The ship and boat building business in the United States generally seems to be thought of as being primarily focused on defence. That, obviously, is only partially true.
The United States is a vast rich country that is involved in enormous international trading activities. It has a huge coastal and inland waterways transport system, a significant fishing industry, many large and important ports, and considerable ferry and marine tourism activities. It is a very major user of ships and boats of all kinds.
This reality has led to a large and important naval architecture profession that feeds into a dynamic ship and boat building sector. That sector's depth and breadth is staggering to any foreign observer.
Despite the influence of the Jones Act, which protects the local industry from foreign competition, it is an impressively open industry. Certainly, Americans cannot purchase foreign-built vessels for commercial use but they can purchase designs and equipment, even engines and propulsion systems from foreign suppliers – and they do, in vast quantities.
While the United States exports few vessels, it exports large amounts of electronic and mechanical equipment for them. Household names like Caterpillar, Cummins, John Deere, and Twin Disc are obvious examples. Meanwhile, the domestic market in the United States is enormous, loyal and well-served.
That is why Baird Maritime continually features new American vessels of every imaginable type, size, configuration and construction material that range from small RIB rescue and patrol boats to enormous nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. There is always something interesting happening in the American maritime industry and we try to present as much as possible of it to our global audience.
This week we will be focusing on the USA and presenting readers with even more than usual. We trust you find it interesting and useful.
– "Collaborating between countries has clearly improved the effectiveness of surveys providing information on fluctuations in fish availability."
– "Finding a four-inch-long salmon in this environment is all about knowing where to fish and how to get around the river without getting stuck on a sandbar or losing one's way."
– "Preventing another accident and preventing future loss of life is something that everyone in the industry should make their number one priority, even if it causes embarrassment to vessel operators and flag states."
– by Hieronymus Bosch, anonymous commentator and Baird Maritime's insider in the world of offshore oil and gas operations
– "Originally completed as an offshore supply vessel in 1974, Alaska Spirit was converted to a factory trawler in the 1990s."
– "Modifications include addition of a port rescue station with net recovery system, deck de-icing systems at the port and starboard pilot boarding stations, a hot water/steam system for power washing to de-ice the pilot boats when alongside in winter, and a new knuckle boom crane to service the port and starboard rigid inflatable boats."
Remember to come back every day to see the latest news, opinion and vessel reviews!
Any news or views about the unmanned vessel industries? Send it through to editor@baird.com.au ASAP (between now and July 2), so we can add it to this current edition of USA Week!
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