“At the same time, he said, Edison Chouest Offshore, also known as ECO, is seeking to put its boats on the Great Lakes.”
So what are the pilotage requirements for commercial US flagged vessels under 3000 ITC on the lakes anyway?
Perhaps he is working on getting approved a special 6000itc GL Master Pilots license…
Same as anywhere else. ECO doesn’t give a fuck about pilotage.
Thought it was like the Mississippi. Have to have pilotage to run the lakes don’t you?
Technically anywhere over 1,600…
Vessels operating on the Great
Lakes that are propelled by machinery
and subject to inspection under 46
U.S.C. chapter 33, or are tank barges
subject to inspection under 46 U.S.C.
chapter 37.
The following individuals may
serve as a pilot for a vessel subject to
paragraph (a) of this section, when underway
on the navigable waters of the
United States that are designated
areas.
(1) An individual holding a valid first
class pilot’s license issued by the Coast
Guard, operating within the restrictions
of his or her license, may serve as
pilot on any vessel to which this section
applies.
(2) An individual holding a valid license
issued by the Coast Guard as
master or mate, employed aboard a
vessel within the restrictions of his or
her license, may serve as pilot on a vessel
of not more than 1,600 gross tons
propelled by machinery, described in
paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(3) of this section,
provided he or she:
(i) Is at least 21 years old;
(ii) Complies with the currency of
knowledge provisions of §10.713 of this
chapter; and
(iii) Has completed a minimum of
four round trips over the route to be
traversed while in the wheelhouse as
watchstander or observer. At least one
of the round trips must be made during
the hours of darkness if the route is to
be traversed during darkness.
So their deal would be to run boats under 1,600 and either lie about people having recency, pay a pilot until people have recency, or hire people with recency.
ECO has passenger vessles? Never seen one like the one they reference in the article
I would be interested how this would work out with the union controlled GL and the vehemently ANTI-union ECO.
*edit: maybe “union controlled” is a bit strong. Correct me if I’m wrong.
I’m sure Gary will build some custom vessel to fit their needs. Then he will get a few year charter to ensure the vessel is paid for…
I agree!
My comments are more to illustrate the mentality.
No passenger vessels, they were referring to a passenger vessel to give readers a reference to the size of the ships ECO is planning on using:
"At the same time, he said, Edison Chouest Offshore, also known as ECO, is seeking to put its boats on the Great Lakes.
“These are newer boats so we’re using the good fuel, so to speak,” Brand said. He said the size of the ships, once used for servicing offshore platforms, is comparable to the Lake Express, a Muskegon-Milwaukee passenger ship."
ECO is looking for work for its boats.
A Great Lakes logistics consultant has a big idea — that probably won’t accomplish anything more that to give the consultant a good job doing a study.
This is a far cry from: ECO sending any boats to the Great Lakes.
[QUOTE=tugsailor;164851]This is a far cry from: ECO sending any boats to the Great Lakes.[/QUOTE]
You say that… and yet they pulled the cabin off the Akira last week. It makes sense to do that so they can ship it up the Mississippi river and couldn’t make some of the bridges with it still attached. What is the lowest bridge from NOLA to the great lakes?
Started out as a container ship for MSC. That’d make sense to use the old Margaret B. for this.
Or modify the vessel and use it for its new Gov contract.
Pulled a cabin as in cut a whole deck off? Though it’s been a while, I believe all the bridges open which would eliminate the air draft restrictions. The draft could be a concern on the upper river though.
The Akira is being converted to a ROV barge for Oceaneering, it will transfer ownership after the conversion
The Akira is being sold and converted to an ROV barge for Oceaneering.