Features – Page 7 – Pacific Maritime Magazine

Astoria Yard Upgrades Former LA Pilot Boat for Service on Washington Coast

The 54.5-foot aluminum pilot boat Vega represented the latest ideas in design and propulsion when it arrived at Jacobsen Pilot Service in the Port of Long Beach in Los Angeles County in 2003. After 15 years of daily service, it was replaced in 2018 by the Orion, a 63.5-foot custom design with a fiberglass sandwich hull that provides insulation from noise and vibration. The Vega was put up for a sale at a price of around $400,000, but did not attract a buyer until the summer of 2020 when the Port of Grays Harbor, Wash. took advantage of this opportunity…

Supply-Chain Logjams: Pacific Mariners Weigh In

“The terminal and vessel backlogs that occurred in San Pedro between July 2020 and August 2021 were the result of a cumulative collapse of the entire logistics supply chain.” The above statement is the conclusion of a report to the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) by Martin Associates, a consulting company that in October, presented a deep-dive analysis into the Los Angeles and Long Beach container and logistics problems. The federal government has been trying to zero-in on a quagmire that not only threatened Christmas, but presents serious economic and inflationary issues. One major effort started in September when the U.S.…

Builders on West Coast, Elsewhere, Answer Demand for Mid-Sized Yachts

The pace of America’s yachtbuilding industry remains steady due in part to surging demand during the pandemic. According to the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), retail sales of new powerboats in the U.S. increased nearly 13% in 2020 over the previous year, and sales throughout 2021 have shown no signs of waning. U.S. yacht builders have struggled with the rising costs of raw materials and skilled labor during economic downturns, and several closed for good. Some remaining builders pivoted to refit and repair work, while others are focusing on smaller builds. Yacht builders also are responding to new market interest…

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…