Richard Marler News

11 N. With four yards, Signal offers new construction, rig and ship repair, offshore and technical services. The new construction facility in Orange, Texas has undergone a major transformation over the past several years, including the addition of a new panel line and steel processing facility. The Pascagoula facility handles rig fabrication and repair and has improved automation as well as dredging a deep hole for thruster work and space for storage of offshore equipment. The 30,000 ton Dual Carrier/heavy lift dry dock is located at this facility.

Signal International has announced delivery of the MARMAC 304, the second new 300’ x 100’ x 20’ ABS ocean classed deck barge built for McDonough Marine Service by Signal’s Orange, TX Division this year. The barge was designed with an ABS load line maximum cargo capacity of 13,200 short tons and uniform deck strength of 4,500 lbs/sq. ft. It will be ready for charter through McDonough Marine Service in September and eventually will be fleeted in Amelia, La. “Using modular construction techniques we are capable of a highly efficient and cost competitive operation with unequaled quality.

Signal International, Inc., announced that work toward the design of an Articulated Tug/Barge Hopper Dredge for Great Lakes Dredge and Dock (GLDD) has been discontinued. Signal and GLDD entered into a contract for both the design and build of an AT/B Hopper Dredge in August 2012, with construction originally scheduled to begin in January 2013. According to Signal, the project has undergone numerous delays and construction has not started due to a series of major design changes initiated by GLDD.

Federal Judge Sides with Signal - Denies Class Certification of all former H2B worker claims. Signal International L.L.C., a leading Gulf of Mexico provider of marine and fabrication services headquartered in Mobile, Alabama received news of a complete victory in the case pending in the Eastern District of Louisiana with regard to class certification of claims against it alleging human trafficking, slave labor and fraud, among other claims. In denying class certification, United States District Judge Jay C. Zainey, observed with regard to the allegations made against Signal, “[t]o the contrary, this case involves paid workers who in fact could leave their jobs at any time, albeit under penalty of returning to their home countries but that restriction was dictated by U.S. immigration law.

In the June 2010 edition of Maritime Reporter & Engineering News (www.marinelink.com), we had the opportunity to meet with Richard Marler, Chairman, President and CEO of Signal International, on the sidelines of OTC to discuss his company’s rapid growth and promising future. What is the primary focus of Signal International? RM     Our principal focus is offshore drilling rig and ship overhaul, repair, upgrade and conversion. Additionally, we provide services to the general marine and heavy fabrication markets and are moving into shipbuilding. When and why did you start Signal?