Marine Oil Spill Response News

When discussing the arrival of autonomous workboats, many – especially those developing the technologies that enable them – say it’s is not a matter of if, but when. In fact, autonomous harbor tugs are already being put to the test in Singapore, where authorities hope to establish the technological infrastructure to enable fully autonomous ship operations. In the U.S., an autonomous vessel was shown to be able to respond to marine oil spills.But is autonomy really the future?

Sea Machines Robotics has been a progressive leader in advancing autonomy in the maritime space, and today it announced a deal with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MarAd) to demonstrate the value of Sea Machines’ autonomous technology in marine oil-spill response ops. The scope of the deal has Sea Machines installing its SM300 autonomous-command system aboard a Marine Spill Response Corp. (MSRC)-owned MARCO skimming vessel and will train MSRC personnel to operate the system.

Maritime New Zealand (MNZ) says it invites submissions on its draft updated New Zealand Marine Oil Spill Response Strategy 2014 (the draft Strategy). The draft Strategy, (available at http://bit.ly/1pe6p46) is based on the current version but substantially updated to include lessons learned nationally and internationally in recent years and follows discussion with regional councils, the community and iwi, and industry at a series of public held earlier this year. The safety agency points out that it is important to note that the strategy does not cover the permitting and approval process for oil and gas exploitation. Neither does it cover emergency response to other hazardous and noxious substances. These issues are “out-of-scope” of this strategy.

The report aims to improve Canada's system for ship-source oil spill preparedness and response in order to better protect the public and the environment. "I want to thank the panel for its detailed, thoughtful work, and the invaluable expertise they have brought to this critical issue," said The Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Transport. "I look forward to studying the report, speaking with stakeholders about their views, and discussing it with my cabinet colleagues. The independent panel consulted with pan-Canadian industry stakeholders…

Eastern Canada Response Corporation (ECRC) selected BRP's Evinrude E-TEC engines to repower its 79-boat fleet. The CA$1.5 million contract was awarded to BRP based on Evinrude outboards' low cost of ownership and high environmental standards. ECRC operates six centres in eastern Canada and provides marine oil spill response services in all navigable waters east of the Rocky Mountains. Boats powered by the 30 hp to 225 hp Evinrude E-TEC engines will be at the forefront of chemical and oil spill cleanup throughout Canada and the United States.

Seacor Smit Inc. announced net earnings for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 1998 of $29,246,000 on revenues of $92,791,000. For the 12 months ended December 31, 1998, net earnings were $125,927,000. Seacor Smit and its subsidiaries engage in two primary activities: operation of a diversified fleet of marine vessels primarily dedicated to supporting offshore oil and gas exploration and development in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, offshore West Africa, the North Sea, Mexico, the Far East and Latin America, and provision of environmental services domestically and internationally, including marine oil spill response, training, and consulting.

Seacor Smit Inc. announced net earnings for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 1998 of $29,246,000 on revenues of $92,791,000. For the 12 months ended December 31, 1998, net earnings were $125,927,000. Seacor Smit and its subsidiaries engage in two primary activities: operation of a diversified fleet of marine vessels primarily dedicated to supporting offshore oil and gas exploration and development in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, offshore West Africa, the North Sea, Mexico, the Far East and Latin America, and provision of environmental services domestically and internationally, including marine oil spill response, training, and consulting.

Seacor Smit Inc. announced net earnings for the third quarter ending Sept. 30 of $5 million on revenues of $71.9 million. Results for the quarter included a charge of $2.6 million for additional income tax expense related to the company's decision to liquidate a foreign joint venture, and an extraordinary gain of $890,000 relating to the early retirement of debt. In the same period a year ago, Seacor earned $26.4 million, on revenues of $100 million. Results for the quarter ending Sept. 30 included a loss of $789,000 related to Seacor's investment in Globe Wireless LLC that is accounted for under the equity method. Results for the quarter also included a loss of $347,000 related to its investment in a majority-owned subsidiary, Chiles Offshore LLC.