Cal Maritime's Training Ship Golden Bear sustained minor damage after one of its mast hit a shoreside gantry crane as it arrived in Barbados on Tuesday during its 2019 cruise. A statement from the school said the ship was under pilot control when the incident occurred. Thankfully, there were no injuries on board or ashore. The allision, however, did cause the training … [Read more...]
Major Gas Product Spill on Houston Ship Channel After Tanker and Barges Collide
A unified command has been set up to respond to a major gasoline product spill in the Houston Ship after a tanker and tug pushing two barges collided near Bayport, Texas, Friday afternoon. The unified command consists of the Coast Guard, Texas General Land Office and the barge owner, Kirby Inland Marine. Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston watchstanders received a report … [Read more...]
NTSB Blames Ineffective Maintenance, Safety Management in Deadly Barge Explosion
The National Transportation Safety Board has determined that the deadly explosion and fire aboard the B No. 255 barge off the coast of Port Aransas, Texas in 2017 was the result of a lack of effective maintenance and safety management of the barge by the Bouchard Transportation Company. In addition, ineffective inspections and surveys by both the Coast Guard and the American … [Read more...]
Editorial: Admiral, I Am NOT Ready For War
"It is an unfortunate fact that we can secure peace only by preparing for war." -John F Kennedy by Captain John Konrad (gCaptain) As has been the case before every major world conflict a majority of citizens believe that peace will persist indefinitely and, as a civilian myself, I tend to agree that a large scale war with a major superpower like China or Russia is unlikely. … [Read more...]
Heavy Lift Vessel Blue Marlin Attacked by Pirates Off West Africa
The Boskalis semi-submersible heavy lift vessel Blue Marlin was ransacked by pirates offshore West Africa on Sunday, causing damage that has left the ship inoperable. All 20 crew members are reported safe and in good health. Royal Boskalis Westminster N.V. confirmed Tuesday that the vessel was "hijacked" approximately 80 nautical miles off the coast of Equatorial … [Read more...]