Inland and Coastal

USCG conducts underway inspections of small passenger vessels off California

In the wake of the deadly fire on the dive boat Conception, safety compliance checks are being conducted underway on smaller, U.S. inspected passenger vessels operating off the California coast. The checks are part of an Eleventh Coast Guard District initiative to improve safety by ensuring continued regulatory compliance while vessels are conducting operations with paying passengers aboard.

“Our intent with these safety compliance checks is to bridge gaps that were identified following the fire...

https://www.marinelog.com/compliance/uscg-conducts-underway-inspections-of-small-passenger-vessels-off-california/

Ida: Recovery efforts get underway

As parts of the eastern U.S. woke up today to deal with the lingering but still damaging effects of the remnants of Ida, recovery efforts in the Gulf Coast area continued. Many maritime operations in the region report that they are currently in the recovery mode, including Edison Chouest Offshore, Bollinger Shipyards and ports in the region.

Though things look clearer than they did when we reported yesterday, it is still appears that post-storm disruptions will be prolonged. As we’ve noted, just...

https://www.marinelog.com/inland-coastal/inland/ida-recovery-efforts-get-underway/

FERRIES 2021: Panel on ferry design will highlight latest trends and projects

“The ferry industry is poised to rebound in 2022.” That’s the theme of this year’s Marine Log FERRIES conference set to be presented November 9-10 on the New York Harbor waterfront in Jersey City, N.J., in partnership with the Passenger Vessel Association.

This year, the event will include a panel discussion on Day 2 of the program on the topic of advancements in ferry design, when the speakers will discuss recent ferry projects, the design process, challenges to that process, and more. Joining...

https://www.marinelog.com/inland-coastal/ferries/ferries-2021-panel-on-ferry-design-will-highlight-latest-trends-and-projects/

Conrad delivers first of four McDonough spud barges

Morgan City, La., headquartered Conrad Shipyard reports that its Deepwater South facility in Amelia, La., has delivered the first of four ABS classed spud barges to McDonough Marine Service, headquartered in Metairie, La.

The identical spud barges each measure 180 by 54 by 12.5 feet and have a deck strength of 2,500 pounds per square foot and four spud wells. The remaining barges are on schedule for delivery in the third and fourth quarters of 2021. The Deepwater South yard, where the barges...

https://www.marinelog.com/inland-coastal/conrad-delivers-first-of-four-mcdonough-spud-barges/

New modern riverboat joins American Cruise Lines fleet

Panoramic view of modern riverboat fleet of six modern riverboats

Guilford, Conn., headquartered American Cruise Lines reports that it has accepted delivery of its latest modern riverboat, American Melody, from Chesapeake Shipbuilding.

Despite the challenges, the Maryland shipyard continued building through the pandemic and delivered American Melody as promised and on schedule.

Immediately after completing sea trials, the vessel headed to New Orleans to ready for its inaugural eight day cruise along the Mississippi River. The sold-out cruise departs from Port...

https://www.marinelog.com/inland-coastal/inland/new-modern-riverboat-joins-american-cruise-lines-fleet/

Corps starts 2021 Duluth maintenance dredging

The Duluth Engineer District is set to begin 2021 maintenance dredging and Minnesota Point beach nourishment next week. Cleanup of material placed during 2020 continues.

The Corps of Engineers awarded the 2021 maintenance dredging contract July 14, 2021, to Sturgeon Bay, Wis., based Roen Salvage Company. Roen will dredge 40,000 cubic yards of material. The Corps originally planned to dredge and place nearly 100,000 cubic yards. However, it is reducing the amount of material due to protocols and...

https://www.marinelog.com/inland-coastal/corps-starts-2021-duluth-maintenance-dredging/

U.S. ferries carried 131.6 million passengers in 2019

Infograpgic shows purposes of ferry trips

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) today released data sets from its 2020 National Census of Ferry Operators (NCFO).

Key findings from the 246 ferry operators that responded indicated that 131.6 million passengers were carried on ferries in the U.S. and its territories in 2019.

DOT statistics show that commuter travel accounts for most ferry trips

The reporting ferry operators provided service through 760 terminals on 1,106 unique route segments in 40...

https://www.marinelog.com/inland-coastal/u-s-ferries-carried-131-6-million-passengers-in-2019/

GLDD awarded $12 million USACE contract

Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company, Houston, Texas, has been awarded a $12,086,200 firm-fixed-price contract for beach nourishment at the Cape May Inlet.

Bids were solicited via the internet with two received. Work will be performed in Cape May, N.J., with an estimated completion date of March 14, 2022. Fiscal 2021 civil construction funds in the amount of $12,086,200 were obligated at the time of the award.

The Philadelphia Engineer District is contracting the activity.

The post GLDD awarded $12...

https://www.marinelog.com/inland-coastal/dredging/gldd-awarded-12-million-usace-contract/

Galveston Wharves takes major environmental initiatives

Galveston Wharves was last month awarded certification under the Green Marine voluntary environmental program for the North American maritime industry. The Green Marine certification program addresses key environmental issues through 12 performance indicators that include greenhouse gases, air emissions, spill prevention, waste management, environmental leadership, and community impacts—some applicable to shipping activities, others to landside operations.

Galveston Wharves says that joining...

https://www.marinelog.com/ports-terminals/galveston-wharves-takes-major-environmental-initiatives/

VIDEO: Elon Musk gives sneak peek at new drone ship

Elon Musk has taken to Twitter to share video of the new SpaceX drone ship, but didn’t give many details. However, reports are that it was converted from a former McDonough Marine Services deck barge, the MARMAC 302, and that name can still be seen painted on its bows and stern in the video.

You can download the spec sheet for that barge HERE.

Obviously, a lot of work has been done to transform the barge into the vessel in Elon Musk’s video, A Shortfall of Gravitas, or ASOG. Fan site SpaceX...

https://www.marinelog.com/news/video-elon-musk-gives-sneak-peek-at-new-drone-ship/

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