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Federal Aviation Administration News

31 Aug 2023

NTSB Renews Call for US Coast Guard to Strengthen Passenger Vessel Safety

The fire-stricken Conception shortly before it sank off Santa Cruz Island in September 2019. All 33 passengers and one of six crewmembers died of smoke inhalation after they were trapped in the berthing area while a fire raged on the deck above. (Photo: Ventura County Fire Department)

Four years after the fire aboard the Conception dive boat claimed 34 lives, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) renewed its call for the U.S. Coast Guard to require safety management systems (SMS) for passenger vessels. The recommendation, which the NTSB reissued following its investigation of the September 2, 2019, fire aboard the Conception, remains open.NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy sent a letter to the Coast Guard Commandant today emphasizing the need to issue the…

20 Oct 2022

Severe Weather Led to Fatal Seacor Power Capsizing

(Photo: U.S. Coast Guard)

Severe winds during a thunderstorm led to a loss of stability and ultimately the capsizing of the liftboat Seacor Power, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said Tuesday during a public board meeting. Of the 19 people aboard the vessel, six died and seven are missing, presumed dead. Six people were rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard and other vessels. The Seacor Power, valued at $25 million, was a total loss.On April 13, 2021, the Seacor Power, a liftboat supporting offshore work on oil-producing platforms, capsized off the coast of Port Fourchon, Louisiana.

12 Jul 2021

Downed Cargo Jet Found on the Seafloor off Hawaii

In this image taken July 8, 2021, the forward fuselage of Transair flight 810 is seen as it rests on the ocean floor about 2 miles from Ewa Beach. Rhoades Aviation Inc., dba Transair, flight 810, a Boeing 737-200, ditched in the waters of Mamala Bay near Honolulu, shortly after takeoff from Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, Hawaii, July 2, 2021. (Image: NTSB, courtesy of Sea Engineering, Inc.)

Investigators have located a Boeing 737-200 cargo jet that made an emergency water landing off the Hawaiian island of Oahu in the Pacific Ocean on July 2, the National Transportation Safety Board said on Friday.Transair Flight 810 was found approximately 2 miles offshore from Ewa Beach. The major components of the airplane -- the aft fuselage including both wings and tail along with both engines, and forward fuselage -- were located on the sea floor at depths between 360 and 420 feet…

12 Jul 2021

Seacor Power Bow Section Raised

The Seacor Eagle is staged with gear near the Seacor Power off Port Fourchon, La. The vessel is being used as stable platform to assist in salvage and pollution response operations. (Photo: Brendan Freeman / U.S. Coast Guard)

Salvors have raised the bow section of the liftboat Seacor Power, which overturned in heavy seas in the Gulf of Mexico in April.The Donjon-SMIT salvage team lifted the bow section to the surface of the water and transported it by barge on Saturday to the Modern American Recycling Services, Inc. (M.A.R.S.) facility in Houma, La.Meanwhile, salvage work continues at the wreck site, where crews recently conducted more acoustic surveys of the stern and accommodation sections. The updated surveys will be used to complete the rigging configuration to prepare the stern section for removal.

19 May 2021

Salvors Remove Diesel Fuel from Capsized Liftboat Seacor Power

Contacted salvage crews tap into an above water fuel tank and start removing the fuel from Seacor Power, May 3, off Port Fourchon, La. (Photo: Brendan Freeman / U.S. Coast Guard)

Salvage crews have removed all diesel fuel from the tanks of capsized liftboat Seacor Power in the Gulf of Mexico, the U.S. Coast Guard said on Wednesday.Salvors removed approximately 20,363 gallons of diesel fuel from the overturned vessel using the hot tapping method, which involves drilling into the fuel tanks, making a hose connection, and transferring the fuel to portable tanks, the Coast Guard said.Approximately 4,500 gallons of hydraulic fluid still on board will need to be removed after the vessel is raised as the tanks are currently inaccessible…

27 Jan 2021

Boston Harbor Phase II Dredging Wraps Up Ahead of Schedule

(Photo: Cashman Dredging)

New England’s busiest port moves closer to welcoming larger containerships and growing the regional economy with the completion of the second phase of a three-part dredging program last month, nearly one year ahead of schedule.Cashman Dredging and JV partner The Dutra Group began Phase II of the U.S. Army Corps’ Boston Harbor Navigation Improvement Project in July of 2018. The recently completed phase, focused on deepening the main ship channels (the Outer Harbor Channel from 40 to 51 feet…

08 Jul 2020

Zea Named WCI President & CEO

Tracy R. Zea (Photo: WCI)

Waterways Council, Inc.’s (WCI) Board of Directors unanimously elected Tracy R. Zea as the organization’s new President and Chief Executive Officer. He will assume the new duties effective today.With a broad range of Capitol Hill, policy development and government relations expertise, Zea most recently served as WCI’s Vice President-Government Relations, advocating for WCI’s goals for authorizations and appropriations which support a modern, efficient, reliable inland waterways transportation system.

21 Jun 2019

Trump Warns Tehran of Possible Attack, Calls for Talks

Iranian officials told Reuters on Friday that Tehran had received a message from U.S. President Donald Trump warning that a U.S. attack on Iran was imminent but saying he was against war and wanted talks on a range of issues.News of the message, delivered through Oman overnight, came shortly after the New York Times said Trump had approved military strikes against Iran on Friday over the downing of a U.S. surveillance drone, but called them off at the last minute."In his message, Trump said he was against any war with Iran and wanted to talk to Tehran about various issues," one of the officials told Reuters, speaking on condition of…

21 Mar 2019

MOSI Anti-Fouling Coatings for Barnacles and Zebra Mussels

Test Articles Before Rinsing. Bio-film development is reduced in both D2 MOSI coating (second from right) and II PVDF (right).
Photo: Courtesy APV Engineered Coatings

Marine organisms such as barnacles and zebra mussels have been a long-standing nuisance to ship hulls, causing exterior damage, increased power and fuel consumption and environmental concerns. While anti-fouling coatings help to prevent biofouling,  a new research study suggests that an innovative approach to marine coatings may solve the problem of barnacle and zebra mussel fouling, an approach stems from the MOSI (Marine Organism Sensory Interference) concept. MOSI uses a unique coating tech to interfere with the sensory ability of juvenile barnacles…

13 Sep 2018

Maritime Accidents & Confidential near-miss Reporting

© MrSegui/Adobe Stock

As in most if not all industries, the maritime sector experiences many more near-misses than actual casualties. And yet, information regarding near-misses is seldom shared outside the particular company or vessel/facility involved. This is a needless waste of valuable learning opportunities.The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) established the first formal confidential near-miss reporting system in the federal government in 1975. The Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS) was transferred in 1976 to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for collection of information…

06 Oct 2017

FMC's Doyle Weighs in on U.S. Merchant Marine, 2017 Hurricane Relief Efforts

Today's address by FMC commissioner William P.Doyle brought transparency to the massive U.S.-based efforts expended during this hurricane season at the 17th Annual Port Industry Day conference in Jersey City, NJ. Good Morning New York and New Jersey. It’s a great day here in Jersey City. I know that Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao really wanted to attend the 17th Annual Port Industry Day conference today. Even with a long-standing commitment, she tried to make her schedule work. Secretary Chao is a good friend. Before I begin, I want to address this year’s hurricane season. It’s been a tough one – Harvey, Irma and Maria. I am proud of the work performed during the recovery efforts by the U.S. Merchant Marine. The Merchant Marine consists of American mariners serving aboard U.S.

13 Nov 2016

Holcomb to Speak at Indiana Logistics Summit

Newly-elected Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb will provide special keynote remarks at next week's Indiana Logistics Summit. The two-day event is scheduled for Nov. 16-17 at the Indiana Convention Center and the Governor-elect will speak at 9 a.m. in the Sagamore Ballroom on Thursday, Nov. 17. Hosted by Ports of Indiana, Purdue University and Conexus Indiana, the Summit brings together over 350 executives from the logistics and advanced manufacturing sector to discuss critical issues facing all modes of transportation, and will also include 150 high school students participating in "Logistics U," a parallel program exploring 200 years of logistics in honor of Indiana's bicentennial.

18 Oct 2016

Safety Alert: Samsung Galaxy Note 7 Smartphone

This safety alert reminds vessel owners, operators, charterers, merchant mariners, passengers, and all others throughout the maritime domain of safety concerns associated with Samsung Galaxy Note 7 Smartphone. This alert includes phones recently replaced by manufacturer. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), as of last month there have been at least 92 reports of batteries overheating, including 26 reports of customer burns and 55 reports of property damage. The primary concern is the phone's Lithium-ion battery which stores significant energy. During normal use and charging, devices have overheated and ruptured.

05 Oct 2016

US Offshore Wind Comes to Life

(Photo: Robert Kunkel)

Marine News contributor Robert Kunkel asks: Are we ready to support the farms? On August 19, 2016, we watched as the fifth tower and associated nacelle was raised on the Deepwater Offshore Wind Farm approximately 3 miles offshore of Block Island, Rhode Island. This is the first Offshore Wind farm erected in the United States and, without a doubt, a huge step forward for this controversial project and alternative energy supply. The Block Island Wind Farm has a total generating capacity of 30 megawatts and is projected to produce approximately 125,000 megawatt hours annually.

23 Sep 2015

Insights: Tracy Zea, Director-Government Relations, WCI

Tracy R. Zea

Washington-based Tracy R. Zea advocates for Waterways Council, Inc. (WCI) goals for authorizations and appropriations which support a modern, efficient, and reliable inland waterways transportation system. Zea also works to enhance WCI’s stakeholder relationship with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers while additionally tracking implementation of WRRDA legislation and ensuring that WCI’s views are reflected in the outcomes. Before joining WCI, Zea served on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) for five years.

16 Jul 2015

WCI Names Zea as Director

Tracy Zea (Photo: WCI)

Waterways Council, Inc. (WCI) has named Tracy R. Zea as its Director-Government Relations, effective August 4. He will be based in the Washington, D.C. office and will primarily advocate for WCI’s goals for authorizations and appropriations which support a modern, efficient, and reliable inland waterways transportation system. Zea will also work to enhance WCI’s stakeholder relationship with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He will also be responsible for tracking implementation of WRRDA legislation and ensuring that WCI’s views are reflected in the outcomes.

06 Jul 2015

K&L Gates Welcomes Martinko

The Washington D.C., office of global law firm K&L Gates LLP has welcomed Stephen Martinko as a government affairs counselor in the public policy and law practice. Martinko joins the firm from the Port of Pittsburgh Commission (PPC), where he served as executive director of one of the largest inland ports in the United States. Previously, Martinko spent 12 years as a congressional aide, including serving as deputy staff director for the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I Committee) of the U.S. House of Representatives, which has broad jurisdiction over all modes of transportation – aviation, maritime, highways, bridges…

28 Apr 2014

Rescuers Search San Pablo Bay for Missing Pilot

U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and local agencies are responding to a plane crash near San Pablo Bay after two planes collided in mid-air above the Bay Sunday. At approximately 4 p.m., the Sector San Francisco Coast Guard command center received a call about a small Cessna and a WWII-era aircraft that had collided. The Coast Guard launched four rescue boat crews and one rescue helicopter crew and established a temporary safety zone in the water while the Federal Aviation Administration has established a temporary flight-restriction zone in the area. Debris has been located in the water, but there are no signs of the downed pilot at this time. The incident is under investigation. The USCG asked Mariners in the area to contact their nearest Coast Guard station if they find any debris in the water.

18 Jun 2014

Electronic Cartography Market worth $20 Billion by 2020

According to the report "Electronic Cartography Market by Application (Marine - Commercial and Defense, Aviation - Marine - Commercial and Defense), Components (Systems, Charts), Marine Electronic Navigation Systems (ECDIS, ECS), Aviation Electronic Navigation Systems (Very Large Aircrafts, Wide Body Aircrafts, Narrow Body Aircrafts), Marine Electronic Charts Licensing Mode (PAYS, Direct), Geography (APAC, Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa) Forecast and Analysis, 2014-2020", published by MarketsandMarkets, the electronic cartography market is expected to reach $20.3 billion, growing with a CAGR of 1.46% from 2014 to 2020. The last few years have witnessed a well paced revolution in the electronic cartographic market.

18 Aug 2014

Crews Searching Bahamas Waters for Downed Aircraft

U.S. Coast Guard search-and-rescue crews are responding to a reported downed Cessna aircraft with four people aboard in the vicinity of Freeport Bahamas Airport, Bahamas, Monday morning. The Federal Aviation Administration reported the crash to watchstanders at the Coast Guard 7th District at approximately 11 a.m. The aircraft reportedly left Ormond Beach Municipal Airport, Fla., and was en route to Bahamas Airport. A deployed MH-60 helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater launched and is currently on scene responding alongside the Bahamas Air Sea Rescue Association and the Royal Bahamian Police Force. uscgnews.com

08 Dec 2014

USCG Credentialing and Mariner Medical Evaluations

MarineNews contributor (Captain) Jeff Cowan handicaps the current system of medical evaluations and credentialing by the U.S. Coast Guard. It’s not all smooth sailing. “While the U.S. Coast Guard regrets any hardship merchant mariners may experience to maintain their credentials, we must maintain the safety of the Marine Transportation System through a comprehensive MMC (Merchant Marine Credential) evaluation process. This allows the U.S. The U.S. Coast Guard issued these words in response to a query made by a congressional representative on behalf of a prospective mariner regarding incorrect Medical Credential date of expiration after three weeks of no response from the National Mariner Center (NMC) in Martinsburg, WV.

11 Dec 2014

Safeguarding GPS When Global Positioning Doesn’t Work

Entrance to the U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center.

Suppose the Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers used for your vessel, offshore oil platform, or port facility could not generate position data needed for your operations. How would your crew or staff respond? Initial troubleshooting efforts may indicate equipment failures, antenna masking, or possibly human error. Additionally, the lack of position data will likely force your crew or staff to resort to secondary means to obtain position information. If position data cannot be regained, then the receivers may have lost GPS due to intentional or unintentional interference.

16 Jan 2015

US Revises Cuba Sanctions Regulations

The U.S. Treasury Department, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and the U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has publish revised Cuba sanctions regulations opening trade with Cuba for the first time in decades. Those changes, issued January 16, 2015, are the first step in moving toward normal relations with Cuba. The revised regulations ease certain limitations on travel to Cuba and certain associated services (e.g., insurance services), broaden exports and imports, and make financial transactions related to authorized transactions easier. The biggest impacts appear to be in travel, telecommunications, financial services and exports to the Cuban private sector. A pre-release of the revised regulations from the U.S.