Page 16: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (March 2018)

DREDGING

About the Author

William P. Doyle, CEO & Executive

Director, Dredging Contractors of

America. Doyle was nominated and appointed twice as a Commissioner to the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission (FMC).

World Marine of Alabama (WMA) com- pleted work on a contract valued at over $14m to drydock and repair the

Dredge Wheeler, a hopper dredge owned and operated by the USACE.

The package included hopper and

Photos: World Marine of Alabama (WMA) hopper door steel renewals, two new hydraulically-actuated weirs, and a new emergency generator. Machin- ist crews assisted with rebuilding the vessel’s bow thruster, replacing one of the vessel’s tail shafts and overhauling

American Pride the vessel’s CPP system. Pipe crews worked to renew piping throughout the vessel. Electrical crews had many assignments, including the installation of VFDs on the vessel’s large seawater

Working hard in the U.S. dredging industry cooling pumps.

We have had a great ? rst couple of sachusetts Beth Steel shipyard. I worked the Lake Charles region of Louisiana, I trade be U.S. built, U.S. owned, and U.S. months at the Dredging Contractors of in that same shipyard as a cadet while headed to New Orleans and led a diverse crewed. Among the speci? c coastwise

America. As the new CEO and Execu- attending Mass Maritime Academy group of companies and organizations at provisions included in Chapter 551 are tive Director, I have begun to visit the breaking out ships for the ? rst Gulf War the New Orleans World Trade Center to Section 55102, which incorporates the companies, their facilities and associated (1989-1991). Upon graduation, I served discuss the U.S.-Flag dredging industry. original 1920 Merchant Marine Act gov- dredging projects. So far, I have sur- as an engineering Of? cer with the U.S. This delegation consisted of relevant erning the transportation of merchan- veyed the beach re-nourishment project Merchant Marine for 11 years. Then, I U.S. business leaders, including execu- dise, and Sections 55109 and 55110, in Ocean City, Maryland undertaken by served in appointed positions under two tives from dredging companies, repair which incorporate the original Dredging

Great Lakes Dredge and Dock. I’ve U.S. Presidents. yards, boat builders, vessel operators Act of 1906 including the “transporta- canvassed Weeks Marine’s repair and and riverboat pilots. Here is what we ad- tion of valueless material or dredged yard facility in Jersey City, New Jersey. Beware of False Prophets dressed: material.” Thus, the Dredging Act is an

In the last week of February, I visited One claim I have heard recently is the integral part of Coastwise Trade.

Mike Hooks Inc.’s corporate headquar- “dredging industry is not part of Jones Dredging Industry and the Jones Act In 1988, Senator John Breaux of Loui- ters and boatbuilding and repair yard in Act,” an assertion pushed by certain The Dredging Act was enacted in siana, concerned with misinterpretations

West Lake, Louisiana. These compa- people with their own agenda, claims 1906, some 14 years before the enact- of the Jones Act, championed a Bill clar- nies and their employees are hardwork- we heard following visits with of? cials ment of the Jones Act. The Dredging ifying the transportation of merchandise. ing and dedicated, striving to protect from the Ports of New Orleans, South Act established that all dredges engaged The Congressional intent to embrace the shores of the U.S.; they deepen our Louisiana, Houston and Galveston. in dredging shall be constructed in U.S. dredging activities is clear by the express channels, harbors and inland waterways; Claims have been made that the U.S.- shipyards. The term “Jones Act” today language in the law which codi? es “mer- and they restore our coastal wetlands and Flag dredging industry is not included is a clear reference to our nation’s body chandise” to include “valueless material” beaches. They are all ? lled with Ameri- within the purview of the coastwise laws of coastwise laws which are set forth in and clearly includes the term “dredged can pride. I look forward to continuing of the United States. Claims have been a single chapter of the U.S. Code (46 material” as merchandise covered by the the visits to dredging facilities and job made that U.S. dredgers do not have the U.S.C. Chapter 551), entitled “Coast- Jones Act. Since then, numerous courts, sites throughout this coming year and adequate capacity to start projects. wise Trade.” This chapter re? ects the including the U.S. Supreme Court, have beyond. These claims are wrong on all counts, 2006 codi? cation of the maritime laws held that dredges are Jones Act vessels

I value the shipping sector of the Unit- and The Dredging Contractors of Ameri- generally and incorporates the three fun- and dredging activities are governed by ed States, beginning with my mother ca will correct these false and misleading damental cornerstones of our coastwise the full suite of Coastwise trade laws and working as a clerk in the Quincy, Mas- claims. After visiting Mike Hooks Inc. in laws: that vessels engaged in domestic regulations. 16 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • MARCH 2018

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