Green Point Marine

New Antennas from Sea Tel

2008-11-10T06:14:00.000-08:00

Seatel new Model ST 14 TVRO antenna_webSea Tel has released the first USAT (Ultra Small Aperture Terminal) antenna.

Sea Tel announced a smaller, lighter 60 cm antenna system, the first 60 cm marine antenna to meet FCC’s and ETSI’s specification allowing multi mode use with Spread Spectrum, TDMA and SCPC services. The USAT 24 is aimed at Coastal trading vessels and inland craft. Services are currently being Beta trialed with a number of modem providers including Hughes, Viasat, iDirect, and STM on a number of satellite operator’s footprints world-wide. Service in Europe and the US is expected to start in the 4th Quarter of 2008.Sea Tel also introduced the newest and smallest in its line of TVRO antenna systems. The ST14 antenna is just 16 lbs with an 18” radome.The ST14 features a different design than Sea Tel’s previous antenna systems.

The new pedestal assembly is made of a nylon polyamide injection molding that is used on aircraft antennas. The physical properties of this material include very good heat and moisture resistance, excellent chemical resistance, and superior strength and wear resistance.The ST14 has many of the same features as Sea Tel’s Coastal line of antennas.

This includes ...

Built-in GPS for fast satellite acquisition

DVB (digital video broadcasting) signal identification

Sea-Tel’s proprietary antenna control and fast-track signal lock software

PLUS stabilization and satellite tracking even in inclement weather.

The ST14 is DiSEqC compliant and is fully compatible with Dish Network and Bell TV HDTV services. The ST14 can change satellites automatically when the satellite receiver changes to a channel that is on a secondary satellite.The ST14 will be available in early 2009 and is ideal for vessels 25’ and above.

(www.seatel.com)

Navy to Commission First LCS

2008-11-10T06:13:00.000-08:00

The Navy's first littoral combat ship (LCS) Freedom will be commissioned Saturday, Nov. 8, 2008, during a 10 a.m. EST ceremony at Veterans Park, Milwaukee, Wis. Secretary of the Navy Donald Winter will deliver the ceremony's principal address. Birgit Smith, the ship's sponsor, is the widow of Army Sgt. 1st Class Paul Ray Smith, who was killed in action during Operation Iraqi Freedom and was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

The commissioning ceremony will be highlighted by a time-honored Navy tradition when Smith gives the first order to "man our ship and bring her to life!"The name of the new ship acknowledges the enduring foundation of our nation and honors all American communities which bear the name Freedom to include towns in California, Indiana, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Wyoming. As the initial LCS, the 378-foot Freedom will be the first to carry this class designation. Freedom (LCS 1) is one of two LCS seaframes being produced. Independence (LCS 2) was christened by the Navy on Oct. 4, 2008. Freedom will be a platform for launch and recovery of manned and unmanned vehicles.

Its modular design will support interchangeable mission packages, allowing the ship to be reconfigured for antisubmarine warfare, mine warfare, or surface warfare missions on an as-needed basis. The LCS will be able to swap out mission packages pierside in a matter of days, adapting as the tactical situation demands.

These ships will also feature advanced networking capability to share tactical information with other Navy aircraft, ships, submarines and joint units. Freedom is an innovative combatant designed to operate quickly in shallow water environments to counter challenging threats in coastal regions, specifically mines, submarines and fast surface craft. The LCS is capable of speeds in excess of 40 knots and can operate in water less than 20 feet deep. Freedom will be manned by one of two rotational crews, Blue and Gold, similar to the rotational crews assigned to Trident submarines.

The crews will be augmented by one of three mission package crews during focused mission assignments. The Blue Crew commanding officer is Cmdr. Donald Gabrielson, a native of Hibbing, Minn. The Gold Crew commanding officer is Cmdr. Michael Doran, a native of Harrisonville, Mo. Freedom will be homeported at Naval Station San Diego, Calif., as part of the Pacific Fleet.

In May 2004, the Department of Defense awarded both Lockheed Martin Corp., Maritime Systems & Sensors in Moorestown, N.J., and General Dynamics-Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine, separate contract options for final system design, with options for detail design and construction of up to two flight 0 LCS ships. In December 2004, the Navy awarded Lockheed Martin Corp. the contract for detail design and construction of the first LCS. Lockheed Martin's teammates include Gibbs & Cox in Arlington, Va.; Marinette Marine Corp. in Marinette, Wis., where the ship was built; and Bollinger Shipyards in Lockport, La.

(Source: Naval News Service)

NYC – USS Bataan Arrives

2008-11-10T06:11:00.000-08:00

Nearly 1,500 Sailors and Marines arrived in New York City Nov. 5 aboard the multi-purpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) to celebrate Veteran's Day events. Upon completion of this week's port visit, Bataan will continue at-sea training to prepare for their upcoming 2009 deployment.Bataan is the fifth ship of the Navy's Wasp-class ships. She was commissioned Sept. 20, 1997 and is the second U.S. Navy warship to bear the name. CVL-29 was an Independence-class light aircraft carrier that was commissioned in November 1943. After serving in both World War II and the Korean conflict, CVL-29 was decommissioned in 1954.

(Source: Naval News Service)

New Navy Contracts

2008-11-10T06:02:00.000-08:00

Swiftships Shipbuilders, LLC, Morgan City, La., is being awarded a $13,414,450 firm-fixed price contract for the design and construction of two 28 meter coastal patrol craft for the government of Egypt. The coastal patrol craft is used for coastal surveillance, search and rescue, response to emergency situations, and security assistance. Work will be performed in Morgan City, La., and is expected to completed by May 2010.

Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-09-C-2210). Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding – Newport News, Newport News, Va., is being awarded a $6,457,805 cost-plus-fixed fee, level of effort contract modification to previously awarded contract (N62793-07-C-0001) for continuation of FY09 advance planning efforts to prepare and make ready for the defueling and inactivation of the USS Enterprise and its reactor plants. This effort will provide for all advanced planning, shipchecks, design, documentation, engineering, procurement, fabrication and preliminary shipyard or support facility work.

This contract modification also includes options for additional advance planning efforts through FY10-13 of Enterprise, and an option for FY13 advance planning efforts for inactivation of the Surface Ship Support Barge. The total estimated amount if all options are exercised is $282,021,379. Work will be performed in Newport News, Va., and is expected to completed by Sept. 30, 2009. Contract funds in the amount of $6,457,805 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion and Repair, Newport News, Va., is the contracting activity.

(Source: Department of Defense)

Report: Coast Guard Stripped of Buying Power

2008-11-10T06:01:00.001-08:00

In a dramatic move, the Department of Homeland Security reportedly has stripped acquisition decision authority from the Coast Guard in the wake of the service's management of the Deepwater program, a new fleet of ships and sensors designed to meet post 9/11 threats, according to a report on Military.com. The Coast Guard joins the Air Force and National Reconnaissance Office in having its ability to purchase big-ticket items withdrawn.

(Source: Military.com)

ST Marine Awarded $3m Contract

2008-11-03T13:06:00.000-08:00

ST Marine Awarded $3m ContractSingapore Technologies Marine Ltd (ST Marine) announced that it has been awarded a $3m contract from Bluestone Offshore Pte Ltd (Bluestone Offshore), a Singapore-based company specializing in deepwater geotechnical analysis.ST Marine will convert Bluestone Topaz, a Remotely Operated Vessel (ROV) cum Platform Supply Vessel to a geotechnical survey vessel at its main yard in Benoi.

This is Bluestone’s first vessel as it enters into the subsea market’s niche segment of deepwater geotechnical analysis.Bluestone Topaz, measuring 72m in length with a 6.5m depth and maximum deadweight tonne of 2,180, is expected to be redelivered by end 2008. ST Marine’s retrofitting work includes the construction of a new moonpool complete with cover as well as to fabricate and install a new mezzanine deck, tween deck and platform. The vessel will be upgraded and equipped with a derrick system capable of operating in water depths of up to 1,800 meters, suitable for major offshore locations.ST Marine is the marine arm of ST Engineering. Bluestone Offshore Pte Ltd is a deepwater geotechnical survey company. Headquartered in Singapore, Bluestone started operations in 2007 and expects to be fully operational by January 2009 with the launch of its first vessel, Bluestone Topaz.

(www.stengg.com)

Star Beta Enters Time Charter

2008-11-03T13:05:00.001-08:00

Star Beta Enters Time CharterStar Bulk Carriers Corp. (NASDAQ:SBLK) announced that the 1993-built Capesize vessel M/V Star Beta has entered into period employment with Brazil's Companhia Vale do Rio Doce (Vale) for a minimum of two and a maximum of four months at the gross daily rate of $15,500 for the first 50 days and $25,000 for the days beyond 50 plus a repositioning ballast bonus of $525,000.Following this employment, Star Bulk's contracted fleet operating days under time charter in 2008, 2009 and 2010 is currently 100%, 80% and 66% respectively.

Akis Tsirigakis, President and CEO of Star Bulk, commented: "This contract minimizes our exposure to the volatile shipping markets we are currently experiencing as all of our vessels are contracted for the remainder of 2008."Star Bulk is a global shipping company providing seaborne transportation solutions in the dry bulk sector. Star Bulk's vessels transport major bulks, which include iron ore, coal and grain and minor bulks such as bauxite, fertilizers and steel products.Star Bulk was incorporated in the Marshall Islands on December 13, 2006 and is headquartered in Athens, Greece. Its common stock and warrants trade on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbols "SBLK" and "SBLKW" respectively. Currently, Star Bulk has an operating fleet of twelve dry bulk carriers. The total fleet consists of four Capesize and eight Supramax dry bulk vessels with an average age of approximately 9 years and a combined cargo carrying capacity of 1,106,250 deadweight tons.

(www.starbulk.com)

New Navy Contracts

2008-11-03T13:04:00.000-08:00

New Navy ContractsBechtel Plant Machinery Inc., Pittsburgh, Pa., is being awarded a $605,030,234 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-07-C-2102) for additional naval nuclear propulsion components. Work will be performed in Pittsburgh, Pa. (68 percent) and Schenectady, N.Y. (32 percent). Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. No completion date or additional information is provided on contracts supporting the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program.

The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, D.C., is the contracting activity.Science Applications International Corp., San Diego, Calif., is being awarded a $9,933,738 indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity, firm fixed price contract for the acquisition of various quantities of Digital Video Surveillance Systems (DVSS) for installation on U.S. Navy Surface Combatant Ships and technical support.

The required Digital Video Surveillance Systems is one of four core DDG Modernization alterations designed to reduce workload in the Central Control Station and Bridge on DDG 51 Class Destroyers. Work will be performed in San Diego, Calif., and is expected to be completed by Oct. 2013.Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.This contract was competitively procured via Federal Business Opportunities, with three offers were received. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division, Ship Systems Engineering Station, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity (N65540-09-D-0002).

(Source: Department of Defense)

USS Michigan Completed Early

2008-11-03T13:03:00.000-08:00

USS Michigan Completed EarlyUSS Michigan (SSGN 727) undocked in late October, five days early, at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PSNS & IMF).Michigan was at PSNS & IMF for a planned five-month major maintenance period. While Michigan’s maintenance availability was scheduled in advance, the full extent of the necessary work isn’t always known until the ship is drydocked.

The Trident maintenance plan objectives include all the maintenance to be performed to allow the ship to operate safely and unrestricted during prescribed operating cycles, operating intervals, and for its prescribed service life.Execution of the maintenance plan ensures that the ship operates safely and unrestricted while at sea and, maximizing their operational availability.PSNS & IMF, a Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) field activity, is one of four public shipyards that play a major role in maintaining America’s fleet and providing wartime surge capability to keep the nation’s ships ready for combat. Customer service is important in every business. For NAVSEA, serving our customers in the Fleet is our top priority.

(Source: NAVSEA)

$77K Raised for Maritime Training

2008-11-03T13:02:00.000-08:00

$77K Raised for Maritime TrainingMembers of the commercial community of the Port of Houston, America’s second largest Port in terms of total tonnage, met last week in support of the Seamen’s Church Institute (SCI).At the Fourth Annual Maritime Training Benefit Luncheon, the area’s leading maritime transportation companies assembled for a fundraiser at the Institute’s training center in Houston.

The October 22nd event raised over $77,000 for SCI’s Center for Maritime Education, which provides training for thousands of professional inland captains and pilots.An area hit in September by destructive Hurricane Ike, many operations in the Port sustained damage from the powerful storm, including SCI’s Center located within the 25-mile-long complex. “We were concerned with the safety and needs of the Port’s community and their families,” said the Rev. David M. Rider, Executive Director of SCI. “We wondered if continuing with the scheduled luncheon was the right thing to do.”Rider continued, “This luncheon, in spite of recent events, including the global economic crisis, raised even more money than the previous year. These companies have a strong commitment to their employees and the high quality training they receive at SCI’s facilities.”

The speaker at this year’s event, Ed Emmett, County Judge of Harris County, also praised the Port community and talked of a future with continued growth and valuable assets.Dennis Steger of Channel Shipyard underwrote the cost of this year’s luncheon. Chairs of the event were Joseph H. Pyne and C. Berdon Lawrence of Kirby Corporation.About the Seamen’s Church Institute and Maritime EducationThe Seamen’s Church Institute of New York & New Jersey (SCI) was founded in 1834 and is affiliated with the Episcopal Church. Annually, its chaplains visit 3,400 vessels in the Port of New York and New Jersey and along 2,200 miles of America’s inland waterways. SCI’s maritime education facilities provide navigational training to nearly 1,600 mariners each year through simulator-based facilities located in Houston, TX and Paducah, KY.

The Institute and its maritime attorneys are advocates for merchant mariners by the United States Government, including the Congress, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Department of Homeland Security, as well as the United Nations, the International Maritime Organization, the International Labor organization and maritime trade associations.SCI opened its maritime training center in Houston, Texas in 2001.

(www.seamenschurch.org)

USCG – AIS Alert

2008-11-03T13:01:00.000-08:00

USCG – AIS AlertThe US Coast Guard issued a Safety Alert advising users of new Automatic Identification System (AIS) Class B devices to not assume that they are being ‘seen’ by all other AIS users or that their information is available to all AIS users. Users of out-dated AIS software are advised to update their systems as soon as practicable.

(Source: Holland & Knight)

UK - Ship Owner Pleads Guilty

2008-11-03T13:00:00.000-08:00

UK - Ship Owner Pleads GuiltyAt a hearing yesterday in Folkestone Magistrates Court, the owner of a coaster pleaded guilty to three Merchant Shipping safety offences following a collision with the East Goodwin Light Vessel on 27th February 2007.The Antigua and Barbuda registered coaster, Jerome H, was on passage from Dagenham in Essex to Belfast in Northern Ireland. In the early hours of the 27th February 2007, the vessel struck the East Goodwin Light Vessel.

The collision seriously damaged the light vessel which had to be removed from station for repairs. The Jerome H continued on to Belfast.Investigations showed that the Mate was alone on the bridge. He had been doing paperwork on an aft facing desk in the moments leading up to the collision. It was also discovered that the routine onboard was for the designated lookout to remain below in the mess room.Further investigations showed that the vessel did not have adequate charts onboard for the voyage between Dagenham and Belfast. It also had inadequate charts for the next voyage.

The owners of the Jerome H, Helms Reederai Jerome H KG of Wilhelmshaven in Germany, pleaded guilty to a breach of Rule 5 of the Colregs (failure to keep a good lookout) and two breaches of the ISM Code (failing to provide adequate charts and failure to comply with regulations concerning the provision of lookouts at night). They were fined $5,884 (£3700) and ordered to pay costs of $20,672 (£13000).The magistrates said “They took into account the serious nature of the collision. They also took into account the serious nature of the damage to the light vessel which is situated in one of the busiest shipping lanes. When not in use, this puts other vessels at risk.”Mr. Paul Coley, Assistant Director Seafarers and Ships at the MCA, said, “This collision was caused by the failure to keep a good lookout. It resulted in a major navigation aid being severely damaged. The Mate was alone on the bridge of this vessel in contravention of UK, Flag state and International requirements. The regulations are clear that a lookout is required on the bridge at night.”Vessels should be manned and operated so that this fundamental requirement is maintained adequately within their maximum allowed hours of work.

(Source: UK Maritime Coastguard Agency)

UK –Near Miss in Dover Strait TSS

2008-11-03T12:59:00.000-08:00

UK –Near Miss in Dover Strait TSSThe UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) issued a summary of its preliminary examination of a near miss incident that occurred in the Dover Strait Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) on 10 July 2008 between a bulk carrier and a product tanker:At 0438 UTC on 10 July 2008 a close-quarters situation occurred between the bulk carrier Barbara and the product tanker Maersk Borneo in the Dover Strait Traffic Separation Scheme in good visibility. The incident occurred outside UK territorial waters.

Maersk Borneo was following the south-west traffic lane on a course of 233º at a speed of 12 knots and had a cargo of ammonium nitrate. Barbara had departed Antwerp in ballast for passage to Barcarena, Brazil, and was joining the south-west traffic lane from the east on a course of 298º, also at a speed of 12 knots. As the vessels closed, the OOW on board Maersk Borneo identified that there was a risk of collision and that Barbara was the ‘give way’ vessel.When Barabara did not take any action, the OOW on board Maersk Borneo attempted to call the approaching vessel several times on various VHF radio channels; no replies were heard.

The vessel was also called by CNIS Dover, which was monitoring the situation, but again there was no response. The vessels continued to close so the OOW on board Maersk Boneo altered course broadly to starboard, eventually completing a 360º turn to avoid a collision.

(www.maib.gov.uk)

USS New Hampshire Joins Fleet

2008-10-28T10:08:00.000-07:00

USS New Hampshire (SSN 778), the Navy's newest nuclear-powered attack submarine and the fifth of the Virginia-class, was brought to life Oct. 25 during a commissioning ceremony at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.

Cheryl McGuinness served as the ship's sponsor, and gave the order to man the ship. McGuinness is the widow of Lt. Cmdr. Thomas McGuinness, a veteran Navy pilot and a co-pilot on American Airlines Flight 11 that was flown into the North Tower of the World Trade Center by terrorists Sept. 11, 2001.

More than 3,500 guests, including the crew's family and friends, submarine veterans and Portsmouth shipyard workers, attended the ceremony welcoming the submarine as the fourth naval vessel to be named New Hampshire. Approximately 1,000 additional residents of Portsmouth watched the ceremony on closed circuit television in Portsmouth's Prescott Park, across the Piscataqua River, within sight of the ceremony at PNS.
Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH) served as the principal speaker during the ceremony. He praised the men of USS New Hampshire, the shipyard workers, and paid special tribute to the family members.

In addition to all the dignitaries present was a special group of school children. Students from Garrison Elementary School in Dover, N.H., started a letter-writing campaign in 2004, requesting the submarine bear the name of their state.
This is the first time in 12 years that two submarines of the same class have been commissioned in the same year. USS North Carolina (SSN 777) was commissioned in May. Cost-reduction initiatives resulted in USS New Hampshire being delivered eight months early and $54 million under budget.

source: marinelink.com

Navy Contracts Awarded

2008-10-28T10:07:00.001-07:00

Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding - Newport News, Va. is being awarded a $300,705,466 cost plus fixed fee contract for continuation of the refueling complex overhaul advance-planning efforts for the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) and its reactor plants.
This effort will continue to provide for advanced planning, shipchecks, design, documentation, engineering, procurement, fabrication and preliminary shipyard or support facility work to prepare for and make ready for the refueling, overhaul, modernization and routine work.
Work will be performed in Newport News, Va. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-07-C-2117).

Honeywell Technology Solutions, Inc., Columbia, Md., is being awarded an $8,475,973 modification to a previously awarded cost plus fixed fee contract (N00421-05-C-0002) to exercise an option for engineering and logistics services in support of the Light Airborne Multi-purpose System MKIII AN/SRQ-4 data link.
The estimated level of effort for this option is 124,000 man-hours. Work will be performed in Lexington Park, Md. (51 percent) and St. Inigoes, Md. (49 percent) and is expected to be completed in October 2009.Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, St. Inigoes, Md., is the contracting activity.

(Source: U.S. Department of Defense)

LCS 1 Leaves Marinette

2008-10-28T10:04:00.000-07:00

The U.S. Navy’s first Littoral Combat Ship, the future USS Freedom (LCS 1), sailed away from the Marinette Marine Corp., shipyard in Marinette, Wisc., Oct. 24. en route to Duluth, Minn., for a four-day port visit beginning Oct. 27. The trip from Marinette to Duluth will be the first leg in the ship’s transit to Norfolk, Va., where the ship will undergo fleet testing and evaluation.

Last month, the Navy officially accepted delivery of Freedom from the Lockheed Martin/Marinette Marine/Gibbs and Cox team. Prior to delivery, the Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) conducted Acceptance Trials aboard LCS 1 Aug. 17-21. INSURV recommended that the Chief of Naval Operations authorize delivery of the ship.
Freedom-class ships will help the U.S. Navy defeat growing littoral, or close-to-shore, threats including mine warfare, anti-submarine warfare and surface warfare. Littoral combat ships are fast, easy to maneuver, and are equipped with interchangeable mission modules that allow commanders to meet changing warfare needs.
Freedom is scheduled to commission Nov. 8 in Milwaukee.

source: marinelink.com

Navy Accepts Truxtun

2008-10-28T10:03:00.000-07:00

The Navy accepted delivery of the guided-missile destroyer Truxtun (DDG 103) from Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding (NGSB) during a ceremony Oct. 24 in Pascagoula, Miss.
Truxtun successfully completed acceptance trials Oct. 3, and the ship got underway Sept. 30 from NGSB Pascagoula for a multi-day trial in the Gulf of Mexico. All major systems and equipment, including the ship’s Aegis combat system, were tested by the Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey.

Truxtun is the 53rd Arleigh Burke class guided-missile destroyer. The ship will conduct a variety of operations, from peacetime presence and crisis management to sea control and power projection. The ship’s combat system centers around the Aegis combat system and the SPY-lD(V), multi-function phased array radar.

The new destroyer honors Commodore Thomas Truxtun (1755-1822) who was selected as one of the Navy’s first six captains on June 4, 1798. He was assigned command of one the Navy’s new frigates, USS Constellation, and he put to sea to prosecute the undeclared naval war with revolutionary France. On Feb. 9, 1799, Truxtun scored the first of his two most famous victories. After an hour's fight, Constellation battered the French warship L’Insurgente into submission in one of the most illustrious battles of the Quasi-War with France. Truxtun retired from the Navy as a commodore and has had five previous ships carry his name: a brig launched in 1842, DD 14, DD 229, APD 98 (initially DE 282), and DLGN/CGN 35.

Cmdr. Timothy R. Weber will become the first commanding officer of the ship and will lead the crew of 276 officers and enlisted personnel. The 9,200-ton Truxtun is being built by NGSB Ingalls Operations, Pascagoula. The ship is 510 feet in length, has a waterline beam of 59 feet, and a navigational draft of 31 feet. Four gas turbine engines will power the ship to speeds in excess of 30 knots.
The future USS Truxtun is scheduled to be commissioned in spring 2009.

source: marinelink.com

Boatswain’s Open New Office

2008-10-28T10:01:00.000-07:00

Boatswain’s Locker opened a new sales and service branch in Alameda, Calif., with the purchase of the assets of PSA Marine Service from its owner, Paul Steven Abreu. This branch will be led by Paul Abreu, who is now the Northern California Branch Supervisor. Abreu began his boating career in 1973, starting at the bottom as a helper at Crook’s Boats in Caster Valley. He later became heavily involved in both racing and servicing high performance boats. By 1978, Abreu had his own shop.

Abreu is certified as a Master Marine Mechanic for Mercury outboard and sterndrive engines. He also has experience with diesel engines, transmissions, generators, and a variety of other vessel systems.

Founded in 1939 in Newport Beach, California, Boatswain’s Locker has provided sales and service of marine engine products for both recreational and commercial vessels for over 69 years. Boatswain’s Locker is the distributor for Yanmar Marine Diesel Engines, Kohler Marine Generators, Hamilton Waterjet Propulsion Systems, Velvet Drive Transmissions, ZF Transmissions, as well as commercial marine engines from Mitsubishi, Scania and Iveco for the Southwest U.S., Hawaii, and Mexico.Boatswain’s Locker is also an Authorized Dealer for MerCruiser inboard and sterndrive marine engines.

The new branch is located at 2394-A Mariner Square Drive, Alameda, CA 94501. The facility will be fully operational by the end of October 2008.
www.boatswainslocker.com

source: marinelink.com

Change in WA Ferry Service

2008-10-28T09:59:00.000-07:00

The 90-car ferry Sealth is scheduled to begin service on the Anacortes/San Juan Islands route on Sunday, Oct. 26. This means a slight reduction in vehicle capacity for the route.
Customers on the Anacortes/San Juan Islands route should be aware of the reduction in capacity, but the change should not inconvenience customers. Customers are encouraged to arrive early for their desired sailings.

Sealth is coming out of a nine-week drydock period for planned maintenance. When the Sealth arrives in Anacortes, the 144-car Elwha will head south for three days of service on the Seattle/Bremerton route, and then into drydock until early December for its scheduled maintenance. The other vessels currently serving the Anacortes/San Juan Islands route are the 144-car Yakima and the 124-car Chelan, with the 87-car Evergreen State providing inter-island service.

With a lack of back-up vessels in the ferry system, WSDOT must plan vessel moves to accommodate planned maintenance while minimizing impacts to customers. This becomes especially difficult during the winter maintenance season, when more vessels must be removed from service for annual maintenance and inspections.

source: marinelink.com

Costa Cruises Fleet Expansion

2008-10-23T09:26:00.001-07:00

Work is continuing at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Marghera (Province of Venice) on the construction of the Costa Deliziosa, the 15th member of the fleet belonging to the Italian Company Costa Cruises, which is due to enter service in January 2010.
In the last few days, procedures have been carried out for the installation of the diesel engine generator sets, the engines that produce the power needed for propulsion and shipboard hotel services. The operation involves six engines installed in all, four 162,000 kg, 12-cylinder 12,000 kW generators plus two 117,000 kg, 8-cylinder, 8000 kW engines. Together, they can provide power of around 64 Mw, equivalent to the electricity consumption of a town of over 40,000 inhabitants.

The Costa Deliziosa, which is the sister ship of the Costa Luminosa will be a 92,700 gross tonnage ship with total Guest capacity of 2828. Fincantieri is currently building three new Costa ships in its yards. In addition to the Costa Deliziosa, the Italian ship builder is presently completing the Costa Luminosa and Costa Pacifica (total Guest capacity of 3780 and 114,500 gross tonnage), respectively the 13th and 14th members of the fleet, which are being fitted out in Marghera and Genova-Sestri P. and will be delivered at the end of April and the end of May 2009.

Costa’s fleet expansion program includes the introduction of 5 new ships by 2012, all built in Italy by Fincantieri for a total investment worth 2.4 billion euros. In addition to the Costa Pacifica, Costa Luminosa and Costa Deliziosa, two sister ships of the Costa Pacifica will enter service in spring 2011 and 2012. The Costa Cruises fleet will then be 17-strong and able to carry some 46,400 Guests, an increase of 50% on present capacity, confirming its status as Europe’s biggest cruise fleet.

source: marinelink.com

Arlington Tankers Releases 3Q Results

2008-10-23T09:24:00.000-07:00

Arlington Tankers Ltd. announced financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2008. For the quarter ended September 30, 2008, the Company's total revenues were $17.9 million, consisting of $16.7 million in basic vessel charter hire and $1.2 million in additional charter hire that the Company received under its profit sharing arrangements.
Arlington's Board of Directors has declared a cash dividend of $0.57 per share. The dividend is payable on November 4, 2008 to shareholders of record at the close of business on October 31, 2008.

The additional charter hire earned during the third quarter of 2008 was derived from profit sharing arrangements under the time charters of the Company's V-MAX, Panamax and Product tankers. Of the $1.2 million in additional charter hire, $700,000 was attributed to profit sharing for the two V-MAX vessels. The remaining $500,000 was attributed to additional charter hire from the Company's two Panamax tankers. For these two vessels, the average time charter equivalent rates under the Company's profit sharing agreements over the preceding twelve months were in excess of contractual minimum levels.

The Company's operating expenses during the third quarter of 2008, including depreciation costs of $3.9 million and administrative expenses of $2.7 million were $11.8 million. Included in the $2.7 million of administrative expenses are $2.3 million of expenses incurred in connection with the Company's pending merger with General Maritime Corporation. These merger costs were funded with a portion of the Company's interest rate swap benefit realized in 2005 that had not been previously distributed to shareholders. The Company's interest expense, net of interest income for the third quarter of 2008, was $3.4 million. This expense represents interest under the Company's $229.5 million, secured credit facility with The Royal Bank of Scotland plc.
The Company's net income for the third quarter of 2008 was decreased by an unrealized loss of approximately $270,000, representing the change in the fair value of the Company's interest rate swap arrangement related to its secured credit facility with The Royal Bank of Scotland plc. As a result, the Company's net income for the third quarter of 2008 was $2.4 million, or $0.16 per share. Excluding the expenses incurred in connection with the pending General Maritime merger and the effect of the unrealized loss on the interest rate swap, the Company's net income for the third quarter of 2008 was $4.9 million, or $0.32 per share.

On August 5, 2008, the Company entered into a definitive agreement with General Maritime whereby the two companies will combine in a stock-for-stock combination. Under the terms of the definitive agreement, shareholders of General Maritime will receive 1.340 shares of the combined company for each share of General Maritime held, and shareholders of Arlington Tankers will receive one share of the combined company for each share of Arlington Tankers held. The completion of the proposed merger remains subject to approval by the shareholders of Arlington and General Maritime, and certain other conditions. The transaction is expected to be completed by the end of the fourth quarter of 2008.

All of Arlington's eight vessels are currently trading on time charter contracts to subsidiaries of Stena AB and Concordia Maritime AB. The charters have terms that expire at various dates, with the charters for four vessels expiring in 2009, the charters for two vessels expiring in 2010 and the charters for two vessels expiring in 2011. All of the charter contracts also include options to extend the terms of the charters. During the second quarter of 2008, the Company announced that Stena had exercised the first of its three one-year options for the Stena Companion and Stena Concord, and its 30-month options for the Stena Contest and Stena Concept.

source: marinelink.com

Tug Pilot Testifies at River Crash Hearing

2008-10-23T09:23:00.000-07:00

An improperly licensed and overworked towboat pilot said Tuesday that radar and steering lever problems led him to veer his tug into the path of a tanker along the Mississippi River, leading to a crash and oil spill that shut the major waterway for days. During a Coast Guard fact-gathering hearing into the July 23 collision, John Paul Bavaret II said his towboat, the Mel Oliver, got in the way of a southbound Liberian tanker ship because he became distracted by a malfunctioning radar.

(Source: Associated Press)

Antiterrorism Exercise in Norfolk

2008-10-23T09:21:00.000-07:00

Commander Navy Installations Command (CNIC), in coordination with Naval Station (NAVSTA) Norfolk, took part in Citadel Protect '08, an antiterrorism (AT) ashore/afloat exercise, Oct. 15-16. The exercise's concept of operations gave the training team a chance to eliminate the ashore/afloat team by achieving unity within the operational environment. The exercise only focused on the first step to a threat. Units participating were guided-missile destroyers USS Gonzalez (DDG 66) and USS Bulkeley (DDG 84), and NAVSTA Norfolk installation security from the Sewells Point Police precinct.

The objective of the exercise was to assess AT Navy Mission Essential Tasks (NMETS), and a broad spectrum of primary capabilities such as force integration and safety, and to introduce the position of the antiterrorism tactical watch officer (ATTWO). The ATTWO is the eyes and the voice which actively tells other posts what to do and how to react to a situation through different methods of communication. This exercise was the first of its type, led by CNIC, held on Naval Station (NAVSTA) Norfolk.

(Source: Navy News Service)

Burger Yachts Sales Relocates

2008-10-23T09:20:00.001-07:00

Burger Boat Company announces the relocation of Burger Yacht Sales to better serve both new build and brokerage clients. Burger Yacht Sales continues to reside within the Quay Center located on the corner of S.E. 17th Street and Quay. The move, to 1515 S.E. 17th Street, Suite A-129, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33316, will take place the week of November 10, 2008. Burger Boat Company builds custom yachts, in aluminum and/or steel, up to 200' (60m).

source: marinelink.com

Sight-Seeing Boat Capsizes While Helping Others

2008-10-21T10:08:00.003-07:00

Tuesday, October 21, 2008
The US Coast Guard and a couple Good Samaritans rescued 21 people 100-yards south of the jetties in Port Aransas, Texas. A watchstander at Coast Guard Station Port Aransas received a call at approximately 11:10 a.m. from a Good Samaritan reporting a capsized boat with three people in the water. The same Good Samaritan was able to pick up and bring all three people in his boat. In the process, a dolphin sight-seeing boat trying to assist, motor vessel Flipper, capsized and put all 18 people onboard in the water.The Coast Guard launched a rescue boat crew from Station Port Aransas. The Coast Guard boat located the overturned vessel. Station Port Aransas' boat crew arrived and rescued all 18 people with the assistance of a Good Samaritan that was in the area. All survivors were wearing life jackets and no injuries were reported.

source: marinelink.com