Ledcor Adds Six New Cargo Barges
The Ledcor Group of Companies announced that it has taken delivery of six new cargo barges to serve clients in southwest B.C. Ledcor said its marine division has grown significantly since its inception in 2012 and is on target to double its fleet size by 2016, bringing its fleet totals to nine tugboats and 23 barges. "Ledcor continues to invest in its marine operations, allowing us to expand and diversify to meet the needs of current and future clients," said Mark Houghton, Chief Operating Officer for Ledcor's Marine Operations.
Seaspan Mark NAOSH Week with Walter Gretzky
During North American Occupational Health and Safety (NAOSH) week Seaspan welcomed Walter Gretzky on a tour of its Vancouver Shipyards. For those not in the know, Walter Gretzky, is a Canadian who is best known as the father of NHL legend Wayne Gretzky, but also for his dedication to helping many local, provincial, and national charities. With North American Occupational Health and Safety (NAOSH) week well underway across the continent, Seaspan welcomed Walter Gretzky to its Vancouver Shipyards to underscore the importance of health and safety in the workplace.
Integrated Improvement for Tug
Young Brothers, Ltd.'s tug, the Hoku Ke'a, has returned to service after being fitted with Nautican Research and Development Ltd.'s new Integrated Nozzle and Rudder Units at Foss Shipyards in Seattle. Mark Houghton, Vice-President, Maritime Operations, of Hawaiian Tug & Barge, Young Brothers reports that on the return trip to Hawaii, "the Hoku Ke'a was able to run at reduced r.p.m. and still averaged between 9.5 and 10 knots for the Pacific transit, towing a 340 x 78 ft. barge." This is the first installation of the Nautican Integrated Units on an ocean-going tug. Prior to the conversion, the Hoku Ke'a was fitted with conventional open propellers and rudders. The 108 x 34 ft., 3,900 hp tug's bollard pull went from 88,853 lbs with open propellers to 132,810 lbs with the Nautican Nozzles.
Houghton Joins Hawaiian Tug & Barge/Young Brothers
Hawaiian Tug & Barge and Young Brothers, Ltd. announced the appointment of Mark Houghton as Vice President of Maritime Operations. He succeeds Mark Cohen who moved to the mainland. Houghton is responsible for overseeing the maritime operations of both companies. Houghton was formerly Director of Marine Transportation Sales for Foss Maritime Company in Seattle, Washington, a sister company to HTB/YB. During his 11-year stint with Foss, he also served as an assistant port engineer and Cominco Red Dog Mine (Alaska) manager-lighterage operations. Prior to joining Foss, Mr. Houghton was a chief engineer and assistant port engineer for Crowley Maritime and maritime department manager for Sunmar Shipping. He is a 1982 graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York.
