The Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA-90) provided that after January 1, 2015, single hull oil barges will no longer be permitted to be commissioned; only double hull barges are to be used. This means that single hull barges will need to be decommissioned or refurbished to accommodate the new requirements.The Purpose behind the New RulesThe primary motivating factor behind upping the oil barge standards is environmental safety. Public outrage over the massive Exxon Valdez spill prompted...

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30, and the Eastern Pacific hurricane season runs from May 15 through November 30. In early April, weather experts begin making predictions about the upcoming hurricane season.Predictions this early are correct only about 50 percent of the time; as the season approaches, the predictions become more accurate, according to The Weather Channel Senior Hurricane Specialist Brian Norcross.Two Suppressing Factors in 2014In Norcross’ April...

Waterway speed limits stir up a lot of controversy, and those on both sides of the argument feel passionately about their stance: some are gung-ho for speed limit regulations, citing safety as the reasoning; while others adamantly oppose waterway speed limits out of financial and business concerns. Both sides may have a point, but the latter seems to be winning out, at least in Florida.Speed Limit Controversy in Naples, FloridaIn current news, city officials in Naples, Florida have been at odds...

Crowley Maritime Corporation’s tugs have successfully delivered overweight, oversized equipment to the U.S. Gulf, part of a huge, semi-submersible floating production facility nearly 300 miles south of New Orleans.The equipment, which includes tendons, topsides, piles, etc., was transported by Crowley’s ocean class tugs, alongside their 455 series high-deck-strength barges, which carried the load as it was towed offshore. The facility, called “Jack/St. Malo”, was made storm safe and moored at...