Features – Page 10 – Pacific Maritime Magazine

Climate Change and Ports

West Coast port leaders are becoming more and more concerned about the immediacy of climate change. As global temperatures increase, sea level rise, fire, drought, flooding, extreme weather events and heatwaves follow. All of these factors have both subtle and severe long-term effects on systems of all kinds, both human and environmental. The problem is urgent, but it is solvable—if smart actions are taken now. There are a range of potential solutions, including new policies, new and improved technologies, and redesigned market and financial instruments. While each port, each community, and each company will choose their own path, a comprehensive…

Navigation Technology Takes Major Strides Forward

The earliest mariners charted their courses in the open sea by examining the location of the sun and stars, the direction of currents, and even by following the movements of seabirds. Over time, our ability to find our way around the ocean has developed to the point that today we can track the position of ships with satellites, identify hazards with camera technology and quickly share location data with other ships and the land. Today, navigation is taking more steps forward. Maritime technology companies, including Alphatron Marine, Raymarine and ABB are working on technologies that further change the way mariners…

Diving and Salvage

The maritime industry has changed and evolved over the past couple of years, due in large part to the coronavirus pandemic that has gripped much of the globe. But despite COVID-19 hampering the operations of many types of businesses, diving and salvage has not only continued, but remained steady. And a number of West Coast-based companies have managed to stay busy with current projects, as well as with planning for the future. Here’s a look at the ongoing work of some of the major Pacific companies. American Marine Corp. American Marine Corporation, which has locations in Alaska, California and Hawaii…

A Brief Introduction to the Maritime Transportation Security Act

Do you have a Transportation Worker Identification Card (TWIC)? Do you remember the days when you didn’t need to give 24 hours’ notice before your ship could enter a U.S. port? Well, these and several other improvements to port security were brought to you by the Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) in 2002 in response to the attacks of 9/11. Background Following 9/11, Congress first focused on aviation security. Shortly afterwards, lawmakers began to work on new laws and regulations on maritime and port protections. Hence, the MTSA was established by the federal government, and signed into law by President…

Alaska & Hawaii: 2021 Update

As those in the know are already aware, there’s potential for growth in the Alaska and Hawaii regions. For years, West Coast companies have been cultivating a presence in the two states, expanding services, investing in new ships and lending their expertise to projects that are expected to bolster the states’ economies. Whether it’s new vessels or infrastructure projects, interesting things are happening in Alaska and Hawaii. Here’s a look at what’s been happening with respect to the maritime industry within the Aloha State and the Last Frontier. Pasha The Pasha Group’s presence in Hawaii is significant, as the…

Battling Bottlenecks: Congestion Rises at West Coast Ports

It’s no secret that the West Coast freight surge is building toward an even more feverish pace this fall. And why freight surged is also no secret to anyone who pays attention: the consumer-driven U.S. economy was supercharged after COVID-19’s effects waned. Why congestion resulted is no secret either: not enough equipment and people and space for cargo, along with too many mismatches in efficient handoffs of freight pickups and deliveries. Major carriers’ decisions to temporarily restrict shipment flow for hours or days to balance their own freight networks were a factor, too. Those inside the industry recognize both some…

Developments in Deck Machinery: 2021 Update

A good set of deck machinery is vitally important to the success of a vessel and the mariners that operate them. The companies that produce this machinery continue to strive to improve the quality, efficiency and reliability of their products, and some have recently made major deliveries of new products for tugs, barges and other vessels on the Pacific coastline and elsewhere around the world. In recent years, maintaining the natural environment has become a greater priority for deck machinery companies, and they’ve had the chance to work with cutting-edge ships, supporting novel efforts to reduce erosion, spear-heading deck equipment…

Catalina Express: Bringing the World to Catalina Island

Catalina Island has long been a favorite getaway destination for Southern Californians — and indeed receives visitors from across the country and around the world. For the majority of the last hundred years, the island has been a remote location accessible only by slow boat, seaplane or helicopter. It was difficult and expensive to visit. But all that changed in the summer of 1981 when Doug Bombard, his son Greg and colleague Tom Rutter bought the sport fishing boat Checkmate from Washington-based Westport Shipyards and modified it into a passenger vessel to carry passengers to and from Catalina Island. At…

Ransomware … It Can Ruin Your Whole Day!

When I used to drive U.S. Navy ships we would hear a cliché: “A collision at sea can ruin your whole day!” Well, that adage can also apply to a ransomware attack on your ship or port. Cyber-attacks on the maritime sector are on the rise and ransomware attacks have tripled in the past few years. Now is a time to learn more about ransomware and the threat it poses to you, your port and your company. What is Ransomware? Ransomware is a form of malicious software designed to encrypt files on a computer or digital device rendering any files…

Ferries Update – The Future is Green

When it comes to the next generation of passenger-only ferries, the future is green. West Coast ship makers are in the process of building vessels that are not only powerful enough to transport people and vehicles, but are constructed with advanced sustainability goals in mind, the kind of impact that can mean cleaner air in the long run. Here’s a look at what’s being built: Building Sea Change The name Sea Change is apropos for a ferry poised to advance the potential commercialization of fuel-cell powered marine vessels globally. Bellingham, Washington-based All American Marine has been at work on that…