Steve Sawyer News

Even if the diesel engine's scandal-driven fall from grace pushes it out of the world's passenger cars, an increasing need for it on ships, in trucks and heavy industry could save the refineries that invested heavily in producing the fuel. The unfolding crisis that kicked off when Volkswagen falsified U.S. car emissions has spurred a litany of changes at vehicle manufacturers, which are now putting their cash behind electric cars, or back to gasoline engines. "I'm not concerned for refineries," said Steve Sawyer, head of refining with consultants FGE. Although oil refiners disagree over how quickly the global market will turn its back on fossil-fuel-powered cars, the shipping industry is set to turn to low-sulphur diesel in droves due to new regulations.

The Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) launched a new report: “Supply Chain, Port Infrastructure and Logistics Study” for offshore wind development in the states of Gujarat and Tamil Nadu in India. This study is a significant step forward in preparing a roadmap for offshore wind power in India by the GWEC led FOWIND consortium. The key supply chain elements of the offshore wind sector are assessed along with a preliminary evaluation of companies entering the offshore wind sector. As part of the supply chain assessment, port infrastructure and logistics are reviewed, identifying key component specifications, vessel requirements and installation strategies.

Sea Tow Clarks Hill Lake, S.C. & Ga., Capt. Jon Gridley Recognized for July 4th Rescue. Capt. Jon G. Gridley, co-owner of Sea Tow Clarks Hill Lake, South Carolina and Georgia, was honored with an international life-saving award by AFRAS (the Association for Rescue at Sea, Inc.) at the 25th Anniversary C-PORT (Conference of Professional Operators for Response Towing) Annual Meeting on January 9 at the Grand Hyatt in Tampa, Fla. The AFRAS C-PORT Award, which recognizes extraordinary bravery exhibited by a member of C-PORT during an on-water rescue, was presented to Capt. Gridley and his friend, Jim Masiongale, who also participated in the incident, by Steve Sawyer, president of AFRAS and retired captain, U.S. Coast Guard Office of Search and Rescue, at an awards ceremony on Monday night.

Every March, the cruise industry gathers in Miami, Fla. for the Sea Trade Cruise Shipping Convention - which usually sometime during March. Just in time to relieve the mid-winter blahs, this year's Convention will be held from March 3-6, 2003 at its "homeport" of the Miami Beach Convention Center. With last year's total attendance tallying in at 10,041, and 1,216 conference delegates, the conference boasted more than 1,000 exhibitors. Beginning on Tuesday, March 4, from 9 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Featuring some of cruise's heavy hitters, such as Pam Conover, president & COO of Cunard Line; Bob Dickinson, president Carnival Cruise Lines; Howard Frank, vice chairman & COO Carnival Cruise Lines; Gregg Michel, president Crystal Cruises; Richard D.