The intensive 5-day search for closure with regards to what happened to the Titan submersible has come to an end. On June 22, the US Coast Guard confirmed that the vehicle imploded underwater; today, families and friends are grieving the loss of the 5 lives involved. The devastating events surrounding the Titan submersible last week… Read More
When a California charter boat began taking on water after hitting a rock, the 14 passengers and crew members were told to abandon ship. Thanks to a nearby vessel, the Sea Biscuit, everyone on board was rescued and, later, taken ashore to safety by Coast Guard rescue crews. This story is a good reminder to… Read More
Continuing conflicts between the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) are causing dramatic changes to West Coast ports. Since early June, West Coast ports have experienced worker slowdowns and stoppages, resulting in an estimated $5.2 billion worth of trade stagnation in southern California alone. The Port of Seattle has… Read More
ChatGPT—a language AI chatbot—is being used for everything from composing emails to writing code, but could it also be used for hacking? Maritime vessels are becoming increasingly updated with electronically controlled components otherwise known as Information Technology (IT) systems. As such, vessels are becoming increasingly susceptible to cyber attacks, especially if a vessel is not… Read More
Two recent cases of maritime-related fires—one on an offshore platform and the other on a fishing vessel—remind us that fire prevention is incredibly important. In many cases, fires can be prevented with adequate planning and preparation. Below are some quick tips to reduce the risk of fire onboard a vessel and be prepared in case a fire does… Read More
Is “containerization” the greatest invention of our time? Nowadays, purpose-built container ships carry 90% of the world’s non-bulk cargo. The use of containers not only reduced the price for shipping, but also greatly decreased the amount of time shipment took. Learn more about the history of “containerization” here: https://www.maritime-executive.com/editorials/history-of-containerization-simplicity-and-economics
Though they may seem peaceful, lakes can be just as dangerous as the open seas. Would you be surprised to learn that over 6,000 ships have sunk in the Great Lakes? While the location of many of those ships remain a mystery, researchers from NOAA, the state of Michigan, and Ocean Exploration Trust have recently discovered… Read More
Have you ever wondered what happens to old mooring lines after they get replaced? Historically lines were discarded–often dumped in landfills. But some shipping companies are moving towards a more environmentally friendly solution: recycling. HMM, a South Korean shipping company, is launching a program that will recycle mooring lines. This could save up to 20… Read More
The Columbia Bar—where the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean—is among the world’s most dangerous entrances to a major commercial waterway. It has been nicknamed the “Graveyard of the Pacific.” The Columbia Bar also happens to be the site of one of the most challenging water-rescue training programs that the Coast Guard offers. On February 3, the Coast Guard’s… Read More
The U.S. Coast Guard cited a notice of violation to a 48-foot commercial fishing vessel last week after nearly causing a collision with 600-foot ro/ro Grand Race. On the day of the near-miss, the crab-fishing vessel was near the Columbia River Bar on the West Coast, a notoriously difficult crossing with recurrent merchant vessel traffic. Meanwhile,… Read More
