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[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 NOTEWhat a difference a year makes. At this time last year, we were hoping for a recovery in offshore markets, a better economy and that the Obama Administration would further expedite the offshore permitting process. Also exactly one year ago, the DOW was still languishing under 12,000. Today, it hovers around the 13,000 benchmark. Offshore permitting for oil & gas exploration, while still lagging pre-Macondo levels, has nevertheless improved. Presumably, it will also be safer, thanks to new regulatory controls. And, by the time you read these words, the 2012 Presidential elections will thankfully be over. All of that potentially provides fair winds and following seas upon which to build business plans for the future. All of that said, I can give even more concrete reasons for optimism going forward. During an October road trip to the U.S. Gulf, I had the opportunity to visit a number of operators and shipyards. I listened to what they had to say. What I learned is ample proof that the U.S. brown water industry, its associated boatbuilding base and vendors that form its backbone are all alive and well. SpeciÞ cally, more than one boatbuilder told me that the U.S. yards are rapidly moving towards a Òmanufacturing mentality,Ó as opposed to just traditional boatbuilding. This translates into the maturation of an industry that has arrived at the realization that Òseries buildÓ deals are the way to go and that we, as U.S. yards, can get the job done efÞ ciently. Underscoring that momentum, one prominent industry executive told me, ÒI havenÕt been this excited about shipbuilding in a long time.Ó ThatÕs not all: U.S.-based operators Ð inland and offshore Ð are now engaged in aggressive workboat newbuild and conversion projects that are fattening local backlogs well into 2014, and beyond. More importantly, those operators who eventually reß ag some of their tonnage to compete in foreign markets insist that not only can they build here, they can do it competitively and they do so gladly. At the same time, at least two U.S, Gulf yards are exporting a signiÞ cant portion of their output to foreign customers. Finally, the gloomy regulatory picture that has loomed over the domestic maritime industry for some time (subchapter M, for example) is becoming much clearer. Not necessarily easier, mind you, but certainly, something we can better plan for and comply with. In this edition, Susan Buchanan gives us a primer on TidewaterÕs bold, billion dollar expansion of their offshore ß eets while Raina Clark does the same for the yearend domestic, inland infrastructure situation. And, since this is our Workboat Annual edition; that covers both ends of our workboat report, with plenty more inside, as well. Just 16 months after settling into the MarineNews editorÕs chair and with hurricane Sandy in our choppy wake, I like what I see, where we are collectively at, and what we can potentially accomplish together in the future. Turn the page and come along for an exciting workboat ride. 6 MNNovember 2012MNNov2012 Layout 1-17.indd 6MNNov2012 Layout 1-17.indd 611/8/2012 11:50:01 AM11/8/2012 11:50:01 AM