in 1889 by New York-based shipbuilder William H. Webb, Webb Institute is the only full-tuition scholarship, private undergraduate program of its kind in the United States, with a maximum of 28 students being accepted…

In any business, companies that achieve success must do at least one thing extraordinarily well. Shipbuilders like Metal Shark Boats are among companies that have taken their success to the next level by do a lot of things well. Government and commercial. Aluminum, steel and fiberglass. Serial and custom. Newbuild and repair. Sixteen to 300-plus feet. Patrol boats, pilot boats, fireboats, passenger ferries. Domestic and international. Metal Shark has thrived across the board.A…

Bristol Harbor Group, Inc. (BHGI) said Tommy Linden has joined the company's naval architecture and marine engineering practice as a naval architect. Linden graduated from Webb Institute with a B.S. in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering. During his time at Webb, he interned at BHGI, as well as the Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division, Eagle Bulk, Newport News Shipbuilding, and General Dynamics Electric Boat.Linden is a member of the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SNAME) and the American Society of Naval Engineers (ASNE).Bristol, R.I.

Ardmore Shipping Corporation (NYSE: ASC) (“Ardmore”) has announced the appointment of Dr. Kirsi Tikka to the company’s Board of Directors.Dr. Tikka has over 30 years of shipping experience having recently retired from the American Bureau of Shipping  (“ABS”) in July 2019. She joined ABS in 2001 and held various specialist and leadership positions within ABS including as ABS Executive Vice President Global Marine, Europe Division President, and as Vice President and Chief Engineer, Global.

A naval architect and graduate of the Webb Institute, Co-Owner/CEO Chris Allard introduced the engineering-centric approach that has fueled Metal Shark’s growth; driving innovation and transforming the company from a regional builder to a globally recognized industry leader.Under Allard’s direction, Metal Shark has successfully captured over $500 million in government and military contracts while expanding into the commercial sector and becoming one of the largest suppliers of high speed ferries.Today…

Every few years I am handed a high-speed container transport proposal. Generally it consists of some type of high speed vessel design that would be able to move containers at high speed and thereby attract a new market by taking a chunk out of the air cargo market and the premium ocean market. Occasionally we are asked to look at the economics for potential investors, and it always falls short of being economically viable. While it is possible to move containers a little quicker over the ocean with faster vessels…

A naval architect and graduate of the Webb Institute, Co-Owner/CEO Chris Allard introduced the engineering-centric approach that has fueled Metal Shark’s growth; driving innovation and transforming the company from a regional builder to a globally recognized industry leader.A member of the ownership team since 2005, Mr. Allard has overseen the expansion of Metal Shark from several employees to over 350. Under Mr. Allard’s direction, Metal Shark has successfully captured over $500…

Metal Shark Expands Internationally with New Croatia Engineering Facility.Shipbuilder Metal Shark has established a foothold across the Atlantic with the opening of a dedicated European engineering office.Metal Shark’s first location outside of the United States, “Metal Shark Croatia” is a new engineering facility recently opened in the city of Rijeka on Croatia’s northern Adriatic coast.The facility currently employs nearly 20 naval architects, machinery systems engineers, and…

From the standpoint of vehicle propulsion physics, an unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) is little different from your personal ski boat or a tanker. It shares the Vessel-Propulsor-Drive system model, which allows a Propulsor to convert Drive energy into thrust for the purpose of moving a Vessel. The basic principles of thrust equilibrium and motion are common to all three, as are the translation of rotational energy into axial thrust by the central element of the system – the…

The Board of Directors of Hendry Marine Industries, Inc. announced the appointment of Mr. John P. Gallagher as President of Gulf Marine Repair effective January 29, 2019. Gallagher, a graduate of The Webb Institute of Naval Architecture, is a seasoned maritime executive with over 30 years of leadership experience inoperations management, naval engineering, ship construction and ship repair. Highlights of Mr. Gallagher’s career include VP Operations, Derecktor Shipyard; Chief Executive, BMT International, Inc.; and President, Northeast Ship Repair.

NETSCo announced the winners of the 2018 Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SNAME) Student Design Competition held recently during the 2018 SNAME Maritime Convention in Providence, RI. Many interesting designs were devised with over 150 students participating in the competition. Congratulations to our winning teams: First Place Team 9 – Black Friday; Second Place, Team 8 – PlayBuoy; and, Third Place, Team 5 – Team Boats.The Competition is organized by the SNAME Student Steering Committee (SSC)…

Webb Institute, a four-year college specializing in naval architecture and marine engineering, has announced that the 2018-19 academic year recipients of Crowley Maritime Corporation’s Thomas B. Crowley Sr. Memorial Scholarship are Taylor Campbell (Class of 2019) and Reneé Tremblay (Class of 2020).Webb’s scholarship selection committee chose Tremblay of Bristol, R.I., and Campbell of Altoona, Pa., for their hard work, academic excellence, volunteer efforts and the superb leadership…

On Saturday, June 16, 2018, Webb Institute awarded 21 Bachelor of Science degrees at its 122nd Commencement Ceremony. Each graduating student received a dual degree in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering. Webb’s commencement ceremony included inspirational remarks from Webb’s President R. Keith Michel and keynote speaker, Dr. Kirsi K. Tikka, Executive Vice President and Senior Maritime Advisor at American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and former Webb Institute Professor of Structural Engineering. Dr. Tikka’s inspirational speech touched on how Webb graduates can take advantage of the technological advancements in the marine industry and use them to make major impacts in the field.