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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Bourbon Presents Horizon 2012 Plan

In February 2006, Bourbon announced the Horizon 2010 plan, a strategy based on an original vision of the market and substantial investments in a modern fleet.

In February 2008, Bourbon is announcing its Horizon 2012 strategic plan, which continues and prolongs its outlook.Ongoing analysis to anticipate changes and adapt The last Horizon 2010 strategic plan was developed at the end of 2005, in a context of strong demand from oil operators, who expressed their intention to make massive investments in offshore to extend their reserves and develop their production. BOURBON was then positioned in three marine sectors via the Offshore Division, the Towage and Salvage Division, and the Bulk Division. Two years later, two new factors, external and internal, have led Bourbon to update its strategic vision. In the offshore oil and gas market, Bourbon notes that oil and gas investments are expected to be higher than initial estimates and that growth has been slowed by bottlenecks at equipment suppliers. As a result, the investments made in oil fields are expected to be spread out over time and generate a positive extension of the production cycle.Within the group, the sale of the port towage business to the Spanish company Grupo Boluda Corporación Marítima, which was closed on December 21, 2007, gives BOURBON new maneuvering room in the two remaining Divisions: Offshore (which now includes the salvage business of Les Abeilles International), and Bulk transport. Facing these major changes, Bourbon has decided to update its strategic plan and enlarge it to 2012.

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MV Eagle Launched

36m Catamaran ferry cut 989 A4 The latest Incat Crowther vessel to be built by Richardson Devine Marine (RDM) has been successfully launched and trialed along Hobart’s Derwant River.

The MV Eagle, a 36m Catamaran Ferry, was built for World Heritage Cruises who operate scenic wilderness cruises from their base in Strahan, on Tasmania’s west coast. Eagle was designed to carry 222 passengers with a service speed of 28 knots fully loaded. The main cabin can seat 136 passengers with a mix of reclining seats, seats at tables and comfortable lounges.The vessel provides viewing positions on all decks, including the large enclosed foredeck. Powered by twin MTU 8V4000 M70’s each producing 1555 hp, the vessel reached a top speed of 33.6 knots during trials. The vessel also incorporates special low wash features developed by Incat Crowther, for low speed operation in the sensitive ecological regions of Macquarie Harbour and the Gordon River. The vessel was built locally by Richardson Devine Marine and was the first vessel to be built in their brand new, purpose built shipyard. It was RDM’s 17th vessel with Incat Crowther over an eleven year period. In addition RDM have two other Incat Crowther vessels under construction.

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USS Benfold Receives First Install of Shipboard Protection System

Guided missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65) maneuvers as she prepares to moor pierside Naval Station Pearl Harbor. Benfold returned from a deployment as part of Boxer Expeditionary Strike Group, which is currently conducting Maritime Security Operations (MSO) in support of 5th Fleet.

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class James E. Foehl From USS Benfold Public Affairs SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- USS Benfold (DDG 65) emerged from its 2008 Chief of Naval Operations selected repair availability Jan. 30, equipped with the new Shipboard Protection System (SPS). Benfold is the first ship to be outfitted with SPS Block 1 version, which uses integrated radar and twin cameras to identify and engage threats from high-speed seaborne craft. The system supplies the means to provide a blanket of protection from swifter and smaller scale attacks whether a ship is in port, at anchor or at sea.

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Megastar Shipping launches Singapore-to-Batam, Indonesia service

Megastar Shipping Pte Ltd has announced the addition of a new Batam-Singapore service to its liner trade, operated by two sets of tugs and barges between Singapore and Batam Port on the Riau Islands in Indonesia to provide a daily service Monday to Saturday.

The barges, Global 2 and Global 3, are fitted with cranes capable of lifting up to 30 tons of cargo, towed by tugs, Osco VII and Sumber XXV. The service caters to container cargo, break bulk, LCL and project cargoes.Furthermore, tugs and barges are made available every Saturday to carry project cargo weighing up to 1,500 tons.The service runs Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays with Global 2 departing from Batam at 0900 hrs for Singapore. On Thursdays and Fridays, the Global 3 departs from Batam and is scheduled to arrive in Singapore the next morning at 0630 hrs. On Saturdays, the Global 3 is scheduled to depart from Singapore at 1700 hrs from Jurong Port J3. The service receives cargo daily until 2200 hrs. At Batam, the service berths are at Batu Ampar.

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