News from The American Maritime Partnership, April 15, 2011
LEADING U.S.-FLAG CARRIER TO OPERATE FIRST DOUBLE-HULLED, ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY BARGES IN WESTERN ALASKA WATERS:
Crowley Maritime Corporation, a major U.S.-flag operator for more than 100 years, plans to launch its two double-hulled, combination deck cargo and petroleum tank barges for service in Western Alaska this month. Crowley is bringing the safer double-hull vessels to Alaska without any regulatory requirement because, as Crowley‘s Senior Vice President and General Manager Rocky Smith said, “It‘s just the right thing to do. The delivery and deployment of these barges gives Crowley the opportunity to better serve the Alaska market with the enhanced design features that are built into these vessels. This exemplifies our commitment to moving petroleum and petroleum products efficiently and safely.” The barges, certified by the U.S. Coast Guard for the carriage of Grade A petroleum products, will be home ported in Nome, Alaska, and will deliver fuel and cargo to the remote communities of Western Alaska. Dakota Creek Industries in Anacortes, Wash., built the barges, and Crowley‘s Jensen Maritime Consultants provided the engineering support to the shipyard for the final detailed design..
AUSTRAL USA BREAKS GROUND ON THREE NEW FACILITIES:
Austal USA held a combined groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the start of work on three new facilities, including Phase 2 of the Modular Manufacturing Facility (MMF), a new office complex, and an additional waterfront assembly bay. The ceremony was held at Austal USA‘s shipyard in Mobile, Ala., where construction is underway on the U.S. Navy‘s Independence-class Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) program, and the Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV) program. Several dignitaries, including Governor Robert Bentley, attended the groundbreaking. “Thanks to Austal USA, hope and opportunity have been brought to those living along the Alabama Gulf Coast. Employment at Austal USA has increased from 113 employees in May 2004 to an employment level in excess of 2,000 today,” said Governor Bentley.Click here to read more..
KETCHIKAN INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY HELPS LOCAL STUDENT LIVE DREAM OF CAREER AT SEA:
The Ketchikan Daily News reported that Ketchikan high school student Ty Nausid was able to start pursuing his dream of a maritime career thanks to an internship cosponsored by Alaska Tanker Company, the Seafarers International Union, SEA Link Inc., and the William Lund Memorial Scholarship Trustees. The scholarship program provided work opportunities for Nausid ranging from an 8-foot skiff to a 952-foot oil tanker. Nausid is now a senior at California Maritime Academy. “Live your passion is one of my favorite rules to live by, and I certainly aspire to do so,” said Nausid. He anticipates graduating in July with a Bachelor of Science degree in marine transportation. He will also have a U.S. Coast Guard third mate unlimited tonnage license, a tug endorsement for transporting barges, and several other certifications.
DID YOU KNOW?
Since there‘s less friction when a hull moves through water, a vessel needs only one-third of a horsepower per ton of cargo carried. If this ratio applied to land-based transportation, a semi could be run with a lawnmower engine.
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