Marine Log - March 2009 - (Page 7) Update INL AND • COASTAL OFFSHORE • DEEPSEA biz NOTES Icebreaker “stimulus” for Todd Shipyards Todd Pacific Shipyards, Seattle, Wash., has been awarded a five-year $29 million contract to retrofit the U.S. Coast Guard's Polar Class icebreaker, Polar Star, according to Washington State Senator Patty Murray. As a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Murray helped secure $30.3 million in the FY2009 Homeland Security Appropriations bill to re-activate the USCGC Polar Star, which is currently in caretaker status. “This contract is a shot in the arm for our maritime industry at a critical time,” said Senator Murray. According to Todd Pacific Shipyards’ CEO Steve Welch, the contract will mean sustaining or creating more than 250 jobs in the Puget Sound region. get stimulus lift here was some good news for U.S. shipyards tucked away in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act—the massive $789 billion stimulus package signed into law last month by President Obama. Under the terms of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the U.S. Maritime Administration received $100 million for the Small Shipyards Grant Program. This was 10 times the amount it was funded at in 2008. Last year, the Maritime SMALL YARDS Derecktor Shipyards was one of 19 second-tier shipyards that received a grant last year for welding equipment, welding tank, air casters and a hydraulic bender from the U.S. Maritime Administration T Administration (MarAd) received an overwhelming response to the program from smaller or second-tier shipyards, but with some few funds to work with, was only able to provide grants to 19 shipyards. The grant program provides 75% federal funds with 25% matching funds from the shipyard for capital improvements and related infrastructure improvements which will foster efficiency, competitive operations and quality ship construction and repair. Grant funds may also be used for maritime training programs to foster technical skills and operational productivity. Of the $100 million, $75 million is reserved for smaller shipyards—those with 600 employees or less—and up to $25 million may be awarded to yards with up to 1,200 employees. Applications must be filed by April 20, 2009 and awards must be made by the Maritime Administration by August 17, 2009. Pirate attack on tanker thwarted AN APPARENT PIRATE attack on the 74,000 dwt Liberian-flag Panamax tanker Lia was thwarted thanks to swift action by Chinese naval forces escorting the ship, according to the ship’s commercial manager. Amsterdam-based Seaarland Shipping Management said the tanker was in the Gulf of Aden at 0900 hrs on Feb. 24 under naval escort when it was forced to stop due to an engine malfunction. At 0935hrs, the officer of the watch detected on radar two high-speed craft approaching the tanker, which was carrying a load of naptha destined for China. The Master raised the www.marinelog.com alarm on board and the crew took action under the vessel’s security plan. The Master asked the Chinese warship for immediate helicopter assistance, which arrived on the scene within minutes of the request. The helicopter positioned itself over the craft and the craft then ceased their approach to the Lia. Last year, Seaarland announced a policy that it would route all its owned and chartered ships via the Cape of Good Hope unless a military escort through the Gulf of Aden was available. Antonio Zacchello, managing director of Seaarland, says, “We have to act to protect our crews from piracy attack. We know this will cause extra expense and some delays for us and our charterers, but we work with good long-term partners and they understand the problem and understand that we have to protect our crews and ships, and their cargoes.” The ship is technically managed by Motia Compagnia di Navigazione. Atlantic Marine to drydock FFG Atlantic Marine Mayport, LLC, Jacksonville, Fla., was recently awarded a $7,239,077 firmfixed-price contract for the Drydock Selected Restricted Availability (DSRA) of the USS Underwood (FFG 36). The DSRA will include drydock and topside maintenance repair work. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $8,850,369. The work is expected to be completed by July 2009. MARCH 2009 MARINE LOG 7 http://www.marinelog.com
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