Digital Photography News

HKND Group, concessionaire of the Nicaragua Interoceanic Grand Canal project, signed an agreement with international geological and resource consultancy CSA Global of Australia in the headquarters of HKND Group in Hong Kong, entrusting CSA Global to conduct an aerial geological survey of the canal route and Lake Nicaragua shore line. The survey comprises of Aerial mapping of topography, photography and geophysical and geological data. HKND Group concluded an open tender works package award with CSA Global for the services. “The survey is a major step in the construction development process and supports pre-works planning, design and engineering for the canal and infrastructure”, stated senior advisor of HKND Group, John Murray.

Maritime Reporter & Engineering News recently caught up with Al Carbone, creator of ShipDecision, a shipmanagement tool designed to help operators save time and money. Can you share with us some background information? Carbone As a youth I always had a fascination with math, science and technology, so it was no surprise to my friends that I ended up studying engineering. I earned my Bachelor of Engineering degree - in Electrical Engineering - in 1981 from Concordia University in Montreal.

Autoship Systems Corporation (ASC) has developed a complete CAD/CAM suite to meet the CAD/CAM needs in marine vessel design and construction, including two key programs in the CAD/CAM suite: Autostructure 3.0 and Production Manager 3.0. Autostructure and Production Manager are key components in the Autoship CAD/CAM suite, offering shipyards complete solutions in structural design, pre-construction drawing preparation and part nesting. Autostructure is used to create a 3D model of a vessel structure and to output the parts of that model in CAD format. The CAD representation can be used either to prepare construction drawings or for input to NC cutting processors.

Captain Marine Services, Inc. of Dana Beach, Fla. has been servicing the yachting and sport diving industries for the last nine years for all of their need above and below the waterline as well as, providing immediate procurement consolidation and delivery of marine parts, supplies, and diving equipment. President Capt. Thomas J. Dunzelman recently announced the opening of a new shipping, receiving and agents office in Turtle Cove Marina, Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands, BWI. With many years of experience in the Turks & Caicos Islands, they can advise your clients as well as your crew on what to do and see while visiting Providenciales. Captain Marine Services provides an office where a captain can talk to another captain/engineer about their equipment needs.

Transport Minister Jean-C. Lapierre announced the purchase of new marine pollution aerial surveillance equipment that will significantly strengthen Transport Canada's National Aerial Surveillance Program. The $2.3 million contract will cover the purchase of the equipment, as well as the on-board crew training. "The Government of Canada is committed to preventing pollution from ships and to continuously enhancing the protection of our marine environment," said Mr. Lapierre. Transport Canada conducts aerial surveillance to detect marine pollution from ships. When such pollution is detected, charges may be laid under the Canada Shipping Act.

President George Bush has signed into law legislation repealing a four year old rule imposing a 50% duty on the cost of routine repairs and maintenance carried out by U.S. merchant mariners while their vessel is at sea. The elimination of the duty, which customs authorities have levied on US-flag carriers since April 2001, represents a victory for the domestic shipowning community. The community has lobbied hard against it since its introduction. President Bush signed into law the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (S. 2845). The major emphasis of the legislation is reform of the U.S. intelligence organization. Other measures, though, may impact the maritime community.

A rescue and salvage ship USS Salvor (ARS 52) and divers of Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) 1 arrived June 11 at the site in the Gulf of Thailand presumed to be the resting place of the WWII–era USS Lagarto (SS 371) and its crew. In May 2005, British diver Jamie MacLeod reported finding Lagarto, which was last seen May 3, 1945. On May 8, 2006, MacLeod joined U.S. Pacific Fleet Submarine Force Commander Rear Adm. Jeffrey Cassias and families of crew members who served aboard Lagarto at a memorial service in the crew’s honor hosted by the Wisconsin Maritime Museum in Manitowoc, Wis. Over the next several days the divers from Salvor and MDSU-1 will conduct diving operations in an attempt to confirm MacLeod’s discovery…

Seaman’s Church Institute (SCI), recently opened a simulator training facility in Houston. SCI's third facility represents state-of-the-art technology as well as world-class instruction for professional mariners. After attending the Center's first training class in April, Kirby Instructor John Moyle said, "The simulation was so real that when they stopped the simulator, I actually lurched forward." Moyle has over 30 years of experience as a captain and is now an instructor. "Training is more than increased efficiency. A well-trained crew saves lives and protects the environment," said Captain Eric Larsson, Director of the Center for Maritime Education that also includes SCI training facilities in New York City and Paducah, Ky.