Endangered Species Act proposals

On Dec. 28, 1973, President Richard Nixon signed into law, the Endangered Species Act. It has been credited with aiding in the recovery of Louisiana’s pelicans, alligators, and black bears. The act passed as Americans became more aware of the harms to wildlife and the environment. In the present day, climate change poses one of the greatest threats to wildlife. Nearly half of endangered mammals and a quarter of birds have been negatively impacted by climate change, according to a 2017 European-based study in the journal “Nature Climate Change.” The Trump Administration is proposing changes to the act. But wildlife advocate Brett Hartl, government affairs director for the Center for Biological Diversity, says the proposal will make it difficult to save species when more protections are needed. The proposed change may also be used to allow for development, which may exacerbate the impacts of climate change, he says. Another proposed change may make it more difficult for species to gain federal protections based on projected climate change. Sea turtles are among the species most vulnerable to climate change, according to a research ecologist with the Georgia Sea Turtle Center. (Source: NOLA.com 12/28/18)

Shell Midstream growing in GoM

Shell Midstream, the general partner of Houston-based Shell Midstream Partners LLC (SHLX), will forego $50M in incentive distribution rights in 2019, and will reinvest cash back into the business. Shell Midstream will reduce incentive distribution rights by $17M in the first two quarters, and $16M in Q3, according to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Shell Midstream is a master limited partnership under the Netherlands-based Royal Dutch Shell PLC. Shell Midstream has been growing its offshore pipelines, taking the $1.22 billion Amberjack Pipeline from its parent company in May, and grabbing volume growth in the eastern corridor of the Gulf of Mexico, according to its 3Q report. Shell Midstream produced $470.1M in 2017 revenue ($391.8M net income), according to its recent annual financial report. The Gulf of Mexico pipeline currently transports about 300,000 barrels per day, and is expected to grow to about 400,000 by the end of 2019. The pipeline has delivery options along the Texas and Louisiana coasts. (Source: Houston Business Journal 12/25/18)

NOLA grad named VP at CTC

Campbell Transportation Co. (CTC), a fully integrated marine services company with headquarters in Houston, Pa., announced that Kyle Buese will be joining the firm as executive VP of operations effective Jan. 7. Buese is a graduate of both Tulane University where he received his master’s and Loyola University of New Orleans where he received a bachelor’s. Buese has worked at the Kirby Corp. since 2006. (Source: Work Boat 12/19/18)

SECDEF to leave early, interim named

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump announced Dec. 23 that Defense Secretary Jim Mattis will leave his post on Jan. 1. Trump announced Mattis’ departure in a tweet, and named Deputy Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan as acting SECDEF. The move comes three days after Mattis resigned in protest over Trump’s decision to pull all U.S. troops out of Syria. Mattis originally said he would stay through February. (Source: The AP 12/23/18) Shanahan’s DoD biography does not show any military service. Shanahan is a former Boeing executive.

DDG-17 completes acceptance trials

The guided-missile destroyer Paul Ignatius (DDG-117) recently completed acceptance trials ahead of an expected early 2019 delivery to the Navy, Naval Sea System Command announced Dec. 21. The Flight IIA Arleigh Burke-class destroyer spent two days in the Gulf of Mexico working through a series of demonstrations/tests for the U.S. Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey. “The ship performed very well, which is a testament to the preparation and commitment of the Navy-shipbuilder team,” Capt. Casey Moton, DDG 51 class program manager, said in a statement. The Pascagoula, Miss.-based Huntington Ingalls Industries built Ignatius. It is set to be the first destroyer commissioned of a 10-ship, multi-year Arleigh Burke-class (DDG-51) procurement. The contract was awarded to HII and Bath (Maine) Iron Works in 2013 that followed a 2008, four-ship restart of the Burke line. In September, the two companies were awarded a multi-year deal for Flight III Arleigh Burkes with a combined value of about $9B. (Source: USNI News 12/21/18)

HII awarded two NSCs: $930M

PASCAGOULA, Miss. - Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division has received two fixed-price incentive contracts from the Coast Guard to build two additional National Security Cutters. The contract values for the a 10th and 11th ships in the program are $468.75M for NSC 10 and $462.13M for NSC 11. Ingalls has delivered seven NSCs, flagships of the Coast Guard’s cutter fleet, designed to replace the 12 Hamilton-class high-endurance cutters that entered service in the 1960s. The seventh ship, Kimball (WMSL 756), will be commissioned in Hawaii on Jan. 19. Both the eighth ship, Midgett (WMSL 757), and the ninth, Stone (WMSL 758), are currently under construction at Ingalls. Midgett is scheduled for its first set of sea trials in the first quarter of 2019. Stone is scheduled to launch in 2019. (HII 12/21/18)

Austal LCS shakedown pact: $21M

Austal USA of Mobile, Ala., is being awarded a $21,070,175 cost-plus-fixed-fee order (N6931619F4000) against previously awarded basic ordering agreement (N00024-15-G-2304) to accomplish the post shakedown availability (PSA) execution for the Littoral Combat Ship USS Manchester (LCS-14). This effort encompasses all of the manpower, support services, material, non-standard equipment, and associated technical data and documentation required to prepare for and accomplish LCS-14’s PSA. The work to be performed will include correction of government responsible trial card deficiencies, new work identified between custody transfer and the time of PSA, and incorporation of approved engineering changes that were not incorporated during the construction period which are not otherwise the building yard's responsibility under the ship construction contract. Work will be performed in Seattle, Wash., and is expected to be completed by July 2019. FY 2013 and 2019 Navy shipbuilding and conversion; and FY-18 other Navy procurement funding in the amount of $21,070,175 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion, and Repair Gulf Coast of Pascagoula, Miss., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD 12/21/18)

DMR minesweeping gear: $9M

DMR Consulting of Panama City Beach, Fla., is being awarded a $9,426,737 firm-fixed–price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for depot level repair, overhaul, and modification for the MK-105 magnetic minesweeping gear. This contract supports the depot level repair and maintenance of the MK105 magnetic minesweeping gear. The MK105 Magnetic Influence Minesweeping system, better known as the “sled”, is a high speed catamaran hydrofoil platform which is towed behind the MH-53E helicopter and is used to sweep magnetic influence mines. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value to $48,318,732. Work will be performed in Panama City and is expected to be completed by December 2019. This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with three offers received. Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD 12/21/18)

Weeks Marine mitigation: $29M

Weeks Marine of Covington, La., was awarded a $29,054,950 firm-fixed-price contract for Lake Pontchartrain and vicinity mitigation. Bids were solicited via the internet with three received. Work will be performed in Slidell, La., with an estimated completion date of Jan. 24, 2020. FY 2014 Army operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $29,054,950 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers of New Orleans is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD 12/20/18)

HII LPD mod pact: $11M

Huntington Ingalls Industries of Pascagoula, Miss., is awarded an $11,071,294 fixed-price incentive modification to previously-awarded contract N00024-16-C-2431 to provide updates to combat systems and other electronic infrastructure for amphibious transport dock ships LPD 28 and LPD 29. This modification updates the specification for the networks hardware matrix, the top level functional interface requirements and functions, parameters characteristics. This change updates locations of fiber optic interconnection boxes, blown optical tube routing, and Consolidated Afloat Network & Enterprise Services (CANES) cabinets, locations and quantities of drop boxes, nomenclature of CANES cabinets, adds navigation data distribution system connections, deletes small tactical unmanned aerial system, communications external ancillary module, and direction, range and distance connections, updates hull, mechanical and electrical/navigation connection details, and updates path traces. Work will be performed in Pascagoula and is expected to be completed by June 2022. FY 2016 and 2017 Navy shipbuilding and conversion funding in the amount of $11,071,294 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion, and Repair Gulf Coast of Pascagoula, Miss., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD 12/20/18)

La. marine firm: $9.3M pact

Alpha Marine Services of Galliano, La., is awarded $9,323,925 under previously awarded contract (N3220517C3505) to exercise Option 1 for vessel performing towing and salvage for the Navy. The contract includes a firm period of one-year with options for two additional one-year periods. If all options are exercised the value of the contract will be $27,930,965. Work will be performed in Norfolk, Va.; and the Atlantic Ocean, and is expected to be completed by January 2019. Working capital funds in the amount of $9,323,925 are being obligated at the time of award. Funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured with 50 plus proposals solicited via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with two offers received. U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Command of Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD 12/20/18)

HTS deguassing pact: $12M

American Superconductor Corp. of Ayer, Mass., is awarded a $12,855,394 firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for high temperature superconducting (HTS) degaussing hardware as well as engineering and technical services. Services under this contract support the technology transfer and maturation of high temperature superconducting technology by implementing a total-ship demonstration and proof-of-concept of a full HTS degaussing system installed and integrated within a Navy ship. Work will be performed in Ayer, Mass. (76% percent); Pascagoula, Miss. (15%); Philadelphia (5%); Washington, D.C. (2%); and New Orleans (2%), and is expected to be completed by September 2021. FY 2018 Navy research, development, test and evaluation funding in the amount of $1,704,349 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured, in accordance with 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1), only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. Naval Surface Warfare Center of Philadelphia is the contracting activity. (DoD 12/20/18)

MS gets tiny piece of LPD 17 pact

Raytheon Co. Integrated Defense Systems of San Diego is awarded a $21,678,728 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-15-C-2414) to exercise Option Year Four for life cycle engineering and support (LCE&S) services for LPD 17 class integrated shipboard electronic systems. The services to be provided will include LCE&S services including post-delivery planning; logistics and engineering; homeport technical support; integrated product data environment (IPDE); data maintenance; equipment management; systems integration and design engineering; software support; research engineering; obsolescence management (both technical and logistics); material readiness support; emergent repair planning; training and logistics support; Planning Yard support of integrated electronic systems including fleet modernization program planning, ship alteration development and installation, material management, configuration data management, research engineering, logistics documentation, and other logistics and executing activity coordination, management; sustaining engineering and obsolescence management support for unique LPD 17 Class Integrated Shipboard Electronic systems. Work will be performed in San Diego (80%); Norfolk, Va. (15%); Sasebo, Japan (3%); Mayport, Fla. (1%); and Pascagoula, Miss. (1%), and is expected to be completed by December 2019. FY 2017 and 2018 Navy shipbuilding and conversion ; FY-19 other Navy procurement; and FY-19 Navy operations and maintenance funding in the amount of $20,073,877 will be obligated at time of award, and $11,036,090 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Naval Sea Systems Command of Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD 12/20/18)

DISL to lead Ala. SAV project

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) selected the Dauphin Island Sea Lab (DISL) to lead a five-year project to map and restore submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) across coastal Alabama - all of Mobile and Baldwin counties, including the Mobile-Tensaw Delta. The project is one of two awarded to ADCNR by the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council. Along with mapping and restoration of Alabama's SAV, the project funds cover the enhancement and addition of educational resources such as signs, brochures, and kiosks explaining the importance of SAV and the restoration project at public boat launches, restoration areas, and public distribution. (Source: DISL 12/14/18)

$19M pelican island make-over

Thirty-seven acres of Queen Bess Island in south Jefferson Parish, La., is tentatively scheduled for a $19M restoration make-over to provide a nesting area for the state’s brown pelican’s recovery. The Louisiana Trustee Implementation Group (TIG) released a draft plan for restoring the nesting habitat, which is eroding since the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010. The island hosts about 20 percent of the state’s brown pelicans during nesting seasons. TIG is the intergovernmental group tasked with spending $5B in BP settlement money from the oil spill. Queen Bess Island’s rate of erosion has quickened, likely due to oil exposure. Of its remaining 36 acres, only five are suitable for pelican nesting. TIG is accepting public comment on its plan and will discuss it Jan. 3 at 9:30 a.m. during a state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Commission meeting in Baton Rouge. (Source: NOLA.com 12/21/18)

EPA grants to reduce diesel emissions

DALLAS – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced Dec. 21 the availability of grant funding to implement projects aimed at reducing emissions from the nation’s existing fleet of older diesel engines. EPA anticipates awarding about $40M in Diesel Emission Reduction Program (DERA) grant funding to eligible applicants in EPA’s Region 6, including Louisiana, subject to the availability of funds. EPA’s Region 4 applicants from Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi may also make proposals requesting up to $2M in grant funds. Supporting projects that upgrade aging diesel engines, EPA is offering financial assistance to improve efficiency and reduce air pollution throughout the nation, according to EPA Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler. Diesel-powered engines move about 90 percent of the nation’s freight tonnage, and nearly all freight trucks, locomotives, and commercial marine vessels are powered by diesel engines. (Source: EPA 12/21/18)

La. offers $765K for ASMT plant

Louisiana has offered $765,000 in incentives to bring a new manufacturing plant, Advanced Sinter Metal Technologies, to the old Textron facility in Slidell, St. Tammany Parish economic development officials told NOLA.com. In November, the Slidell City Council OK’d a conditional-use permit for ASMT to set up in a portion of the old Textron site off Front Street. ASMT, based in Turkey, manufactures components for electronic equipment using a process called sintering, in which small metal particles are formed into shapes using intense heat. The company is leasing a 26,000-square-foot section of the Textron site in Slidell. Its venture to the region is a first in North America and becomes its U.S. headquarters. It will produce 15 jobs initially, but Slidell Mayor Greg Cromer and Chris Masingill, head of the economic development for the St. Tammany Corp. (STC), both expect that number to grow. STC has worked closely with Greater New Orleans Inc. and Louisiana Economic Development on the project, which came together it a “matter of weeks,” Masingill said. Louisiana’s incentives include $250,000 under the Economic Development Award program and $515,000 for the Quality Jobs program. STC also committed $25,000. (Source: NOLA.com 12/19/18) ASMT is a research/development firm and global supplier and manufacturer of P/M and ceramic parts serving, but not limited to, automotive, construction, work machinery, electronics, defense, and energy industries.

Restoration backfill of O&G canals

Louisiana State University oceanographer/wetlands scientist Eugene Turner believes he has a solution to a key cause of coastal wetland loss in Louisiana: Put the dirt piled on the banks of canals into the streams that will lead to plugging abandoned oil and gas (O&G) sites and let nature take its course in restoring the wetlands. It’ll be difficult because of the politically charged issues of Louisiana’s coastal restoration efforts, he told NOLA.com. He’s trying to find ways of convincing the O&G industry to refill their canals and/or convincing the state to repurpose scarce restoration dollars away from building projects. O&G coastal interests are in federal/state courts that are aimed at getting them to restore damage to wetlands and canals. The state has been mostly unsuccessful in getting O&G to the table to address issues raised by the suits. Some O&G firms have taken steps to fill some of their old canals, but no overall agreement by industry and state officials to embark on a back-filling program. Turner is suggesting baby steps – fill in at first 10 or 3,000 of the state’s 27,500 canals that are officially abandoned – as an initial test of his idea. The LSU “prof” laid out the argument in a peer-reviewed research paper he co-authored with University of Central Florida coastal ecologist Giovanna McClenachan. The paper is entitled: “Reversing wetland death from 35,000 cuts: Opportunities to restore Louisiana’s dredged canals.” The duo report that these canals are the cause of as much as 95 percent of the state’s coastal wetlands lost over 100 years. But that’s a greater percentage than other studies have suggested. (Source: NOLA.com 12/20/18)

MDA offering site program grants

JACKSON, Miss. - Economic development groups and local governments can now apply for site development grants under the Ready Site/Premier Site Program(s) administered by the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA). Ready Site/Premier Site is designed to assist public or private non-profit economic development organizations or governments with preparing site-ready locations to attract business development and private capital investment to the state. These grants can be used for improvements to publicly owned industrial property. The grants require a minimum 50 percent match from other sources. Ready Site must have a minimum of 20 acres available for development and that can be site-work ready in six months or have utilities in 12 months. Ready Site grants are available up to $50,000. Premier Site must have a minimum of 100 acres with a labor force able to attract the intended market. A workforce study is required. Premier Site grants are available up to $250,000. MDA will give priority to sites served by railways or with airport or port access. (Source: MDA 12/18/18)

McDonough buys 23 Gray barges

McDonough Marine Service announced the acquisition of 23 barges from Houma, La.-based J.R. Gray Inc. in an all-cash buyout. The purchase is comprised of 14 power winch spud barges. “The purchase of this portion of the J.R. Gray assets is a great supplement to McDonough’s more than 600 barge fleet,” Pat Stant, McDonough president, said in a prepared statement. “The purchase of this portion of the J.R. Gray assets is a great supplement to McDonough’s more than 600 barge fleet. The company’s spud barges made this purchase most attractive.” The acquisition brings MMS’ power a winch spud barge fleet to 54 vessels. Additionally, the proximity of the vessels to our MMS’s core operating locations allows an ease of transition to the firm’s existing customers. (Source: Work Boat 12/19/18) McDonough has facilities located in Belle Chasse and Metairie, La.

VTH delivers 2nd ConRo to Crowley

VT Halter Marine of Pascagoula, Miss., delivered the second of two of the world’s first combination container/roll on-roll off (ConRo) ships powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Crowley Maritime Corp. The Taíno was delivered last week and its sister ship El Coquí was delivered in July. Crowley says the two 720-foot Commitment-class vessels will be “providing fast, reliable and environmentally friendly shipping and logistics services between Jacksonville, Fla., and San Juan, Puerto Rico,” a route the company has served since 1954. Crowley invested $550M in the ships and associated port upgrades. Taíno is scheduled to make her maiden voyage to San Juan on Jan. 8 from Crowley’s facilities in Jacksonville. (Source: Work Boat 12/19/18)

Wicker's ocean tech development

U.S. Senator Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) praised the Senate’s passage of his “Commercial Engagement through Ocean Technology Act” legislation. The bipartisan legislation – introduced with Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii); and Rep. Steven Palazzo (R-Miss.) and Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.) companion legislation in the House of Representatives – will advance the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) use of unmanned maritime systems; encourage private sector research and development; and ensure marine data is made available for academic, national security, and commercial interests. The legislation passed the House last week. “Unmanned maritime systems are revolutionizing the way we explore our nation’s oceans,” Wicker said in a media release. This legislation will provide a “much-needed boost to NOAA’s efforts to harness the capabilities of this technology by leveraging the Navy’s expertise.” Unmanned maritime systems are remotely piloted or autonomous vehicles that collect ocean data. The Navy has already committed significant resources towards advancing unmanned systems for national security. NOAA will work with the Navy to bring unmanned systems data collection techniques to the civilian side. Mississippi’s Gulf Coast “Blue Economy” also stands to benefit from increased investment in ocean technology. The coast is “one of the few places in the United States where extensive testing of unmanned maritime systems occurs, according to Wicker. The University of Southern Mississippi and Mississippi State University are excelling in unmanned systems research and both operate on the Gulf Coast. (Source: U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker 12/18/18)

Eglin orders 3 more LRASMs

EGLIN AFB, Fla. – Air Force airborne weapons experts are spending $10.3M for three additional next-generation AGM-158C Long-Range Anti-Ship Missiles (LRASM) for use against high-priority enemy targets such as aircraft carriers, troop transports, and guided-missile cruisers. Eglin AFB, Fla., officials at the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, announced the order Dec. 14 to the Lockheed Martin Corp.’s Missiles and Fire Control segment in Orlando to build three more LRASMs as part of Lot 2 production. The contract is a third order for LRASM. LM was awarded a $172.1M contract in November to build 50 for Lot 2. Before that, the firm earned an $86.5M award in July 2017 to manufacture the first 23 LRASM munitions. That contract marked the first production award for the air-launched variant of the anti-ship missile in a joint venture for the AF and Navy. The anti-ship missile can launch from Navy F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and AF B-1B long-range strategic bomber. (Source: Military Aerospace 12/18/18)

Comfort, NHP personnel return home

NORFOLK, Va. – The Navy hospital ship USNS Comfort has returned here to its homeport after its crew – which included 19 personnel from Naval Hospital Pensacola, Fla. - treated thousands of people in Central and South America, including migrants who fled the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela. Capt. Kevin Buckley, commanding officer for medical operations, speaking pierside at Naval Station Norfolk, said some 26,000 people were treated for anything from hernias to cataracts. The 11-week mission stopped in countries that included Colombia, Honduras, Ecuador, and Peru. Those nations are home to hundreds of thousands of struggling Venezuelans. Many were seeking health care after fleeing Venezuela because of a lack of access to doctors. A recent report estimated 20,000 doctors have left Venezuela since 2012. (Source: Navy 12/18/18) NHP staff welcomes home Comfort sailors. https://www.facebook.com/NavalHospPensacola/photos/pcb.2084485068261718/2084484651595093/?type=3&theater

Navy aids in return of AF ship to sea

TYNDALL AFB, Fla. - An Air Force Missile Retriever Ship attached to the 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group was beached by Hurricane Michael in October near Tyndall Air Force Base. Sailors from Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) 2 of Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, Va., partnered with Tyndall personnel to return the vessel to the water on Dec. 12. The Missile Retriever ship is responsible for the location and recovery of Subscale Aerial Targets in the Gulf of Mexico. (Source: 325th Fighter Wing 12/17/18) The 53rd WEG is an Air Combat Command tenant organization that reports to the 53rd Wing at Eglin AFB, Fla. The WEG is comprised of five squadrons and two detachments.

Royal Caribbean back in NOLA

Royal Caribbean began sailing Dec. 15 from New Orleans after a four-year hiatus. The cruise line launched its week-long sailings to The Bahamas, Caribbean, and Yucatan Peninsula on Saturday. The 2,435-passenger Vision of the Seas ship is set to sail seasonal, 7-night itineraries from New Orleans through March 2019, according to an RC media release. Vision of the Seas was homeported in Tampa, Fla., before being relocated to NOLA this month. (Source: NOLA.com 12/18/18)

Foreign small boat training at Stennis

HANCOCK COUNTY, Miss. – The average Pearl River fisherman would probably be surprised by a team of tactically dressed military in fully-armed boats cruising by in the pre-dawn hours. But regulars are likely used to it. Stennis Space Center is on the east bank of the Pearl, north of I-10 on 200 square miles of land. Most of it is reserved as a buffer zone for NASA, but more there than meets the eye. About 70 percent of Stennis’ tenants are Navy, from a military-technology creating research lab to the Naval Small Craft Instruction and Technical Training School (NAVSCIATTS) where some 600 foreign military personnel train annually, command spokesperson Angela Fry told the Sun Herald. The Security Cooperation schoolhouse is operated under the U.S. Special Operations Command in south Florida. It’s a Defense Department program that provides technical support, financial support, and training to 120 allied nations’ military personnel fighting terrorism back home. (Source: Sun Herald 12/17/18)

Austal keel laying for USS Mobile

MOBILE, Ala. - The Navy held a keel laying and authentication ceremony for the future USS Mobile (LCS 26) here at Austal USA's shipyard on Dec. 14. The ship's sponsor, Rebecca Byrne, wife of Rep. Bradley Byrne (R-Ala.), authenticated the keel for the 13th Independence variant of the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) to be built in Mobile during the ceremony. While keel-laying traditionally represents the formal start of a ship's construction, fabrication of the ship begins months in advance. Today, keel-laying continues to symbolically recognize the joining of the ship's components and the ceremonial beginning of the ship. There are currently four other Independence variants undergoing construction at Austal with three additional ships in pre-production planning. (Source: DoD 12/17/18)

HII option year LPD 17 mod: $39M

Huntington Ingalls Industries of Pascagoula, Miss., is awarded a $39,395,512 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to previously awarded contract (N0024-16-C-2415) to exercise Option Year 3 for life cycle engineering and support services for the LPD 17 class amphibious transport dock ship program. The services include post-delivery planning and engineering; homeport technical support; class integrated product data environment; data maintenance and equipment management; systems integration and engineering support; LPD 17 class design services; research engineering; obsolescence management; class material readiness; emergent repair provision; training and logistics support; ship alteration development and installation; material management; operating cycle integration; availability planning; and configuration data management. Work will be performed in Pascagoula (96 percent); Norfolk, Va. (1 percent); San Diego (1 percent); Mayport, Fla. (1 percent); and Sasebo, Japan (1 percent), and is expected to be complete by December 2019. Fiscal 2012, 2016, 2017, 2019 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy); FY 2019 Navy operations and maintenance; and FY-19 Navy research, development, test, and evaluation funds in the amount of $19,057,104 will be obligated at time of award and contract funds in the amount of $18,017,669 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Naval Sea Systems Command of Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD 12/17/18)

HII mod pact for LHA-7: $28.5M

Huntington Ingalls Industries of Pascagoula, Miss., is awarded a $28,573,043 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to previously-awarded contract (N00024-17-C-2473) to exercise options for the accomplishment of the industrial post-delivery availability and planning, engineering and management efforts for the post-delivery planning yard services in support of the LHA 7 amphibious assault ship. Work will be performed in Pascagoula and is expected to be completed by December 2019. FY 2012 Navy shipbuilding and conversion funding in the amount of $21,200,000; and FY-18 Navy shipbuilding and conversion funding in the amount of $2,355,011 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Naval Sea Systems Command of Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD 12/17/18)

Textron’s SSC mod pact: $318M

Textron Inc. of New Orleans is awarded a $314,288,369 modification to previously awarded letter contract (N00024-17-C-2480) for the procurement of additional long lead time material for the Ship to Shore Connector program, Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) 100 Class Craft 109 through 118, for the continuation of pre-fabrication activities for LCAC 109 through 112, and for the initial procurement of LLTM for LCAC 119 through 123. The SSC Program is the functional replacement for the existing fleet of vehicles, which are nearing the end of their service life. It is an Air Cushion Vehicle designed for a 30-year service life. The SSC mission is to land surface assault elements in support of Operational Maneuver from the Sea, at over-the-horizon distances, while operating from amphibious ships and mobile landing platforms. SSC provides increased performance to handle current and future missions, as well as improvements which will increase craft availability and reduce total ownership cost. Work will be performed in New Orleans (46 percent); Leesburg, Va. (18 percent); Mandal, Norway (8 percent); Gloucester, U.K. (7 percent); Livonia, Mich. (7 percent); Cincinnati, Ohio (4 percent); Eatontown, N.J. (2 percent); Gold Beach, Ore. (2 percent); Riverdale, Iowa (2 percent); Huntington Beach, Calif. (2 percent); Metairie, La. (2 percent), and is expected to be complete by July 2023. Fiscal 2017, 2018 and 2019 Navy shipbuilding and conversion funding in the combined amount of $235,716,277 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Naval Sea Systems Command of Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD 12/14/18)

Austal option for 2 LCS

Austal USA of Mobile, Ala., has been issued a fixed-price-incentive firm target modification to a previously awarded contract (N00024-17-C-2301) to exercise options for the construction of two FY 2019 Littoral Combat Ships (LCS). The Navy has not completed the competition for FY-19 LCS class ships, therefore, the specific contract award amount for these ships is considered source selection sensitive information (see 41 U.S. Code 2101, et seq., Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 2.101 and FAR 3.104) and will not be made public at this time. Austal USA will perform and oversee all necessary design, planning, construction, and test and trials activities in support of delivery of these ships to the Navy. Work will be performed in Mobile (50 percent); Pittsfield, Mass. (24 percent); Cincinnati, Ohio (5 percent); Henderson, Wash. (2 percent), Kingsford, Mich. (1 percent); Bristol, Conn. (1 percent), Slidell, La. (1 percent); and various other locations of less than 1 percent each (totaling 16 percent), and is expected to be complete by September 2025. Fiscal 2019 Navy shipbuilding and conversion funding will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Naval Sea Systems Command of Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD 12/14/18)

Fairbanks to build OPC 2's engines

WASHINGTON - Fairbanks Morse - an EnPro Industries company - has been awarded a contract to build and deliver the main propulsion diesel engines (MPDE) for the Coast Guard’s offshore patrol Cutter #2. The USCGC CHASE (WMSM-916) will be constructed by Eastern Shipbuilding Group in Panama City, Fla., and the MPDE will be built by Fairbanks at its Beloit, Wis., manufacturing facility. (Source: Business Wire 12/12/18)

Lafourche gets $16M DoT grant

U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao announced Dec. 11 that $1.5B in discretionary grant funding to 91 projects in 49 states and the District of Columbia. The grants, 14 of which are to go to port-related projects, which will include Port Fourchon, La., are made through the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) transportation grants program and support road, rail, transit, and port infrastructure projects across the country. Port-related projects will receive a total of $229.23M or about 15.28 percent of the $1.5B. The Greater Lafourche Port Commission is to receive $16.42M for the Port Fourchon to Airport Connector: Bridging a gap to critical rural infrastructure. The project will construct a new three‐lane vertical lift span bridge over Bayou Lafourche and a new two‐lane, 2,000‐foot connector road extending from LA 1 to LA 3235. (Source: Maritime Professional 12/12/18)

Chouest support vessel option: $7M

Edison Chouest Offshore of Cut Off, La., is awarded $7,374,825 to exercise an option under previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N3220517C3513) with reimbursable elements for one maritime support vessel. This vessel will be utilized to launch, recover, refuel, and resupply small crafts in the U.S. Pacific Command’s (USPACOM) area of responsibility. This contract includes a 12-month base period, three 12-month option periods, and one 11-month option period. This is option one of the current contract. If all options are exercised this would bring the cumulative value of the contract to $41,079,507. Work will be performed in the USPACOM’s area of responsibility, and is expected to be completed Dec. 22, 2019. If all options are exercised, work will continue through Nov. 22, 2022. Navy working capital funds in the amount of $6,018,015 are obligated for FY 2019 and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured with 50-plus proposals solicited via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with five offers received. Military Sealift Command of Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD 12/12/18)

CG wants ScanEagles for NSCs

For the past 17 years, the Coast Guard’s Research and Development Center has experimented with various types of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), including a helicopter drone and MQ-1 Predator, for cutters, but found all unsuited for the CG’s dual mission of national security and law enforcement. In 2018, the CG tested a ScanEagle UAS aboard the cutter Stratton on a six-week deployment to the Eastern Pacific. Those commanders who have used ScanEagle have told Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Karl Schultz they “don't ever want to sail without ScanEagle again," he told the National Press Club on Dec. 7. The commandant proclaimed that all CG National Security Cutters (NSC) should have ScanEagle drones aboard and available for launch to boost high seas surveillance and aid in drug interdictions and arrests. "I'd like to see every (NSC) have one on the back." ScanEagle is made by Boeing subsidiary Insitu. It was developed from a commercial version designed to collect weather data and scan the ocean for fish. The CG version is about eight feet long, with a wingspan of 16 feet. In June, Insitu announced a $117M contract with the CG for the installation of ScanEagles aboard cutters. The fate of the UAS plan depends on the outcome of upcoming budget battles in Congress. (Source: Military.com 12/10/18) Gulf Coast Note: Ingalls Shipbuilding of Pascagoula, Miss., is the sole builder of Legend Class National Security Cutters. The first five ships in the NSC class have all been delivered. NSC 6 Munro (WMSL 755), NSC 7 Kimball (WMSL 756) and NSC 8 Midgett (WMSL 757) are still in the finishing stages.

Live WWII ordnance found on wharf

HARPSWELL, Maine - Authorities in Maine say a military projectile found here on a lobster wharf was a live, WWII-era Navy ordnance. The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office described the object as a “military ballistic projectile” and was discovered Dec. 11 at Bailey Island Lobster Company's wharf. State police spokesman Steve McCausland described the object as six-feet long, of “World War II vintage,” live and most likely from a Navy aircraft. The projectile was caught in lobster netting gear about 12 miles off the coast before it was brought to the wharf. Police responded and removed the object, which was later detonated. (Source: The AP 12/11/18)

ESG launches post-Michael tug

Eastern Shipbuilding Group of Panama City, Fla., announced Dec. 7 the launch of the 100-foot escort/rescue Z-drive tug Ava M. McAllister for McAllister Towing & Transportation Co. – just 58 days after Hurricane Michael devastated the Florida Panhandle. It is currently under construction at one of Eastern’s two facilities. The vessel arrived at Eastern earlier this year and is scheduled to be delivered in the second quarter of 2019. The lead vessel of this four-vessel series is the Capt. Brian McAllister, which was delivered in Summer 2017, and built by Horizon Shipbuilding of Bayou La Batre, Ala. (Source: Work Boat 12/12/18) Horizon was acquired in June by Metal Shark shipyards of Jeanerette/Franklin, La. The Horizon yard was renamed Metal Shark Alabama.

Big Foot reaches production

Chevron’s troubled Big Foot tension leg platform got its final pre-production inspection from the U.S. Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement on Nov. 15; and saw its first oil five days later, according to BSEE. Big Foot is located in the Gulf of Mexico about 225 miles south of New Orleans. The platform was originally scheduled to go into production in 2014. But strong Gulf loop currents delayed its arrival for months, and then a major failure of the mooring system – nine of 16 tendons and buoys sank - putting the project on hold. The platform had to be towed back to South Texas while the company investigated the failure of equipment used to latch the steel platform to GoM’s seafloor. BSEE’s mission is to ensure offshore oil and gas companies operate in a safe and environmentally sustainable way, says Amy Pellegrin, BSEE’s Houma (La.) District acting district manager in announcing the inspection results. Big Foot is the second deepwater production facility to come online in the Houma district in 2018. Big Foot’s mooring tendons needed to be able to better withstand the loop current - open waters of the Caribbean, Yucatan Channel and through the Gulf of Mexico. With each physical inspection, BSEE confirmed that Chevron’s schematics, diagrams and plans were “accurate and that the systems would operate as designed,” says Pellegrin. Big Foot is located in the Walker Ridge 29 area of the GoM in about 5,200 feet of water. It has a production capacity up to 75,000 bbls. of oil and 25M cubic feet of gas per day. (Source: Work Boat 12/11/18)

La. conflict of interest alleged to CoE

The outgoing president of Plaquemines Parish, La., and his staff, has raised questions to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers about potential conflict of interests issues with the decision of state Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Chairman Johnny Bradberry to accept a job as president of the company (GEC Inc.) overseeing part of the proposed Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion diversion’s federal permitting process. Gov. John Bel Edwards announced Dec. 6 that Bradberry would be leaving his post Jan. 1 to become president of GEC Inc. GEC has a contract with Louisiana to oversee the writing of the environmental impact statement that is a key part of the Corps of Engineers’ (CoE) decision-making process on environmental permits for the diversion. Staff of Plaquemines Parish President Amos Cormier III, whose term expires Jan. 1, sent an e-mail Dec. 11 to CoE director, Col. Michael Clancy, with questions about the decision of Bradberry accepting the contractor job. It raises questions about whether GEC violated federal rules prohibiting it from taking actions that might prejudice COE and Louisiana's decision-making obligations, according to Vincent Frelich, coastal zone management director for the parish. In the letter, Frelich pointed to a Baton Rouge Business Report article indicating Bradberry had been discussing the job with GEC since September. (Source: NOLA.com 12/12/18)

Safer offshore Gulf system grants

In 2018, the National Academies’ Gulf Research Program (GRP) sponsored two workshops to identify specific research areas to improve process safety within the offshore oil and gas industry. “The Human Factors of Process Safety and Worker Empowerment in the Offshore Oil Industry” workshop was organized to examine a holistic approach to synthesizing scientific knowledge related to the role of the worker in the context of organizational, social, and physical structure of offshore oil operations. The workshop explored best practices and lessons learned from other high-reliability industries for the benefit of enhancing safety in the offshore industry. “SPE Summit: Safer Offshore Energy Systems” was conceived to identify research gaps in offshore operations from exploration through production that could result in safer offshore development. Those two workshops were used to identify and prioritize areas of research for the Safer Offshore Energy Systems Grants 4 competition. GRP is seeking proposals for research and/or design of pilot projects to improve offshore safety. In the case of pilot projects, the intent of this solicitation is to support the background work needed to develop and design a pilot program; future implementation would involve the use of funding other than that sought under this solicitation. The GRP is interested in four specified areas, but will welcome proposals for other areas of research that could lead to improved understanding of safety culture within the context of offshore oil and gas operations. Additional information about application requirements of the submission and review process will be posted by Dec. 19, at which time the online application system for the RFA will open. (Source: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine 12/2018)

Sealab’s REU '19 program taking apps

The Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program, funded by the National Science Foundation, returns to the Dauphin Island (Ala.) Sea Lab (DISL) from May 27-to-Aug. 2, 2019. The 10-week program gives undergraduate students the chance to dive deeper into the field of marine science and gain first-hand research experience. The program offers a range of research opportunities with internationally recognized faculty. The opportunities for research include benthic ecology, fisheries and marine mammal ecology, toxicology, and biological, chemical, and physical oceanography. Students who complete the program come away with a strong knowledge base on how to design and conduct a research project, produce a scientific poster, and publish results. From the field to the lab, REU students participate in a series of career building seminars from how to prepare a CV and apply to graduate school to entering the workforce and managing work-life balance. DISL’s Research Experience for Undergraduates is accepting applications for the May-August 2019 season. Application deadline is Feb. 15, 2019. (Source: DISL 11/2018)

Gulf Coast Defense Forum event

KEESLER AFB, Miss. - Leaders from Keesler Air Force Base participated here at the Mississippi Gulf Coast Defense Forum on Dec. 3-4. The event connected Defense Department and state leadership to bring key decision-makers to show DoD’s assets, facilitate communication between military bases with their associated community leaders. The forum highlighted issues of mutual concern, addressed gaps in military value and quality of life, and educated key stakeholders on state-wide defense missions. Some 130 people attended the event, including Richard Hartley, Air Force Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Installations, Environment, and Energy; and Phyllis Bayer, Naval Assistant Secretary, Installations, Energy, and Environment; along with keynote messages from U.S. Rep. Steven Palazzo (R-Miss.) and Gov. Phil Bryant. The forum was a product of the Association of Defense Communities, an organization focused on advancing community-military partnerships. (Source: 81st Training Wing 12/07/18)

Murphy sub closes GoM joint venture

Murphy Oil Corp.’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Murphy Exploration & Production Company-USA, has closed a previously announced deal to form a strategic deep water Gulf of Mexico (GoM) joint venture with Petrobras America for net cash consideration of approximately $795M. The transaction has an effective date of Oct. 1, 2018. Murphy’s net cash consideration is funded by $470M of cash-on-hand with the remaining $325M being drawn on the company’s new senior credit facility. Under the deal, both companies contributed all of their current producing GoM assets to the joint venture company, MP Gulf of Mexico, LLC (MPGOM). Eighty percent of MPGOM will be owned by Murphy; and 20 percent by PAI. Murphy will oversee operations. The company expects to account for the PAI share of the transaction as a non-controlling interest. (Source: Marine Technology News 12/04/18) ME&P-USA, a subsidiary of integrated oil giant Murphy Oil, is engaged in oil and gas exploration and production, primarily in the Eagle Ford shale play in South Texas, as well as in oil and gas fields located in the Gulf of Mexico and onshore in Louisiana. HQ is located in Houston with offices in Amelia and Gueydan, La.

Gulfport’s port earns Gov. award

Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant presented awards to four Mississippi companies at the 2018 Governor’s Awards for Excellence in Exporting event in Jackson on Dec. 7. The awards recognize Mississippi companies for their success in beginning, maintaining or increasing export sales to international markets. The Governor’s Award for Excellence in Trade was presented to the Mississippi State Port Authority at Gulfport. The Port of Gulfport is a key gateway for Central America and is preparing to handle potential future growth with South America, the Caribbean, the Far East and Europe. The port’s main exports include linerboard, fabric, general container cargo, project cargo and rolling stock. Other winners were NaturePlex of Olive Branch that won the award for Excellence in Exporting. The award for Achievement in Exporting was presented to the Petal-based gourmet snack manufacturer Flathau’s Fine Foods. Hyperion Technology Group of Tupelo received the Governor’s Award for Innovation. (Source: Daily Journal 12/08/18)

COBRA mod pact for MCM

Aretè Associates Inc. of Northridge, Calif., is awarded a $17,083,516 modification to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N61331-18-D-0012) to exercise an option for coastal battlefield reconnaissance and analysis (COBRA) systems. Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona (35 percent); Destin, Fla. (35 percent); and Santa Rosa, Calif. (30 percent), and is expected to be completed by July 2021. No funding will be obligated at the time of award. Funds will be obligated as delivery orders are issued. Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Panama City, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD 12/10/18) The COBRA system is a mission payload for the MQ-8B Fire Scout unmanned air system, which can be embarked on an Littoral Combat Ship or other air-capable ships. The COBRA system is a component of the mine-countermeasures (MCM) mission package when employed from an LCS.

Update 3: Oil leak in La. capped

NEW ORLEANS – The Coast Guard responded to an oil discharge near Port Sulphur, La., on Dec. 9 Coast Guard Sector New Orleans received a report from the National Response Center that a crude oil well in Rattle Snake Bayou, southwest of Port Sulphur, was reported to be leaking. The amount discharged had not yet been determined. The well is rated to produce 5,476 gallons of oil per day. The source of the leak had not been secured as of late Sunday. Hilcorp, the owner of the well, has contracted ES&H as an oil spill response organization. ES&H currently has four response boats and 13 personnel conducting containment and cleanup. Wild Well Control has been contracted to work on securing the source of the leak. Hilcorp also contracted an overflight of the incident. A CG helicopter also conducted an aerial assessment. (Coast Guard 12/09/18) Hilcorp of Houston is one of the largest privately held exploration and production companies in the U.S. with field offices in Venice and Lafayette, La. Port Sulphur is about 35 miles south of Belle Chasse, La. UPDATE: On Dec. 10, the CG reported the establishment of a Unified Command, and consists of the Coast Guard, Hilcorp, and the Louisiana Oil Spill Coordinator's Office. About 1,700 feet of hard boom has been deployed to contain the discharging oil, 2,000 feet of absorbent boom to collect it, and 630 gallons of oily water have been recovered so far. UPDATE 2: The Unified Command continues to respond to the well discharge of crude oil, gas, and water near Port Sulphur. Source control crews have controlled the leak, and continue to work to repair the well. About 11,000 feet of hard boom has been deployed. About 4,830 gallons of oily water mixture have been recovered so far. There are 116 oil spill response personnel on scene conducting containment and clean-up. 

UPDATE 3: At approximately 10:15 p.m. Dec. 16, personnel on a rig barge mechanically plugged the well head permanently securing it. It is estimated that 9,282 gallons of oil was discharged before the well head was controlled. (Coast Guard 12/17/18)

GC shipyards make 2018 maritime list

The Gulf Coast’s Metal Shark of Jeanerette/Franklin, La., Eastern Shipbuilding of Panama City, Fla., and VT Halter Marine of Pascagoula, Miss., were among Maritime Professional’s top compelling maritime storylines of 2018. There were several compelling story threads played out that impacted North America’s waterfronts - each in their own unique way, according to Joseph Keefe, lead commentator for Maritime Professional and Marine News. Metal Shark delivered more than 14 ferries in less than 18 months. Metal Shark has shipyards in Jeanerette and Franklin, La. Metal Shark also began to implement its methodologies, production and project management systems at its newly-purchased Alabama facility (formerly Horizon Shipbuilding). MS-Alabama supported aluminum and steel shipbuilding for vessels up to 300 feet and 1,500 tons launch weight. A partnership with autonomous technology provider ASV global – an L3 Technologies-owned firm - rounded out an extraordinary year. Metal Shark was “clearly one of the big success stories of 2018 and the firm continues its growth as one of the most diversified shipbuilders in the business,” wrote Keefe. Eastern Shipbuilding Group resumed operations at both of its shipbuilding facilities within two weeks of Hurricane Michael’s devastation of Panama City, and surrounding area. Within the gates of ESG’s production facilities, the damage was unparalleled. Eastern first took a “family” approach to recovery, stressing basic needs of its workers and picking up the pieces. The second part yielded fruit and today, the majority of ESG’s workforce has returned to work, as well as all of its Coast Guard Offshore Patrol Craft-building staff. Carnival Corp. contracted with Shell to fuel LNG-powered cruise ships in North America. Carnival will also fuel its vessels via Shell’s LNG Bunker Barge. The Articulated Tug Barge (ATB), a first of its kind in North America, will allow ships to refuel with LNG at East Coast ports. The ATB is being built at the VT Halter Marine of Pascagoula on behalf of Quality Liquefied Natural Gas Transport LLC (Q-LNG) of New Orleans. (Source: Maritime Professional 12/09/18)

CG rescues duo from capsized skiff

NEW ORLEANS – The Coast Guard rescued two people after their boat capsized near Grand Bay, Miss. on Dec. 8. Coast Guard Station Pascagoula, Miss., received a report from Jackson County dispatchers that there were two people in the water in Grand Bay. CGS Pascagoula relayed the report to CG Sector Mobile, Ala., and directed the launch of a response boat/crew. CG Mobile directed the launch of a Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans MH-65 Dolphin helicopter/crew and CGS Dauphin Island, Ala., launched a response boat/crew. The Pascagoula boatcrew located the survivors, one clinging to the hull of the capsized 12-foot aluminum skiff and one in the water. Both survivors were wearing life jackets. The survivors were transported to Station Pascagoula in good health. (Source: Coast Guard 12/08/18)

LHA 7 commissioning at NASP in ’19

PENSACOLA, Fla. - The commissioning ceremony for the Navy’s newest Amphibious Assault Ship, the future USS Tripoli (LHA 7), will be held onboard Naval Air Station Pensacola on a non-specified date in 2019. The ship is currently about two-thirds through the process to activation at Huntington Ingalls’ shipyard in Pascagoula, Miss. Tripoli is among the first class of ships designed to support the Marine Corps’ F-35B vertical and/short take-off and landing (V/STOL) fighter jet. A local group is now working to plan the commissioning activities and raise the funds to pay for them. The commissioning ceremony will be paid for by the Navy. The USS Tripoli Commissioning Committee of Pensacola will pay for other portions of a week-long celebration. Committee Chairman, retired aviator Rear Admiral Don Quinn, says the group likely will have to raise as much as $300,000. This will be Pensacola’s sixth commissioning ceremony dating back to USS Mitscher in 1994. The Navy christened Tripoli on Sept. 16 in Pascagoula. (Source: WUWF 12/06/18)

Weeks Marine dredging: $12.7M

Weeks Marine of Covington, La., was awarded a $12,787,500 firm-fixed-price contract for dredging. Work will be performed in Plaquemines Parish, La., with an estimated completion date of May 26, 2019. FY 2019 Army operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $12,787,500 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers of New Orleans is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD 12/06/18)

La.’s CPRA chair to resign

Louisiana’s Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) Chairman Johnny Bradberry, who has overseen Louisiana’s coastal restoration and hurricane levee construction since January 2016, is stepping down on Jan. 1 to pursue an opportunity in the private sector, according to a Dec. 6 announcement from Gov. John Bel Edwards. Chip Kline, deputy director for coastal activities for the governor, was named interim chairman, and executive assistant to the Gov. Edwards. Bradberry, who did not specify the private sector jobs, oversaw the 2017 rewrite of Louisiana’s coastal Master Plan, a $50B, 50-year plan for restoration and storm surge protection projects. He helped design the make-up of the rapidly-growing coastal agency to handle what is quickly becoming a $1B annual budget for those projects. (Source: NOLA.com 12/06/18)

Judge rules eminent domain to ETP

Judge Keith Comeaux of the 16th District Court in St. Mary (La.) Parish ruled Dec. 6 that Energy Transfer Partners (ETP), a firm building the Bayou Bridge Pipeline, has the right to seize private property to construct the 162-mile long oil pipeline. He also ruled that ETP had trespassed on private property when it began construction - before finalizing land-seizure procedures. Louisiana is one of a few states that allow oil companies to take private land through expropriation - commonly known as eminent domain. This right is usually reserved for governments. In a statement, ETP said it was “pleased with the ruling” and was looking forward to “bringing the pipeline into service before the end of the year.” Pipeline’s opponents plan to appeal, according to Bill Quigley, a Loyola University law professor and one of the lawyers representing property owners. The judge awarded each of three property owners contesting the pipeline $150 for expropriation and trespass. (Source: NOLA.com 12/06/18)

Dive, life support experts’ symposium

PANAMA CITY, Fla. – Personnel from the Diving and Life Support Enterprise and Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City’s (NSWCPC) Maritime Mission Systems division supported the Office of Naval Research (ONR) in hosting the Gills-Inspired Life Support (GILS) Workshop here in October. The group formed new cross-discipline collaborations between leading military, academic, and industry researchers, and captured research topics related to diving physiology and technology. There were some “incredible scientific breakthroughs in the fields of chemistry, hyperbaric medicine, comparative physiology, and engineering,” said Dr. Sandra Chapman, ONR undersea medicine war-fighter performance program manager. “We hope this will enable significant improvements in manned undersea operations and opens doors for enabling enhanced tolerance to hypoxic events in general.” The ultimate vision of GILS is life support by direct oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange with ambient water. The workshop was the first step in an initiative to bring together fundamental researchers, and operational diving experts to consider an extremely challenging vision,” said Dr. John Camperman, NSWCPC diving and life support senior scientist. “Much like putting a human on the moon, GILS pushes hard against traditional boundaries. And much like the lunar effort it will no doubt generate incremental leaps in technology even before the ultimate vision is realized. Being introduced to the diverse research is already generating new ideas.” (Source: Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City 11/29/18)

La. LNG terminal’s EIS public meeting

The environmental impacts caused by the construction and operation of the proposed $8.5B Venture Global Plaquemines LNG Terminal will be open for discussion during a public meeting Dec. 11, hosted by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, in Belle Chasse, La. Those effects include the facility’s status as an emitter of greenhouse gases; and impacts on more than 800 acres of wetlands and associated pipeline, according to the draft Environmental Impact Statement released in November. The document also cites other air and water impacts on wildlife and nearby residents. The meeting is to allow the public to comment on the draft EIS prepared by commission for both the terminal and pipeline. The public comment session will be from 4-7 p.m. at the Belle Chasse Library on Highway 23. (Source: NOLA.com 12/06/18)

LCS’ ASuW package delivered

WASHINGTON - The Navy has taken delivery of the last piece of the Littoral Combat Ship’s anti-submarine warfare mission module, according to a media release from the Naval Sea Systems Command. The delivery means that the sea-service is closer to declaring the mission module operational. Raytheon’s Dual-mode Array Transmitter (DART) Mission System, which joins the MH-60R helicopter, the Multi-Function Towed Array and the SQQ-89 acoustic processing, the Navy has the complete ASuW package, and is ready to integrate and test it. The package “will provide revolutionary capabilities to the fleet,” Capt. Ted Zobel, LCS Mission Module program manager, said in the media release. The Navy will now send DART to one of the East Coast-based LCS for work at the Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center, located about 180 nautical miles southeast of West Palm Beach, Fla., prior to former developmental testing on USS Fort Worth (LCS 3), according to the release. But the future of the mission module remains uncertain. Congress slashed funding for ASuW for FY 2019, which means testing delays will probably follow, sources told Defense News in September. But, Congress continues to buy ships beyond the Navy’s 32-ship requirement. (Source: Defense News 12/05/18) Mayport, Fla.- based LCS are of the Freedom variant. Austal USA of Mobile, Ala., builds the Independence variant and are based on the West Coast.

Suit alleges NOLA port’s negligence

The Singapore-based shipping company Antares Maritime PTE Ltd., which owns the cargo ship M/V Pac Antares that spilled about 2,000 gallons of heavy fuel oil into the Mississippi River at the Nashville Avenue Wharf in April, has filed a federal lawsuit against the Port of New Orleans. The lawsuit alleges negligence by the Port in maintaining the wharf, where the accident occurred. Antares Maritime has asked the court that the NOLA port and Ports America Louisiana LLC, which operates that wharf, for the port, be required to pay what it expects will more than $10M in damages resulting from the accident and the spill. An 8th District Coast Guard spokesperson said the agency’s investigation of the incident is still ongoing, and will not be completed for some time. As of April 21, the Coast Guard said it had recovered 11,500 gallons of liquid waste; and that 140 people, 30 vessels, six skimmers and 2,900 feet of containment material had been used in containing the spill. The lawsuit also alleges the Port of New Orleans’ board of directors was aware of the deteriorated condition of the wharf when it directed the Antares to anchor at the location. The board’s own inspection of Jan. 30, identified numerous fenders in that section of the wharf that required replacement, the suit alleges, and no repairs were made before the incident. (Source: NOLA.com 12/04/18)

CG to memorialize crew of Adler

NEW ORLEANS - The Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit will hold a memorial service in Baton Rouge, La., on Dec. 7 to honor 17 crewmembers who perished on the CG Cutter White Adler that sank 50 years ago on the Mississippi River. The Adler was homeported in New Orleans from 1947-68. Fifty years ago, at 6:29 p.m. on Dec. 7, 1968, the down-river bound White Alder and the up-river bound 455-foot Taiwanese freighter Helena collided in the Mississippi River at mile marker 195.3 near White Castle, La. The Alder sank in 75 feet of water. Three of the 20 crew were rescued. Seventeen perished. The memorial will be at 11 a.m. from The Estuary at the Water Campus on River Road in Baton Rouge. (Source: Coast Guard 12/05/18)

Austal earns $40M pact for EPF

Austal USA of Mobile, Ala., is awarded a $40,369,095 cost-plus-fixed-fee undefinitized contract action for procurement of long lead time material and production engineering for the Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) 14. The EPF class provides high speed, shallow draft transportation capability to support the intra-theater maneuver of personnel, supplies and equipment for the Navy, Marine Corps, and Army. Work will be performed in Novi, Mich. (39 percent); Houston (12); Chesapeake, Va. (10); Mobile (9); Rhinelander, Wis. (7); and Iron Mountain, Mich. (3), with other efforts performed at various locations (each less than 1 percent) throughout the U.S. (4 percent); and various locations (each less than 1 percent) outside the U.S. (16 percent), and is expected to complete by July 2022. Fiscal 2019 Navy shipbuilding and conversion funding in the amount of $20,184,547 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively solicited via Federal Business Opportunities website, with one offer received. The Naval Sea Systems Command of D.C., is the contracting activity.

Gulf Coast SeaPort awards

The Navy is awarding 1,870 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, multiple-award contracts (MACs) to businesses in multiple locations across 46 of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, and Guam for future competition of support service requirements to be solicited by Navy activities under the SeaPort Next Generation (SeaPort-NxG) multiple-award contract vehicle. All work under the contracts will fall under two categories (engineering support services and program management support services), which are further divided into 23 functional areas. The government estimates about $5B of services will be procured per year via orders issued under the SeaPort-NxG multiple award contracts. The funding for task orders to be issued under these contracts will come from a variety of sources and will be consistent with the purpose for which the funds were appropriated. These contracts were competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with 1,894 offers received. ) Naval Sea Systems Command, Naval Surface Warfare Center of Dahlgren, Va., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD 12/03/18) Among regional contracts were from Adsync Technologies, ASTA Group, OnesourcePCS, locbal Business Solutions, Science and Management Resources, Science and Management Resources, and Summit Technologies, all of Pensacola; Beast Code, HX5, and Dalpar Corp. of Fort Walton, Fla.; Innovative Professional Solution, MaceTech Security Solutions, Operations and Security Integrated Solutions, and Professional Systems Associates of Panama City, Fla; and Risk Mitigation Consulting of Destin, Fla.; H2 Performance Consulting Corp. of Gulf Breeze, Fla.; Downey Engineering of Metairie, La.; and Global Commerce and Services of Harvey, La.

HII acquires new tech solutions firm

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) announced Dec. 3 that it has acquired G2 Inc., a nationally recognized cyber-security solutions and services company headquartered in Annapolis Junction, Md. G2 will join HII’s Technical Solutions division, which has an entity in Panama City, Fla. G2 provides solutions to significant challenges affecting the nation’s ability to collect, target, store, analyze and defend digital information. G2’s areas of expertise include national cyber defense, computer network exploitation, cyber analytics and the distributed analytic platform. Financial terms of the transaction are not being disclosed. (Source: HII 12/03/18)

NavMed worries over future cuts

The Navy’s push for a more lethal force, and a 355-ship fleet, could be re-invested from reductions to the service’s medical professionals, USNI News reports after viewing command guidance from the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery. BUMED “expects” that a Pentagon plan will reduce the military medical personnel across all services, possibly as early as FY 2020, according to the guidance. The guidance explains that Defense Department (DoD) officials are considering military medical reductions as part of its Program Objective Memorandum (POM) 2020. Each service is to manage their own reductions. “We expect many of the billet cuts” to Navy Medicine (NavMed) and to be “re-invested in other Navy priorities and communities that increase lethality,” the guidance stated. The number of billet cuts being consideration is not known. NavMed has about 63,000 personnel around the world to active duty sailors and Marines, their families and veterans, according to the Navy. The potential of NavMed cuts comes at a time that ‘Big Navy’ leadership is talking about growing the force. Through FY-18, the Navy had 329,851 active duty personnel, according to DoD. It is authorized to have 335,400. The Navy is planning to expand its surface force to 355 ships, which will call for more sailors. “This is what the POM process is for – to review all accounts in determining the best balance of investments,” Navy spokesperson Lt. Lauren Chatmas told USNI News. NavMed leaders expect that potential funding cuts will reduce medical staff capabilities – like expeditionary medical facilities, Graduate Medical Education, and medical training programs – and the scope of services available at facilities, ashore and afloat, across the service, according to the guidance. NavMed plans to fight over those GME and medical training programs. The Navy is months away from finalizing its contribution to DoD’s POM-20. (Source: USNI News 11/30/18) Gulf Coast Note: Regional NavMed facilities include Naval Hospital Pensacola, Fla., and its branch clinics at Meridian and Gulfport, Miss.; New Orleans; Pensacola, Milton, and Panama City, Fla. NHP's GME program for Family Medicine residents was shut down nearly two  years ago. 

Delta Queen gets congressional OK

The owners of the 1926 historic paddlewheeler Delta Queen have gotten the thumbs-up approval from Congress to get the steamboat back on tract. The steamboat, currently moored at Houma, La., could be in service in 2020 that would add another vessel to the nation’s inland river overnight cruise market. “I’m absolutely thrilled,” Cornel Martin said Delta Queen Steamboat Co.’s CEO after the provision passed as part of the Coast Guard’s authorization bill. The long-sought after provision exempts old vessels from operating on inland under current fire hazard restrictions, if owners make annual alterations up to 10 percent of areas not constructed of fire-retardant materials. The 176-passenger vessel has a wood and steel superstructure and was kept alive with a series of exemptions before it stopped sailing in 2008 when Majestic America Line shut down. Next on the agenda is to raise up to $12M needed to renovate the vessel. DQSC has been talking to potential benefactors for several years, and there are “several tracks we’ve been pursuing,” said Martin, including legislation for obtaining commercial financing. The vessel is to be homeported at Kimmswick, Mo., a small town about 25 miles south of St. Louis. (Source: Work Boat 11/29/18) The Delta Queen had been used for cruising major rivers that constitute the tributaries of the Mississippi River. She was docked in Chattanooga, Tenn., and served as a floating hotel until she was bought by DQSC. She was towed to Houma in March 2015 to be refurbished to original condition.

NOLA native piped ashore

PENSACOLA, Fla. – Command Master Chief (CMDCM) Mike Bates of the Center for Information Warfare Training (CIWT) retired here from 24 years of naval service on Nov. 30. The New Orleans native was presented the Meritorious Service Medal, the second of his career, for superior performance as CIWT’s command master chief from May 2015 to November 2018. Capt. Nick Andrews, CIWT's commanding officer and the presiding officer, told the audience that “Countless Sailors and families have benefited and will continue to benefit” from Bates’ “leadership, innovation, passion and courage.” (Source: Center for Information Warfare Training 11/30/18) CIWT delivers trained information warfare professionals (cryptology) to the Navy and joint services, enabling optimal performance of IW across the military. CIWT is one of the largest of the Naval Education and Training Command’s learning centers with training sites throughout the United States and Japan.