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
A Coast Guard aircrew hoisted two passengers early Friday morning, Nov. 5, from a capsized vessel in Willapa Bay. Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Columbia River command center received a call from Pacific County Sheriff at midnight stating that a 41-year-old man and a 13-year-old boy were on the boat when it capsized near Ellsworth… Read More
On November 1st, the United States Coast Guard rescued 3 individuals from a sinking 72-foot wooden motor yacht not too far from New Haven, Connecticut. The U.S. Coast Guard NYC and Tri-State area Twitter account, @USCG_Tri_State, posted updates on Monday afternoon. “No injuries were reported, but the cause of the flooding is currently unknown.” As… Read More
The United States Coast Guard responded to a vessel that ignited a fire during heavy weather last Saturday. The ship, Zim Kingston, was at an anchorage at the port of Vancouver when a storm caused a severe list, causing the loss of 40 containers overboard. Zim has confirmed that most of the crew were evacuated… Read More
On Tuesday, the U.S. Coast Guard medevaced an injured man from a fishing boat approximately 200 miles southwest of Dutch Harbor, Alaska. Watchstanders in the 17th District command center in Juneau received the initial request for the medevac at about 4 p.m. Tuesday. Commercial fishing vessel Patricia Lee made way towards Dutch Harbor at approximately 11:50 p.m…. Read More
International shipping giant Maersk has suspended a number of crew members after allegations were posted that a student was raped during a federal training program. The incident occurred in 2019. The woman was 19 years old at the time and competing what is known as a ‘Sea Year’ – a mandatory program in which students… Read More
