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Technology Associates News

24 Feb 2022

USCG's First Polar Security Cutter to be Named Polar Sentinel

(Image: Halter Marine)

The first ship in the U.S. Coast Guard's Polar Security Cutter program will be named Polar Sentinel, Commandant Admiral Karl Schultz revealed in his 2022 State of the Coast Guard Address, delivered Thursday in Clearwater, Fla.The Polar Security Cutter program is planned to replace the Coast Guard's aging fleet of icebreakers, including the 46-year old heavy icebreaker USCGC Polar Star and 23-year-old medium icebreaker USCGC Healy.Pascagoula, Miss. shipbuilder Halter Marine has been awarded contracts to build the first two Polar Security Cutters, and the U.S.

30 Dec 2021

Halter Marine Awarded Contract for Second USCG Polar Security Cutter

(Credit: Halter Marine and Technology Associates, Inc.)

Pascagoula, Miss. shipbuilder Halter Marine has been awarded a contract to build a second U.S. Coast Guard Polar Security Cutter, the Pentagon announced Wednesday.The $552.7 million detail design and construction contract follows a $745.9 million contract awarded in 2019 to build the first PSC. There is also an option for a third PSC.The Polar Security Cutter program is planned to replace the Coast Guard's existing fleet of icebreakers. The new fleet will allow the USCG to perform missions in the Arctic region…

03 May 2021

S&B Acquires Technology Associates, Inc.

(Image: TAI)

Houston-based engineering company S&B Infrastructure, Ltd. (S&B) on Monday announced it has acquired naval architecture and marine engineering firm Technology Associates, Inc. (TAI). TAI will continue its operations as TAI Engineers, LLC.“This acquisition strengthens our capabilities to design and build even larger government and commercial maritime projects,” said Daniel Rios, S&B Infrastructure President. “We acquired TAI because of our clients’ ever-evolving needs and the organization’s focus on safety, integrity, and client trust—all key values of S&B.

19 Apr 2021

Inside the Red-Hot Offshore Wind Energy Market

Louis Dreyfus Armateurs owned SOV Wind of Change. Photo courtesy Cemre Shipyard

As the traditional offshore oil and gas markets continue to struggle, the renewable offshore wind market is hot and getting hotter.As the cumulative maritime, offshore, port and logistics marketplace gears up for offshore wind energy on a huge scale, World Energy Reports (WER), in its report “2021 The Year When Offshore Wind Takes Off in the United States,” shows the anticipated growth trajectory. Service Operations Vessels (SOVs), which can commission and/or maintain turbines…

10 Mar 2021

You’re Going to Need a Bigger Fleet

(Photo: Dominion Energy)

The U.S. is going to need a fleet of Jones Act-compliant vessels to support its budding offshore wind industry. The good news is that several of these vessels are currently operating or on order. Even better, there are plenty more in the pipeline.In 2016, Rhode Island-based Atlantic Wind Transfers (AWT) put into service the U.S.’ first-ever vessel purpose-built for offshore wind services. The 21-meter crew transfer vessel (CTV) Atlantic Pioneer was constructed by Blount Boats to serve America’s first commercial offshore wind project…

02 Feb 2021

New Jones Act SOV Design Unveiled

(Image: Technology Associates, Inc.)

The U.S. is going to need a fleet of Jones Act compliant vessels to serve its budding offshore wind industry. New Orleans-based Technology Associates, Inc. (TAI) said it has designed a range of EnviroMax diesel-electric hybrid service operation vessel (SOV) to support the installation and maintenance of offshore wind farms.“Growth in the U.S. wind energy industry is inspiring,” said TAI President, Anil Raj PE, “and our TAI EnviroMax series of vessels are designed to be in sync with the environmentally sustainability objectives of U.S.

13 Jul 2020

USCG Polar Security Cutters: The History and Future

Credit: Halter Marine and Technology Associates, Inc.

The good news is that work has commenced on the first new heavy polar icebreaker for the United States Coast Guard in 43 years. The bad news is that when it enters service, projected to occur in FY2024, it will be the first new heavy polar icebreaker for the USCG in 47 years.Meanwhile, Russia has approximately 30 active polar icebreakers, including four that are nuclear powered. Arktika, the first of a new class of three heavy polar icebreakers, has commenced sea trials in the Gulf of Finland, with the other two under construction.

14 Nov 2019

USCG PSC Equals meaningful Polar Presence

An emperor penguin poses for a photo in front of the Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star in McMurdo Sound near Antarctica on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018. The crew of the Seattle-based Polar Star is on its way to Antarctica in support of Operation Deep Freeze 2018, the U.S. military’s contribution to the National Science Foundation-managed U.S. Antarctic Program. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Chief Petty Officer Nick Ameen.

The Coast Guard needs a ship that can do more than just break ice; it needs a multi-mission ship to provide for the nation’s security, asserting its sovereign rights, and protecting its long-term economic interests. That ship is the Polar Security Cutter.Since Russia cashed the check in 1867 for the purchase of Alaska the U.S. has been an Arctic nation. Today, it is one of eight countries that have territorial land or seas above the Arctic Circle or in the polar region (six of those countries have Arctic Ocean coastline or an exclusive economic zone above the Arctic Circle). The U.S.

15 Aug 2019

Shipbuilding Interview: Ron Baczkowski, VT Halter

Ronald Baczkowski is the President and Chief Executive Officer of VT Halter Marine, Inc.

VT Halter in Pascagoula, MS has been on a strong run, capped by its winning the high-profile contract to build the U.S. Coast Guard’s next generation of icebreakers. Maritime Reporter recently spoke with Ron Baczkowski, President and CEO, VT Halter Marine, for insights on the shipyard’s recent success and future prospects. Globally, the shipbuilding industry has gone through some ‘interesting’ times of late. How has it looked from your perspective?The shipbuilding market and activity at VT Halter during the past 12 months has been dynamic.

09 May 2019

USCG Polar Security Cutter Details Unveiled

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)’s next icebreaker is based on a German research vessel, features a unique Finnish propulsion design and is driven by American diesels, shipbuilder VT Halter Marine said.The U.S. Department of the Navy has awarded VT Halter Marine of Pascagoula, Mississippi, as the prime contractor of a $745,940,860 fixed-price incentive-firm contract for the detail design and construction of the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) PSC (formerly the Heavy Polar Icebreaker).VT Halter Marine is teamed with Technology Associates, Inc. (TAI) as the ship designer and, for over two years, has participated in the U.S. Coast Guard’s Heavy Polar Icebreaker Industry Study.The ship design is an evolution from the mature ”Polar Stern II” currently in design and construction…

21 May 2018

New Hydrographic Survey Vessel for USACE

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Norfolk District accepted delivery of a new high-speed foil assisted hydrographic survey vessel, due to be commissioned on May 31, 2018.The all-aluminum catamaran, S/V Ewell, measures 61’-4” length overall with a 24’ beam. The vessel has two levels; the first has survey stations, and a pilot house is on the second level. The vessel has a galley, mess and sleeping accommodations.Designed to conduct hydrographic surveys using sophisticated multibeam and single beam sonars, the new vessel features Norbit Multibeam sonars and single frequency sonars mounted inside a retractable survey pod.Ewell is…

02 Jul 2015

Firefighting Vessel Delivered to the US Army

Photo: TAI

New Orleans based maritime solutions company Technology Associates, Inc. (TAI) informs it has completed its contract for the design and construction of a fast response firefighting vessel delivered to the U.S. Army, in support of U.S. Military Surface Deployment Distribution Command (SDDC) 596th Transportation Brigade (TB), on June 12, 2015. The all-aluminum fast response firefighting vessel, named Port Chicago, measures 75 ft length overall, 20 ft beam, and 10 ft deep. Designed to support the Army's mission of fire protection of the Military Ocean Terminal Concord (MOTCO)…

04 May 2015

Thoma-Sea Launches US-flagged OSV

Photo: TAI

Technology Associates, Inc. (TAI) of New Orleans, La., announced that another derivative of a vessel built from TAI’s EnviroMax designs was launched. Thoma-Sea Marine Constructors, LLC has launched a 6,300 DWT Technology EnviroMax 310 OSV from its Lockport, La. shipyard on April 28. The owner of this vessel is a major oil and gas support vessel company. The EnviroMax 310 vessel is U.S. flagged and will serve worldwide markets. The vessel is being built to the latest ABS rules and has AMS…

03 Jun 2014

Thoma-Sea Launches Two TAI Designed Ships

Regulas (Photo: TAI)

Technology Associates, Inc. (TAI) of New Orleans, La., announced that two derivatives of vessels built from TAI’s EnviroMax designs were both launched this week. Another EnviroMax OSV built from its design was also delivered a week earlier. Thoma-Sea Shipbuilders, has launched the Regulus, a DP 2, FiFi I Offshore Supply Vessel from its Houma, La. shipyard on May 27. The 272' OSV was built to service deep water oil and gas exploration. The vessel has two 2,000 kW Z-drives and two 850kw bow thrusters powered by a total installed power of 7.35 MW.

30 May 2014

TAI Awarded US Army Fireboat Contract

Photo: TAI

Technology Associates, Inc. (TAI) of New Orleans, La., announced that it has been notified by the U.S. Army Contracting Command – Rock Island (ACC-RI) that it has been evaluated as the successful offerer for a contract to design and supply a 75 ft high speed fireboat to the U.S. Army. The fireboat will provide maritime firefighting protection and support at the Military Ocean Terminal Concord (MOTCO) in Concord, California. The U.S. Army will receive this Fast Response Fire Fighting Vessel in support U.S.

17 Apr 2013

Technology Associates Awarded $6.1 Million USCG Contract

Technology Associates, Inc., a New Orleans based Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering firm, announced that it signed a contract with the U.S. Coast Guard to provide engineering services to the Sentinel-class Fast Response Cutter (FRC) patrol craft Project Resident Office located at Bollinger Shipyards in Lockport, La. When options are exercised, the contract will exceed $6.1 million. The Sentinel-class Fast Response Cutter (FRC) is a new Coast Guard patrol boat that is capable of deploying independently to conduct missions that include port, waterways and coastal security; search and rescue; fishery patrols and national defense.

16 Apr 2013

Technology Associates: $6.1m US Coast Guard Contract

Technology Associates, Inc., a New Orleans based Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering firm signed a contract which, when options are exercised, will exceed $6.1m. The contract is with the U.S. Coast Guard and will provide engineering services to the Sentinel-class Fast Response Cutter (FRC) patrol craft Project Resident Office located at Bollinger Shipyards in Lockport, La. The Sentinel-class Fast Response Cutter (FRC) is a new Coast Guard patrol boat that is capable of deploying independently to conduct missions that include port, waterways and coastal security; fishery patrols; search and rescue; and national defense. As part of this contract, TAI will provide professional staff at the project location, as well as positions in other parts of the country to support the contract.

25 Sep 2012

The New Normal for GOM Offshore Vessels?

The RiverHawk AMP

Offshore vessels in the Gulf of Mexico have become more energy efficient in recent years and are polluting less because of changes in engines, bunker fuels and building materials. At the same time, Gulf of Mexico builders have responded to meet new regulations, customer needs. At Harvey Gulf International Marine in New Orleans, Environmental Compliance Coordinator Nicole Eddlemon said “adoption of energy-saving vessels in the U.S. is driven by North American Emission Control Area or ECA regulations, initiated by the Obama Administration and the U.S.

25 Aug 2011

ASCE’s Coastal Ocean Port & Navigation Engineers Honored

ACOPNE Induction Ceremony

Specialty certifications programs are growing in most professions as the knowledge needed to practice continues to rapidly increase. Specialty certification supports the explosion of continuing professional development. The American Society of Civil Engineers’ (ASCE) Academy of Coastal Ocean Port & Navigation Engineers (ACOPNE) held its 6th Diplomate Induction Ceremony to honor 21 of its members for their higher education achievement during its annual meeting Monday, August 22, 2011, in San Diego, Calif.

03 Nov 2010

The Technology EnviroMax Deepwater OSV

Image courtesy Technology Associates, Inc

Technology Associates, Inc (TAI) a New Orleans based Naval Architecture firm which also has an office in India has unveiled its Technology EnviroMax 300 OSV. Utilizing a unique Designer/Builder relationship, this design was developed in conjunction with Thoma‐Sea Shipyards. The design already has up to six vessels under construction at Thoma‐Sea Shipyards’ facilities in Lockport, Laa. Thoma‐ Sea Shipyards acquired this facility from Halter Marine in 2002 and has been using it to build OSV’s up to 270ft.

01 Jul 2010

Thoma-Sea Wins Navy Deal

Thoma-Sea Shipbuilders of Lockport reportedly won a $7.3m contract to build a Catamaran Hull Hydrographic Survey Vessel for the government of Oman, according to a report on www.brahmand.com. This vessel will be built by Thoma-Sea as a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. Thoma-Sea’s partner in this proposal is Technology Associates Inc. (TAI) of New Orleans in Louisiana. TAI prepared the proposal for Thoma-Sea and will be in charge of performing the Design, Program Management and Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) functions for Thoma-Sea.  The Sultanate of Oman will receive this 90-foot vessel, which is designed to conduct hydrographic and environmental surveys of harbors and bays, and will work in Oman’s territorial waters, according to the release. (SOURCE: www.brahmand.com)

20 Jun 2010

Thoma-Sea Shipyards Receives US Navy Contract

Photo courtesy Technology Associates, Inc

Thoma-Sea Ship Builders, LLC of Lockport, La, announced that the U.S. Navy has chosen the company to build a Catamaran Hull Hydrographic Survey Vessel. This vessel will be built by Thoma-Sea as a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) case for the country of Oman. Construction will be managed and supervised by the U.S. Navy. The contract value is approx $7.3m. Thoma-Sea’s partner in this proposal is Technology Associates, Inc (TAI) of New Orleans, La. TAI prepared the proposal for Thoma-Sea and will be in charge of performing the Design…

29 Nov 2007

Technology Associates Opens Office in India

A naval engineering company, has opened an office in India that will double its size. Technology Associates, which has 17 employees in New Orleans, will add 24 workers to the new office by the end of the year, the company announced this week. A shortage of engineering and architectural professionals in New Orleans and in other cities across the country led to the move, said company president Anil Raj. Source: AP