Rhode Island News

SHORTSEA SHIPPING: All the Right Moves (Finally)

Marine Highways Gain Traction in the Intermodal Supply Chain.In the United States, landside infrastructure is at a crisis point. Congestion at the big hub ports, exacerbated by imperfect intermodal interfaces with surface transport serving cargo hinterlands is at the heart of the matter. As politicians bicker over a possible infrastructure package, the Highway Trust Fund, funded by taxes on gasoline and diesel fuel, has continued its downward journey towards further deficits (now $144 billion). And, where countless U.S.

Sea Machines Hires Black as Vice President

Sea Machines Robotics has announced that it has hired Don Black as vice president of sales and marketing, reporting to Founder and CEO Michael G. Johnson. Effective immediately, this new position gives Black responsibility for the company’s global sales of Sea Machines autonomous-command and remote-control products for commercial workboats. He also has special oversight for supporting the development of the company’s advanced perception and navigation assistance technology for commercial ships and vessels, currently being trialed aboard an A.P. Moller-Maersk container ship.

Waterson Enters Green Marine Environmental Certification Program

Waterson Terminal Services is joining Green Marine environmental certification program for its stevedoring and terminal operations at ProvPort. Green Marine is a leading North American environmental certification program for the maritime transportation industry. The program is a voluntary initiative to surpass regulatory requirements within the maritime industry.Waterson is the first terminal operator from Rhode Island to join Green Marine’s environmental certification program.

Tim Bush Promoted to Crowley VP, Deputy General Counsel

Crowley Maritime Corp. has announced that Tim Bush has been promoted to vice president and deputy general counsel. In his new position, Bush will help support the company’s growth as a provider of solutions for the U.S. government and various public-sector agencies. He will be based in Houston and report to Michael Roberts, senior vice president and general counsel. “Tim is an outstanding lawyer, and adds a great deal of value to the Crowley team,” Roberts said. Bush will continue to serve as Crowley’s lead attorney on several large projects for the U.S government…

Mariners Warned of Strong Storm in US Northeast

The U.S. Coast Guard is warning mariners and the public Tuesday to exercise caution along the coasts of Rhode Island and Massachusetts Wednesday into Thursday as a strong winter storm is forecast in the area. Conditions are expected to deteriorate Wednesday night, with hazardous wind and sea conditions throughout Southern New England waters. Operation for any craft in the maritime environment will be dangerous, as there is high marine impact expected with 50 knot wind gusts and 20+ foot seas Wednesday into Thursday.

Sen. Reed Honored for Maritime Industry Support

The Daniel K. Inouye Institute honored U.S. Senator Jack Reed of Rhode Island on Wednesday, May 17 for his long-standing support of the American maritime industry. Joined by dozens of maritime and Senate leaders, Sen. Reed received the Daniel K. Inouye Maritime  Guardian Award for his strong leadership and dedication to the U.S. maritime industry. Irene Hirano Inouye, widow of Sen. Inouye, presented the award to Sen. Reed, whose coastal state of Rhode Island ranks 4th per capita among all U.S. states for American maritime jobs. Sen.

WSP|Parsons Brinckerhoff Names Kennedy Maritime Manager

Daniel Kennedy is named maritime manager in New England for WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff, a global engineering and professional services organization. In his new position, Kennedy will manage maritime consulting operations throughout New England, responsible for business development, marketing and project execution. Based in the Boston office, he will provide oversight, management, design and coordination services for major projects involving port and marine facilities. Kennedy…

EPA Awards Nearly $2 Mln for Clean Repowers

Three New England projects have been awarded nearly two million dollars under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) competitive national grant competition to reduce diesel emissions. The grants, totaling $1,975,000, were made under the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA). The funding will assist the Connecticut Maritime Foundation, the Massachusetts Port Authority and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority in marine vessel repowering and vehicle replacement projects. Diesel engines contribute significantly to air pollution, especially in urban areas.

Man Rescued Off Rhode Island Coast

The Coast Guard and Jamestown Police Department rescued a 60-year-old man Sunday off Fort Wetherill, Rhode Island after he fell off his sailboat. At approximately 12:20 a.m., Coast Guard Station Castle Hill received a call from Jamestown Police reporting a man in the water who had been clinging to his boat for about two hours. A police officer was on the scene in his kayak, but could not get the man to safety. During the rescue attempt, the police officer fell from his kayak, and it was lost under the sailboat. A 45-foot response boat crew launched from the station and arrived on scene.

Former USCG Commandant Kramek Passes Away

Adm. Robert E. Kramek, former Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, has died October 20, 2016. Kramek served as the Coast Guard's 20th commandant from 1994 through 1998, during which time he significantly expanded the Coast Guard's global reach and influence as commandant, including directing active participation in the combined service/international anti-narcotic smuggling operations Frontier Shield and Gulf Shield, along with other law enforcement operations. He led the Coast…

MarAd Stresses Economic Impact of Shipyard Jobs in NE

In comments before the international Tradewinds Ship Owners Forum in New York City, Maritime Administrator Paul “Chip” Jaenichen highlighted the more than 42,700 jobs, $3.6 billion in labor income and $4.78 billion in GDP associated with employment for shipbuilding and repair in the northeast region. “American shipyards provide a dependable, highly trained workforce that produce, repair and maintain some of the world’s most modern and innovative vessels. Their efforts ensure our…

Sparkman & Stephens under New Ownership

Sparkman & Stephens (S&S), the naval architecture and brokerage firm founded by Olin Stephens and Drake Sparkman in 1929, announced that it was acquired by a group of private investors led by Brooke S. Parish and John B. Reuter. The transaction enables S&S to implement expansion strategies in its design and brokerage businesses, for which it sought growth capital. The firm remains privately held and terms of the deal were not disclosed. “We feel a tremendous sense of pride and responsibility to assume stewardship of a brand and a company whose legacy in American yachting cannot be overstated…

El Faro’s Voyage Data Recorder Recovered

The voyage data recorder (VDR) from El Faro, a U.S. flagged cargo ship that sank during Hurricane Joaquin in October 2015, has been recovered from the ocean floor late Monday evening, the U.S. National Transportation Board (NTSB) said. The recovery of the capsule caps a 10-month-long effort to retrieve the recorder, which was designed to record navigational data and communications between crewmembers on the ship’s bridge. Investigators hope the recorder will reveal information about the final hours of El Faro’s voyage and the circumstances leading up to the sinking.

Tighe Takes Charge of Information Warfare, Naval Intelligence

Vice Adm. Jan Tighe assumed the duties of the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (DCNO) for Information Warfare (N2N6) and Director of Naval Intelligence (DNI) July 15 at the Pentagon. Tighe succeeded Vice Adm. Ted N. "Twig" Branch, who has submitted his retirement request following a 37-year Naval career. Branch assumed office as the DCNO for Information Warfare/DNI in July 2013. He also served as lead for the Navy's Information Warfare (IW) Community, which brings together the people and capabilities of the Navy's Communications…

Harry Diamond Celebrates 21 Yrs at WQIS

Harry Diamond, Vice President and Chief Claims Officer at WQIS, is celebrating 21 years with the company this year. Diamond is a graduate of LaSalle University with Bachelor of Arts degrees in social studies education and history; he also holds an Associate degree in Risk Management. He began his insurance career right out of college when he was hired by a brokerage firm whose main client was Keystone Shipping Company. Diamond continued with the firm for four years until he changed his career path because of “an itch that needed to be scratched” – his desire to be a teacher.

Global Maritime's Warranty Services for Block Island Wind Farm

Global Maritime Consultancy & Engineering has signed a contract with leading offshore wind developer Deepwater Wind to provide marine warranty services for the Block Island Wind Farm, America’s first offshore wind farm. Services that will be provided include a technical review of all installation procedures and calculations; the survey and inspection of installation vessels; the witnessing of the installation of turbines and subsea cables; and the issuing of Certificates of Approval.

Electric Boats Look Bullish

General Dynamics Electric Boat expects to hire nearly 4,000 people in the coming years as it ramps up production on Navy submarines, the Associated Press reports. Electric Boat is projecting a positive outlook for 2016 for revenue and employment, saying 1,800 more workers will be hired at its facilities in Connecticut and Rhode Island this year. Electric Boat, a subsidiary of General Dynamics Corp., employs 14,100 people, mainly in Connecticut. By 2030, EB is projecting that number will grow to 18,000. Electric Boat president Jeffrey S.

IMTRA Acquires Custom Product Sales Talent

IMTRA, the leading manufacturer and importer of quality marine products, announced today the addition of Prentice Weathers to its sales team. Focusing on business development efforts for the big boat segment, Weathers has joined Imtra in a Custom Product Sales position. In his new role, Weathers is dedicated to providing excellent customer service, product support and follow-through to key clients. Working closely with product manufacturers, engineers and the sales team, Weathers will evaluate proposed system designs to ensure proper performance and installation…

Fincantieri Inks Training Deal with URI

Shipbuilder Fincantieri and the University of Rhode Island (URI), on behalf of its International Engineering Program (IEP), has signed an agreement establishing the beginning of mutual collaboration to develop academic and cultural interchange. The agreement, of an initial duration of three years with renewal possibility, will begin in the first half of 2017 and will be dedicated to both undergraduate and graduate students from URI. In particular, Fincantieri will consider the insertion of some of the most skilled students from the faculties of mechanical…

Sick Man Medevaced from Block Island, RI

A Coast Guard crew from Station Point Judith and Narragansett Fire and Rescue emergency medical technicians medevaced a 35-year-old man suffering from possible internal bleeding Friday night from Block Island, Rhode Island. At approximately 6:30 p.m. watchstanders at the First Coast Guard District command center received a request from Block Island Medical Center for the transport of the patient. Civilian transport was unavailable due to weather and low visibility. A Coast Guard flight surgeon deemed the medevac medically necessary after conferring with Block Island Medical Center personnel.

Seafarers International House Honors Maritime Leaders

Members of the maritime community gathered last evening at the New York Athletic Club to honor three of its leaders: H. Marshall Ainley (President, Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association), Ian T. Blackley (President & CEO, Overseas Ship Management, Inc.) and Raymond J. Burke Jr. (Partner, Burke & Parsons). These individuals were given the 2016 “Outstanding Friend of Seafarers” Award by Seafarers International House, a Lutheran, non-profit agency serving merchant seafarers in Baltimore…

El Faro’s Voyage Data Recorder Located

The voyage data recorder (VDR) belonging to sunken cargo ship El Faro was found early Tuesday morning in 15,000 feet of water, about 41 miles northeast of Acklins and Crooked Islands, Bahamas, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) announced. A specialist team comprised of investigators and scientists from the NTSB, the U.S. Coast Guard, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and Tote Services, the owner and operator of El Faro, located the VDR using remotely operated undersea search equipment. Video footage showing El Faro's VDR is available here. At about 1 a.m.

USCG, Agencies Search for Possible Person in Water

The Coast Guard is searching for a possible person in the water in Great Salt Pond on Block Island, Rhode Island. At about 1 a.m., Monday, watchstanders at the Sector Southeastern New England command center received a report of an unmanned dinghy making in circles in Great Salt Pond. The Block Island Harbormaster and a local commercial assistance provider brought the dinghy under control, confirmed no one was aboard, and began searching. Sector Southeastern New England launched a 45-foot Response Boat crew from Station Small Block Island and a MH-60 Jayhawk aircrew from Air Station Cape Cod.

Newport International Boat Show Annouces NFNP Winners

Newport Exhibition Group, owners and producers of the Newport International Boat Show, announced today the results of this year’s Newport For New ProductsTM (NFNP) Awards. A highlight of the industry, NFNP entries were open to domestic and foreign products launched in the U.S. after April 1, 2015 that made their boat show debut at Newport. safety and aesthetics. “We were extremely impressed by the number and quality of entries this year,” said Nancy Piffard, show director of Newport Exhibition Group.

Naval War College Contributions Recognized

U.S. Naval War College (NWC) leaders and alumni received a warm welcome on Capitol Hill, Oct. 7 during a congressional breakfast organized by Rhode Island Sen. Jack Reed. The event offered a chance for members of Congress and their staff to hear details of how NWC educates and develops leaders, strengthens global maritime partnerships and supports Navy missions and combat readiness. "The war college is an extraordinary asset to the nation and the Navy," Reed noted. "[The value] is not just the instruction in the classroom…

Institute of Marine Engineers Convenes in India

The 72nd Governing Council meeting of the Institute of Marine Engineers (India) was held November 14 and 15, 2015 at the IMEI House, Navi Mumbai, chaired by IMEI President Dilip Mehrotra. Besides conducting routine business, several decisions were taken keeping in mind the objectives of the Institute. It was decided to upgrade the entire IT infrastructure of the Institute and move to Cloud Computing. This will enable office bearers, branches and the HQ to be seamlessly connected. The IMEI is aware of its environmental responsibilities. The GC decided to install solar heaters for the hostel.