Private Contractor News

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Vicksburg District welcomed home the Dredge Jadwin and crew Nov. 18, 2021, to the Vicksburg Harbor just in time for the holidays.The dredge and crew of around 50 set out May 3, 2021, for their annual season of dredging on the Mississippi and Atchafalaya rivers as well as the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. “The Dredge Jadwin crew’s job is so very important, and we are thankful everyone made it home safely,” said Col. Robert Hilliard, Vicksburg District commander.

In 1875, the General Moultrie was the first suction dredge built in the United States and was used in the Charleston River — until it sank within a year. During the same era, the city of Houston and other port towns formed companies like the Buffalo Bayou Ship Channel Company to build special-purpose vessels to clear and connect waterways for commercial vessel traffic. Toward the end of the 19th century, the cutter suction dredge made its appearance and effectively dug and maintained water channels.

On-site workers acted quickly to contain an oil leak during the final stages of removing the wreck of the MV Miner off Scaterie Island, says the government of Canada’s Nova Scotia province. About 800 litres of oil was collected after a leak occurred during demolition of the wreckage of the MV Miner off Cape Breton's Scaterie Island. “Thankfully, the contractor already had preventative actions in place and contained the spill immediately,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Minister Geoff MacLellan. “No heavy oil got past the containment oil booms and the lobster fishery is not affected. He said no heavy oil got past containment booms that were close to the wreck and the lobster fishery in the area was not affected.

Mumbai Port Trust in their circular No. MbPT Circular No. TM/ID/CIRCULAR/678  has informed about their plan to repair the outer lock gate through a private contractor. Removal of the lock gate on 15th May during day by Port floating crane Shresta, this operation will be from 15th to 20th and resulting in no movements during day ie from 0800 hrs to 1800 hrs from 15th May to 13th September, Indira Dock will be tidal. Since Indira Dock being tidal navigation is possible only during flood tide, which will result in restriction of vessel to loa 152 meters and beam 22.86 meters . There could be only 2/3 movements in each tide and maximum permissible draft will be reduced to 8 mtrs, higher draft will be considered, depending  on tide.

The Senior Dock Master of Mumbai Port in his circular  No. SDM/General/(10)/2014/1632 dated 16th June 2014 has informed that it is has planned to repair the Indira Dock outer lock gate by a private contractor. Accordingly the following schedule will be maintained. Removal of the lock gate on 15th May during day by Port floating crane Shresta, this operation will be from 15th to 20th and resulting in no movements during day ie from 0800 hrs to 1800 hrs. From 15th May to 13th September, Indira Dock will be tidal. Since Indira Dock being tidal Navigation will only be allowed during flood tide, which will result in restriction of vessel to loa 152 meters and beam 22.86 meters.

Mumbai port which is set to carry out repairs to the Outer Lock Gate through a private contractor has informed that shipping operation could get affected during this period. From 15th May to 13th September, Indira Dock will be tidal. Since Indira Dock being tidal only Navigation will only be during flood tide, which will result in restriction of vessel to loa 152 meters and beam 22.86 meters. There could only be 2/3 movements in each tide and maximum permissible draft will be reduced to 8 mtrs, higher draft will be considered, depending  on tide. The officers of CME, DC/ SDM and Dy Traffic Manger is working on the finer aspects and will issue a circular today.

Houston-based maritime law firm Schechter, McElwee, Shaffer & Harris recently obtained what is believed to be one of the largest settlements paid by the United States to a Jones Act seaman. According to court documents, their client, a 58-year-old seaman was working aboard the S.S. Cape Jacob, a military supply ship owned by the United States and operated by private contractor Matson Navigation, Inc.The vessel was docking in the port of Jangu, South Korea, on Aug. 2, 2010, when the man alleged that he was ordered to secure mooring lines to the dock.

Passenger Vessel Association Marks 10th Anniversary of Maritime Security Law; Calls for Reevaluation of TWIC. On the tenth anniversary of the enactment of the landmark Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 (MTSA) (Public Law 107-295), the Passenger Vessel Association (PVA) takes note of the far-reaching security enhancements adopted by the U.S. flagged passenger vessel industry but also calls on Congress to re-evaluate the expensive and unsuccessful Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program.

A new maintenance company with no shipyard experience takes a struggling repair yard, converted from an old cannery, and transforms it into a success story. Alaska Ship & Drydock (ASD) is on its way to achieving its vision of becoming the maritime support center for the North Pacific and Arctic Oceans. The yard’s story is tied to the economic development in Southeast Alaska and its turning point came with the construction of the MV Susitna, the first ice strengthened twin hull ferry, commissioned by the Office of Naval Research.

A fishing vessel spills 300 gallons of diesel near the Gloucester Harbor and its owner immediately calls in a private contractor to begin clean up operations. The U.S. Coast Guard says source of the spill was immediately secured and boom was deployed to contain the fuel in the water near the Western Venture, a 126-ft. vessel from Gloucester. A commercial contractor removed the diesel from the water and efforts will continue to extract any remaining fuel that could be recovered. Crews from Coast Guard stations in Gloucester and Boston together with the Gloucester Fire Department, the state Department of Environmental Protection and the Gloucester Harbormaster were on the scene to monitor clean up operations. Source: AP

Today's commercial vessel owners are becoming increasingly creative in order to extend the life of existing vessels. Typically, a commercial steel hull can last for more than 50 years. However, rugged use may call for extensive repair of a vessel to keep it sailing. Market changes may demand that a vessel originally design for one mission is converted to a new and hopefully more profitable use. Most repair work done in shipyards is for five-year regulatory inspections to meet Coast Guard requirements. Often shafts and props are repaired during this inspection, as are sea chests and rudders. Anodes may be replaced as well. A high profile…

Today's commercial vessel owners are becoming increasingly creative in order to extend the life of existing vessels. Typically, a commercial steel hull can last for more than 50 years. However, rugged use may call for extensive repair of a vessel to keep it sailing. Market changes may demand that a vessel originally design for one mission is converted to a new and hopefully more profitable use. Most repair work done in shipyards is for five-year regulatory inspections to meet Coast Guard requirements. Often shafts and props are repaired during this inspection, as are sea chests and rudders. Anodes may be replaced as well. A high profile…