People & Company News

International logistics service provider D.F. Young, Inc. has announced the relocation of its headquarters office from New York City to Jersey City, N.J. in the first quarter of 2001. The company is leasing 14,000 sq. ft. at 1 Journal Square in Jersey City, after operating from downtown New York for most of its 97-year history.

"When this company was started in 1903, all the shipping companies and banks were located in downtown Manhattan," said Thomas Mosimann, president of D.F. Young. "But the port has moved, and most of the other forwarders have followed it to New Jersey over the last 10 to 15 years. We are just following them."

D.F.Young already has its Marine Department located in Port Elizabeth, N.J., as well as offices across the U.S. in Jamaica, N.Y. (JFK International Airport); Baltimore, Md.; Detroit, Mich.; New Orleans, La.; Long Beach, Calif.; Houston, Texas; Miami, Fla.; and Washington, D.C.

PIER 39 Announces New Appointments Moor & South/PIER Management Co., LP recently announced appointments to two newly created positions at the PIER 39 Companies.

Jon Hie has been named vice president of Engineering and Facilities for Blue & Gold Fleet. Formerly of Crowley Marine Services, Inc., he brings a diverse background of engineering experience to the company. Hie received a Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering Technology and a U.S. Coast Guard engineer's license from the California Maritime Academy.

Barbara Bakowicz has been named director of Information Management Systems for the PIER 39 Companies. Prior, Bakowicz was the Director of Management Information Systems at PLM International in San Francisco. Bakowicz received a master's Degree in Telecommunications Management from Golden Gate University and a Master's Degree in Liberal Arts from the University of Lodz in Poland.

Honda Donations Assist in Clean-Up

Chad Pregracke grew up on the Mississippi River, appreciating its beauty and wildlife. But, over the years, he began to recognize that garbage and other pollutants were devastating his cherished waterway - endangering drinking water, killing wildlife and discouraging play.

Although it bothered many other people, too, Pregracke took it upon himself to do something about the situation. In 1997, at age 22, he left his full-time job as a commercial diver, and, with just a 22-ft. jon boat and his own determination, he set off to clean up the river one piece of garbage at a time. For weeks under the hot sun, he hauled debris onto his boat and brought it to a safe dumping area. Without a set financial plan, he got by on community donations and a modest grant from an aluminum manufacturing and recycling company. Yet, in his first year, he single-handedly cleaned up more than 100 miles of shoreline and removed more than 45,000 lbs. of trash.

The next year, Pregracke's efforts began to garner some attention, and he was able to enlist a small crew of volunteers and secure some workboats. To power these craft, Honda Marine stepped in and donated 90 hp and 75 hp 4-stroke outboards, which are known for being rugged, fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly. Later, Honda also donated two 130 hp 4-stroke outboards for Pregracke's flagship, a 42-ft. houseboat.

With the help of these volunteers and other sponsors, Pregracke's Mississippi River Beautification and Restoration Project removed an astounding amount and variety of garbage, including more than 2,258 bags of trash, 3,608 tires, 1,012 steel drums, 187 refrigerators, five motorcycles, 10 lawn mowers, six dishwashers, seven hide-a-beds, a van and two farm tractors.

"We've beaten these Honda outboards - used them to steer barges and run them for 12 hours a day for 3 years," said Pregracke. "We've run them over sand, through mud, up on islands and over logjams, because we have to be in those places. I have run all the other brands. Hondas are the best."

Zodiac Reports Increase in Profits

Zodiac of North America (ZNA) reported that the supervisory Board of Zodiac, SA (the parent company of ZNA) announced financial results after its November 7, 2000 review of audited consolidated financial statements for the 1999/2000 fiscal year which ended August 31, 2000

The board reported consolidated sales were up 50.8 percent, to approximately $1.1 billion (Euros 1,264.3 million). Earnings per share rose 47.2 percent, to $14.75 (Euros 17.12).

Increases were reported across the board for all segments of Zodiac, SA, including: Marine-Leisure; Aerosafety Systems; Airline Equipment and Aircraft Equipment.

Zodiac has also officially become the first inflatable manufacturer to receive the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) marine Industry Certification. To achieve certification status, each manufacturer had to demonstrate: product certification to industry standards; establishment and maintenance of a qualified specialist of staff; maintenance of product and technical training for dealers; offer a dealer support system through warranties and dedicated customer service specialist, and an established customer feedback program.

Ronald C. Cambre Elected to McDermott Board

McDermott International, Inc. announced that Ronald C. Cambre, chairman of the board of Denver-based Newmont Mining Corporation, and a native New Orleanian, has been elected to the company's board of directors.

"Ron brings an excellent engineering and superb business background to our board," said Bruce W. Wilkinson, chairman and chief executive officer of McDermott. "His international business experience and knowledge of global energy issues will greatly assist the board in expanding McDermott's worldwide presence."

Cambre, 62, will retire, effective January 1, 2001, as chief executive officer of Newmont, one of the oldest and most respected mining houses in the United States. He will remain chairman of the board of Newmont, which is the leading gold producer in North America and the second largest in the world.

Prior to joining Newmont in 1993, Cambre held numerous executive management positions throughout a 30-year career at Freeport-McMoRan. During this period, he was involved in many of Freeport's businesses and was named the first president and chief executive officer of Freeport-McMoRan Resource Partners when that entity was spun off in 1986. He retired from Freeport-McMoRan in late 1993 at which time he joined Newmont as vice chairman and chief executive officer. He has served Newmont as chairman since 1995.

MAN B&W Canada Elects Noseworthy

MAN B&W Diesel Canada has appointed Roger Noseworthy as director of Sales & Marketing. A sales and marketing professional with previous experience in the automotive after-market and industrial power tool industry, Noseworthy holds an MBA from Wilfrid Laurier University.

Located in Oakville, Ontario, MAN B&W Diesel Canada is engaged in diesel engine power design, engineering installation and after-sales support.

MMA Educates On The Importance Of At-Sea Medical Care

Massachusetts Maritime Academy (MMA) is focusing on the significance of medical care onboard ships with its new USCG/STCW-approved Medical Care at Sea - Person in Charge (PIC) course. Offered in conjunction with Emergency & Safety Programs (ESP) of Philadelphia, Pa., the six-day training course will be held at the Academy's Buzzards Bay campus beginning January 16, 2001 - with additional courses scheduled throughout the year.

The program's base is to provide licensed maritime officers the opportunity to develop or refresh the knowledge and skills that are necessary to administer appropriate care in the event of illness or injury at sea.

For additional details, contact: George Gillis, MMA, at (508) 830-5097 or visit MMA's Web site at www.mma.mass.edu.

Hvide Marine Reaches Agreement on Debt Repayment

Hvide Marine Inc. (HMI) has decided on an accord with its bank group on an Amended Credit Agreement whereby the obligation to repay $40 million of term loan debt by year-end has been eliminated. Through 2000, the company has repaid approximately $30 million of bank debt through a combination of vessel sales and regular quarterly principal payments. The company continues to have a variety of vessels for sale - the majority being older, surplus tonnage in its Middle East offshore energy services fleet.