Navy to Christen USNS Robert E. Peary

The Navy will christen the USNS Robert E. Peary on Feb. 9, 2008.

The christening ceremony for the newest ship in the Lewis and Clark class of underway replenishment ships will be held at General Dynamics NASSCO, San Diego. Designated as T-AKE 5, the new ship honors Navy Rear Adm. Robert Edwin Peary, (1856–1920), an American explorer born in Cresson, Pa., who is credited as the first person to reach the geographic North Pole. Peary was commissioned a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy Oct. 26, 1881, and achieved the rank of rear admiral. He was recognized by Congress by a special act on March 30, 1911.
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Donjon Provides Diving and Salvage Services to Dredge

Donjon Marine Co. Inc. uses its salvage and related emergency response service equipment, the 1,000-ton capacity derrick barge Chesapeake 1000 and 400-ton capacity derrick barge Columbia New York to supply heavy lift, diving and related salvage services to the dredge New York which sustained considerable damage after being struck by another vessel while in Newark Bay, New Jersey in January.

Donjon Marine, Co., Inc., was contracted by owners of the 200-ft.-long excavator style dredge New York to supply heavy lift, diving and related salvage services after the dredge was struck by the 669-ft. vessel Orange Sun while working in Newark Bay, NJ. The dredge-sustained damage, which includs the loss of buoyancy at the excavator end, fracturing of the hull at the point of impact, as well as bending of two of the 3-6-ft. square, 100-ton spuds, effectively pinning the New York in place.

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Italy's Fincantieri studies capital hike to bid for Aker Yards

The Italian public shipyard Fincantieri is studying a capital increase to bid for its Norwegian peer Aker Yards, the weekly Il Mondo said citing investment banks.

The weekly added that Fincantieri has the support of the Italian, French, Norwegian and Finnish governments, which want to avoid Aker being taken over by the South Korean group STX Shipbuilding.STX has already bought a 39.2 pct in the Norwegian group, which also has shipyards in France and Finland.The capital increase could be subscribed by public companies controlled by the governments of the four countries, including Fincantieri's own parent company the state holding Fintecna, it said.Fincantieri could seek a bourse listing and make a share and cash offer for Aker, aiming to buy 51 pct of the company, Il Mondo added.Fincantieri declined to comment on any capital increase plan.

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