Page 6: of Marine News Magazine (July 2012)

At a point in time when there are seemingly so many uncharted variables looming just over the horizon for the marine sector, it is also a good time to be in the business of bringing the news to industry. There is plenty to write about. For starters, regulatory pressures that previously impinged only upon the bluewater, deep draft, International sectors have now been pushed down to the workboat and inland markets. The impact of this heightened oversight is especially daunting for domestic small platform operators, their mariners and the business models that shape it. You?ll need help. MarineNews has answers. In response to external pressures, management of waterborne assets in this sector has reached a new level of sophistication. The job can no longer be done by juggling a few spreadsheets, and/or generally continuing the status-quo. Management software for the workboat sector is here and its utility in day-to-day operations, compliance matters and  nance cannot be denied. But, if that?s true, then the real time dissemination of this data to those who need it ? on board and ashore ? is also a critical part of the puzzle. Hence, you can no longer talk about software without also mentioning SATCOM in the same conversation. Inside this edition, you?ll  nd out why. The American merchant marine now comprises about 40,000 hulls, of which about 39,500 can be classi ed as shallow draft, workboat or inland transportation platforms. The maritime educational system that for so many years operated on a bluewater blueprint is also responding to change. As the demand for workboat mariners increases, so too must the quality and relevance of the training that new personnel are exposed to. The Massachusetts Maritime Academy is one such place where these changes are palpable and the fruits of those efforts are already being realized in industry. Our article which outlines the new face of maritime training in the United States is therefore a real eye-opener. Not to be outdone, domestic shipyards ? also yearning for quali ed, skilled labor ? are not sitting on their hands, either. Susan Buchanan provides details of their game plan. We round out this month with timely coverage of technical developments affecting the workboat markets in way of deck machinery and propulsion. First; three distinctly different winch technologies, all important for different reasons, caught our eye. And, Raina Clark?s description of new propulsion options for catamaran workboats is a unique look into how work missions are de ning propulsion packages for a variety of special purpose boats. Out in front of shipyard itself, end users are now de ning exactly what they want in a vessel. The change in course therefore results in a smarter hull, eventually allowing safer, more ef cient operations. Software, SATCOM, cutting edge propulsion, markedly improved maritime education for brown water mariners and demonstrable gains in winch technology: if all of that sounds too good to be true, then think again. We shoehorned all that good news into one issue of MarineNews . Don?t worry; it will  t into your workboat, too. [email protected] to the print or electronic edition of MarineNews at www.marinelink.com/renewsubscr/Renew04/subscribe.html or e-mail Kathleen Hickey at [email protected] DAILY NEWS via E-MAIL Twice every business day we provide breaking news, tailored to your speciÞ cation, delivered FREE directly to your e-mail. To subscribe visit http://maritimetoday.com/login.aspx POST & SEARCH JOBSJob listings are updated daily and help match employers with qualiÞ ed employees. Post a position or keep abreast of new employment opportunities at http://www.maritimejobs.com ADVERTISE MN offers a number of print and electronic advertising packages. To see our editorial calendar and advertising rates, visit www.marinelink.com/AdvRates/Rates.asp Online Resources Joseph Keefe, Editor, [email protected] EDITOR?S NOTE6 MNJuly 2012