Offshore Marine Service Association

OMSA adds four CEOs to its board

OMSA board member
Wes Bordelon

The Offshore Marine Service Association (OMSA) reports that four CEOs have joined its board of directors: Wes Bordelon, CEO, Bordelon Marine; Stacy Jo Stanley, CEO, Offshore Oil Services, Inc.; David Dantin, CEO Odyssea Marine; and Lasse Petterson, CEO, Great Lakes Dredge and Dock.

OMSA says that with the addition of these four executive leaders, it is paying homage to its roots while welcoming expanded opportunities in emerging energy frontiers.

OMSA board memberStacy Jo Stanley

“I am thrilled to...

https://www.marinelog.com/offshore/omsa-adds-four-ceos-to-its-board/

New AOWFA legislation aims to close offshore energy Jones Act loophole

The Offshore Marine Service Association (OMSA) is applauding the introduction of the American Offshore Worker Fairness Act (AOWFA), saying, “this important legislation provides a step forward towards providing parity between U.S.-flagged and foreign-flagged vessels operating in U.S. offshore energy markets and ensuring that U.S. energy creation means U.S. jobs.

The AOWFA legislation was introduced by U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, MD (R-La) and is an updated version of the bill that he introduced...

https://www.marinelog.com/offshore/new-aowfa-legislation-aims-to-close-offshore-energy-jones-act-loophole/

Offshore wind advocates confident BOEM will move projects forward

Advocates for developing a U.S. offshore wind industry say they believe an impending environmental impact statement from the federal Bureau of Offshore Energy Management will allow Vineyard Wind and 14 other proposed Atlantic projects to move forward.

“We are confident that BOEM is going to meet its deadline,” said Laura Smith Morton, senior director of policy and regulatory affairs for offshore wind at the American Wind Energy Association. “They also need to issue a schedule for future...

https://www.workboat.com/news/offshore/offshore-wind-advocates-confident-boem-will-move-projects-forward/

Congress could act to limit foreign workers in U.S. offshore wind

Foreign-flag vessels and crews employed in the early stages of U.S. offshore wind energy are undercutting opportunities for American mariners, an industry spokesman told members of Congress Tuesday.

At an average pay around $70,000 “marine jobs are just the kind of jobs that government policy should be promoting, said Aaron Smith, president of the Offshore Marine Service Association told members of the House Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.

But during 2020, 12 to 15 foreign flag...

https://www.workboat.com/news/offshore/congress-could-act-to-limit-foreign-workers-in-u-s-offshore-wind/

Offshore operators feel the effects from the coronavirus

Jackson Offshore's 4,357-dwt OSV Breeze. Photo courtesy of Jackson Offshore

Like other workboat sectors, the offshore service vessel industry is being affected by the coronavirus pandemic. At the same time, the offshore industry is getting hit with a double whammy — plunging oil prices. The price of West Texas Intermediate, the U.S. benchmark crude oil, hit its lowest level since 2004 on Wednesday.

WTI crude closed at $22.59 on Friday.

Matthew Rigdon of Jackson Offshore Operators, said the limited supply of coronavirus testing apparatus is creating an especially...

https://www.workboat.com/news/offshore/offshore-operators-feel-the-effects-from-the-coronavirus/

Coronavirus affecting trade along inland waterways system

David Krapf photo

Barge operators are joining other industries across the country in assessing how the coronavirus outbreak could affect their business and their employees.

As the world tries to stem the outbreak, a global economic slowdown is emerging, especially in key barging markets like China, which is forcing the navigation industry to prepare for a softening demand for its services. The timing couldn’t be worse, as barge lines were just beginning to recover from a punishing year of high water and trade...

https://www.workboat.com/news/coastal-inland-waterways/coronavirus-affecting-trade-along-the-inland-waterways-system/

OMSA expands its board of directors

Jackson Offshore's 4,357-dwt OSV Breeze. Photo courtesy of Jackson Offshore

Last week, the Offshore Marine Service Association (OMSA) expanded its board of directors and nominated a new slate of board members for 2020 – 2021. The new members are led by incoming Chairman Minor “Tony” Cheramie III.

The new directors include:
• Ashton Laborde: President, Laborde Marine;
• Garrett Rice: Chief Financial Officer, Master Boat Builders Inc.;
• Caitlin Sause: Vice President, Sause Bros. Ocean Towing Co. Inc.; and
• Karl Senner: President, Karl Senner LLC;

The slate of nominations...

https://www.workboat.com/news/offshore/omsa-expands-its-board-of-directors/

Jones Act debate continues after almost 100 years

Earlier this year, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson placed a big condition on a possible trade deal with the U.S. — ditch the Jones Act.

“Donald, what we want is for our ships to be able to take freight, say, from New York to Boston, which at the moment they can’t do. So, we want cabotage. How about that?” he said to President Trump at this summer’s G7 meeting. Trump’s reply: “Many things — many things we’re talking about.”

Johnson’s suggestion is just one more fire Jones Act supporters...

https://www.workboat.com/news/government/jones-act-debate-continues-after-100-years/

NOSAC approves final report on OSV use in disaster response

The Hornbeck OSV Red Dawn. With their big cargo decks and massive tank capacity, OSVs can be suitable for disaster recovery operations, industry advocates say. Easter Shipbuilding photo

Yesterday, the National Offshore Safety Advisory Committee (NOSAC) approved recommendations to increase the ability of energy service vessels to assist in disaster response activities.

The recommendations can be found in the final report entitled, “Use of Offshore Supply Vessels (OSVs) and other vessels in restoration and recovery efforts.” The report was produced by NOSAC’s Restoration & Recovery Activity Subcommittee.

Yesterday’s report finalizes and builds upon an interim report approved by...

https://www.workboat.com/news/offshore/nosac-approves-final-report-on-osv-use-in-disaster-response/

OMSA provides list of hurricane relief vessels

The offshore service vessel Harvey Deep-Sea in Louisiana. LSU photo.

Early last week as Hurricane Dorian churned west, the Offshore Marine Service Association (OMSA) surveyed its members to see what vessels could do relief work — a move designed to let the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Maritime Administration (Marad) know in advance exactly what was available before any Jones Act waivers were considered.

“We didn’t know what would be needed,” OMSA president Aaron Smith said Wednesday. So they asked operators about everything from berthing and...

https://www.workboat.com/news/offshore/omsa-provides-list-of-hurricane-relief-vessels/

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