Professional Mariner Magazine

12/13/2024

New maritime labor amendments coming into force
At its 110th conference session, the International Labor Organization adopted a number of amendments to the Maritime Labor Convention (MLC) with the aim to further strengthen the rights of seafarers and enhance obligations on employers and flag states to ensure a more safe, fair and secure work environment. READ MORE >>

Maritime NewsNew maritime labor amendments coming into force Professional Mariner StaffDecember 6, 2024 (LONDON) — At its 110th conference session, the International Labor Organization adopted a number of amendments to the Maritime Labor Convention (MLC) with the aim to further strengthen the righ...

12/13/2024

Seattle fireboat extinguishes burning vessel in Elliott Bay
The U.S. Coast Guard, Seattle Fire Department, Washington State Ferries and good Samaritans responded to a vessel on fire in Elliott Bay on Sunday afternoon. The Coast Guard launched a 45-foot response boat-medium and a 29-foot response boat-small from Station Seattle after received reports of a recreational vessel on fire in the vicinity of Duwamish Head Light near Seattle at about noon. READ MORE >>
https://professionalmariner.com/seattle-fireboat-extinguishes-burning-vessel-in-elliott-bay/

12/13/2024

Chevron Biofuels poised to speed maritime decarbonization
North American biofuel production will double to 38 billion liters (10 billion U.S. gallons) by 2030, marking a transformation from a niche maritime fuel to a mainstream solution, according to Chevron. Speaking at Marine Propulsion’s Maritime Decarbonization Conference Americas last week in Houston, Jon Scharingson, executive director of strategic initiatives for Chevron Renewable Energy Group, revealed dramatic shifts in market dynamics since IMO 2020. “We hadn’t sold a drop into marine markets before 2020. Suddenly, people were flying to Iowa in minus 25-degree temperatures during Covid to understand our capabilities,” he said. READ MORE >>
https://professionalmariner.com/chevron-biofuels-poised-to-speed-maritime-decarbonization/

12/06/2024

Polar Star departs for Antarctica Deep Freeze
The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Polar Star (WAGB 10) and crew departed Seattle on Friday, beginning their deployment to Antarctica in support of Operation Deep Freeze (ODF), an annual joint military mission to resupply the United States Antarctic stations in support of the National Science Foundation. Each year, Polar Star breaks a navigable channel through the ice, allowing fuel and supply ships to reach McMurdo Station. This marks the 28th year that Polar Star has supported ODF. READ MORE >>
https://professionalmariner.com/polar-star-departs-for-antarcticas-deep-freeze/

12/06/2024

Parted wire forces crew to release barges, causing dock strike
On January 29, about 1230 local time, the towing vessel Nell Womack was pushing hopper barges ACL23401 and ACBL2549 upbound on the Lower Mississippi River when one of two facing wires connecting the towing vessel to barge ACL23401 parted. When it became unsafe for the towing vessel to remain attached by one facing wire, the crew released the wire. Both barges drifted downriver, and, at 1240, barge ACBL2549 struck the Port of West Memphis dock in West Memphis, Ark. Damage to the dock and the barge ACBL2549 was estimated at $500,000. There were no injuries and no pollution was reported. READ MORE >>

12/06/2024

Women engineers at Coast Guard Academy earn Silver Status
The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) has recognized the U.S. Coast Guard Academy SWE section with the fiscal year 2024 SWE Mission Award Silver Status. The academy section was honored for the commitment to continuous improvement and to the society’s core values during SWE’s annual conference, WE24, held on Oct. 24-26 in Chicago. READ MORE >>
https://professionalmariner.com/women-engineers-at-coast-guard-academy-earn-silver-status/

11/20/2024

Crewmember seriously injured in fire aboard dredger in Florida
The U.S. Coast Guard responded to a fire aboard a dredging vessel on November 2 that left one crewmember with serious injuries. At about 3:30 p.m., Coast Guard Station Mayport received notification that an engine room fire had occurred aboard the 340-foot Stuyvesant near the entrance to the St. Johns River. Small boat crews from Station Mayport responded, as did the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and the St. Johns Bar Pilots Association. READ MORE >>
https://professionalmariner.com/crewmember-seriously-injured-in-fire-aboard-dredger-in-florida/

11/20/2024

Lessons learned: Coast Guard publishes new findings of concern
The U.S. Coast Guard publishes “findings of concern” to alert stakeholders about safety risks discovered during incident investigations. These findings do not require action but rather are intended to encourage voluntary safety measures or adherence to existing regulations.

Maritime NewsLessons learned: Coast Guard publishes new findings of concern Professional Mariner StaffNovember 6, 2024 (WASHINGTON) — The U.S. Coast Guard publishes “findings of concern” to alert stakeholders about safety risks discovered during incident investigations. These findings do not r...

11/11/2024

Safety alert: Fuel hose chafing can cause catastrophic fires
A recent fire on an inspected towing vessel has highlighted a critical safety concern involving fuel hoses on main engines. While it is standard marine practice to install protective chafing gear on areas prone to wear, there are currently no statutory requirements for inspected towing vessels to install such protections on fuel lines. Failure to prevent chafing on these hoses can lead to fuel leaks, which may spray onto the engine and ignite, causing a fire. Read More>>
https://professionalmariner.com/safety-alert-fuel-hose-chafing-can-cause-catastrophic-fires/

11/11/2024

Coast Guard Academy faces nine more s*x assault complaints
Another nine former cadets of the Coast Guard Academy are seeking $10 million each from the service, claiming officials condoned and concealed the s*xual assault and harassment of students, which knowingly placed them and others in danger, according to legal documents filed Wednesday. Read More>>

Maritime NewsCoast Guard Academy faces nine more s*x assault complaints Professional Mariner StaffNovember 1, 2024 (WASHINGTON) — Another nine former cadets of the Coast Guard Academy are seeking $10 million each from the service, claiming officials condoned and concealed the s*xual assault and ha...

11/11/2024

Mexican ship manager fined $1.75M for concealing discharges
Gremex Shipping S.A. de C.V., a Mexican corporation that managed several ships including the bulk carrier Suhar, pleaded guilty and was sentenced Wednesday for creating and providing false records to the U.S. Coast Guard to conceal the illegal discharge of oily bilge waste into the ocean, which is a felony violation of the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (APPS).Read More>>
https://professionalmariner.com/mexican-ship-manager-fined-1-75m-for-concealing-discharges/

10/31/2024

Coast Guard Foundation awards 207 scholarships for 2024
The Coast Guard Foundation, a nonprofit organization committed to strengthening the Coast Guard community and service by supporting members and families, has awarded 207 new scholarships in 2024, totaling $750,000 in support for the 2024-2025 academic year. READ MORE >>

Licensing & TrainingCoast Guard Foundation awards 207 scholarships for 2024 Professional Mariner StaffOctober 29, 2024 (STONINGTON, Conn.) — The Coast Guard Foundation, a nonprofit organization committed to strengthening the Coast Guard community and service by supporting members and families, has...

10/31/2024

EPA to award ‘historic’ $3 billion for clean port projects
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday announced the selection of 55 applicants across 27 states and territories to receive nearly $3 billion through the EPA’s Clean Ports Program. These grants will support the deployment of zero-emission equipment, as well as infrastructure and climate and air quality planning projects at ports across the country. READ MORE >>
https://professionalmariner.com/epa-to-award-historic-3-billion-for-clean-port-projects/

10/31/2024

Dali companies to pay $102 million to settle U.S. lawsuit
The U.S. Justice Department announced last week that Grace Ocean and Synergy Marine, the Singaporean corporations that owned and operated the containership Dali, have agreed to pay nearly $102 million to resolve a civil claim brought by the United States for costs borne in responding to the catastrophic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. READ MORE>>
https://professionalmariner.com/dali-parties-to-pay-102-million-to-settle-u-s-claim/

10/25/2024

Owner of unlicensed charter guilty in fatal Hudson River capsizing
A New Jersey man has pleaded guilty in connection with the deaths of a 7-year-old boy and a 48-year-old woman after the man’s powerboat, which had paying customers on board, capsized in the Hudson River in July 2022. The verdict was announced Oct. 15. Sentencing will take place early next year. READ MORE>>
https://professionalmariner.com/owner-of-unlicensed-charter-pleads-guilty-for-fatal-capsizing/

10/25/2024

Crew rescued after tug loses steering off Washington coast
The U.S. Coast Guard rescued five people from the 130-foot commercial tugboat Luther after it lost steering off the coast of La Push, Wash., late last week. One crewmember fell into the water during the transfer, which occurred when the stricken tug and its barge nearly collided. READ MORE>> �https://professionalmariner.com/crew-rescued-after-tug-loses-steering-off-washington-coast/

10/17/2024

MarAd picks ABS to run maritime innovation center
The U.S. Maritime Administration has selected American Bureau of Shipping to establish and maintain the U.S. Center for Maritime Innovation. The center will promote the study, research, development, assessment and deployment of emerging marine technologies and practices related to maritime transportation. READ MORE>>

Maritime NewsABS to set up industry innovation center for MarAd Professional Mariner StaffOctober 10, 2024 (WASHINGTON) — The Maritime Administration (MarAd) recently selected the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) to establish and maintain the U.S. Center for Maritime Innovation as its secretariat...

10/17/2024

Chesapeake building two new Patriot-class ships for ACL
American Cruise Lines has announced the construction of American Maverick and American Ranger at Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Salisbury, Md. These new 125-passenger ships are the seventh and eighth vessels in the company’s Project Blue series of small ships for the U.S. market. READ MORE>>
https://professionalmariner.com/chesapeake-building-two-new-patriot-class-ships-for-american/