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EDITOR’S NOTE ou might think that given the current climate in the oil patch, especially when talking about the Gulf of Mexico or the Arctic, it would be impossible to put together meaning- ful copy for a 64-page folio. But, you’d be wrong. That doesn’t mean that I didn’t have

Y dig extra hard for a relevant thread. I did. That’s because there’s just no way to sugarcoat the recent 18-month rough stretch endured by the offshore energy support sector. All that said; we go to press this month as the Baker Hughes rig count rose for the sixth straight week. That’s better than a $20 barrel of oil, right?

When it comes to ‘all things offshore energy,’ one doesn’t have to look very far to ? nd the de? nitive voice for the domestic offshore industry. Aaron Smith, our c-suite INSIGHTS feature for this month, wears both of the two most visible leadership hats on the Gulf Coast today. [email protected]

As Executive Director of the ? edgling – but already widely respected – Offshore Supply Vessel

Dynamic Positioning Authority (OSVDPA) and President of that longstanding voice of the domestic offshore industry, the Offshore Marine Services Association (OMSA), no one else arguably has a better feel for the mood in this sector today. That interview starts on page 12.

Before that happens, though, this month’s BY THE NUMBERS primer takes an in-depth look at safety; speci? cally as safety is impacted by the high-tech world of dynamic positioning (DP) for offshore support vessels. The dialogue is taken in part from the International Marine

Contractor’s Association’s (IMCA) annual compilation of DP Incidents (for the year 2014, released in June 2016). It is a fascinating (and sobering) look at just what can go wrong. Be- yond that, it also reminds us that even when pro? ts go south, attention to safety can be a pro? t center, not just a line item expense.

The offshore world isn’t the only place where safety is King. The U.S. Coast Guard reminded everyone of that subtle nuance this past summer when it ? nally, at long last, released the so- called Subchapter M towboat rules. The new rule, at ? rst glance, really isn’t going tax anyone.

With so many allowances, grandfathered equipment and a softer-than-expected tightening of the rules, many operators are likely breathing a sigh of relief. That doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t get started right away. You should. In this edition, not one, but two expert industry stakeholders weigh in and lead you through the new matrix.

Last but certainly not least, I typically like to have a shortsea shipping angle in every edition.

I don’t always succeed. This edition however presented an easy target in the new, innovative and ef? cient freight service now in place between the Catalina Islands and San Pedro, California.

Utilizing cutting edge equipment and leveraging one of the best known names in the West

Coast workboat game (Harley Marine), and Greg and Tim Bombard of LA-based Catalina

Express have assembled an enviable business model on the left coast. In the pages that follow, you’ll ? nd out how and why.

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Joseph Keefe, Editor, [email protected]

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