December 2022 – Page 3 – Pacific Maritime Magazine

USCG Cutter Steadfast Returns to Oregon

After 55 days on narcotics enforcement patrol, the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Steadfast returned to Astoria, Ore. on Oct. 3. The 210-foot medium endurance cutter traveled over 11,000 miles between Oregon and Central America for training, law enforcement, search-and-rescue and helicopter operations in international waters, the agency said. The crew was deployed with Maintenance Augmentation Team Seattle, Electronic Support Detachment Petaluma and another cutter, the Argus, which is expected to be commissioned soon, according to the Coast Guard. During its tour, the Steadfast pursued a high-speed, panga-style vessel suspected of smuggling contraband before handing off the case to a partner…

USCG Cutter Kimball Returns to Honolulu

The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Kimball returned to its homeport of Honolulu on Oct. 28 after participating in search and rescue activities, patrolling fisheries in the Bering and Chukchi Seas, and netting the vessel’s first Coast Guard Arctic Service Medal. The medal is awarded to any member of the United States Coast Guard who performs 21 days of non-consecutive duty afloat or ashore north of the Arctic Circle. While traveling more than 100 days and 22,000 miles, the crew came across Russian and Chinese naval vessels in the Bering Sea. “The formation, which was transiting through the U.S. Exclusive Economic…

USCG Releases Draft Environmental Document for Base Seattle Expansion

The public has until Dec. 2 to weigh in on a document pertaining to the U.S. Coast Guard’s proposal to expand and modernize Base Seattle, officials announced Oct. 11. The Coast Guard has released a Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement regarding the proposal, a document that looks at the possible environmental effects of proposed alternatives. “The purpose of the expansion is to provide adequate facilities and infrastructure at Base Seattle to support current and future execution of the Coast Guard’s statutory missions,” military officials said. “Base Seattle is the largest Coast Guard facility in the Pacific Northwest and is an…

USCG Cutter Alert Returns from Eastern Pacific Ocean Patrol

After 68 days patrolling the Eastern Pacific Ocean, the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Alert (WMEC 630) returned to its Astoria, Ore., homeport on Oct. 8. During that time, crew members of the 210-foot medium endurance cutter traveled more than 13,700 nautical miles from Oregon to Columbia, providing law enforcement support for various initiatives, including counter-drug missions, search-and-rescue operations and international law enforcement training engagements, according to the Coast Guard. Crew members also approached three Costa Rican fishing vessels and seized 1,440 pounds of marijuana worth $1.4 million. “Furthermore, during the boarding of the fishing vessel Mujer Gitana, Alert’s crew detected…

Newsmakers

Crowley Names New Chief Information Officer Crowley Maritime has named Erika Graziuso as its chief information officer, the company announced Oct. 26. In her new role, Graziuso is to lead Crowley’s information technology and digital transformation strategy with a key focus on digital solutions, cybersecurity and responsible data management, according to the company. Graziuso previously served as global chief information officer for human resources solutions firm LHH, and group senior vice president of technology for recruitment company the Adecco Group. There, her efforts resulted in digital solutions to support new market trends. Graziuso also previously served as cluster head for…

Shoreside Power: To Plug or Not to Plug

In 2008, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) laid out new regulations that mandated strict reductions in air pollutants produced by container, cruise and refrigerated cargo ships docked at the busiest ports in the state. Scaled upward over the following years, the key requirements of the regulation called for a minimum cut of 80% in emissions starting in 2020. The directive—the strictest such pollution control guidelines in the country—has sped the implementation of so-called “cold ironing,” in which ships damp their main and auxiliary engines while at berth and “plug-in” to power onboard generators and other equipment with high-voltage electrical…

Smart Technology Leads the Way in New Navigation Solutions

Maritime navigation has gone from a sailor finding his way with a sextant and the stars to technology so advanced that artificial intelligence can chart a precise course without a human being on board a vessel. Companies around the world have developed a variety of smart solutions and services in recent years that support seafarers and marine vessels in achieving safer, more accurate and efficient voyages. Industry-wide, there’s a focus on autonomous control, reducing human error, increasing connectivity, improving route planning and overall digitalization. Industry leaders shared some of their latest innovations, including the use of artificial intelligence (AI), with…

Port of Vancouver Reports Record Cruise Ship Visits in 2022

The final cruise ship of the 2022 season depart from the Port of Vancouver on Nov. 2, completing a comeback year for the local cruise industry, following a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. The Port of Vancouver said that it welcomed a record 306 cruise ship visits this year, an 6% increase compared to the last pre-pandemic year of 2019. “It’s been fantastic to see cruise ships and passengers back in town after the two-year pause through the height of the pandemic,” said Robin Silvester, president and CEO of the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, the federal agency that…

Port of Prince Rupert Reports Strong Cruise Season

After a two-year hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Port of Prince Rupert saw a 230% increase in cruise passenger volumes versus 2019 – the last time cruise ships operated in Canada, the port revealed in late October. Between May 17 and Oct. 3, 2022, 40,998 cruise passengers transited through Prince Rupert, making it the busiest cruise season in over a decade, according to port data. “The return of cruise tourism has significantly boosted the local economy, with approximately $3.5 million in direct consumer spending in the community, including more than $650,000 spent with local shore excursion providers,” the…

Protesting Longshore Workers Temporarily Shutter Oakland Seaport

On Nov. 2, dozens of International Longshore and Warehouse Union members temporarily walked off the job at the Port of Oakland due to a pay dispute. The protest was staged by ILWU Clerks Local 34, which is headquartered in San Francisco and represents Bay Area longshore union clerks at the region’s seaports. According to Local 34 President Sean Farley, the walkout was due to more than 200 outstanding wage claims dating back to June. Some clerks are only owed a few hours of work, while others were due more than $1,000, according to Farley. Currently, the union and Pacific Maritime…