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Thursday, 23 April 2009 12:55
TITAN Salvage Caps Busy First Quarter Eight salvage operations completed. New Flame wreck removal up next. (POMPANO BEACH, Fla.; April 22, 2009) With the arrival of calmer springtime weather, TITAN Salvage has resumed wreck removal operations in Gibraltar on the New Flame following a busy first quarter in which the company successfully responded to eight salvage opportunities. Among them were the re-floating of the bulk carrier Fedra's forward section in Gibraltar, the re-floating of a general cargo vessel grounded on environmentally-sensitive coral reefs of southern Belize; and the safe delivery of a tank ship involved in a collision and fire off the coast of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The work performed during the first three months of 2009 was illustrative of TITAN's diverse technical expertise and worldwide service capabilities, said Dan Schwall, TITAN's managing director. As TITAN personnel were preparing to suspend operations for the winter on the New Flame wreck removal in Gibraltar in late 2008, they were called upon to assist in the cliff-top rescue of crewmembers from the bulk carrier Fedra, which had run aground during an unprecedented storm and was pinned to the base of a cliff just below the Europa Point lighthouse. All crewmembers were saved and TITAN was later contracted to remove the forward section of the wreck and accommodation unit. On New Year's Day, after weeks of working on the Fedra and removing the vessel's accommodations unit, the TITAN team successfully re-floated the forward section from her wrecked position at Europa Point. The section was then towed to an area near the entrance of the Port of Gibraltar, where extensive diving operations were conducted by TITAN to remove hanging debris from the vessel, which reduced the draft and enabled the successful delivery of the vessel into the Port of Gibraltar for scrapping and recycling. About two weeks later, the loaded general cargo vessel Westerhaven ran aground on the coral reefs of southern Belize while en route from Belize to Puerto Cortez, Honduras. TITAN immediately dispatched Crowley's powerful tug Mariner from Lake Charles, La. to the incident scene where it was used by contracted salvors to successfully re-float the ship. TITAN teams around the world continued their international salvage and rescue efforts in February. Under Lloyd's Open Forum (LOF) terms TITAN responded to and helped free a fully laden tanker grounded in the Gulf of Mexico. Also during the month, the company assisted with the re-floating of the US Navy's guided missile cruiser USS Port Royal, which had run aground just outside of Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, and successfully completed two separate high seas ship rescues in both the North Atlantic and in the mid-Pacific, near Guam. Last month, another TITAN team found themselves off the coast of Dubai responding on LOF terms to the collision and fire of the tank ship Kashmir. Working closely with local operators Mubarak Marine, the Kashmir was re-delivered safely to owners on March 23. "Our team of engineers and salvage specialists has displayed a high level of expertise and professionalism in responding to a variety of salvage and wreck removal operations around the world in the first quarter," said Schwall. "Our people are known for providing Response and Results, and they stepped up to deliver solutions in challenging and time-sensitive situations." This month, New Flame wreck removal operations reconvened following the winter shutdown period. The second phase of the operation will primarily involve diving and rigging operations, using Crowley's barge 408 and tug Warrior, to prepare the stern section and engine room of the submerged wreck so that it can be lifted by a heavy lift vessel and delivered to a landing area in the Port of Gibraltar for scrapping and recycling. TITAN, a wholly owned Crowley subsidiary, is a worldwide salvage company based in Pompano Beach, Fla. The company also has offices and equipment depots in Newhaven, UK and Singapore. Over the past 28 years, TITAN has performed more than 300 salvage and wreck removal projects worldwide. Titan responds to vessel emergencies around the world and is accessible 24 hours a day through the company's main dispatch telephone number, +1-954-545-4143. Additional information about TITAN may be found at www.titansalvage.com. Jacksonville-based Crowley Holdings Inc., a holding company of the 117-year-old Crowley Maritime Corporation, is a privately held family and employee-owned company that provides diversified transportation and logistics services in domestic and international markets by means of six operating lines of business: Puerto Rico/Caribbean Liner Services, Latin America Liner Services, Logistics Services, Petroleum Services, Marine Services and Technical Services. Offered within these operating lines of business are the following services: liner container shipping, logistics, contract towing and transportation; ship assist and escort; energy support; salvage and emergency response; vessel management; vessel construction and naval architecture; government services, and petroleum and chemical transportation, distribution and sales. Additional information about Crowley its subsidiaries and business units may be found on the Internet at www.crowley.com. # # # . Photo 1: TITAN responded to the collision and fire of the tank ship Kashmir off the coast of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The Kashmir was re-delivered safely to owners on March 23. Photo 2: In February, TITAN assisted with the re-floating of the US Navy's guided missile cruiser USS Port Royal, which ran aground just outside of Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. Photo 3: TITAN successfully re-floated the Yasa Golden Dardanelles, a fully laden tanker with approximately 620,000 barrels of fuel oil onboard, off the coast of Galveston, Tex. on Feb. 22.
Last Updated on Friday, 15 May 2009 04:44

Crowley receives new Alaska tug Nachik

Friday, 10 April 2009 14:38

Crowley receives new Alaska tug Nachik

Construction boom continues with most recent vessel delivery

(PORTLAND, Ore.: April 8, 2009) The vessel construction boom at Crowley continued yesterday as the company took delivery of the Nachik, a newly-designed shallow draft tug, from Diversified Marine in Portland, Ore.

The Nachik, which means "hair seal" in the native Inupiaq language, will be deployed in Alaska and is the third new vessel to be handed off to Crowley in less than two weeks. Last week, the company took delivery of the articulated tug-barge (ATB) Commitment and 650-6 in Pascagoula, Miss., and on March 28 Crowley christened and launched the 455-4, a heavy-lift series deck barge, at Gunderson Marine in Portland.

Jointly designed by Crowley and Diversified Marine, the Nachik is a triple screw diesel powered tug equipped to safely propel petroleum/freight barges in river systems throughout Alaska. Its sister vessel, the Sesok, which means "beluga whale", is scheduled to be delivered in late May.

"The Nachik is the first of two newly designed tugboats scheduled to enter the Alaska service this spring," said Craig Tornga, Crowley's vice president of petroleum distribution in Anchorage, Alaska. "Continued reinvestment in new equipment, like the Nachik, is important to Crowley and our customers as we ensure safe and environmentally sound transportation throughout Alaska's pristine waterways. We look forward to christening the Nachik next month in Seward and the Sesok shortly after."

Crowley's Alaska shallow draft tugs are designed to operate in Alaska's rivers and coastal regions where operations are challenging due to restricted drafts and a lack of docking infrastructure. These boats are outfitted for both barge handling and ocean towing service. Designed with raised pilothouses, the 1,362 horsepower tugs are equipped to safely maneuver fuel/freight barges throughout the state.

Crowley has provided various marine, petroleum distribution, and energy support services in Alaska since 1953, and today has offices and operations throughout the state.

Jacksonville-based Crowley Holdings Inc., a holding company of the 117-year-old Crowley Maritime Corporation, is a privately held family and employee-owned company that provides diversified transportation and logistics services in domestic and international markets by means of six operating lines of business: Puerto Rico/Caribbean Liner Services, Latin America Liner Services, Logistics Services, Petroleum Services, Marine Services and Technical Services. Offered within these operating lines of business are the following services: liner container shipping, logistics, contract towing and transportation; ship assist and escort; energy support; salvage and emergency response; vessel management; vessel construction and naval architecture; government services, and petroleum and chemical transportation, distribution and sales. Additional information about Crowley its subsidiaries and business units may be found on the Internet at www.crowley.com.

New Crowley Vessels Keep Coming

Wednesday, 01 April 2009 15:01
New Crowley Vessels Keep Coming Crowley christens and launches newest heavy lift series deck barge in Portland (JACKSONVILLE, Fla.: March 31, 2009) In the first of several vessel deliveries over the next few weeks, Crowley christened and launched its newest heavy-lift series deck barge, the 455-4, Saturday at Gunderson Marine Shipyard in Portland, Ore. The 400-foot-long 105-foot-wide barge was christened by Carey Graham, wife of Parker Drilling Vice President Dennis Graham. The vessel's first assignment will be hauling a Parker Drilling Rig. Following that assignment, it will be turned over to a major energy company for work on the world's largest land-based rig in Alaska's North Slope at Satellite Drilling Island (SDI). Crowley has plans to build up to 13 of these high-capacity barges by 2013. The largest, already in operation in the U.S. Gulf, measures 400 feet by 130 feet. The 455-5, the next barge in the series, is expected to be delivered by Gunderson in May. Crowley's heavy-lift 455 series deck barges with 25-foot side shells provide both the capacity and deck strength needed to accommodate larger drilling and production units used for deepwater offshore energy exploration and development. They provide increased stability for loads up to 4,200 pounds per square foot. Continuing the flurry of new vessel deliveries in the next few weeks, Crowley is also scheduled to take delivery of its newest Articulated Tug Barge (ATB) - the tug Commitment and barge 650-6 - in Pascagoula, Miss. - later this week. The 185,000-barrel ATB, the 10th in Crowley's fleet, has been chartered by a major energy company to transport petroleum products on the U.S. West Coast beginning in April. On the heels of that delivery, Crowley will receive, in about one week, the Sesok and Nachik, two newly-designed shallow draft tugs, which are designed to safely propel petroleum/freight barges in river systems throughout Alaska. Jacksonville-based Crowley Holdings Inc., a holding company of the 117-year-old Crowley Maritime Corporation, is a privately held family and employee-owned company that provides diversified transportation and logistics services in domestic and international markets by means of six operating lines of business: Puerto Rico/Caribbean Liner Services, Latin America Liner Services, Logistics Services, Petroleum Services, Marine Services and Technical Services. Offered within these operating lines of business are the following services: liner container shipping, logistics, contract towing and transportation; ship assist and escort; energy support; salvage and emergency response; vessel management; vessel construction and naval architecture; government services, and petroleum and chemical transportation, distribution and sales. Additional information about Crowley its subsidiaries and business units may be found on the Internet at www.crowley.com.
Last Updated on Wednesday, 01 April 2009 23:47

Seattle Maritime Festival Features World's Biggest Tugboat Races, Chowder Cook-Off, Survival Suit Races, Quick and Dirty Boat Building Competition and Lots of Free Family Fun this May

Wednesday, 01 April 2009 14:52

"With the world's largest tugboat races, boat building and survival suit contests, maritime poetry slam, demonstrations, Chowder Cook-Off and a container ship full of free family fun, the Downtown Seattle Waterfront is the place to be for the annual Seattle Maritime Festival, May 7-9, 2009."

SEATTLE, WA, March 28, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Thrill to the power of the world's biggest tugboat races! Enjoy the Waterfront Chowder Cook-Off. Don't miss survival suit races, a boat building competition, vessel tours, sea-air rescue demonstration, kid's events, Stories of the Sea, and a container ship full of family fun.

The Downtown Seattle Waterfront is the place to be for the annual Seattle Maritime Festival, sponsored by Seattle Propeller Club with support from the Port of Seattle, from May 7-9, 2009.

"The festival is designed to celebrate and showcase our maritime industry and the important role it plays in the Puget Sound region's economy," commented Seattle Propeller Club President Andy Bennett, KPFF Consulting Engineers.

Most of the public activities take place on the Family Fun Day on Saturday, May 9, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Pier 66/Bell Harbor Marina and at Waterfront Park, Pier 57, on the Downtown Seattle Waterfront. There is no admission charge.

The highlight of the Festival is the annual tug races. This year, over 40 tugs and workboats are expected to participate in the 25th Annual Seattle Tugboat Race Championships.

Schedule of Key Events

Tuesday, May 5
Celebrity Judging for the Seattle Waterfront Neighborhood's Waterfront Chowder Cook-Off, Ivar's, Pier 54

Wednesday, May 6
Puget Sound Maritime Historical Society Dinner - For further information: www.pugetmaritime.org

Thursday, May 7
National Fisherman's "Tenth Annual Stories of the Sea" Poetry Competition - Highliner Pub, Fishermen's Terminal, 8 p.m.

Thursday, May 7
The Maritime Event Center, formerly the Odyssey Maritime Discovery Center, is proud to present the 11th Annual Maritime Career Day from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm.

This event provides a unique opportunity to take a glimpse into the working world of trade, transportation, fisheries, government and career training. Step aboard and explore working vessels, speak with industry representatives, and sit in on our Maritime Speaker Series. This opportunity is offered FREE of charge.

For further information: http://www.maritimeeventcenter.com

Saturday, May 9: Family Fun Day
Don't miss a container ship full of family fun as we celebrate the maritime industry and the important role it plays in the Puget Sound region's economy. Did you know that last year over 1.7 million containers moved through Port of Seattle or more than 1,200 cargo vessels called on the Port? Did you know the Port welcomed nearly 835,000 cruise ship passengers on board 211 cruise ships this year? Did you know that nearly 200,000 jobs and that one out of every three jobs in are state are trade related?

For further information, visit www.PortSeattle.org

Competitions

U.S. Oil Seattle Tugboat Race Championships
Seattle Fire Department Fireboat Display, Noon
Tugboat Demonstration, 12:10 p.m.
Abandon Ship Demonstration by Seattle Maritime Academy, 12:20 p.m.
Coast Guard Air-Sea Helicopter Rescue, 12:50 p.m.
WorkBoat Magazine & Pacific Marine Expo Parade to Post, 1:15 p.m.
Class C Classic Tug Race, 2 p.m.
Class B Harbor Tug Race, 2:30 p.m.
Seattle Fire Department Firefighting Demonstration, 2:45 p.m.
Class A Unlimited Tug Race, 3 p.m.

Thirteenth Annual Seattle Waterfront Neighborhood Waterfront Chowder Cook-Off, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Discover the best chowder around - participants include Anthony's Pier 66, Bell Harbor Conference Center, Elliott's Oyster House, The Crab Pot, The Fisherman's Restaurant & Bar, Ivar's, Steamer's Seafood Cafe at Pier 56, Seattle Marriott Waterfront and Six Seven at the Edgewater. Special chowder tasting areas will be created inside each restaurant or retail store.

Buy your Chowder Passport for only $5 at all participating restaurants or at the festival information booths. Proceeds benefit maritime community and youth organizations.

The Chowder Cook-Off is sponsored by the Seattle Waterfront Neighborhood and the Metropolitan Improvement District. For further information, visit www.SeattleWaterfront.org.

Pacific Maritime Magazine Quick & Dirty Boatbuilding Competition, presented with Jensen Maritime Consultants and TOTE - Industry teams compete in building a boat from standard materials at Waterfront Park. Judging at 3 p.m., with racing in the Bell Harbor Marina scheduled for 4 p.m.

World Invitational Survival Suit Races, 11 a.m., Bell Harbor Marina, Pier 66

Family Fun Day Events from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Vessel Tours, Remote Control Boat Demonstrations, Display Booths, Free Wooden Boat Building for Kids, and Kid's Activities Center

Free admission to the Maritime Event Center, Pier 66, from 10am -3pm. Free craft activities for kids.

Display Booths - Seattle Propeller Club, Port of Seattle, Washington State Ferries, ILWU and others at Waterfront Park.

Festival Information Booths and Maritime Store - Will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Waterfront Park and Pier 66.

97.3 FM KIRO Broadcasting Live - The official radio partner of the Seattle Maritime Festival and will be on the Festival grounds from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Meet afternoon host and Tugboat Race Grand Marshall Don O'Neill from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Waterfront Park.

Thursday, May 14
57th Annual Maritime Day Luncheon. During the luncheon, the Puget Sound Maritime Achievement Award, Elected Official of the Year Award and the Environmental Business of the Year Award will be presented.

Chart your course to the Seattle Maritime Festival. Call (206) 728-3163 or visit www.SeattlePropellerClub.org.

All events subject to change.

The Seattle Maritime Festival is sponsored by the Seattle Propeller Club, with the Port of Seattle.

The Seattle Propeller Club is the city's largest maritime organization and represents leaders from all aspects of the maritime industry, including shipping, fishing, tug and barge, ship building, trade, tourism, marine services and support, harbor services and port districts. The Port of Seattle plays a key role in bringing international trade, transportation and travel to the Pacific Northwest, and supports industries as diverse as tourism and commercial fishing. The Port also owns and operates Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

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