Art Electronics News

American shipping companies are spending more than $120 million to repair and maintain their fleets of Great Lakes bulk carriers this winter.The fleet of U.S.-flagged ships, known as "lakers", can move more than 90 million tons of cargos annually, including iron ore, stone, coal, grain, salt and sand. Each year after the shipping season draws to a close, these vessels enter shipyards and repair facilities around the Great Lakes for a period of winter maintenance and repair. This…

Nautilus Labs and Datum Electronics, a specialized manufacturer and supplier of torque and shaft power measurement solutions, announced a partnership that is aiming to provide shipowners, operators, technical managers, and charterers a comprehensive solution for vessel digitalization and predictive decision support.Leveraging the data provided by hardware leaders like Datum, Nautilus builds vessel-specific, machine learning-based performance models to reduce fuel consumption, emissions, and maintenance spend.

Hradfrystihusid Gunnvor (HG) and Vinnslustodin (VSV) recently awarded Naust Marine contracts to provide a complete suite of electric winches for their newbuild trawlers. Naust will supply no less than 29 winches per vessel, including three trawl winches and three Gilsons; six sweepline, two outhaul, two codend, four backstrap, three retriever and two net-lifting winches are included as auxiliaries. In addition to these, there is an anchor winch, a net reel, and—not widely known outside Europe—two winches of the trix type.

The continued maturation of Offshore Service Vessel design is embodied in recent contracts and deliveries. Ulstein Verft subsea newbuild Island Performer was built for Island Offshore to be a flexible, RLWI/IMR vessel, destined to serve its first five years for FTO in the Gulf of Mexico. “The vessel is customized to suit the scope of work in the FTO contract, in which RLWI (Riser-less Light Well Intervention) and IMR (Inspection/Maintenance/Repair) are the main tasks. She is able to perform operations at depths down to 3,000m,” said Håvard Ulstein, Managing Director, Island Offshore.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore has issued a certificate of approval for the Danelec DM100 VDR for installation on ships under the Singapore registry. The Singapore approval follows on the type approval and European Union Wheelmark certification for the Danelec DM100 issued by the German authority Bundesamt für Seeschiffahrt und Hydrographie (BSH) June 30. The Danelec DM100 is the first and only product so far approved and wheelmarked to meet the revised VDR performance standards and technical requirements as defined in IMO Resolution MSC.333(90). The new IMO standard came into force July 1. All VDRs installed after that date must meet the new IMO standard.

Raytheon says it has appointed Thomas A. Vecchiolla as president, Raytheon International, Inc., effective immediately. In his new role, Vecchiolla will be responsible for leading Raytheon's international business team worldwide. Vecchiolla will report to John Harris, vice president, business development, Raytheon Company, and CEO, Raytheon International, Inc. and will be based in Washington, DC. "Tom's impressive depth of industry knowledge and strong customer relationships, combined with his political expertise and military background, provide him with a strong foundation to advance Raytheon's focus on global growth and customer success," said Harris.

Vessel’s crane is the centerpiece of this state-of-the-art, technologically advanced workhorse platform. Sterling Equipment, Inc., an East Coast marine construction rental company based out of Quincy, Mass., has more than 135 pieces of floating equipment in commission, but its newest barge, a 180- x 65- x 12-foot crane dredge, will be among its largest and most technologically advanced. In September 2012, Sterling, a subsidiary of Jay Cashman, Inc., contracted May Shipyard on Staten Island, N.Y.

NLI Solutions (NLI) has developed a concept for a LNG Bunker Barge (often described as the 'missing link' in prospective LNG bunkering plans) based on the NLI LNG tank design. The concept has been further developed in a design study together with the Marine division of Rolls-Royce and Wilhelmsen Technical Solutions (WTS). LNG is among the cleanest and most cost efficient options for low emission shipping. Interest in LNG as a marine fuel is rapidly increasing, but one limiting factor is practical availability of LNG bunker facilities.Today…

Jensen Completes Major Refurbishment Work on Fishing Vessel Bering Defender; Upgrades Make Vessel More Efficient, Optimize it for Work in the Bering Sea. Jensen Maritime, a Crowley Maritime Corp. company, recently completed a major redesign of the Global Sea-managed fishing vessel Bering Defender. The project, which improved the vessel’s efficiency and hold capacity, outfitted it for pollock fishing in the challenging waters of Alaska’s Bering Sea. The refurbished fishing boat…

US-based Jensen Maritime, completes a major redesign of the Global Sea-managed fishing vessel 'Bering Defender'. The project, which improved the vessel’s efficiency and hold capacity, outfitted it for pollock fishing in the challenging waters of Alaska’s Bering Sea. The refurbished fishing boat, formerly named Dona Martita, recently arrived in Seattle after departing the East Coast and transiting the Panama Canal. Global Seas, based in Seattle, is an operator of a diverse fleet of research and fishing vessels.

SAFE Boats International (SAFE) recently began the delivery of a fleet of thirty-seven (37) 33-foot harbor security boats to the U.S. Navy as the new generation of the Force Protection-Medium (FP-M)  patrol craft. Based on the SAFE 330X Defender model, the FP-M is capable of speeds of up to 33+ knots, features state-of-the-art electronics such as thermal imaging, encrypted communications equipment, dual outboard engines, a unique hull design as well as SAFE’s  patented 100% foam collar system. The mission of the Force Protection-Medium patrol craft is to provide U.S. Navy installation security forces a waterborne platform to deter…

The Model PX2471 Marine Pressure Transducer has been designed to meet the stringent requirements of military standard MIL-T-24742(SH) and when invoked ASTM specification F2070-00. This product is directly interchangeable with other existing pressure transducers designed to MIL-P-24212C(SH) when used with mounting plate assembly A019852. The Model PX2471 marine pressure transducer is a light weight 18 oz (510 gm) transducer, available in pressure ranges from 15 to 10,000 psi. The output is a loop powered 4 to 20 mA (2 wire current) signal.

The U S Coast Guard has issued a delivery order for 18 new boats to Marinette Marine Corporation (MMC). This delivery order represents a $37.5m obligation by the Coast Guard, reports said. Production at Marinette Marine Corporation is expected to support the delivery of one response boat medium per month starting in September 2008. The first response boat from Marinette Marine Corporation will be delivered to Coast Guard Station Milwaukee, Wis. Upon delivery to Milwaukee it will be the first response boat located on any of the Great Lakes. The Response Boat- Medium (RB-M) is a twin-engine, water jet propelled, 45-ft. boat which will be capable of exceeding 40 knots. These new boats will replace the Coast Guard's existing 41-foot utility boat, which has a maximum speed of 26 knots.

SEACOR Marine LLC christened its first CrewZer Class vessel, the SEACOR CHEETAH, in Galveston, Texas. Joyce McCall, wife of nearly fifty years to offshore industry pioneer Norman McCall, acted as the vessel's sponsor in recognition of her life-long contribution to the McCall legacy. The SEACOR CHEETAH was designed to provide customers a faster and more stable delivery platform than the industry standard. After examining various hull types, SEACOR chose the Catamaran's twin-hull design for its ability to reach top speeds in excess of 40 knots while increasing passenger comfort and safety.

Ros Inc. of San Diego, Calif. recently delivered four Anchor Bolster Deployment TV Systems to R&B Falcon of Houston, Texas. The systems will be installed on the semi-submersible drilling rig MG Hulme, presently operating off Western Africa. This system incorporates video inspection equipment mounted on a deployment frame which is raised and lowered to the rig's four anchor bolster mounts located at the base of the vessel's four main columns. Engine Monitor Inc. (EMI) has introduced what is being touted as the first totally U.S.-designed and manufactured Integrated Dynamic Positioning System (I-DPS). In development for the past two years, it will reportedly be the first DPS marketed as a complete system to include steering and engine controls in a single package.

Construction of Articulated Tug Barge units (ATB) continues to occupy a prominent place in the order books of several shipyards. However the pace of current building and back ordered units is not as high as the 2000-2002 period. "It looks like we are in for a little 'breather' for a while," said Allen Craft, senior vice president of Intercontinental Engineering-Manufacturing Corporation, Kansas City, Mo. The company manufactures Intercon, one of the most popular couplers between the tug and the barge, which makes the ATB concept workable. "Vessel Management Services, a division of Crowley Maritime was a major driving force in this market when they had two different yards each built two ATBs with 9,280 hp tugs and 155,000 barrel barges using our couplers," Craft said.

The newest USCG cutter to join the fleet in Alaska arrived in Ketchikan. Cutter Anthony Petit sailed toward its new southeast Alaska homeport after beginning its travels in Maryland, following construction by Marinette Marine. The ship's crew, consisting of one officer and 23 enlisted men, hosted a welcoming reception sponsored by 17th USCG District Commander Rear Adm. Thomas J. Barrett in Ketchikan following the ship's arrival. Anthony Petit is one of several new Keeper Class buoy tenders, and is named for the late Chief Boatswain's Mate Anthony Petit. The ship is 175-ft. long and boasts a 10-ton, 42-ft. hydraulic boom crane. The new 175-ft. Keeper Class Coastal buoy tender, represents the new wave in buoy tending.

The newest USCG cutter to join the fleet in Alaska arrived in Ketchikan. Cutter Anthony Petit sailed toward its new southeast Alaska homeport after beginning its travels in Maryland, following construction by Marinette Marine. The ship's crew, consisting of one officer and 23 enlisted men, hosted a welcoming reception sponsored by 17th USCG District Commander Rear Adm. Thomas J. Barrett in Ketchikan following the ship's arrival. Anthony Petit is one of several new Keeper Class buoy tenders, and is named for the late Chief Boatswain's Mate Anthony Petit. The ship is 175-ft. long and boasts a 10-ton, 42-ft. hydraulic boom crane. The new 175-ft. Keeper Class Coastal buoy tender, represents the new wave in buoy tending.

Secure Around Flotation Equipped (SAFE) Boat 256610 will be officially dedicated to use by United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Station Seward on May 17. The 10 a.m. ceremony at the Seward Boat Harbor south boat ramp in Alaska will includ music by the Air Force Band of the Pacific brass quintet and followed by orientation rides on the vessel and tours of the U. S. Coast Guard Cutter Mustang. The 25-ft. vessel, formerly assigned to Coast Guard Station Ketchikan, was delivered in August 2002 to AUXSTA Seward. The SAFE boat, like its sister vessel SAFE Boat 256611 assigned to the Auxiliary in Whittier, will primarily serve in a 40-mile radius from Seward, supporting the Coast Guard in search and rescue. Both boats are owned by the U.S.

Michael Carthew, President, Chevron Texaco Shipping and Dean Taylor, President and CEO, Tidewater Marine were elected to the ABS Board of Directors, by the ABS Council, following yesterday's Annual Members Meeting of the classification society in New York. General Dynamics announced the appointment of John F. "Dugan" Shipway, 60, as president of Bath Iron Works, reporting to Michael W. Toner, executive vice president of General Dynamics Marine Systems group. Shipway succeeds Allan C. Cameron, 57, who has announced his retirement. Cameron had been president of Bath Iron Works since 1996. Edwin W. Stephan, a founder and former longtime president and vice chairman of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., will retire from the Board of Directors following the company's May 20 annual meeting in Miami.