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Foss Maritime Vessels Receive Safety Award 

June 19, 2017

Sixty-five Vessels Recognized for Years of Safe Operations

SEATTLE–  The Chamber of Shipping of America (CSA) has recognized 65 vessels of Foss Maritime and their subsidiary companies with the 2016 Jones F. Devlin award for outstanding safety records.

Susan Hayman from Foss accepts the award.

The Jones F. Devlin Award is one of two award programs CSA has sponsored since 1968.The award is given to self-propelled merchant vessels that have operated for two full years or more without a crewmember involved in a lost-time incident. It publicly recognizes the skill and dedication of the men and women who are responsible for safe vessel operations.

The 65 Foss vessels were recognized at the CSA Annual Safety Awards Luncheon held on June 7 in New Orleans. Altogether, the Foss and subsidiary company vessels achieved the equivalent of 549 years of incident-free operation. Fifty-three vessels had five or more years, and 20 vessels boasted 10 to 23 years without a lost-time injury.

“CSA’s members are committed to safe operations and CSA’s involvement in safety is longstanding with our ongoing commitment to represent the industry, domestically and internationally, on safety issues encompassing every facet of ship operations. It is only fitting that an industry so focused on safety, publicly recognizes the skills and dedication of the women and men who have enabled these many years of safe operations and who are responsible for actions in keeping with the highest traditions of the sea – aid to those in peril,” said Kathy Metcalf, CSA President.

“The number of years our vessels have received this award is a testament to how seriously we take safety at Foss,” said John Parrott, Foss president and CEO. “The safety of our people motivates us every day to enhance our programs, training, resources and operations. We’re proud to receive this award because it shows our commitment to safety compels all of us, in all aspects of our work, to do better.”

A list of the vessels receiving the award is posted on CSA’s websitewww.knowships.org. Click on “Press Releases”.

ABOUT CSA
The Chamber of Shipping of America represents 31 U.S. based companies that own, operate or charter oceangoing tankers, container ships, dry bulk vessels engaged in both the domestic and international trades and companies that maintain a commercial interest in the operation of such oceangoing vessels. Current members include companies that own or operate U.S. flag or foreign-flag ships. A company owning or operating only foreign-flag tonnage must have an office in the United States to qualify for membership.

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

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.

The short videos show construction from April of 2016 to January 2017.

The first of two videos shows the hull assembly, construction, flip and installation of the bow and stern modules, the installation of one of two Caterpillar C280-8 main engines, the superstructure install, and wheelhouse construction.

 

A second video shows construction through the transportation of the Hull – which has Nautican’s high efficiency nozzle and rudder assembly, driven through a set of Reintjes reduction gears – to Vancouver, Washington to have a Markey Machinery tow winch installed, before returning to Rainier for her wheelhouse installation.

 

 

The videos are also available on the Foss YouTube channel, or on the Foss website, with continuing updates and photography available via inquiry, or on social media at Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Foss Maritime CEO Transition Complete

January 12, 2017

	John Parrott, President & CEO, Foss Maritime

“We’re fortunate to have such experienced maritime professionals and leaders within our companies,” said Tim Engle, President of Saltchuk, Foss’ parent company. “John’s contributions at TOTE Maritime and his 28 years of experience both on the water and shoreside give him a unique perspective that has served us well. I am truly excited to see John lead Foss as it continues to innovate and deliver on its promise of safe, reliable service to our customers.”

Parrott completed a “listening tour” in early 2016, which included visiting Foss employees at work throughout the company. He visited with mariners on workboats in the Gulf of Alaska, California, Hawaii and Washington and craftspeople building and repairing ships at Foss’ Seattle and Rainier, Oregon shipyards. Parrot begins the year with a focus on enhancing communication and efficiency within the 127-year-old company.

“It’s a great honor to lead Foss and work with the talented and dedicated maritime professionals that make it such an amazing company,” said Parrott. “We have an exciting road ahead of us.”

On January 1, upon retirement from Foss, Stevens transitioned to a new role at Saltchuk’s corporate home office. As Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Stevens will support various strategic initiatives currently underway and will help support Saltchuk’s growth activities.

Conrad Shipyard Lays Keels for Young Brothers Tugs

November 29, 2016

Morgan City, LA: Conrad Shipyard held the Keel Laying Ceremony for the four Damen Stan 3711® Kāpena Class tugs now under construction for Young Brothers, Limited of Hawaii.

On hand for the ceremony was Glenn Hong, President of Young Brothers, Ltd; Jonathan Parrott, President of Foss Marine, Young Brothers’ sister company; and, Tim Engle and Mark Tabbutt with Saltchuk, the parent company of both. Also attending and delivering remarks was Kommer Damen, Chairman and CEO of Damen Shipyard, and Jim Watson, President of ABS Americas. A number of local officials were also present, including Morgan City Mayor Frank P. Grizzaffi III, Port Director Mac Wade and Councilman Lou Tamporello. Dan Conrad, Senior Vice President Conrad Shipyard served as moderator. The Morgan City High School Band, under the direction of Band Leader Michael Swiber, presented the colors, and Monsignor Doug Courville delivered the Invocation.

Young Brothers, based in Honolulu, is Hawaii’s largest interisland transportation company. Hong explained that the word Kāpena means Captain in Hawaiian and each of the four vessels is to be named after a legendary tug Captain from Young Brothers’ storied 115-year history. “We are investing to serve the Hawaiian Islands for decades into the future,” he said. “Young Brothers is a company with a long tradition of giving back to the communities we serve, and we are delighted to join with Conrad, a company with a matching philosophy.” Hong shook each hand of the many members of the Conrad shipbuilding team gathered for the ceremony and praised them for their distinguished reputation for quality and craftsmanship. “We wish you well as you bring these ships to life,” he said.

Johnny Conrad, Chairman and CEO of Conrad Shipyard said that Damen Shipyards was instrumental in Conrad securing the contract. “Damen’s global footprint and their unique business plan of standardization streamlines construction and provides costeffective solutions to our customers,” he said. Kommer Damen said that Damen Shipyards is looking forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship with Conrad and Young Brothers, and Jim Watson of ABS stated that the partnership was a perfect match for a US-built, crewed and flagged vessel.

Johnny Conrad summed up the Conrad customer advantage. “Conrad Shipyard’s founding principles of Quality, Craftsmanship, Integrity and Service have served us well over our rich almost 70-year history; and I am confident that these principles and the Conrad focus on customer satisfaction will serve Young Brothers as well,” he said. Photo: Glenn Hong, President of Young Brothers, Limited of Hawaii holds a framed print of the Kāpena Jack Young, the first of the new vessels to be delivered.

For Additional Information Contact: Dan T. Conrad, Senior Vice President Conrad Shipyard