Posts Categorized: Alaska News
Leadership Transitions Announced for TOTE Maritime Companies
June 12, 2018
Michael Noone will become President of TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico and Grace Greene will assume the role of President at TOTE Maritime Alaska
Today TOTE announced leadership changes within its TOTE Maritime division. 
Michael Noone, currently President of TOTE Maritime Alaska will transition and become President at TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico. Grace Greene, currently Vice President and General Manager at TOTE Maritime Alaska has been promoted to President and will take over for Noone.
These transitions are the first changes within the TOTE organization following the announcement that Tim Nolan will step into the role of President and CEO following the retirement of Anthony Chiarello later this summer.
“I am excited for the opportunity to work with another TOTE company and I look forward to working closer with my colleagues in Jacksonville and San Juan in serving our customers in the Puerto Rico trade” commented Mike Noone. “It has been wonderful to work with my colleagues and the customers in the Alaska trade for the last five years – they have been like a family. Their commitment to Alaska is reflected in TOTE Maritime Alaska’s recent Quest for Quality Award as the Top Ocean Carrier. I am grateful for their support and dedication and I look forward to becoming a part of the Puerto Rico team.”
Noone has more than 30 years of experience in the maritime industry and has been with TOTE Maritime Alaska since 2013. He will officially step into his role on September 4, immediately following the Labor Day holiday. Greene will assume the role of President for TOTE Maritime Alaska on August 6.
“Having lived in Alaska for nearly 10 years, I have personally experienced the critical support that TOTE Maritime Alaska provides to the people and communities of this state” noted Grace Greene. “I look forward to serving as President of TOTE Maritime Alaska and working with the entire team to build on our 40 year success.”
Greene has worked for TOTE Maritime since 2014 and served in the U.S. Marine Corps as a helicopter pilot and Aircraft Commander.
“This is an exciting time for the TOTE family of companies” noted Nolan. “I am confident that we have the best people leading the TOTE Maritime organization into the future. Their leadership will build on TOTE’s 40+ year commitment to providing the best maritime shipping services to the communities of Alaska and Puerto Rico.”
About TOTE
TOTE is a leading transportation and logistics company, overseeing some of the most trusted companies in the U.S. domestic trade. TOTE Maritime Alaska and TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico bring a focus on reliability and service to their respective markets. TOTE Services offers crewing and technical services to meet the needs of commercial, privately owned and U.S. Government vessels. TOTE owns and operates the most environmentally friendly cargo fleet in U.S., including the world’s first LNG powered containerships that serve the Puerto Rico trade.
TOTE is part of the Saltchuk family of companies. For more information on TOTE please visit www.toteinc.com.
Tim Nolan named new President and CEO of TOTE
May 18, 2018
Tim Nolan, President & CEO, TOTE
Seattle, WA – Saltchuk has announced that Tim Nolan has been named the next President and CEO of TOTE Inc., the parent company to TOTE Maritime and TOTE Services.
Nolan, who currently serves as the President of TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico, has been with the TOTE family of companies since 2013. He will take over the helm July 16 from Anthony Chiarello who announced his retirement earlier this year.
Tim Engle, President of Saltchuk noted “We are pleased that Tim has accepted the role of President and CEO for TOTE. His strong leadership at TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico and more than 20 years in the transportation and logistics industry made him a natural choice to lead Saltchuk’s largest line of business.”
“I am honored and excited to step into this new leadership role with TOTE” commented Nolan. “The TOTE team is an exemplary group of people and I am confident that together we will make this a successful transition. I look forward to working closely with customers, vendors and key stakeholders as well as all of the TOTE companies.”
Nolan and his family will remain in Jacksonville, FL shifting TOTE’s corporate headquarters to Jacksonville where both TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico and TOTE Services are currently based.
Over the coming months, Nolan will work closely with Chiarello to ensure a smooth transition for the entire TOTE organization. One of Nolan’s first responsibilities will be to identify his successor – the next president for TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico.
Final of Three Ice Class Ocean Tugs Christened
June 12, 2017
Nicole Foss ready for the Arctic
The Nicole Foss just before her christening at the Foss Waterway Seaport in Tacoma.
TACOMA, Wash., June 12, 2017 – The final of three state-of-the-art Arctic Class tugs, the Nicole Foss, was christened last week at the Foss Waterway Seaport in Tacoma, Wash. Built at the Foss Rainier, OR. Shipyard, the Nicole is designed to operate in the extreme conditions of the far north, and will enter service this summer.
Foss President and CEO John Parrott made opening remarks, praising the hard work and dedication of the people, designers, and customers that made the project possible. He spoke of the service of the first Arctic tugs, the Michele Foss and the Denise Foss, and the vessels to come that will join all of the Foss vessels that are currently “hard at work supporting our customers, our industry and our collective family of companies.”
Scott Merritt, Chief Operating Officer of Foss also spoke, praising the team at the Rainier Shipyard. “As I looked back,” said Merritt, “I realized that this was hull #22. It made me think of what has been accomplished at the Rainier Shipyard and the care that goes into each and every vessel. The craftsman of the men and women at Rainier rivals the best yards in the world, and these vessels reflect their desire to provide a world-class product to the mariners that will sail on them. The Nicole Foss is truly a job well done.”
Nicole, Tim and Emma Engle with the Captain of the Nicole Foss
Nicole Engle, the vessel’s namesake and one of three sisters who are primary shareholders of Saltchuk, the parent company of Foss Maritime, spoke of one of Saltchuk’s core values to reinvest in the family of companies, “seeing this promise become a reality with the three Arctic tugs is truly amazing.”
The Nicole Foss is ice class D0, meaning the hulls are designed specifically for polar waters and are reinforced to maneuver in ice. The first of the three Arctic tugs, the Michele Foss debut in 2015, and in her first year of operation lead the way in safely pioneering a new route across the North Slope, while operating in extreme conditions of first year ice a meter thick. The Denise has also continued to exceed expectations and will return to the far north this summer.
The Nicole Foss complies with the requirements in the ABS Guide for Building and Classing Vessels Intended to Operate in Polar Waters, including ABS A1 standards, SOLAS and Green Passport. She includes two environmentally responsible Caterpillar C280-8 main engines; a Nautican nozzle and rudder system to provide superior bollard pull and maneuverability; and Reintjes reduction gears. Markey Machinery supplied the tow winch.
The tug has a bollard pull of 221,000 pounds.
- The vessel incorporates several environmentally focused designs and structural and technological upgrades, including:
- Elimination of ballast tanks, so there is no chance of transporting invasive species;
- Holding tanks for black and gray water to permit operations in no-discharge zones (such as parts of Alaska and California);
- Hydraulic oil systems compatible with biodegradable oil;
- Energy efficient LED lighting; and
- High-energy absorption Schuyler fendering.
The Nicole Foss has been designed to withstand the rigors of Arctic operations and is suited to work across the globe as Foss competes for opportunities in the oil and gas industry.
Foss Maritime’s Third Arctic Class Ocean Tug is Nearly Complete
February 17, 2017
Dynamic videos show construction of the Nicole Foss
The tug is ice class D0, meaning the hulls are designed specifically for polar waters and are reinforced to maneuver in ice. Like her sister Arctic Class tugs, it complies with the requirements in the ABS Guide for Building and Classing Vessels Intended to Operate in Polar Waters, including ABS A1 standards, SOLAS and Green Passport.
Second Foss Arctic Class Ocean Tug Christened
June 7, 2016
Powerful Denise Foss ready to join the fleet in the Arctic far North
SEATTLE, Wash., – The second of three state-of-the-art Arctic Class tugs, the Denise Foss, was christened June 1, 2016 at the Foss Waterway Seaport in Tacoma, Wash. Built at the Foss Rainier, OR. Shipyard, the Denise is designed to operate in the extreme conditions of the far north, and will enter service this summer.
John Parrott introducing Denise Tabbutt.
Foss COO John Parrott conducted opening remarks. Parrott applauded the hard work and dedication of the people, designers, and customers that made this project possible. He also introduced Denise Tabbutt, the vessel’s namesake and one of the three sisters who are primary shareholders of Saltchuk, the parent company of Foss Maritime.
Tabbutt spoke at the event and had the honor of breaking the ceremonial bottle of champagne across the hull of the Denise Foss. “It’s a proud moment for the people whose vision and leadership inspired the creation of this tugboat class to support our commitment to Alaska and the Arctic,” said Tabbutt. “In order to stay relevant in a fast and ever changing world, it’s important we remain committed to our shared values and continue looking for opportunities to better serve our customers. The Arctic Class tugs are the perfect example of this commitment.”
Mike Magill, Vice President of Foss’ Technical Services, praised the team at the Rainier Shipyard–many who were present for the christening–for their commitment to safety, quality, and the obvious pride they take in their work.
“The Rainier shipyard is now gone 879 days without a Lost Time Incident,” said Magill. “In an industry where far too often injuries and accidents are answered with excuses, the Rainier team has taken responsibility to embrace our safety culture and the results bear this out.”
The Denise Foss is ice class D0, meaning the hulls are designed specifically for polar waters and are reinforced to maneuver in ice. The first of the three Arctic tugs, the Michele Foss debut in 2015 and has performed above and beyond expectations. The Michele lead the way in safely pioneering a new route across the North Slope, while operating in extreme conditions of first year ice a meter thick.
Like the Michele, the Denise complies with the requirements in the ABS Guide for Building and Classing Vessels
The Denise Foss, ready for the Arctic far North.
Intended to Operate in Polar Waters, including ABS A1 standards, SOLAS and Green Passport. She includes a Caterpillar C280-8 main engine, which complies with the highest federal environmental standards; a Nautican propulsion system; and Reintjes reduction gears. Markey Machinery supplied the tow winch.
The tug has a bollard pull of 221,000 pounds.
The vessel incorporates several environmentally focused designs and structural and technological upgrades, including:
- Elimination of ballast tanks, so there is no chance of transporting invasive species;
- Holding tanks for black and gray water to permit operations in no-discharge zones (such as parts of Alaska and California);
- Hydraulic oil systems compatible with biodegradable oil; Energy efficient LED lighting;
- and High-energy absorption Schuyler fendering.
The Denise Foss has been designed to withstand the rigors of Arctic operations and is suited to work across the globe as Foss competes for opportunities in the oil and gas industry.
“The christening ceremony is our way of honoring our history,” said Parrott. “The boat sitting behind me represents our future.”
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ABOUT FOSS MARITIME
Founded in 1889, Seattle-based Foss Maritime offers a complete range of maritime services and project management to customers across the Pacific Rim, Europe, South America and around the globe. Foss has one of the largest fleets of tugs and barges on the American West Coast. The company has harbor services and transportation operations in all major U.S. West Coast ports, including the Columbia and Snake River system, Hawaii and Alaska. Foss operates two shipyards and offers worldwide marine transportation, emphasizing safety, environmental responsibility and high-quality service. See www.foss.com for more information.