Maersk Drilling Axes Dozens of Staff
Maersk Drilling USA is laying off 84 employees who work aboard the Maersk Viking (UDW drillship), located in the Gulf of Mexico, and report directly to the company’s office in Houston, Houston Chronicle reported quoting data sent to the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC). The employees, who received notification of the layoffs on Jan. 12, report to the company's office at 2500 CityWest Boulevard. They will continue to work for the next two months until their employment is terminated, according to the WARN notice. The termination will likely be permanent unless the company secures a new contract for the Viking. The Maersk Viking drillship was delivered to Maersk Drilling in February 2014 by Samsung Heavy Industries shipyard in Geoje-Si, South Korea.
TWC Funds Training of 195 Mariners at San Jacinto College
Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) informs that its Chairman, Andres Alcantar, recently visited the San Jacinto College maritime training center to present a $368,173 Skills Development Fund grant for maritime job training. The TWC Skills Development Fund grant will fund training for 195 mariners from Buffalo Marine Services, G&H Towing Co., Higman Barge Lines Inc., and J.A.M. Distributing. Since the start of the San Jacinto College maritime program in 2010, approximately 2,500 U.S. Coast Guard certificates have been awarded to mariners. TWC explains that having a local maritime training center saves companies travel expenses. In the past, mariners were sent out of state for similar training.
RADM Pickavance on College Maritime Program
Rear Adm. William W. Pickavance, Jr. has joined San Jacinto College as a consultant to the maritime program. Pickavance, who served as an officer in the U.S. Merchant Marine, spent 32 years on active duty as a commissioned officer with the U.S. Navy. He will assist with the development of the new San Jacinto College maritime facility along the Port of Houston. The facility will house multiple classrooms, labs, and simulators to increase the amount of U.S. Coast Guard-approved training to mariners.
Keppel AmFELS Delivers Second Scorpion Rig
Lady Sponsor Mrs Brenda Harvey (third from left) is accompanied by (from left) Mr CY Ho, Director of Keppel AmFELS, Mr GS Tan, President of Keppel AmFELS, Mr Michael Harvey, Director of Scorpion, Mr Jon Cole, President and CEO of Scorpion, Mrs Cole, Mr CH Tong, Chairman of Keppel AmFELS, Mr Donny Rials, Project Manager of Scorpion, Mr Oscar Lopez, Project Manager of Keppel AmFELS and Mr Gabe Padilla, Vice-President (Engineering) of Scorpion. Keppel AmFELS Inc., the US wholly-owned subsidiary of Keppel Offshore & Marine Limited (Keppel O&M), has delivered its second jackup drilling rig for Scorpion Offshore (Scorpion) on time and within budget. The delivery of Offshore Defender comes just five months after Keppel AmFELS completed its first jackup rig for Scorpion earlier this year.
