6. September 2006 P/F

Each year the August edition of Marine News magazine, the leading voice in the North American workboat market, features the very best 100 leaders and innovators, including workboat owners and operators, builders, OEMs and repairers, and product and service providers.Participation is free, but to be considered you must apply at http://mn100.maritimemagazine.com/. The July 5 deadline to apply is fast approaching.Contact Joe Keefe with questions at: keefe@marinelink.com

In 1993, Bouchard Transportation Co. christened the B. No. 230, which was the first double-hulled barge to enter service in the United States. Joined together for this milestone celebration was (pictured left to right): Mr. John Dane III, former President/CEO, Halter Marine Group Inc.; Mr. Gerhard Kurz, former President, Mobil Shipping and Transportation Company (MOSAT), a Mobil Oil-affiliated company; and Mr. Morton S. Bouchard Jr., former Chairman, BTC. The July 2018 edition of Maritime Reporter & Engineering News will feature a special “Bouchard Transportation Co. Celebrates 100 Years” magazine. For more information contact: Greg Trauthwein, trauthwein@marinelink.com, t. 516-810-7405.

A U.S. House committee will kick off debate next week on three new bills aimed at boosting offshore wind energy leases in federal waters.The House Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources will hold a hearing on Tuesday on three bipartisan offshore wind proposals.One proposal would require the Interior Department to develop a leasing plan or schedule for federal offshore leases, a second would create a federal grant for educational or career programs for the offshore industry, and a third would give Interior the authority to manage the federal submerged lands off of territories such as Guam for offshore energy. Turbines can be built on land beneath navigable waters.

“To be a top performer, you must embrace technology,” said Søren Meyer, Chief Strategy Officer, Maersk Tankers, speaking at the Marine Money Week conference in New York on Tuesday.Meyer was referring to the industry-wide digitalization evolution currently underway in the tanker shipping sector, as part of a panel discussion with Frank Coles, President, Transas Group, Wartsila Voyage Solutions; and Scott G. Borgerson, Ph.D., CEO, CargoMetrics Technologies LLC.Digitalization has been gaining more attention in shipping as the industry increasingly looks to leverage data to improve commercial performance and investment returns.

U.S. salvage industry update: Coast Guard recognition and continuous improvement for the domestic salvage industry and its working professionals.Professional salvors are called in when the ship’s crew is overwhelmed – the last resort to protect lives, minimize environmental impacts and save the ship and cargo. These salvage masters, divers, firefighters, naval architects, heavy lift operators and other salvage team members regularly go into harm’s way and consistently perform incredible feats. They commit their lives and livelihoods to this work.