June 2022 – Page 3 – Pacific Maritime Magazine

Port of Oakland to Welcome New Logistics Tenant

PCC Logistics is becoming a tenant at CenterPoint Landing, a massive new warehouse at the Port of Oakland’s Seaport Logistics Complex, the port revealed in April. The new facility is expected to help ease the flow of goods at the Oakland seaport. The logistics company, based just outside Oakland, inked a lease in January for the 27-acre site with CenterPoint Properties, which completed the more than 460,000-square-foot warehouse in 2021. “This effectively marks the launch of the port’s Seaport Logistics Complex, a long-awaited re-use of land that was once occupied by the U.S. Army,” port Executive Director Danny Wan said.…

Initial Findings of Benicia Port Fire Investigation Point Toward Accidental Causes

A fire at the Port of Benicia that damaged part of the port pier during the weekend of April 9 may have started “on or near the lower portion of the coke conveyor belt system near the base of the silos,” according to initial findings announced by Benicia Fire Chief Josh Chadwick on April 12. The fire, a four-alarm blaze, started at the base of the petroleum coke silo midday on a Saturday, then apparently spread under the pier. Fire crews fought the blaze through the night before it was fully extinguished Sunday afternoon. “The fire appears to be unintentional…

Stranded Container Vessel Towed to San Francisco Bay

The Wan Hai 176, a Singapore-flagged container ship, recently had to be towed to San Francisco Bay after losing engine power. The 564-foot vessel, which carried 21 people and 783 containers filled with miscellaneous material, was anchored about seven miles off the coast of Point Reyes on April 10 when the U.S. Coast Guard’s Unified Command coordinated the tow to anchorage in the San Francisco Bay. The 112-foot tug Delta Deanna passed tow lines to Wan Hai 176 crew members and towed the container ship with escort tugs Stacey Foss, Delta Billie, Delta Deanna and Rachel Allen. When the vessel…

Operation of Three Illegal Charter Boats Suspended in San Diego

U.S. Coast Guard Sector San Diego recently stopped three charter boats that had been illegally operating in San Diego Bay, officials confirmed April 14. The three charters were shut down because of “unsafe overloading conditions, insufficient lifesaving equipment and failure to provide a qualified or licensed operator while carrying passengers for hire,” according to the USCG. The vessels cannot operate, the USCG said, until they can prove that they have met all valid charter requirements. “Illegal charters are a serious risk to their passengers and to other boat operators on the water,” Sector San Diego Cmdr. Ronald Caputo said. “There…

BC Ferries’ Island Class Vessels Run New Routes

BC Ferries recently welcomed new Gabriola-Nanaimo Harbour route commuters on its Island Class vessels. The addition of the new routes allows BC Ferries to bolster capacity and sailing frequency to support commuters and school children leaving Gabriola, according to the transport agency. One vessel is scheduled to run an 18-hour service while a second vessel is to run at the busiest 12-hour time of the day, allowing for more passenger and vehicle capacity throughout the day. Each ferry can carry 47 vehicles, is battery-equipped to become fully electric in the future and outfitted with hybrid technology. Both also have exteriors…

Crowley Receives New Tug Delivery

Crowley Maritime in April said that it has taken delivery of its fourth and latest tugboat, Athena, a 77-foot work vessel that according to the company, offers “the most bollard pull for a tug under 80 feet in the market” and runs on two Caterpillar Marine 3516 Tier IV-compliant engines. The cleaner engines result in lower greenhouse gas emissions while achieving a power output of nearly 6,800 horsepower and 96 tons of bollard pull, according to Crowley. It is also outfitted with remote monitoring for increased vessel efficiency and data interchange. Built by Diversified Marine Inc. and chartered from Brusco…

Prince Rupert Cruise Terminal to Reopen This Summer

The Prince Rupert Port Authority in May announced that cruise ships are returning to the Northland Terminal at the Port of Prince Rupert this summer after two years of closure due to COVID-19. The 2022 cruise season, between May and September, is expected to include 26 vessels with about 14,010 passengers, according to the port authority. Cruising is a significant industry at Prince Rupert. From 2004 to 2019, cruising brought in about 655,000 passengers. Their estimated direct economic impact—more than $50 million. “PRPA and our partners are looking forward to safely welcoming back cruise passengers to Prince Rupert after a…

First Female USCG Commandant Confirmed

U.S. Coast Guard Admiral Linda Fagan has been confirmed as the military branch’s first female commandant. Fagan, who was nominated by President Joe Biden to become the Coast Guard’s 27th commandant on April 7, was confirmed by the Senate on May 11. “It is with deep pride that I congratulate Admiral Linda L. Fagan on her confirmation,” President Biden said in a statement. “(S)he again makes history not only as the first woman to lead the Coast Guard, but also as the first woman Service Chief of any U.S. military service.” Fagan had been the USCG’s vice commandant since June…

Everett Ship Repair Opens New Drydock

On May 4, Everett Ship Repair hosted a naming ceremony and grand opening for its newest drydock, Emerald Lifter. The Emerald Lifter, formally known as the Zidell 220, was relocated to ESR’s Port of Everett facility in April. ESR performed maintenance and preservation before it was put into operation with its first drydocking on May 3. ESR formally introduced the Emerald Lifter during the ribbon cutting ceremony, explaining that its name is a tribute to the Puget Sound, also known as the Emerald Sea. The Emerald Lifter has a lifting capacity of 2,000 tons and a working deck of 220…