Professional Mariner Magazine

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/

10/10/2024

Deck hand asleep at the helm led to Columbia River dock strike
Federal investigators said a deck hand who fell asleep in the Columbia River before striking a dock near Clatskanie, Oregon, was experiencing the effects of fatigue. The incident from late 2023 caused more than $6 million in damage. READ MORE >>
https://professionalmariner.com/deck-hand-asleep-at-helm-led-to-columbia-river-dock-strike/

10/10/2024

Dockworkers win 62% raise over six years, call off port strike
The strike by tens of thousands of dockworkers on the East and Gulf coasts has been called off, after the International Longshoremen’s Association and the United States Maritime Alliance, representing ocean carriers and port operators, reached a tentative agreement on wages. Questions remain about the role of port automation moving forward. READ MORE >>
https://professionalmariner.com/port-strike-ends-as-dockworkers-reach-wage-agreement/

10/03/2024

Florida county signs deal to turn idle liner into reef

A historic ocean liner that once ferried immigrants, Hollywood stars and heads of state may soon find its final resting place at the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico, after a Florida county inked a tentative deal to turn the ship into the world’s largest artificial reef, according to published reports. READ MORE>>

Maritime NewsFlorida county signs deal to turn idle liner into reef Professional Mariner StaffOctober 2, 2024 (PHILADELPHIA) — A historic ocean liner that once ferried immigrants, Hollywood stars and heads of state may soon find its final resting place at the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico, after a ...

10/03/2024

$2 million fine levied for oil dumping; captain faces prison

Two corporations that operated the motor tanker PS Dream must pay a $2 million criminal penalty and complete four years of probation for concealing an oil discharge from the ship, whose captain was sentenced to 8 months in prison. READ MORE>>

https://professionalmariner.com/2-million-fine-levied-for-oil-dumping-captain-faces-prison/

10/03/2024

Dockworkers’ strike halts cargo at East Coast, Gulf ports

Union dockworkers at East Coast and Gulf Coast ports began a strike early Tuesday, halting the movement of billions of dollars’ worth of goods including furniture, paper, shoes, manufacturing components, farm machinery and much more. READ MORE>>

Maritime NewsDockworkers’ strike halts cargo at East Coast, Gulf ports Professional Mariner StaffOctober 1, 2024 (BALTIMORE) — Union dockworkers at East Coast and Gulf Coast ports began walking picket lines early Tuesday, halting the movement of billions of dollars’ worth of goods including fu...

09/26/2024

AWO honors two Crowley tug crews for heroism
Crowley mariners have been recognized by the American Waterways Operators (AWO) with the Honor & Excellence in Rescue Operations (HERO) Award for helping rescue people in distress on the water in 2024. READ MORE >>
https://professionalmariner.com/awo-honors-two-crowley-tug-crews-for-heroism/

09/26/2024

U.S. files $100 million claim against Dali owner, operator
The U.S. Justice Department has filed a civil claim in U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland against Grace Ocean Private Limited and Synergy Marine Private Limited, the Singaporean corporations that owned and operated the containership that destroyed the Francis Scott Key Bridge in March. READ MORE >>
https://professionalmariner.com/u-s-files-100-million-claim-against-dali-owner-operator/

09/18/2024

Trouble contacting NMC customer service? Here are a few tips
Contacting the National Maritime Center Customer Service Center can sometimes be challenging, especially during peak hours. The NMC recommends calling early in the morning, using its live chat feature or its Check Your Status tool on the website, or emailing questions to [email protected] to get faster service. >> READ MORE

Licensing & TrainingTrouble contacting NMC customer service? Here are a few tips Professional Mariner StaffAugust 22, 2024 (MARTINSBURG, W.Va.) — Contacting the National Maritime Center (NMC) Customer Service Center (CSC) can sometimes be challenging, especially during peak hours. To better assist...

09/18/2024

August was busiest month ever at Port of Long Beach
The peak shipping season boosted the Port of Long Beach in August to the strongest month in its 113-year history, surpassing even the Covid-era rush on ports. Dockworkers and terminal operators in Long Beach moved 913,873 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in August, up 33.9 percent from the same month last year. >> READ MORE
https://professionalmariner.com/august-was-busiest-month-ever-at-port-of-long-beach/

09/18/2024

MarAd warns of maritime threats from fighting in the Black Sea, Sea of Azov
U.S.-flagged commercial vessels operating in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov areas are advised to exercise caution and take appropriate protective measures due to threats to shipping posed by ongoing fighting between Russia and Ukraine. >> READ MORE

Maritime NewsMarAd advisory: Combat threat in Black Sea, Sea of Azov Professional Mariner StaffSeptember 9, 2024 (WASHINGTON) — Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in late February 2022, commercial vessels have reportedly been struck by projectiles and experienced explosions in t...

09/09/2024

Hull wastage, lack of upkeep cited in tugboat flooding, partial sinking
National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigators found holes in the hull of a towing vessel after it flooded and partially sank last year on the Lower Mississippi River near Ascension Paris, La. Salvors discovered holes in the lazarette as they lifted the tug out of the water. READ MORE>>
https://professionalmariner.com/hull-wastage-lack-of-upkeep-cited-in-flooding-of-towboat/

09/09/2024

Study to analyze feasibility, safety of remote pilotage
The International Maritime Pilots’ Association is partnering with the Canadian National Center of Expertise on Maritime Pilotage and the Canadian Coast Guard to explore remote pilotage to determine its feasibility, readiness and impacts on safe navigation practices and systems. READ MORE>>
https://professionalmariner.com/study-to-analyze-feasibility-safety-of-remote-pilotage/

09/05/2024

Cargo ship freed after becoming wedged in Seaway canal near Montreal
A cargo ship that ran aground last week south of Montreal, blocking shipping traffic on the St. Lawrence Seaway, was freed by tugboats two days later. The 453-foot Heemskerkgracht lost power and ran aground near the entrance to the South Shore Canal. READ MORE >>
https://professionalmariner.com/cargo-ship-grounds-near-montreal-blocking-seaway-traffic/

09/05/2024

NTSB: Pilot of towboat that hit Louisiana pier was asleep
The pilot of a towing vessel that hit a pier near St. Rose, La., last year had fallen asleep, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said last week. The agency said the pilot of the towing vessel John 3:16 was experiencing the effects of fatigue during his watch in September 2023. READ MORE >>
https://professionalmariner.com/ntsb-pilot-of-towboat-that-hit-louisiana-pier-was-asleep/

08/27/2024

Resolve crane barge heads to Puerto Rico to salvage sailboat
The U.S. Coast Guard announced this week that a crane barge is headed to Culebra, Puerto Rico, for Resolve Marine contractors to remove the grounded sailing vessel Obsession from a reef just off Flamenco Beach. READ MORE>>
https://professionalmariner.com/resolve-crane-barge-heads-to-puerto-rico-to-salvage-sailboat/

08/27/2024

Crowley, Mass. officials break ground on Salem wind terminal
Massachusetts officials joined Crowley Wind Services President and CEO Bob Karl and other leaders to celebrate the ceremonial groundbreaking of the Salem Offshore Wind Terminal, which will support offshore wind farms off New England. READ MORE>>
https://professionalmariner.com/crowley-mass-officials-break-ground-on-salem-wind-terminal/

08/27/2024

Report: Wind-assisted propulsion on brink of rapid adoption
The application of wind-assisted propulsion systems across a variety of vessel types is nearing a tipping point with deployment likely to increase rapidly, according to a report from Lloyd’s register which said challenges must still be addressed. READ MORE>>
https://professionalmariner.com/lloyds-wind-assisted-propulsion-nearing-rapid-adoption/