Weekly News Summary for November 3-9, 2008:
A routine dive inspection of Allegheny River Lock and Dam 6 turned up a severe erosion problem that threatens the stability of the dam, the Pittsburgh Engineer District reported October 28. District officials are worried that ice loads or a barge allision could cause a failure.
“We are very concerned that ice collecting on the dam or large chunks of ice slamming into the dam may cause it to fail,” said Col. Michael Crall, Pittsburgh District engineer. “We are taking immediate actions to address the high risk of failure at the dam before winter arrives.”
The facility is currently operational, and there is no immediate threat to public safety, Corps officials said. However, they have implemented additional measures to ensure the risk of dam failure is minimized and the facility can be operated until a permanent fix can be constructed. The measures include round-the-clock staffing, hourly gauge checks and local emergency and water-management coordination. In addition, the district is using remotely operated vehicles to inspect the other navigation facilities on the Allegheny.District dam safety officials expected to find erosion at the facility during a periodic inspection, but were surprised by the amount they found. The district is preparing a solicitation for emergency repair work at the dam and plans to have a permanent fix in place before severe winter weather arrives….
Despite two hurricanes and softening demand for some cargoes, Kirby Corporation had record earnings in the third quarter.
The Houston-based company announced October 29 that its net earnings for the quarter were $41.8 million, or 77 cents per share, compared with $34.4 million, or 64 cents per share, for the third quarter of 2007.
Consolidated revenues for the 2008 third quarter were a record $354.6 million, an increase of 17 percent over the $302.6 million reported for the 2007 third quarter.
“Our record third quarter results mark the 19th consecutive quarter that our net earnings exceeded the same quarter of the previous year, despite the negative impact from Hurricanes Gustav and Ike,” said Joe Pyne, Kirby president and chief executive officer. “Our marine transportation segment’s results reflected continued strong demand in the majority of our markets and pricing for our services continued to trend upward. Our diesel engine services segment’s results reflected continued strong demand in our medium-speed markets.”…
The towing vessel Miss Janice sank in about 80 feet of water in the Lower Mississippi River on October 28, about a mile below the Harvey Locks in New Orleans, near the 7th Street Wharf.
The Coast Guard received a vessel-in-distress call from the vessel at about 11:10 a.m.
Capt. Les Barrois of Five B’s Inc. said one of his vessels, the T.K.L. Barrois, was on the scene and rescued three of the Miss Janice’s four crew members. No injuries were reported.
The T.K.L. Barrois’ captain heard the Miss Janice calling for help on its marine radio. A few minutes later he saw “guys bobbing up” from the water after the boat sank rapidly. A fourth crew member was rescued by a harbor tug, according to one eyewitness.
Capt. Barrois said that the Miss Janice had been assisting two open hopper barges tied up to a ship that was offloading cargo onto them. The Miss Janice was not tied up to any other vessel…
AEP River Operations christened its newest line-haul shuttle boat on October 9, naming it after Charlotte Roush, the senior human resources representative who has been with the company for 37 years.
J. Russell Flowers Inc. is the owner of the boat, which was built at NewSouth Marine Construction of Greenville, Miss. Measuring 120 by 34 feet with a pilothouse eye level of 35 feet, the boat is slated to haul up to 20 barges on the Lower Mississippi River. It is rated at 527 gross tons.
“There’s nothing like a boat christening to bring a smile to my face,” said Mark Knoy, president of AEP River Operations, which operates the vessel. “In a tradition untouched by time, we come together to celebrate a boat’s entry into service and seek safe passage for the boat and crew. And for me, christenings are a symbol of our growing business and our optimism for the future of AEP River Operations.”
The main propulsion is two Caterpillar 3516B turbocharged engines developing a total of 3,300 hp. through Reintjes WAF863 reduction gears with a 4.9:1 ratio supplied by Karl Senner Inc. They turn a pair of four-bladed 92- by 72-inch stainless steel Dominator wheels manufactured by Sound Propeller Services and supplied by Missouri Dry Dock & Repair…
On October 17, the first Zeppelin to fly in American skies in 71 years took off from the Port of Beaumont.
A Zeppelin is an airship with a rigid framework, as opposed to a blimp, which is held in shape by the internal pressure of its gases.
Zeppelins got their name from Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin, who designed the first rigid airship in 1874. In 1997, descendants of the count (whose family had been involved in many other industries) revived rigid airship technology with the launch of Zeppelin NT (new technology). Their company is called Zeppelin Luftschifftechnik, or Zeppelin Airship Technologies.
The airship was brought to the U.S. by Brian and Alexandra Hall, California software entrepreneurs who plan to operate commercial Zeppelin flights in California within the month, at prices starting at $495 for a one-hour tour.
“This is the first Zeppelin of the new generation to come to the U.S.,” Michael Schieschke, chief operating officer of Zeppelin Luftschifftechnik, told the Beaumont Enterprise…
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