New CFO for Harley Marine

By Karen Robes Meeks

Sterling Adlakha is Harley Marine Services’ new chief financial officer. The company chairman and CEO Harley Franco welcomed Adlakha to the executive team in an announcement made in October.

“Our past financial executive set the bar high for sustainable growth, with strong ethics, and a goal to prosper and diversify,” Franco said. “We are excited to have Sterling join the team and believe he will continue this legacy to get our company to the next level with his drive, focus, and experience.”

A US Coast Guard Academy graduate, Adlakha served 10 years with the Coast Guard before earning his MBA and international business diplomacy certificate from the McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University.

He worked in investment banking and equity research before coming to Kirby Corp., where he was corporate finance manager, director of investor relations and finance, and eventually vice president and chief financial officer of United Holdings LLC.

“I’m very excited to join such a fast-growing company at the leading edge of the industry in terms of technology and environmental stewardship,” Adlakha said. “Harley Marine is renowned for its track record in safety and great customer service and I’m humbled to have the opportunity to support the team as we continue to build upon this record of success.”

Harley Marine Services Delivers Vessel to Philippine Red Cross

By Mark Edward Nero

Harley Marine Services has delivered the M/V Susitna from Seattle to the Philippine Red Cross – a 15,000 nautical mile voyage spanning the Pacific Ocean, the Seattle-based company revealed in late March.

A contract between the Philippine Red Cross and Harley Marine Services was finalized in June 2016, and following initial discussions, Harley Marine said a “special tow team” was formed that included key stakeholders from each HMS department as well as representatives from the naval architecture firm that designed the vessel.

Harley Marine loaded the M/V Susitna onto a barge, the Chatham Provider for the journey. In order to get the M/V Susitna safely onboard, Harley Marine had to utilize the heavy lift ship, Happy Star. To do this, special lifting pad eyes needed to be designed, engineered, fabricated and installed in a very short amount of time.

Once positioned onboard the barge, Harley Marine hired a load master to ensure the vessel was loaded and lashed down prior to leaving. A total of 175 chain lashings and sea stiffeners were added to the vessel to keep the M/V Susitna from moving onboard the barge.

After leaving Seattle in October 2016, the vessel was then transported under tow by the Harley Marine tug Ernest Campbell through Honolulu, Guam and then the Philippines.

The 195-foot M/V Susitna, built in 2010 in Ketchikan, Alaska, is capable of carrying 129 passengers, plus 20 vehicles or one tractor/trailer rig. Originally built for use transporting and delivering equipment, machinery and personnel, the vessel will now be used in future lifesaving disaster response efforts by the Philippine Red Cross.

Harley Welcomes 1st Tier 4 Tractor Tug

By Mark Edward Nero

Harley Marine Services said Feb. 28 that it has accepted delivery of its newest tractor tug, Earl W Redd, which will enter service along the US West Coast.

The first-of-its-kind, the Earl W Redd is equipped with Caterpillar’s Tier 4 emissions technology and enters Harley’s fleet as one of the more efficient and environmentally conscious vessels in service by not only meeting but exceed the toughest marine EPA standards.

Built at Diversified Marine of Portland, Oregon, the Earl W Redd measures 120 feet by 35 feet, with a loaded draft of 19 feet three inches. The tug features twin Cat 3516 Tier 4 Final main engines, each producing 2,675 horsepower at 1,600 rpm.

Each of the engines is paired with a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) after treatment system. SCR uses a urea-based solution to reduce NOx contained in diesel exhaust down to nitrogen and water vapor. Harley says the main engines will be paired with Rolls Royce US 255-P30-FP azimuth thrusters delivering an expected bollard pull capability of 75 tons.

The tug has a fuel capacity of 127,000 gallons and can carry 6,534 gallons of water, 1,137 gallons of lube oil, 1,263 gallons of hydraulic oil and 8,200 gallons of diesel exhaust urea. It also features tow and bow winches by Markey and fendering by Schuyler. The bow winch is designed for ship handling and escort services. Auxiliary power comes from John Deere 125kW generators.

The vessel is named after the father of Diversified Marine’s owner, Kurt Redd. Earl worked for Hyster and US Steel, before landing with Harder Mechanical Contractors, where he retired at 70. After retirement, Earl became part of the Diversified team, where he was a strong presence for the remaining 25 years of his life. Earl Redd died in September 2015 at the age of 96.

Harley Marine Announces Names of Under-Construction Tug-and-Barge Units

By Mark Edward Nero

On Jan. 20, Seattle-based Harley Marine Services announced the naming of its two new articulated tug and barge (ATB) units now under construction at Gunderson Marine and Conrad Shipyard.

The vessels include two 80,000-barrel barges being built at Gunderson Marine in Portland, Ore. and two 116-foot tugs under construction at Louisiana-based Conrad Shipyard.

On the first unit, the tug will be named ONECURE and the barge ONEDREAM. The names are said to have a very personal meaning to company Chairman and CEO Harley Franco, as he honors his lifelong friends, Larry and Sherry Benaroya, of the Benaroya Research Foundation, for the work they’ve done fighting diabetes in the Pacific Northwest.

Harley Marine Services has been a longtime supporter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in its effort to fight Type 1 Diabetes, and the name ONEDREAM is derived from Seattle’s Dream Gala fundraiser. ONEDREAM will be propelled by ONECURE, which aspires for a cure for Type 1 Diabetes.

The second ATB unit is being named with a nod to Harley Marine Services corporate culture. The tugboat is being named TODD E PROPHET after Harley Marine Services’ Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, and the barge is being named ALL ABOARD FOR A CURE.

Todd Prophet, who has been a company leader for 19 years, has battled lung cancer. The companion barge ALL ABOARD FOR A CURE, speaks to Harley Marine’s mission to give back to the community, the company has said, whether fighting to end cancer, cystic fibrosis or diabetes.

The tugs are 116 feet long with a beam of 36 feet. Each is equipped with two GE Tier 4 propulsion engines, for a total of about 4,560 horsepower, and two John Deere, Tier 3 generators. The engines reduce NOx and particulate matter and are each equipped with a Markey tow winch and bow and stern fendering.

The barges are 430 feet long with a beam of 76 feet with a carrying capacity of 80,000 barrels. Their state-of-the-art Nitrogen Gas Generators inject Nitrogen into all cargo compartments maintaining an inert or “oxygen deficient” environment which exponentially increases the safety of the barge.

The ATBs will be coupled utilizing Articouple pins to connect the tugs to the barges. These connections create one unit which functions like a tanker ensuring more stability under tow.

“The vessels will exceed all regulatory, internal, and customers’ expectations,” Harley Marine said in a statement.

Harley Marine to Receive Environmental Award

By Mark Edward Nero

Harley Marine Services has been named the corporate recipient of the North American Marine Environment Protection Association 2016 Marine Environment Protection Awards.

The NAMEPA Marine Environment Protection Award is given in recognition of an individual or organization’s efforts in environmental stewardship, exemplified by a commitment to a program which has specific objectives set for environmental performance and improvement, and which is innovative and goes beyond minimum environmental compliance.

Eligible candidates include members of the commercial maritime industry, government agencies, educational organizations, associations and individuals. Submissions are judged by the organization’s board of directors against the criteria behind the award.

The awards will be presented at NAMEPA’s Awards Dinner, set for Oct. 27 at Pier A in New York City. The dinner caps the North American World Maritime Day conference.

“We are thrilled and honored to win this award. We take great pride in the work we have done to cultivate the best environmental stewardship possible. Harley Franco, our founder and chairman’s original vision and commitment for environmental stewardship has been clear from the inception of the company,” Harley Marine Services Vice President of Quality/Risk Management Deborah Franco said. “Our programs involve every component and entity of Harley Marine’s family of companies. Every individual has an opportunity to truly make a difference and take pride in the results.”

Other recipients of NAMEPA’s 2016 awards include the National Ocean Council for government agencies; Ocean Conservancy for nonprofits; Maritime Academy Charter School of Philadelphia for maritime education; OBOCS’ onboard oil containment system for innovations; NOAA’s chemical aquatic fate and effects database for environmental products; and the North American Maritime Ministry Association for seafarers’ foundations.

The late US Rep. Helen Delich Bentley is to receive a special posthumous lifetime achievement award.

Vigor Delivers Tug to Harley Marine

By Mark Edward Nero

Vigor Marine’s Seattle shipyard recently delivered the Dale R. Lindsey, a 95-foot by 38-foot by 16-foot, 3,000 horsepower ATB Twin Screw Tug to Seattle-based Harley Marine Services.

This is the eleventh vessel built by Vigor for Harley Marine, a long-time customer. Two 83,000 bbl., double-hull ATB tank barges, Fight ALS and Fight Fanconi Anemia, were recently completed at the Portland, Oregon shipyard.

“Repeat business is one of the best compliments a builder can receive,” Vigor Executive VP of Business Development Keith Whittemore said in a statement. “Even better is when the confidence of our customers extends into new areas. Vigor has worked hard to expand its capabilities and has steadily grown from a barge builder to a construction portfolio that includes ferries in Seattle, Alaska and San Francisco, fishing vessels, fireboats, tugs, high performance crafts and now an ATB tug.”

Designed by Elliot Bay Design Group for primary operation in Alaska, the ATB tug utilizes an Articouple FRM-43M coupler system to pair with the 20,000-barrel oil barge, Petro Mariner. It features a raised aluminum pilothouse for optimal visibility built by Kvichak Marine.

“We’ve had a long-standing relationship with Vigor, built on their ability to consistently deliver a quality product to serve the needs of our customers,” Harley Marine’s Harley Franco said. “Their knowledge of the unique construction needs of vessels operating in the demanding Alaskan environment will be an added benefit in helping us maintain our unswerving commitment to both safety and the environment in the communities we serve.”

Harley Marine Building 2 Tractor Tugs

By Mark Edward Nero

Seattle-based Harley Marine Services said May 4 that construction of two new “enhanced” RAmparts 2400 Z-drive tractor tugs is starting at the Diversified Marine shipyard in Portland, Oregon.

They will be sister class vessels to the Michelle Sloan and Lela Franco, and are expected to enhance the company’s West Coast fleet presence.

Each tractor tug is designed to have a length of 80 feet, a beam of 36 feet and a depth of 16 feet, eight inches, and be capable of producing 70 short tons of bollard pull, with twin CAT 3516, Tier 3 propulsion engines developing a total of about 5,200 horsepower and two Caterpillar C7.1, Tier 3 generators.

The Tier 3 engines, according to Harley Marine, reduce NOx and particulate matter 74 percent better than Tier 2 models. The vessels are each to be equipped with a Markey bow winch, a barge handling stern winch and Shibata fendering. Also, sound proofing material is being been added to the bulkheads and decks to improve the quality of life onboard the vessels.

Additionally, a closed-circuit TV system is being installed in the engine rooms and could be accessed from the wheelhouse or ashore for management to monitor.

The tugs will be named Rich Padden and Dr. Hank Kaplan after long serving Harley Marine Services board member and community leader Richard Padden, and cancer researcher Dr. Hank Kaplan of Swedish Cancer Institute.

Padden has been a member of the Harley board for 30 years, while Harley Marine's annual golf tournament raises funds for Kaplan’s Kaplan Cancer Research Fund.

“These two gentleman are true champions of great causes and friends of Harley Marine Services,” Harley Marine Services Chairman and CEO Harley Franco said. “We are honored to name these vessels after them.”

Harley Marine Acquires 10 Vessels

By Mark Edward Nero

Marine transport provider Harley Marine Services said Jan. 7 that it has acquired certain offshore assets of Louisiana-based Enterprise Marine Services, including six double hull petroleum barges and four tugboats.

Harley Marine also said that it’s acquiring “the expertise and knowledge of current Enterprise employees associated with these assets,” in order to make the transition as smooth and seamless as possible as the vessels are incorporated into the Harley Marine fleet.

The acquired assets are to be used in current operations to strengthen market presence and support long-term customer demand and growth, the company said.

“The acquisition strengthens our market presence and allows us to grow with our customers’ needs,” Harley Marine Services Chairman and CEO Harley Franco said.

Harley Marine has operations along the West Coast, including Alaska, New York Harbor and the US Gulf Coast.

Services provided by the company include the transportation and storage of petroleum products, ship assist and escort, the transportation of general cargo and rescue towing.

Harley Marine Adds Execs

By Mark Edward Nero

Seattle-based Harley Marine Services announced Oct. 7 that it is adding two members to its management team: it has named Don Martin to the position of Vice President & General Counsel and Steve Carlson as Vice President of Engineering.

Carlson joins Harley Marine Services from Alaska Marine Lines, where he served as General Manager of Marine Engineering. Prior to joining AML, he held senior leadership positions with Kvichak Marine and the US Coast Guard.

Carlson retired from the Coast Guard at the rank of captain after 24 years of service, with his last assignment being Chief of the Office of Naval Engineering where he oversaw engineering and logistics support to the entire Coast Guard fleet of over 230 ships and 1,500 boats.

He has advanced degrees in Mechanical Engineering, Marine Engineering and Naval Architecture from the University of Michigan, an executive development program certificate from the University of Washington and a Bachelor’s degree from the US Coast Guard Academy.

He is also a licensed professional engineer in Washington state.

Martin joins Harley Marine after a stint as Vice President and General Counsel for Delta Western and Hawaii Petroleum where he oversaw all aspects of safety, risk management and regulatory compliance for the fuel distribution companies.

Prior to Delta Western, he was the Director of US Flag Shipping for ConocoPhillips and previously held positions with Crowley Maritime, Exxon Shipping and Olympic Tug & Barge, a subsidiary of Harley Marine.

He attended the University of Washington, the California Maritime Academy, and holds a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of the Puget Sound.

Tacoma Port Recognizes Summit Award Winners

By Mark Edward Nero

The Port of Tacoma on March 25 recognized its relationships with customers and stakeholders by honoring three of them for their contributions to port business and the Pierce County community.

Recipients of the fourth annual Summit Awards were named during the port’s annual breakfast. They are: Harley Marine Services, which received the Environmental Stewardship award; the Tacoma Seafarers’ Center, which received the Livable Community award; and Regal Logistics, which earned the Business Magnet award.

Seattle-based tug and barge company Harley Marine was honored for focusing on using the newest and best engines, installing shore power when possible and instituting company-wide recycling initiatives.

Thus far, the company has replaced 12 vessel engines, reducing nitrogen oxide emissions by 47 percent and particulate matter by 57 percent. Harley Marine also recycles its waste oil and bilge water, as well as plastic, aluminum, glass, paper and composting. Its 2011 “Go Paperless!” initiative reduced paper use by 37 percent.

Award honoree Tacoma Seafarers’ Center has been a Port of Tacoma tenant since 1978. The non-profit organization’s roster of 25 volunteers serves more than 10,000 seafarers on more than 700 ships each year. The center offers Internet connections, phones, refreshments, television, reading material, a chapel, a sundry store and local transportation to seafarers who arrive on cargo ships. Last Christmas, the center distributed 1,700 gift boxes to 86 ships.

Regal Logistics has provided warehousing, distribution and logistics services to port customers since 1984. The company tracks goods in real time from when they land at the Port of Tacoma until they reach store shelves. Regal employed more than 125 full-time local workers in 2014, as well as another 100 to 300 seasonal staff.

The three award recipients were selected by a panel of community and business leaders led by port Commissioner Connie Bacon.

Harley Marine Adding 2 Tugs to Fleet

By Mark Edward Nero

Seattle-based Harley Marine Services said March 20 that it has received delivery of one new ship-handling vessel and is expected to add another to its fleet in the coming months.

The Michelle Sloan was delivered to Harley Marine on March 20, and her sister vessel, the Lela Franco, is currently being built at Diversified Marine of Portland, Oregon, for delivery in about three months, according to Harley Marine.

Each tug is expected to operate in the Los Angeles and Long Beach harbors.

Both vessels are designed with a length of 80 feet, a beam of 36 feet and a depth of 16 feet, eight inches. They will be powered with about 5,200 horsepower and have the ability to achieve sixty-five tons of bollard pull.

Each vessel will also equipped with two CAT 3516, Tier III engines and two 125kw John Deere 6068, Tier III generators. The engines, according to Harley, reduce NOx and particulate matter by 74 percent from a Tier II engine.

The Michelle Sloan, according to Harley Marine, is equipped with a Markey bow winch, a barge handling stern winch, and Shibata fendering. Soundproofing material was added to the bulkheads and decks to improve life onboard the vessel for the crew.

Additionally, a closed circuit TV (CCTV) has been installed to the engine room for semi-automation, and can be accessed from the wheelhouse or ashore for management to monitor.

“The vessels are being built with the most technically and environmentally advanced equipment available and will exceed all regulatory, internal, and customers’ needs and expectations,” Harley Marine said in a statement.

State-of-the-Art Harley Marine Tug Arrives at POLA

Harley Marine Services has brought its most powerful and environmentally friendly tug boat to service the Port of Los Angeles.

The Robert Franco, which arrived in Los Angeles in early July, is one of two Z-drive tractor tugs constructed for Harley Marine by Whidbey Island, Washington based Nichols Bros. Boat Builders. The Robert Franco joins four other tugs in the fleet that assist cargo vessels and tankers in and out of the San Pedro Bay port complex.

“The arrival of this state-of-the-art tug exemplifies our commitment to safety, the environment and providing the most advanced and dependable service to our customers,” Harley Marine Services Chairman and CEO Harley Franco said in a statement.

The Robert Franco features Tier III engines and shore-side electrical power plug-in capabilities.  Tier III engines, which are still years away from being required by law, reduce nitrogen oxides and particulate matter amounts by 90 percent compared to Tier 0 engines.

The Robert Franco is also equipped with 6,800 horsepower and provides 91 tons of bollard pull. Additionally, the vessel has state-of-the-art marine electronics, tow winches and fire and safety equipment.

Her sister ship, the M/V Ahbra Franco, is expected to enter service this summer. Both vessels were designed by Seattle-based Jensen Maritime.

 

 

Seattle Maritime Environmental, Leadership Awards Presented

Crowley Maritime Corp. received the award for Comprehensive Environmental Management Programs during the annual Marine Environmental Business Awards May 16 in Seattle, and other local and regional companies and individuals were also honored during the event.

The awards spotlight maritime industry businesses in the Pacific Northwest for their environmental leadership and commitment to and support of Port of Seattle anti-pollution initiatives.

Crowley Maritime was lauded by the awards’ sponsors for the company’s early interest in keeping Puget Sound waters clean as well as its strong culture of environmental stewardship, which began decades ago with a commitment to spill management. The company’s ongoing environmental leadership has been recognized over the years by national and local governments, as well as major ports on the US West Coast.

This year’s award for Environmental Initiatives went to Harley Marine Services for its new energy efficient and environmentally friendly world headquarters, the Harley and Lela Franco Maritime Center. Among other environmental features, the facility is Gold LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified, demonstrating the company’s commitment to continual improvement in environmental performance.

The awards were presented at the 62nd Annual Maritime Festival Luncheon during the annual Seattle Maritime Festival, which is sponsored by Vigor Industrial, the Port of Seattle and the Seattle Propeller Club.

The Seattle Propeller Club also presented annual awards recognizing leadership in the maritime community during the luncheon. The winner of the 2013 Puget Sound Maritime Achievement Award was Marine Exchange of Puget Sound Executive Director Capt. John Veentjer, who was recognized for his long and distinguished career.

The Propeller Club’s 2013 Public Official of the Year Award is Capt. John Dwyer, Officer In Charge, Marine Inspection and the Chief of the Inspection Division at US Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound.

The award recognizes the contributions and support of a local, state, or federal policymaker or official who has demonstrated an understanding and appreciation for the maritime industry and those who earn a living from it.