Page 31: of Marine News Magazine (December 2014)

MARINE RESPONSEing salvage operations.? In other words, the perfect asset match for this particular casualty A quick count from the state?s list of ship rescues shows 23 incidents where either Barbara Foss , the Lauren Foss, or the Jeffrey Foss prevented disaster. The rescue tug has de- ployed to stand by or directly assist 49 vessels since 1999. But, emergency towing is just one of a broad range of ser- vices that Foss and Saltchuk offer. Preventing an oil spill  ts in with the high standards for safety and environmental innovation Foss has set for itself. ?Foss? corporate color is green, which is symbolic because I believe it represents this organization?s thinking from top to bottom on the envi- ronment,? Geraldine Knatz, Ph.D., Executive Director for the Port of Los Angeles, said in 2007, after Foss built the world?s  rst hybrid tug, the Green Assist Dolphin, which relies on batteries and an active power management system to minimize engine use. Foss has also built a second hybrid tug, which is old hat compared to its latest groundbreaking project, one that would begin to eventually eliminate the need for petroleum bunkers: hydrogen fuel cells. ?At Foss we innovate,? says Gary Faber, the company?s president of global services. As such, Foss?s  rst Arctic Class tug will launch in December, 2014, followed by two more in future years. They will have low-emission Cater- pillar engines and incorporate several environmentally- focused designs and structural and technological upgrades, including reinforced hulls that will allow them to sail safely through ice. ?We know the state and we know its waters,? Faber says. ?Alaska is poised to grow as major new resource develop- ments come on line, particularly on the North Slope. Foss is positioning itself to grow with Alaska.? All of that un- derscores the  rm?s commitment to the environment, but also the need for robust response capabilities ? in all do- mestic maritime regions. In this case, Foss was in position to obviate the need for what could have been a substantial salvage operation. An ounce of prevention really is worth a pound of cure. Sarah McCoy is a journalist based in Seattle, WA. She has written articles for the Cleveland Plain Dealer and Business Ethics, among others. She enjoys living in the maritime neighborhood of Ballard on Puget Sound and sailing out of Shilshole Bay Marina.? ?We know the state and we know its waters. Alaska is poised to grow as major new resource developments come on line, particularly on the North Slope. Foss is positioning itself to grow with Alaska.? ? Gary Faber, Senior vice President of Foss Maritimewww.marinelink.com MN 31MN Dec14 Layout 18-31.indd 31MN Dec14 Layout 18-31.indd 3111/25/2014 10:23:58 AM11/25/2014 10:23:58 AM