Bouchard Transportation of Melville, New York, wants the Coast Guard's investigation limited to the loaded oil barge which exploded in 2017 off the coast of Texas, killing two deckhands. But the Coast Guard took testimony about the recent history of maintenance and safety issues of the company's fleet, calling the evidence relevant to its analysis of the fatal explosion. … [Read more...]
Space Force, How About A Maritime Force?
by Salvatore R. Mercogliano, Ph.D – On June 18, 2018, President Donald Trump, before a meeting of the National Space Council announced his plan for the Department of the Defense to create a new military branch, entitled the Space Force. The creation of a potential sixth armed service – behind the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Air Force – stirred a … [Read more...]
‘Sitting On a Big Powder Keg’: Final Day of Testimony in Coast Guard’s Bouchard No. 255 Explosion Hearing
The families of two dead seamen want answers as to why a loaded Bouchard oil barge exploded off the coast of Texas. The Coast Guard's public hearing unleashed a torrent of frustration by Bouchard crew members about vessel maintenance. The purpose of the investigation is to make recommendations to prevent future disasters. The full series of articles on the hearing can be found … [Read more...]
Bouchard Barge No. 255 Hearing Part 5: ‘No one could say they didn’t know about the problems’
Editor’s Note: This article is part of a series focussing on the U.S. Coast Guard’s public hearing on the explosion and fire aboard the Bouchard No. 255 tank barge that claimed the lives of two people off the coast of Port Aransas, Texas on October 20, 2017. Highlights: Ship captains walking off the job Crew hiding safety problems from Coast Guard inspectors … [Read more...]
Bouchard Barge No. 255 Hearing Part 4: Former Bouchard VP ‘Shocked’ at Condition of Barge 255
Editor’s Note: This article is part of a series focussing on the U.S. Coast Guard’s public hearing on the explosion and fire aboard the Bouchard No. 255 tank barge that claimed the lives of two people off the coast of Port Aransas, Texas on October 20, 2017. By Barbara Liston (Clearview Post) – A former vice president of Bouchard Transportation testified he … [Read more...]