AWO Hails New Deadlines for Towing Vessel Inspection Regs
The American Waterways Operators (AWO), the national trade association for the tugboat, towboat and barge industry, hails the enactment of provisions in the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010 (P.L. 111-281) that bring the industry one step closer to a historic towing vessel inspection regulation to improve safety in the towing industry. Section 701 of the Act requires the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) “to issue a notice of proposed rulemaking regarding inspection requirements for towing vessels” no more than 90 days from the date of enactment, a provision strongly advocated by AWO. The law requires that a final rule be issued no more than one year after the enactment date.
Tsakos Energy Navigation Q2 Results
Tsakos Energy Navigation Limited (TEN) (NYSE: TNP) reported results (unaudited) for the second quarter and first half of 2010. Revenues, net of voyage expenses and commissions, were $83.3 million in the second quarter of 2010 compared to $88.6 million in the second quarter of 2009 primarily reflecting a slightly smaller fleet. Despite improved rates for crude carriers, the Company's product carriers achieved lower rates than in the second quarter of 2009, as did its LNG carrier. On average, TEN deployed 45.0 vessels versus 46.0 vessels in the prior year quarter. Fleet utilization remained high at 97.8%, the same level as in the second quarter of 2009. The average daily time charter equivalent rate per vessel was $22,059 down from $22,890 in the 2009 second quarter.
Bates, Jr. Chairman at Hercules Offshore
Hercules Offshore, Inc. (NASDAQ: HERO) announced that Chairman John T. Reynolds submitted his resignation from the company's board of directors, effective December 31, 2009, to focus on other business interests and his role as co-founder and managing director of Lime Rock Management L.P. Thomas R. Bates, Jr., who has been a director of Hercules Offshore since the company's inception in 2004, will assume the role of Chairman upon Reynolds' departure. Bates served as President of the Discovery Group of Baker Hughes Inc., President and Chief Executive Officer of Weatherford/Enterra, Inc. and as President of Anadrill at Schlumberger Limited, among other positions. Bates received a Bachelor's, Master's and a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from the University of Michigan.
Dawkins Joins Iridium Board of Directors
Iridium Communications Inc. (NASDAQ: IRDM) announced that Peter M. Dawkins, founder and principal of ShiningStar Capital LLC, and Brigadier General, U.S. Army (Retired), joined its Board of Directors. The appointment brings Iridium’s Board to ten members. Prior to founding his current firm, Gen. Dawkins was vice chairman of Global Wealth Management for Citigroup, vice chairman of the Citigroup Private Bank, and executive vice president and vice chairman of Travelers Insurance during an eleven-year tenure with the firm. Previously, from 1991-1996, he served as chairman and CEO of Primerica Financial Services, and earlier served as head of the U.S. consulting practice of Bain & Company. During his military career, Gen.
