Webinar will focus on Subchapter M audit requirements

JUNE 15, 2016 — Portland, ME, based ClassNK subsidiary Safety Management Systems, LLC (SMSLLC) will host a  30-minute webinar on June 21, 2016 at 1400 EDT. It is aimed at towing vessel

USCG posts advance copy of Subchapter M

JUNE 13, 2016 — The U.S Coast Guard has published an advance copy of its final rule concerning inspection of towing vessels (better known as Subchapter M). The official version is scheduled

Vane takes delivery of first 4,200 hp tugboat in new series

JANUARY 28, 2016 – The Vane Brothers Company, Baltimore, MD, has taken delivery of the Elizabeth Anne, the first in a series of eight 4,200 horsepower tugboats. All eight Elizabeth Anne Class

Judge suspends operator’s merchant mariner credential

On Feb. 17, 2015, Ms. Stahl wrongfully assumed direction and control of the towing vessel Shannon in Elliot Bay with an invalid credential in violation of U.S. laws and regulations.

 Ms. Stahl’s credential was suspended at the time as a result of a previous violation during which she endangered the crew and passengers aboard multiple Washington State ferries by purposely hindering their safe transit in Elliot Bay near Seattle on Oct. 7, 2014.

Ms. Stahl had also previously been issued a Letter of Warning by the Coast Guard in March 2013 and had her credential suspended for three months in September 2013, both for other violations of U.S. laws and regulations.  

“The Coast Guard’s enforcement actions regarding mariner credentials are remedial and not penal in nature and are designed to maintain standards of competence and conduct necessary to minimize loss of life, personal injury, property damage, and environment harm on U.S. waters,” said Chief Warrant Officer Brian Hennessy, senior investigator at Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound. “When repeat offenses warrant more significant action, the Coast Guard will not hesitate to seek lengthy suspension or revocation of a mariner’s credentials.”

 

Towboat had hole in hull, so it sank

JULY 17, 2015  — The take away from this one: if your vessel has a hole in the hull, it’s not such a good idea to just keep going. The National Transportation

Overturned barge spills caustic soda into Mississippi

JULY 3, 2015 — U.S. Coast Guard Sector New Orleans says it received a report of a collision between the two towing vessels, American Heritage and David G. Schert, near Vacherie, LA,

NTSB issues report on barge sinking

JUNE 26, 2015 — The National Transportation Safety Board has issued its report on the June 8, 2014 sinking of the tank barge Nash, which was under tow, along with barge Kenny

Signet towing vessel supports West Africa offshore project

DECEMBER 8, 2014—Traveling 6,702 nautical miles and 52 days, the powerful offshore towing vessel Signet Warhorse II towed a large cargo barge with critical components for a Saipem installation to support the

Safety Alert: Accidental release of CO2 system

NOVEMBER 12, 2014 — After an incident during a recent Uninspected Towing Vessel (UTV) exam in which a crew member accidentally pulled the CO2 release cables instead of the fuel oil shut-off

USCG responds to two Mobile Ship Channel sinkings

OCTOBER 14, 2014 — The Coast Guard is responding to two sunken vessels in Mobile Ship Channel north of Gaillard Island, Tuesday. Coast Guard Sector Mobile watch standers received a call from

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