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America Cargo Transport and Foss Maritime Providing Aid to Haiti Following Earthquake |
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Tuesday, 19 January 2010 00:48 |
| SEATTLE, January 18, 2010 - As recovery efforts in the wake of Haiti's devastating earthquake continue, tugs and barges from two Seattle-based companies are in the U.S. Gulf poised to participate in the vast international relief operation.America Cargo Transport Corp. (ACTC), a wholly owned Foss subsidiary, and Foss Maritime Company are preparing to carry approximately 6,000 tons of food aid cargo to the Haitian capital of Port Au Prince for USAID, according to company sources. Initial efforts to deliver humanitarian aid to the stricken island nation have slowed because of severe damage to the port and transportation infrastructure in Port Au Prince.ACTC has routinely carried food aid cargo for USAID and USDA to Port Au Prince before the earthquake and specializes in handling the complex logistics of moving high, wide and heavy cargo for private companies, governments and the military. ACTC has well documented experience in marine transport and cargo operations during emergency situations and in difficult environments. The company was the first US Flag carrier to deliver large volume US food aid shipments for the US Government to the victims of the 2004 Indonesia Tsunami, and the first US Flag operator to enter into Umm Qasr, Iraq in 2005 after the beginning of OIF (Operation Iraqi Freedom). ACTC still serves Iraq and just recently completed its 158th voyage into that country. "Our first concern is for the well being of all Haitians and in assisting in the relief effort," said John Tirpak, president of ACTC. "We know from initial reports that people are without many of the essentials - clean water, food, medicines and shelter. "Even though facilities in Port Au Prince have suffered extensive damage, we will be able to successfully deliver supplies to help ease some of the shortage. We are committed to marshal all available resources to help assist the international relief effort."ACTC's deck barge, the American Trader and the Justine Foss, a 4,000 horsepower ocean going tug, will move the needed supplies from the Gulf of Mexico to Haiti in the coming days.Executives at both ACTC and Foss urge citizens to consider contributing money or goods to the Haitian relief effort, including such organizations as the American Red Cross or World Vision. | |
| About America Cargo TransportAmerica Cargo Transport provides international cargo delivery and full-service cargo logistics. ACT serves commercial, government and military markets, delivering cargo in the Caribbean, Central America, South America, the Persian Gulf, East and West Africa. ACT is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Foss Maritime Company. See www.amerct.com for more information. |
| About Foss Maritime CompanyFounded in 1889, Seattle-based Foss Maritime offers a complete range of maritime services and project management to customers across the Pacific Rim, Europe, South America and around the globe. The company has harbor services and transportation operations in all major U.S. West Coast ports, including the Columbia and Snake River system. With one of the largest fleets of tugs and barges on the American West Coast, Foss operates two shipyards and offers worldwide marine transportation, emphasizing safety, environmental responsibility and high-quality service. See www.foss.com for more information. | | |
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TITAN rescues grounded ship, horses and more in São Miguel, Azores |
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Monday, 28 December 2009 15:27 |
(POMPANO BEACH, Fla.; Dec. 28, 2009) TITAN Salvage has added a new highlight to their resume - horse rescue experts. The team recently extracted seven prized horses, 260 tons of heavy fuel oil, and more from a grounded 4,454-gross ton cargo vessel before refloating her in São Miguel, Azores, off the coast of Portugal.
The cargo vessel, which was in transit to Ponta Delgado when she ran aground Nov. 21 on the south coast of São Miguel, only 10 nautical miles from her destination.
TITAN was awarded a Lloyds Open Form contract to rescue the ship and her cargo. Within 24 hours, TITAN deployed salvage master Stuart Miller, an international team of 11 salvage specialists and two chartered planes loaded with salvage equipment from TITAN facilities in the United States and the United Kingdom.
By the next day, TITAN was on scene assessing the situation and the vessel. The team discovered that three tanks and the engine room had been breached, and plans were made to both refloat the vessel and remove her sensitive cargo, including the seven horses.
The rescue operation was complex because the only way to get equipment onboard the ship was with tugboats, which had to get near the vessel amidst heavy winds and rough seas. Despite the harsh conditions, the horses were safely removed and taken safely to a local equestrian center. The team also discharged 59 containers and 260 tons of heavy fuel oil.
With the help of two local tugs and the ITC tug Mistral, the cargo vessel was successfully refloated from the rocky shores and safely delivered to the Port of Ponta Delgado, less than two weeks after the initial grounding.
"No job is impossible and it's key to always take a positive approach in working with your team. We also had great support from local authorities," said Miller, TITAN's salvage master on this project.
TITAN, a wholly owned Crowley subsidiary, is a worldwide marine salvage and wreck removal company based in Pompano Beach, Fla., that has performed over 350 salvage and wreck removal projects since 1980, including some of the most technically demanding projects ever undertaken. The company also has offices and equipment depots in Newhaven, UK and Singapore. Titan responds to vessel emergencies around the world and is able to mobilize a worldwide network of expert salvage professionals and specialized, portable equipment within hours of activation. TITAN is accessible 24 hours a day through the company's main dispatch telephone number, +1-954-545-4143. Additional information about TITAN may be found at www.titansalvage.com.
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Last Updated on Monday, 28 December 2009 15:28 |
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