Features – Pacific Maritime Magazine

Infrastructure Projects: Smaller Ports Try to Level Up

As competition for cargo continues to intensify, so does investment in infrastructure and cargo-handling equipment at seaports across the globe, especially on the West Coast. One of the latest investment efforts has come from California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who on July 6 announced more than $1.5 billion in funds aimed at strengthening the supply chain. The funding includes about $450 million dedicated to zero-emission infrastructure, ships and other transportation modes. “These investments—unprecedented in scope and scale—will modernize our ports, reduce pollution, eliminate bottlenecks and create a more dynamic distribution network,” Newsom said in the announcement. Here’s a look at some…

Navigation Technology: The Useful, the Cool and the Wonky

The march of technological innovation continues, and the maritime navigation space is no exception. From reckoning with newer artificial intelligence and augmented reality capabilities to more traditional evolutions of larger multifunction displays and more accurate compasses, the modern mariner might think he is facing a science fiction novel as he peruses a product catalogue. Pacific Maritime spoke with a number of notable leaders in the maritime navigation technology industry to keep abreast of notable innovations and products on their radars – pun intended. The challenge for all parties: navigating the boundless imaginations and profit-seeking motives to find the tools mariners…

Ferries Focus on Cutting Emissions, Repowering, Adding Service

There’s been a lot of work recently that has kept West Coast ferry operators busy, including refits, new terminals, additional amenities and new infrastructure, as well as plans for cutting emissions. Some developments are innovative and forward-looking, some are focused on passenger needs, while other projects are investing in strengthening and supporting the ferry service. To find out about the latest news and projects, Pacific Maritime reached out to a number of West Coast ferry operators. Some notable updates include the successful fueling and sea trials of the world’s first commercial hydrogen fuel cell passenger ferry; selection of the design…

Western Towboat Celebrates Its 75th Anniversary

Bob Shrewsbury Jr. was just five years old when he took his first trip aboard a tug in Puget Sound. The experience began a lifelong love of working on the water, as he followed in his father’s footsteps. Bob Shrewsbury Sr. was a man of his word, committed to holding himself to the highest standards while juggling the roles of business agent, captain and engineer. His hands-on, honest work ethic has been passed down to the growing generations of his family, evidenced by the company’s solid reputation for providing quality service. In 1947, Bob Sr. acquired a 38-foot wooden-hulled tug,…

Vessel Profile: Fire Island Maid

Designed by Seattle-based Elliott Bay Design Group and operated by Fire Island Ferries in Bay Shore, NY, Fire Island Maid is a unique 70-foot by 23-foot multi-purpose vehicle ferry currently running service from Bay Shore to a variety of Fire Island vacation communities. Fire Island Maid’s primary mission is to transport heavy equipment, such as cement trucks, garbage trucks, passenger vehicles and general cargo to and from the surrounding Fire Island communities, in addition to supporting dredging operations in the area. Construction The ferry features a steel hull, aluminum superstructure, a hydraulically operated bow ramp for loading and unloading heavy…

The Marine Exchange of Southern California: 100 Years and Going Strong

Back in 1923, when entrepreneur W.H. Wickersham first hired professional lookouts to monitor vessel movement throughout the Los Angeles and Long Beach ports in the outer harbor, he probably had no idea how indispensable to vessel traffic monitoring that his Marine Exchange and Sailing Club of the Port of Los Angeles would eventually become. But 100 years later, the exchange, now known as the Marine Exchange of Southern California (MX SoCal), has evolved over the decades to play a fundamental—and highly crucial—role in the world of maritime traffic. “We’ve adopted as our tagline ‘Providing Maritime Peace of Mind Since 1923’,”…

Green Terminal Operations Aim to Cut Emissions, Improve Efficiency

For a number of terminals on the Pacific coast, going “green” with environmentally friendly operations is also helping improve efficiency, save money on long-term plans and enhance health and safety for the port and neighboring communities. Many major seaports have goals to reduce carbon emissions and are investing in cleaner technology, electrifying fleets and upgrading terminal equipment, both shoreside and on the water. Pacific Maritime magazine reached out to a number of West Coast ports and marine terminal service providers to find out about the latest efforts and projects. San Pedro Bay Ports The Los Angeles and Long Beach ports…

Infrastructure Projects: Construction at Major Ports

For years, West Coast seaports have been investing in infrastructure to meet evolving needs, whether it’s the arrival of larger vessels and the massive cargo volumes that came with them or the rising use of technology and awareness of sustainability. Hundreds of millions of dollars are being spent from the public and private sectors to stay competitive, at a time when investments at other North American seaports are growing and the battle for market share is fiercer than ever. “Federal and state governments have dedicated an unprecedented amount of funding for infrastructure,” Port of Oakland Executive Director Danny Wan said…

New Vessels and Tugboats Round-Up: The Pacific Northwest Leaves Its Mark

Cascadian commercial vessel designers and boatbuilders are busy serving the needs of the industry. The Pacific Northwest is a hotbed of maritime talent, both behind the naval design desk and in the boatyard. Herein is a glance at several notable recent and ongoing vessel projects with roots in Cascadian companies. From small but mighty ice-proofed tugboats and cutting-edge research vessels to innovative multi-hulls and hybrid-electric commercial ferries, our region leaves its mark. All American Marine All American Marine (AAM), based in Bellingham, Wash., has a specialty—aluminum boat building and multihull designs. The company is the exclusive North American builder with…

Raising—and Crossing—the Bar

Snow & Company’s new 67-foot Camarc Design Pilot Boat is Bound for San Francisco Seattle-based boatbuilder Snow & Company is working on what’s believed to be the first EPA Tier IV pilot boat in the U.S., a 67-foot Camarc Design all-aluminum vessel bound for San Francisco working life. The boat, under construction at the Snow & Company yard, was expected to be delivered by late April. The pilot boat is the latest in a string of such builds for the company. The firm started its first pilot boat two years ago, company founder and owner Brett Snow said. That first…