Latest News – Page 889

  • The BRAtt training tug makes its debut at ITS2010 in Vancouver.
    News

    BRAtt takes off and goes green - by Jack Gaston

    2010-05-20T11:42:00Z

    The project to produce the world’s first, purpose built training tug took a quantum leap forward in May with the completion of the first prototype and a signed contract to build two vessels with ‘Green’ propulsion systems. Both events were timed to coincide with the ITS 2010 Tug & Salvage ...

  • 'Tommaso Onorato' was recently completed by UNV.
    News

    UNV deliver Tommaso Onorato - by Jack Gaston

    2010-05-20T11:42:00Z

    Italian owner Moby S.p.A. based in Cagliari has taken delivery of the powerful Voith tractor ‘Tommaso Onorato’. The tug was built by the Spanish shipbuilder Union Naval Valencia, a member of the Boluda Group, purchased ‘on the stocks’ and completed for use under the Italian flag.

  • ‘Ginger’ joins the Iskes fleet, bringing the total to eleven tugs.
    News

    'Ginger’ joins the Iskes fleet - by Jack Gaston

    2010-05-20T11:41:00Z

    ‘Ginger’, the second of two new tugs to be completed in the Netherlands for Iskes Towage & Salvage, is now in service.

  • ‘Ijsselstroom’ has a new lease of life as the ‘Zephyrus’. (Photo courtesy Jan Plug)
    News

    MAIB report on Ijsselstroom capsize - by Jack Gaston

    2010-05-20T11:41:00Z

    The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has issued its report on the capsize and sinking of the Dutch tug ‘Ijsselstroom ‘ at Peterhead in June 2009. The incident, and the resulting MAIB report, is yet another reminder of the inherent dangers still present in the operation of conventional screw ...

  • 'DMS Osprey' started life as a ‘Pushbuster’.
    News

    DMS Osprey evolved from a flexible design - by Jack Gaston

    2010-05-20T11:38:00Z

    On 27 April Damen Marine Services took delivery of the new tug ‘DMS Osprey’ and ‘DMS Pelican’, a Multicat 2409. The ‘DMS Osprey’ has a striking resemblance to the ‘Pushbuster’ class of tugs introduced in 2008 but bears the designation Shoalbuster 3511. The explanation lies in some slick redesign and ...

  • Pyrotechnic signals will be with us for some time to come.
    News

    Distress signals need to work in extremes

    2010-05-20T11:37:00Z

    Two recent incidents have shown the necessity of flares and beacon distress signals which remain reliable even in extreme weather conditions, making the point that we still need ‘old technology’ like pyrotechnics as electronics is not yet the answer to everything.

  • A sea anchor was filmed from an ROV during trials.
    News

    Flying chain buys time for rescue tugs

    2010-05-20T11:37:00Z

    A project to enable a tow line and sea anchor to be attached to an unmanned vessel with engine failure has been boosted by the development of a chain which is lightweight enough to be deployed by air.

  • Stan Woodard points out his wireless fluid level measurement system, a spinoff technology originally developed to retrofit ageing aircraft with vehicle safety monitoring equipment.
    News

    Safer sensors come down from the skies

    2010-05-20T11:36:00Z

    A wireless fluid level measurement system has been developed by NASA scientists which eliminates the inaccuracy associated with a vessel’s movement, and the system can also be adapted to detect contaminants such as water.

  • The Rescue Buoy MOB has an air propelled, not pyrotechnic, launch device
    News

    Pneumatic launcher for rescue device

    2010-05-20T11:36:00Z

    An innovative life saving device that aims to bring people in trouble in the water within reach by giving extra distance to the ‘throw’ is already finding a home with a number of commercial marine companies.

  • The 6kg satellite will extend AIS capability dramatically.
    News

    Marine objectives await launch into orbit

    2010-05-20T11:34:00Z

    A satellite will be used by maritime authorities as an additional means of ensuring safety at sea in the High North.

  • Italian owned 'Fox' is on charter as the 'Fairplay 27'.
    News

    Fairplay Towage charter the Italian Fox - by Jack Gaston

    2010-05-20T11:32:00Z

    Hamburg based tugowners Fairplay Towage have taken the anchorhandling ASD tug ‘Fox’ on a two year bare boat charter from Ocean Srl of Trieste. The deal was completed at the end of April and the tug sailed from Trieste in Fairplay colours under the name ‘Fairplay 27’.

  • News

    The International Tugmasters Association is formed - by Jack Gaston

    2010-05-20T11:32:00Z

    A new International Tug Masters Association has been formed to represent tugmasters throughout the world, largely by means of a new and most comprehensive web site. The launch is backed by a host of influential personalities representing a wealth of experience from all sectors of the towage industry.

  • 'Orca VI' shows off in Indonesia prior to sailing to Panama.
    News

    TOWLINES June 2010 - by Jack Gaston

    2010-05-20T11:31:00Z

    Kompania di Tou Korsou (KTK) took delivery of the ‘Orca VI’, a powerful Damen Stan Tug 4011 built by PT Dumas in Surabaya, Indonesia on 2 April. With its bollard pull of 70 tons the new vessel will give an important boost to KTK’s capabilities in the international towing and ...

  • The sheer area of the Port of Cork provides a major challenge for port security.
    News

    Port of Cork is safe and secure

    2010-05-19T19:23:00Z

    The Port of Cork is one of Ireland’s largest and most economically important ports. Over 3,000 ships and 10m tons of cargo pass though the port each year, making it one of the busiest ports in Ireland.

  • There will be negotiations with representative local lighthouse and port authorities for the transfer from the GLAs to them of 53 AtoN that are considered to be primarily for the benefit of local navigation. Photo courtesy of Tideland Signal.
    News

    GLAs complete five year AtoN review

    2010-05-19T18:17:00Z

    The General Lighthouse Authorities (GLAs) of the United Kingdom and Ireland are Trinity House, the Northern Lighthouse Board and the Commissioners of Irish Lights.

  • The Castor Green Terminal will feature wind turbines as the primary source of power, along with solar photovoltaic roof panels.
    News

    Clean green terminal of the future

    2010-05-19T18:17:00Z

    The Norway based shipping company Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics (WWL) has unveiled a concept for a zero emissions ocean cargo marine terminal of the future, powered by the sun and the wind.

  • A new team in the Houses of Parliament has pledged an immediate freeze on the collection of backdated port rates.
    News

    End in sight for backdated UK port rates bills

    2010-05-19T18:17:00Z

    ‘The end game is very near’ for the backdated rates bills at ports says Andrew Finfer, the solicitor advising the dock rating groups that has been spearheading the attack on the UK Valuation Agency Office’s incompetent handling of the issue.

  • The coalition intends to deliver at least half a million signatures to governments by IMO World Maritime Day on 23 September.
    News

    Global coalition says, ‘Enough is Enough’

    2010-05-19T17:44:00Z

    An unprecedented coalition of organisations, from trade unions to shipowners’ associations and insurers, has joined forces to back a global e-petition demanding concrete action to end the piracy that is putting lives at risk and threatening world trade.

  • The AWS-III wave energy test device deployed in Scotland’s Loch Ness.
    News

    New wave energy device aims for utility scale output

    2010-05-19T17:07:00Z

    Scottish marine energy technology developer, AWS Ocean Energy, has started testing its new wave energy device in Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands.

  • Ship operators are beginning to give their crews bonuses based on improvements in fuel consumption and related environmental aspects.
    News

    An alternative route to greener shipping

    2010-05-19T15:18:00Z

    Current estimates indicate that shipping’s share of global CO2 emissions could increase to between 20% and 30% by 2050. With 90% of global trade carried by sea, this is an issue that cannot be sidestepped. However, commercial realities must be recognised and ‘green’ solutions with tangible commercial benefits may provide ...