Friday, February 12, 2021

New All American Marine President Announced

Veteran maritime leader Ron Wille has been appointed as the next president of All American Marine, it was announced this week.

AAM owner Matt Mullett will continue as CEO and special advisor to the management team.

“During my initial interview with Matt Mullett (AAM’s owner), he indicated he is always considering the future and how the business can be taken to the next level,” Wille said in a statement. “In this situation the future will mean a decreased day-to-day role for him at AAM as he pursues additional time with his family and his many other interests. Matt has had a tremendously successful business career and has built not only a thriving business but an exceptional team here at AAM.”

Wille, who is a licensed merchant mariner and has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Oakland University, is lauded for his maritime and business experience, including his familiarity with tugboats suited to handle commercial ship assists and commercial towing in Southcentral Alaska, the company said.

Before joining AAM in 2018 as Business Development Manager, Wille had been familiar with the company when he was working for Kenai Fjords Tours in Seward, Alaska. During the decade-long relationship Wille built with AAM, Kenai bought and operated three AAM hydrofoil-assisted catamarans.

At AAM, Wille secured various high-profile contracts, including one to construct Captain Murchison for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. He has played a major role in broadening All American Marine’s presence in national and global maritime markets, including work on “the first hydrogen-powered passenger vessel in the US and expansion of its customer base into US Territories,” according to the company.

In his new leadership role, Wille will explore new business, increase his role in vessel contracting and manage staff.

“There are so many things to look forward (to) at All American,” he said. “First, the boats that AAM has and continues to construct are exceptional. We work on every detail of the mission of each vessel prior to production, to ensure the most operator-friendly, fuel-efficient, and best performing vessel in its class. Being part of a phenomenal team that is a market leader, has been and will continue to be, both challenging and rewarding. This leadership position will allow me to participate in the maritime industry as the representative of an extraordinary group of individuals here at AAM. Lastly, I am looking forward to continuing the steady growth of the company.”

Network Issues Causing Radio Outages in Alaska

Mariners travelling through the Southeast Alaskan area from Yakutat to Ketchikan should have additional forms of communication with them beyond their VHF radio systems.

This week, network issues have been causing intermittent outages in the area, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. While a commercial service provider is looking into the issue, the agency is asking mariners to be prepared with additional communication items such as an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB), Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) or satellite messaging device.

Cell phones, satellite phones or high frequency radio communications on 4,125 kHz, 6,215 kHz, and 8,291 kHz are also recommended.

“Until this outage is resolved, it’s crucial for mariners to have alternative forms of communication with them,” said Cmdr. Meredith Gillman, search and rescue mission coordinator. “It is also recommended that mariners create a float plan and file it with their local harbor master or trusted friends and family.”

The Coast Guard Sector Juneau command center can be reached via cellular or satellite phone at 907-463-2980.

Commercial Fishing Boat Slapped
with Halibut Violation

The 48-foot Commercial fishing vessel Currency received a violation from the U.S. Coast Guard Thursday after members of the 110-foot Island Class patrol boat USCG Cutter Chandeleur found eight halibut were allegedly caught illegally near Kodiak Island in Alaska.

Crew members seized the fish and gave them to a member of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in the area. “The violation reflected a seasonal closure for halibut,” according to the agency.

“Maritime law enforcement of Alaska’s fisheries protects both our nation’s living marine resources and the livelihoods of those who depend on them,” said Lt. Tim Cassel, commanding officer of Chandeleur. “We’re out here to protect the lives of fishermen and other mariners, to help ensure commercial fishermen all adhere to the same standards, and to safeguard the longevity of our marine resources.”

Port of Long Beach Seeks Nonprofits
for Sponsorships

The Port of Long Beach is looking for nonprofit organizations that are interested in applying for its Community Sponsorship Program.

The program - designed to pay for events and activities that raise community awareness about the port - is accepting sponsorship proposals online from March 1 until 5 p.m. on March 31.

The port will then review the applications and make recommendations to the Board of Harbor Commissioners for approval. Selected organizations will be announced in June.

Groups will be selected based on how the activity or event educates residents of the port’s role as a jobs and economic generator. Virtual events and activities are eligible.

Visit www.polb.com/sponsorship for more.

Tuesday, February 9, 2021

Nautical Institute Approves Kongsberg
Remote DP Simulator

The Nautical Institute has approved Kongsberg Digital’s remote simulation for Dynamic Positioning Induction Courses, it was announced Feb. 1.

KONGSBERG’s cloud-based K-Sim DP technology allows training centers to keep offering mandatory DP simulation-based education remotely amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The functionality of Kongsberg Digital’s remote DP solution has been demonstrated and found fit for purpose,” said Qasim Masood, Accreditation Manager of the Dynamic Positioning Department for The Nautical Institute.

“We’re pleased to give our approval to this solution, which is of great help in training the next generation of DP operators, particularly when more traditional training delivery arrangements are not viable,” Masood added.

After reviewing the technology, the Nautical Institute has approved its use until April 1, 2021, as an equivalent to its Class C DP simulators required for the DP Induction courses. There’s also an option to extend the remote use based on the status of the pandemic.

“It’s encouraging to know that our latest remote simulation technologies are helping students to attain DP skills even in these difficult times,” said Andreas Jagtøyen, Executive Vice-President of Digital Ocean for Kongsberg Digital. “I strongly believe that the new cloud-based simulation solutions we are now providing represent the future of maritime training and will continue to act as cost-effective teaching aids when COVID-19 has been consigned to history.”

AAPA Urges Relief Funding for U.S. Maritime Transportation

The American Association of Port Authorities recently joined 35 groups in the maritime industry in imploring the federal government to help the U.S. maritime transportation industry with emergency relief funding.

In a letter to Congress and President Joe Biden, the groups asked the leaders to fund the Maritime Transportation System Emergency Relief Program to help those impacted by the pandemic.

“Despite container surges at several large ports, commercial cargo volumes have plummeted across the industry – total waterborne trade volume is down 5.5% compared to last year, while the value of this trade has crashed by 12.7% totaling $200 billion. Passenger movements remain virtually ceased,” according to the letter.

In uncertain times, the U.S. maritime industry and its workforce has sustained the movement of food, medical supplies, and other essential goods to communities, AAPA President and CEO Christopher J. Connor said.

“This emergency relief will ensure operational continuity at the elevated level which Americans have come to depend on,” Connor said in a statement.

USCG Cutter Steadfast Returns to Oregon

After 45 days and over 10,000 miles patrolling the Eastern Pacific Ocean for narcotics offenses, crew members of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Steadfast recently came back to its Astoria, Oregon homeport.

During that time, crew members boarded four suspected drug-smuggling vessels and found and took possession of over $28 million (1,675 pounds) worth of cocaine and held seven suspected narco-traffickers.

The 210-foot medium endurance cutter Steadfast also finished biennial Aviation Standardization Training, netting certification for Aerial Use of Force, and was a training platform for tactical law enforcement units from Maritime Security Response Team-West.

“The Steadfast crew, families, and friends really came together to keep spirits high while deployed over the holidays,” said Cmdr. Craig Allen, Jr., commanding officer of the Steadfast. “During the patrol, the crew displayed superb skill and professionalism in achieving a perfect detection-to-interdiction record, thus ensuring the holidays were considerably less jolly for narco-traffickers.”

Port of Vancouver Seeks Operators
for Export Facility

The Port of Vancouver USA is looking for companies interested in running a high-volume marine export bulk facility on 14.26 acres at Terminal 2, Berth 7.

The space includes a facility with 11 acres for receiving and storing cargo. Two warehouses can offer 127,000 square feet of covered storage. The dry bulk dock can quickly and efficiently move various heavy mineral bulk commodities with a telescoping conveyor system. Four rail support tracks and one working track serve the facility, which includes “a bottom dump system where products can be conveyed to one of two storage buildings.”

“This dry bulk facility is a unique opportunity, especially on the U.S. West Coast,” said port chief commercial officer Alex Strogen. “With the port’s unparalleled access to river, road and rail, shippers bypass the facility traffic and road congestion of other West Coast ports, improving transit times and overall logistics.”

The port has issued a Statements of Interest that is due by 5 p.m. PST on March 12.

Questions should be sent to port sales director Brent Berg, at bberg@portvanusa.com by 5 p.m. PST on Feb. 15. Answers will be sent to all competing companies by 5 p.m. PST on March 1.

Visit https://www.portvanusa.com/marine/bulk-export-facility-statement-of-interest/ for more.