No salt water reaches this far as the tide only serves to back up the river water. But the river can slow to a crawl from the pressure of the flood tide and with the combined ebb and river current the flow can be dramatic. This is no place for the faint of heart, especially when operating a towboat in the river currents. But this is the routine for the operators of the boats at Catherwood Towing based in Mission, BC. Much of the work involves moving booms from storage along the river side to lumber and shingle mills that are also along the river. The booms are made up in 18-metre by 18-metre sections and are chained together. Capt. Butch Salsbury on Cahterwood’s ‘Sea Imp X’ explains that when he started with the company 22 years ago they would often deliver enough sections to a sawmill to last them for a week, but now, with escalating log prices, the mills want the logs delivered one or two sections at a time. “And they want it right now,” he laughs.
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Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Re-powering 'Sea Imp X'
British Columbia, Canada: At the mouth of the Fraser River the tides routinely have a 3.5-metre. Sixty-five kilometres upriver at Mission the coastal mountains are beginning to crowd the flat farmland but still the tidal range is frequently 1.8 metres.
Total nets pair of Vietnamese blocks
French oil giant Total has boosted its upstream position in Vietnam by signing contracts for two large onshore exploration blocks in the Mekong Delta area.
Total said it had signed a production sharing contract with national oil company PetroVietnam for Blocks DBSCL-02 and DBSCL-03, which will be operated by Total with a 75% interest. The remaining 25% interest is held by PetroVietnam Exploration Production (PVEP). Block DBSCL-02 covers an area of 14,850 square kilometres and Block DBSCL-03 covers an area of 13,800 square kilometres. The first exploration phase will cover the acquisition of 2D seismic on each block. "Total’s experience in managing the environmental impact of its activities will be crucial in the Mekong Delta.
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Shipbreaking industry in Indian subcontinent facing "shock and awe"
Last week’s decision of a court in Bangladesh, one of the most important ship recycling centers worldwide, to direct the governement to shutdown the operations of all local ship breaking yards within a period of just two weeks has reaped havoc among the industry and serious concern among ship owners across the board, eager to sell their older tonnage for scrap.
The court order was obtained by the Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA), whilst no one was representing the ship recyclers and the industry. The latter responded by labelling the action as “exploitation of law and miscarriage of justice”. The above illustrates the very precarious position of the industry in the subcontinent. According to GMS’ latest weekly report, “extremely well funded and organized camps have the ability to suddenly change the dynamics of the industry by bringing unilateral and arbitrary action, while the players are side?tracked by intense market activity and nonchalance towards the agendas of groups determined to stop ship recycling activities in the Indian subcontinent. Consequently, the fate of this industry continues to be mauled by unexpected turns that rock the very foundations of its existence. We do hope that this week’s ruling serves as a rude “wakeup call” to all those that make their living from this industry, yet do not make any contributions to improve and participate in the development of this industry. For those who are truly interested in “giving back” to the industry and do care for the industry’s survival, growth and enhancement, the recently launched Green Ship Recycling Association (GSRA) serves as an ideal platform” said the researchers.Read More
The court order was obtained by the Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA), whilst no one was representing the ship recyclers and the industry. The latter responded by labelling the action as “exploitation of law and miscarriage of justice”. The above illustrates the very precarious position of the industry in the subcontinent. According to GMS’ latest weekly report, “extremely well funded and organized camps have the ability to suddenly change the dynamics of the industry by bringing unilateral and arbitrary action, while the players are side?tracked by intense market activity and nonchalance towards the agendas of groups determined to stop ship recycling activities in the Indian subcontinent. Consequently, the fate of this industry continues to be mauled by unexpected turns that rock the very foundations of its existence. We do hope that this week’s ruling serves as a rude “wakeup call” to all those that make their living from this industry, yet do not make any contributions to improve and participate in the development of this industry. For those who are truly interested in “giving back” to the industry and do care for the industry’s survival, growth and enhancement, the recently launched Green Ship Recycling Association (GSRA) serves as an ideal platform” said the researchers.
Piracy latest: MOL boxship escapes attack
Tokyo: Mitsui O.S.K. Lines has reported that its 13,038 ton operated car carrier Jasmine Ace was fired on by pirates in two high-speed boats about 480 miles east of Somalia around at 16:10 local time on Sunday, March 22.
The Cayman Islands-flagged ship, which was under way to Mombasa in Kenya with a cargo of 377 used cars onboard, sustained some damage to the hull, but quickly accelerated and took evasive action such as zigzagging. After about 40 minutes, the pirates gave up chasing her at 22:50 on Sunday, March 22. None of her 18 Filipino crewmembers were injured in the attack, and no oil leaked from the hull. Bullets also damaged some windows in the wheelhouse, but the Jasmine Ace continues under its own power, and is now proceeding toward safer waters.Read More
The Cayman Islands-flagged ship, which was under way to Mombasa in Kenya with a cargo of 377 used cars onboard, sustained some damage to the hull, but quickly accelerated and took evasive action such as zigzagging. After about 40 minutes, the pirates gave up chasing her at 22:50 on Sunday, March 22. None of her 18 Filipino crewmembers were injured in the attack, and no oil leaked from the hull. Bullets also damaged some windows in the wheelhouse, but the Jasmine Ace continues under its own power, and is now proceeding toward safer waters.
Stabbert Yacht & Ship Shipyard
CEO Dan Stabbert and Paul Madden, Head of Sales, announced the sale of the 308 ft ex-NOAA Research Ship Sahara to a European buyer.
This vessel is currently undergoing a complete re-fit and conversion at Stabbert Yacht and Ship (SYS) in Seattle. The vessel will be exported from the US and may benefit from a new export financing program that SYS is offering to international buyers. Under this program, Stabbert is able to offer competitive financing for buyers by guaranteeing term financing to creditworthy international buyers for purchases of U.S. vessels and refit/conversion services."The advantages to foreign buyers in the current economy are enormous." states CEO Dan Stabbert. "Market conditions present unique opportunities to buy seaworthy commercial vessels for conversion to exploration yachts, shadow boats, or for specialized missions such as oil research or security duties."Read More
This vessel is currently undergoing a complete re-fit and conversion at Stabbert Yacht and Ship (SYS) in Seattle. The vessel will be exported from the US and may benefit from a new export financing program that SYS is offering to international buyers. Under this program, Stabbert is able to offer competitive financing for buyers by guaranteeing term financing to creditworthy international buyers for purchases of U.S. vessels and refit/conversion services."The advantages to foreign buyers in the current economy are enormous." states CEO Dan Stabbert. "Market conditions present unique opportunities to buy seaworthy commercial vessels for conversion to exploration yachts, shadow boats, or for specialized missions such as oil research or security duties."
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