Rhode Island News

Arctic Shipping Creates Insurance Headaches as Routes Open

When Captain Will Whatley guides a ship through Arctic waters, he is starkly aware of what can go wrong.Double the manpower is needed to navigate. Lookout shifts are kept to just one hour, so sailors don't lose concentration and miss a mass of floating ice. Big icebergs show up on radar, but smaller, truck-sized "bergy bits"—even more dangerous—can be missed, the captain says.The cold can freeze equipment and the earth's magnetic field disrupts compasses. If anything goes wrong…

Port Security: Autonomous ANTX

Geophysical seismic surveys and port security may appear to have little in-common. However, it turns out that managing complex marine seismic operations, where 10km-long seismic streamers have to be deployed harmoniously alongside other offshore marine assets, isn’t that dissimilar to managing – and protecting – port facilities.It's an area that ION Geophysical, more known for seismic data acquisition technology, has recently been proving its expertise in, using its Marlin system for marine operations management.

Autonomous ANTX: Seismic Survey Tech and Port Security

Geophysical seismic surveys and port security may appear to have little in-common. However, it turns out that managing complex marine seismic operations, where 10km-long seismic streamers have to be deployed harmoniously alongside other offshore marine assets, isn’t that dissimilar to managing – and protecting – port facilities.It's an area that ION Geophysical, more known for seismic data acquisition technology, has recently been proving its expertise in, using its Marlin system for marine operations management.

The Emerging U.S. Offshore Wind Industry in a Post-COVID-19 World

Join a webinar on June 17, 2020 for the global release of a major new market study on the depth, breadth and growth prospects of the Offshore Wind Market --  https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_UR5uY1boTOKdAAcAXDbR4gJust when it was looking like the offshore wind industry was finally about to take off in the United States, the COVID-19 pandemic has introduced one more significant layer of uncertainty upon an already very complicated playing field. There are currently 15 active offshore wind projects in the planning stages which…

Pangaea Takes Top Spot in Dry Bulk Benchmark Study

For the second year straight, US-based Pangaea Logistics ranks highest among dry bulk owners based on Time Charter Earnings (TCE), according to a recent market benchmarking report.Notably, the Rhode Island-headquartered shipowner's 53.7% TCE performance is well above Hong Kong's Pacific Basin Shipping Ltd. (24.3%) and Thailand's Thoresen Thai Agencies (23.5%) in second and third place respectively.The Vesselindex Performance Report by Danish maritime advisors Liengaard & Roschmann…

Ørsted, US Unis to Study Whales in OWP

Danish developer Orsted U.S. Offshore Wind has signed a research partnership  with Rutgers University, the University of Rhode Island and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution to support academic research activities related to offshore wind.The group is set to launch the Ecosystem and Passive Acoustic Monitoring (ECO-PAM) project.Ørsted signed an initial memorandum of understanding with Rutgers University in May 2019 to support academic research activities related to offshore wind.

Interview: Cory Wood, VP, Bristol Harbor Group

Born at the University of Michigan in the early 1990s, Bristol Harbor Group (BHG) has grown into a diverse and widely respected naval architecture and marine engineering firm. Cory Wood, Vice President and one of the four co-founders of BHG, discusses the companies past and design drivers to power its future.The University of Michigan runs one of the most prestigious naval architecture and marine engineering programs in the country, but when Cory Wood entered U of M, he did so with the intent of becoming an aerospace engineer.

Youth Summer Boatbuilding Program at CCRI

The same students who could barely use a tape measure or screwdriver when they enrolled in the Community College of Rhode Island’s Youth Summer Boatbuilding Program successfully launched their finished products into Ninigret Park’s saltwater pond, wrapping up a fun, but informative, five-week workshop learning skills often overlooked on today’s education landscape.At a time in which career and technical education (CTE) training – otherwise referred to as vocational training – is enjoying a renaissance in high schools and colleges…

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.

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.

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.

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.

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…