Owens News

In Cape Cod Bay, 10-year-old Pilgrim and her calf skim the water's glassy surface alongside the Shearwater research vessel to feed on tiny crustaceans.The two are among the last surviving 340 or so North Atlantic right whales left migrating along the U.S. East Coast – down from 480 right whales in 2010.The biggest threats they face include being struck by passing ships or getting entangled in ropes used for lobster fishing off the U.S. East Coast - scientists have recorded 98 such injuries or deaths of whales since 2017.Now, the whales face another threat as the U.S.

The provider of motion and vibration control solutions for the oil and gas industry LORD Corporation is now certified to the American Petroleum Institute's (API) standard 16F testing for telescopic joint (TJ) packers. Testing was conducted to the second edition of API standard 16F, effective May 1, 2018, a harsher standard than the first edition in that the inner barrel must not be lubricated during testing. The TJ packers now experience more friction than in the first edition test regimen. “Receiving the API 16F certification is a testament to the demanding conditions our TJ packers can endure,” says Maggie Demicco, LORD Product Manager.

Idwal Marine announced the signing of a new contract after tender process with the Isle of Man Ship Registry, for the provision of maritime support services, which has been inked for a 10 year term. The Ship registry has developed a new General Inspection regime which is being carried out by the Ship Registry’s own team of surveyors and is supported globally by Idwal Marine in locations such as China, Singapore, Philippines, Brazil, Germany, UK, France, Spain and the USA by the Idwal Marine surveyor network. This is a great achievement for Idwal Marine and the hard work now commences as we strive to ensure that our mutual cooperation benefits both the Ship registry and their clients.

Idwal Marine has launched the shipping industry’s first cloud-based online platform to provide instant quotations and deliver reporting for complete vessel condition, pre-purchase and pre-charter inspection services. The online platform www.inspectmyship.com provides 24-hour access to a global network of ISO-certified ship inspectors worldwide and comprehensive vessel condition reports to help banks, shipowners, brokers, charterers and financial organisations assess the condition of shipping assets. The UK-based inspection services provider, Idwal Marine (part of the Graig Group), believes that the current low charter rate environment and downward pressure on asset values is driving shipowners…

The Surface Navy Association (SNA) concluded its 29th annual three-day symposium in Arlington, Virginia, Jan. 12. The symposium focused on distributed lethality to enable sea control and facilitated professional discussions between military members, industry representatives and lawmakers regarding surface warfare technology, tactics, training and career development. The first day commenced with welcomes, roundtable discussions and keynote addresses by Navy leaders, including Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. William Moran and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Steven Giordano. Vice Adm. Thomas Rowden, commander, Naval Surface Forces/Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, detailed his new Naval Surface Force Strategy and related it to the symposium's objectives.

Ingalls Shipbuilding, a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII), christened the amphibious transport dock Portland (LPD 27) on May 21 in front of approximately 1,000 guests. U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Christopher Owens, director of the U.S. Navy’s expeditionary warfare division, was the keynote speaker. “Marines love these ships,” he said. “They are perhaps the most versatile ships in the fleet. Portland is the 11th San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock, named for the largest city in the state of Oregon.

Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command Adm. Phil Davidson announced the 2015 USFFC Fleet Sea and Shore Sailors of the Year during a ceremony hosted by the Hampton Roads Navy League at the Sheraton Waterside in Norfolk, March 24. Aviation Boatswain's Mate 1st Class (AW/SW) Tinisha Franklin, a native of Brooklyn, New York, stationed aboard aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) was announced as the 2015 Sea Sailor of the Year and Aviation Warfare Systems Operator 1st Class (AW/SW) Brian McGarrigle, a native of Clearwater, Florida, stationed at Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 40 (HSM-40) as the Shore Sailor of the Year. "For the Shore Sailors of the Year standing behind me…

The Great Lakes Towing Company & Great Lakes Shipyard announced this week that it has made two new hires. Graham Gajewski has been named naval architect, reporting to Jonathan Leivo, director of engineering, and Patrick Owens has been named operations coordinator, reporting to Lindsay Dew, director of operations and compliance, both working in the Cleveland offices. Gajewski earned his Bachelor of Engineering – Naval Architecture at the State University of New York Maritime College and is a licensed USCG Unlimited Tonnage Third Mate.

The U.S. Coast Guard and Washington Department of Ecology will host a spill preparedness conference May 20-21 at the Jackson Federal Building in Seattle. The two-day seminar is an opportunity to discuss the latest in spill-recovery theory and technology. The sessions focus on topics including remote oil sensing technology, sinking oils, software tools and best practices. "In the response business, there is no room for complacency,” said Capt. Robert Pearce, chief of response, Coast Guard 13th District. “Knowing about the latest game-changing technology is important. Opportunities are everywhere. The marine environment that dominates the Pacific Northwest is essential to the high quality of our lives.

H2O’s Owens CrapZapper marine sanitation device has dual certification to the latest IMO and USCG standards for operation anywhere in the world. Features include low maintenance, compact footprint, patented floating skimmer ensures optimum discharge water clarity, and corrosion proof operation in optional 316L Stainless Steel. H2O is a leading provider of potable water solutions, as well as comprehensive water safety products, services and rentals.

A World Bank tribunal has ordered Venezuela to pay oil service company Tidewater around $46 million in compensation for seized vessels, in a decision the South American country hailed as a victory. The claim, one of many similar cases, stems from the 14-year rule of late leader Hugo Chavez, who made sweeping nationalizations a cornerstone of his socialist administration. However, this award is far smaller than the hefty arbitration decisions that have hit cash-strapped Venezuela in recent months. Eleven Tidewater ships were seized in 2009 by Venezuelan authorities after signing a law to nationalize them, according to Tidewater. "The much higher amounts claimed were rejected because the tribunal found that the nationalization was lawful…

New York’s Governor Cuomo announces retrofitted electric canal boat to demonstrate benefits of no-emission engine; NYSERDA, NYSDOT partnership with Canal Corp. Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the launch of an all-electric dredge tender workboat on the Erie Canal in the Utica area. The project is the result of a partnership with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT). Additionally…

The Naval Academy says that an estimated 30,000 people filled the Navy-Marine Corps Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland, to witness the swearing in of the U.S. military's newest officers. The Naval Academy Class of 2014 graduated 1,068 men and women, including 784 Navy ensigns and 265 Marine Corps second lieutenants. Graduating first in the class is Marine 2nd Lt. David F. Williams, of Roanoke, Virginia, a political science and economics major who will serve as a Marine ground officer after finishing a master's degree in Latin American studies at the University of Cambridge, England. The class included 12 foreign exchange students from Brunei, Ecuador, Georgia, Jamaica, Lebanon, Lithuania, Maldives, Panama, and Taiwan.

Huntington Ingalls Industries hosted commencement exercises for the company's Apprentice School at Newport News Shipbuilding. The graduation, held at the Liberty Baptist Church Worship Center in Hampton, celebrated 137 apprentices representing 18 trades and four advanced programs. Danny Hunley, vice president of operations at Newport News and an Apprentice School graduate, served as the keynote speaker. He shared lessons learned during his 40 years of service at the shipyard and reminded the future shipbuilders of the importance of their daily work.

Quality wastewater treatment is the driving force behind the daily operation of Owens Manufacturing & Specialty Co. For more than 20 years, its Kleen Tank product has worked in the marine and offshore markets to ensure that clean water is the rule, not the exception. Owens, unlike many other marine manufacturers, was founded to provide marine industry solutions, not vice versa, and its product line has since expanded to additional land-based applications. Owens originally designed Marine Sanitation Devices and systems for small boats, ships and offshore platforms. The need for an environmentally sound and operationally successful packaged sanitation device for commercial business, subdivisions, and single homes prompted the development of our additional plants.

Quest Specialty Chemicals, a leader in the specialty coatings industry, appoints 'Marj' Shymske president of its subsidiary. With over 30 years of experience in sales, marketing and management, with an emphasis on assembling effective teams and successful business expansion, Shymske is an established leader in the building materials industry. Shymske’s substantial experience in both Fortune 500 and private equity owned environments, ranging from building sales organizations to developing go to market strategies…

Willbros Group Inc. announced that P. G. Rogers, 66, chairman of one of its operating units, Rogers & Phillips Inc., will retire from the company effective March 1, 2002. Rogers has served as chairman of Rogers & Phillips since 1997. From 1992 to 1997, he was president of the company. Prior to forming Rogers & Phillips, Rogers served as vice president of Rogers and McNorton in Houston from 1977 to 1992. William R. & Phillips Inc. Phillips has served as president of the company since 1997. He had previously held the position of vice president of the company from 1992 to 1997. Alan G. Owens, 46, has been promoted to president of Rogers & Phillips Inc. He had previously served as vice president and chief operating officer. From 1993 to 1996 he was in project management.

Conoco, Inc's Domestic Marine Division, Houston, Texas has taken delivery of the first of four 75-ft. by 30-ft. by 10-ft. towboats that feature design, safety and environmental improvements over existing vessels working the inland waterways and the ICWW. Conoco, Inc., merged with Phillip Petroleum Company on August 30, 2002 to form ConocoPhillips a company with $75 billion in assets. The Conoco Marine Division has seven towboats and 14 barges. These 2,000 hp twin-screw vessels are being built by Orange Shipbuilding, Orange, Texas, a division of Conrad Industries of Morgan City, La. and will replace older vessels. "We are raising the bar for towboat design…

Simon Owens has been named as CMA CGM UK's first Cadet of the Year just over one year since joining the company's cadet training program which is an integral part of its participation in the UK Tonnage Tax Regime. Simon is one of the seven cadets initially recruited by CMA CGM UK in 2004. At present, the company has 16 cadets under training at various colleges in the UK and a further 11 will be recruited this year. Cadet recruits join a three-year training program with courses onshore and at sea to learn skills in navigation or engineering. Simon, who is 25, is studying for a HND to become a marine engineering officer and has obtained good results both in his examinations, as well as excellent appraisals during his periods at sea.

Bisso Towboat Co., Inc., has taken delivery of a new 4,300 hp reverse z-drive ship-assist tug, Alma S. Constructed at Main Iron Works, Houma, LA, the 100 x 38 x 13.5 ft., Alma S. is powered by two EMD 16-645E6 main engines, producing 2150 hp, each at 900 rpm, which drive two Ulstein-Aquamaster US 2001 Z-drives. The Z-drives feature 90.6 in. diameter x 82.4 in. pitch stainless steel propellers set in stainless steel Kort Nozzles and the estimated bollard pull is 60 tons. Electrical service is provided by a pair of 100 KW generators powered by John Deere 6068TMGK engines. Deck equipment includes a Markey DYSF-42 hydraulic bow winch, with render/recovery feature and equipped with 500 ft. of 8 in. circumference Plasma line and a 100-ton Washington Chain and Supply quick-release tow hook.

Caterpillar Inc. hosted President George W. Bush at the company's manufacturing facility in East Peoria, Illinois, where the President commended Caterpillar for successfully demonstrating that U.S. companies can successfully compete on the world stage. "The U.S. and global economy have benefited from the President's pro-growth tax and free trade policies, which have stimulated strong economic growth," said Caterpillar Chairman and CEO Jim Owens while introducing the President. During his visit, the President highlighted free trade agreements put in place during his administration, which have benefited companies like Cat. The machines and products made in East Peoria and at Caterpillar facilities across the U.S. are shipped throughout the world.

Bisso Towboat Co., Inc. announced the delivery of its new 4,000 HP ASD tractor tug Michael S. Constructed at Main Iron Works, Houma, LA, the 100 by 38 by 13.5-ft Michael S. is powered by two Cat 3516B main engines, producing 2,000 hp each at 1,600 RPM, which drive two Ulstein-Aquamaster US205 MK2 z-drives. The Z-drives feature 90.6 inch diameter by 82.4 inch pitch four blade stainless steel propellers set in stainless steel nozzles and the estimated bollard pull is 60 tons. Electrical service is provided by a pair of 99 KW Marathon Mariner generators powered by John Deere 6068TFM76 engines. Deck equipment includes a Markey DYSF-42 hydraulic bow winch equipped with 500 ft of eight inch circumference Plasma line and a Washington Chain and Supply RSRH100 100-ton quick release tow hook.

Tennessees Serodino, Inc. recently built one of their popular Tiger class push boats for their own use. The M/V Charger, like others in the class, is 51.5 by 22.5 ft with a 5.5 ft draft. The hull is constructed of 3/8-inch plate with 1/2-inch plate over the propellers and bilge knuckles. Designed in house, the boat is a sister to a number that the company has built over the years. A pair of updated Tier 2 compliant QSK19-M main engines each powers this most recent version of the vessel. The engines each deliver 600 hp into Twin Disc MGX-5222-DC gears with 4.03:1 reduction.