Currents Newsletter - Louisiana River Pilots` Association

February 2010
Contents
Amazon River Pilots
Amazon River Pilots
State of the Coast
Guard Address
LRPA Contributes to
Haitian Relief
Captain Rooney Joins
NOBRA Board
Replica Pirate Ship
WTC Director
Schreiber to Retire at
end of Year
Naval History
Champion Saints
A Message From Your
Chairman
Tchefuncte Lighthouse
Norweigian Will Cruise
from New Orleans Year
Round
Crescent Pilots
Pictured are Capt. Michael Lorino, Jr., Capt. Richardo Augusto Leite Falcao, Capt. Linesio
Gomes Barbosa Junior, George Burkley and Capt. Michael Rooney
Brazilian Unipilots Capt. Falcao and Capt. Barbosa recently toured the Mississippi
River escorted by the Bar, NOBRA and Crescent Pilots.
In Brazil, documents refer to the work performed by pilots starting in 1737 in Rio
Grande, and culminating in the announcing of the statute for pilots in Rio de Janeiro in
1808. Since then pilotage has been regulated by the government under the control of
the Brazilian Navy.
To submit articles for the
LRPA monthly newsletter,
please email
[email protected]
[email protected]
To enter into the profession a person has to pass a public exam, followed by a prolonged
period of training under the auspices and expenses of the local pilots’ association. When
the trainees have attained the required level of knowledge and satisfactory performance,
they are submitted to an exam for a pilot’s license. The initial selection for entering into
the training program and final professional examination come under the scrutiny and
supervision of the government’s Maritime Authority.
Louisiana River Pilots
Association
104 Abadie Lane
Covington, LA 70433
Phone 985 249.5226
Fax 985 249.5228
[email protected]
www.lrpa.com
For these reasons piloting is performed by a limited size group, whose numbers are
set by the Maritime Authority for each Pilotage Zone (PZ), without interference from the
local piloting group, which by doctrine does not contest the Authority. The number of
pilots is set by the frequency of ships that the port will allow.
The Pilot identifies himself as a component of the technical branch of the Government,
which is the Maritime Authority. He is employed to guarantee the safety of human life,
that of the ships and other water vessels, their crews and cargoes, the safety of the
access channels, the installations located in restricted waters and, with great emphasis,
the protection of the aquatic environment and adjacent areas.
Page 2
February 2010
State of the Coast Guard Address
U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Thad Allen recently
delivered his fourth and final State of the Coast Guard address at
the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.
In his annual address, Allen discussed the Coast Guard’s
response to the earthquake in Haiti, the operational character of
the service and the challenges it faces in the future. He also
summarized facets of the Coast Guard’s fiscal year 2011 budget
proposal and spoke about the need to replace the service’s aging
vessels, aircraft and shore facilities to enable its men and women
to continue delivering superior services to the Nation into the future
while adapting to the maritime challenges of the 21st century.
“So what is the state of the Coast Guard? In two words: ready and resilient,” said Allen.
“We are ready and resilient. We demonstrated that in the view of the entire world in the first
hours and days following the Haitian earthquake. We were there first because our operational
forces and command and control structure are agile and flexible. Authority to move forces is
delegated outside our headquarters, so our field commanders can act immediately. Our
forces are working hard to sustain current operations, maintaining cutters until our new
ones are delivered.”
During his address, Allen set time aside to recognize Coast Guard personnel who
participated in the Coast Guard’s recent response efforts in Haiti and their courageous
efforts to take swift and decisive actions to reduce the pain and suffering endured by those
affected by the earthquake.
LRPA Contributes to Haitain Relief
The Louisiana River Pilots Association recently
made a very generous donation to the Haitian Relief
Effort. LRPA is funded with dues from all of the
individual pilots in the four state pilot associations,
The Crescent River Port Pilots Association, The
Associated Branch Pilots of the Port of New Orleans,
The New Orleans – Baton Rouge Steamship Pilots Association, and The Lake Charles
Pilots Association. The active pilot count currently stands at 264 pilots.
LRPA has been a generous benefactor to many deserving charities over the years of
our existence, including, but not limited to annual gifts to The American Red Cross, The
New Heights Therapeutic Riding Center, Habitat for Humanity, and many others.
Additionally, the individual pilot associations have established their own foundations
and annual charity event sponsorships in an effort to benefit those in need. The constant
media coverage related to the horrible devastation in Haiti has spurred an unprecedented
tide of generosity from donors all over the world.
Captain Rooney
Joins NOBRA Board
The New Orleans and
Baton Rouge Steamship
Pilots Association recently
welcomed a new member to
their Board of Directors.
Captain Michael E. Rooney,
who was commissioned as
a NOBRA pilot on May 1,
2002, joins the NOBRA
Board in the position of Vice
President. Captain Rooney
is a graduate of Auburn
University and also served
as a Captain in the United
States Marine Corps.
Replica Pirate Ship
The Crescent River Port
Pilots were recently faced with
an unusual assignment in the
Port of New Orleans. A replica
pirate ship was unloaded at
Henry Clay Street wharf by
Ports America Stevedores in
conjunction with Bisso Marine
and Versabar. The custom
house clearance was
handled by The Irwin Brown
Company and the discharge
was attended by Captain Ron
Campana of Campana
Marine Surveyors.
The main deck Captain’s
cabin (smokers lounge) has
been decorated with 17th
century Italian replica
(continued page 4)
February 2010
Page 3
WTC Director Schreiber to Retire at end of Year
Champion Saints
Eugene Schreiber, Managing Director for Trade with the
World Trade Center of New Orleans, informed the WTC
Board of Directors that he plans to retire after over 30 years
in the position. Schreiber stated that after working in the
international field most of his life, including 18 years as a
U.S. Foreign Service Officer prior to coming to New Orleans
and as a member of the first contingent of Peace Corps
Volunteers sent abroad by President Kennedy in 1961, that
this is an opportune time to step down.
Schreiber said he plans to spend more time with his
family, while staying involved in the promotion of international trade in the region.
“Gene has been a tireless advocate for free trade and has assisted countless U.S.
and foreign companies in developing trade relationships between Louisiana and the world,
and especially Latin America,” said WTC President Constance Willems. “He and his
staff have organized over a thousand international trade seminars and conferences,
trade missions, local events for visiting ambassadors, and other programs in support of
the region’s export-import growth and economic development.
The New Orleans World Trade Center, with over 1,600 corporate and individual
members, was the first of what are today more than 300 WTCs in nearly 100 countries.
It was started in 1943 as International House and in 1945 as the International Trade Mart,
its two predecessor organizations that merged in 1985.
A search committee has been appointed to recruit a successor to Schreiber, who has
indicated that he will be willing to continue as Managing Director until a successor is in
place.
Potato chips for a
quick snack on the
airplane...$4, aisle seat
in 1st class from Miami
to New Orleans...$899,
falling asleep with the
Lombardi Trophy in your
lap...priceless.
Naval History
Naval History
(continued)
The U. S. S. Constitution (Old Ironsides), as a combat
vessel, carried 48,600 gallons of fresh water for her crew of
475 officers and men. This was sufficient to last six months
of sustained operations at sea. She carried no evaporators
(i.e. fresh water distillers).
By January 26, her
powder and shot were
e x h a u s t e d .
Nevertheless, although
unarmed she made a
night raid up the Firth of
Clyde in Scotland. Her
landing party captured a
whisky distillery and
transferred
40,000
gallons of single malt
Scotch aboard by dawn.
Then she headed home.
However, let it be noted that according to her ship’s log,
“On July 27, 1798, the U.S.S. Constitution sailed from Boston
with a full complement of 475 officers and men, 48,600 gallons
of fresh water, 7,400 cannon shot, 11,600 pounds of black powder and 79,400 gallons of
rum.”
Her mission: “To destroy and harass English shipping.”
Making Jamaica on October 6, she took on 826 pounds of flour and 68,300 gallons of
rum.
Then she headed for the Azores, arriving there November 12. She provisioned with 550
pounds of beef and 64,300 gallons of Portuguese wine.
On November 18, she set sail for England. In the ensuing days she defeated five
British men-of-war and captured and scuttled 12 English merchant ships, salvaging
only the rum aboard each.
(continued next column)
The
U.
S.
S.
Constitution arrived in
Boston on February 20,
1799, with no cannon
shot, no food, no powder,
no rum, no wine, no
whisky, and 38,600
gallons of water.
GO NAVY
February 2010
Page 4
A Message From Your Chairman
Lighthouse
Once again, navigation interests on the Lower Mississippi River
have been challenged by a weather cycle that has dictated extremely
high water levels. This particular year has thrown us a bit of a curveball
in that the river has risen so much earlier than usual. At this point in
late February we are experiencing levels at all of the pertinent gauges
which indicates that we are in for a long, tough Spring navigation
season which might very well dictate any number of restrictions to
be enforced by the United States Coast Guard and the pilot groups.
The Captain of the port has already implemented a series of
requirements for line haul towing vessels and tow operators below mile 240. Tow sizes
have been limited, and certain horsepower minimum standards are being enforced. The
reading of over 35 feet at the Baton Rouge gauge has called for daylight only navigation for
southbound tows through certain stretches of the river.
For concise, up to date information regarding restricted navigation information throughout
this period please contact:
COAST GUARD COMMAND CENTER NEW ORLEANS - 504 846-5923
COAST GUARD MARINE SAFETY UNIT BATON ROUGE - 225 281-4785
The NOBRA PILOTS have also had to enforce certain “daylight only” restrictions for
mooring and unmooring operations at midstream buoy locations on their routes above New
Orleans. These are certainly not unprecedented measures, but they are rarely instituted
this early in the year. The real concern is the fact that the devastating blizzards in the upper
and central Midwest have left major amounts of snow on the ground. The next thaw might
very well dictate restricted routing for an unprecedented high water stretch.
The keys to working our way through these tough stretches are TEAMWORK &
COMMUNICATIONS. The “behind the scenes” effort that is put in by the numerous pilot
groups, the Coast Guard, NOAA, the Army Corps of Engineers, and many other agencies
too numerous to list herein, as we wind our way through this period of navigational stress on
the Lower Mississippi River is a testimony to lessons learned over the course of time.
Constant updates are forwarded to the maritime community.
Thanks should go out to all of these groups for their tireless efforts to insure safe and
timely navigation for all maritime commerce on our river.
Replica Pirate Ship
(continued from page 2)
furnishings fabricated from Mahogany wood and durable imitation
leather. The lower deck is completely open to provide dining facilities
for approximately 80 people.
The vessel was built in Indonesia and was transported to New
Orleans to be retrofitted for the final voyage to St. Vincent in the
Grenadines Islands. She will be operated as a floating restaurant at
her final destination.
Once set afloat, the replica was secured until the following
morning, December 22nd, when Crescent Pilot Capt. Daniel Jeane
was set to take her into the Industrial Canal to dock at the Morrison
Avenue wharf. She is a sailing vessel with an 800 horsepower
single screw engine. In the high river conditions the expertise of the
pilots was mandatory.
Founded in 1837, the
Tchefuncte River Light Station is a symbol of the dynamic maritime history and
culture of Louisiana. The
original tower was badly
damaged during the Civil
War and was rebuilt in 18671868 on the same foundation using many of the same
bricks. The Light Station, its
keepers, and their families
weathered many hurricanes
until 1939 when it was automated by the U.S. Coast
Guard. In 1999 the property
was transferred to the Town
of Madisonville and continues to serve the community
as a private aid to navigation and as an icon of Southeast Louisiana. The lighthouse was featured in the
2008 movie “The Curious
Case of Benjamin Button”
and is the subject of many
lighthouse books and
articles.
Today the lighthouse is
managed by the Lake
Pontchartrain Basin Maritime Museum for restoration
(continued page 5)
Page 5
February 2010
Norwegian Will Cruise from New Orleans Year Round
Decision doubles NCL’s business
through New Orleans
Norwegian Cruise Line will sail seven-day
cruises all year long from New Orleans starting
November 2010. The decision will effectively
double the number of passengers NCL can
move through the Crescent City.
The 2,018 passenger Norwegian Spirit,
which normally sails from New Orleans in the winter cruise season from November to April and
then is repositioned to another U.S. cruise port, will now maintain a weekly presence at the Port of
New Orleans’ Erato Street Cruise Terminal throughout the year.
“What better way to congratulate the city that hosts the 2010 Super Bowl Champions than to
bring Norwegian Spirit to New Orleans year-round,” said Kevin Sheehan, chief executive officer of
Norwegian Cruise Line. “We’ve seen a strong interest in Freestyle Cruising from the Gulf Coast
and have therefore decided to double our capacity here.”
“This is a huge vote of confidence for the Port of New Orleans and our city from a company that
has been our strategic partner since 2003. New Orleans is a great destination in its own right.
When you add a Freestyle cruise on top of all New Orleans has to offer, you make it a truly unique
travel experience,” said Gary LaGrange, President and CEO of the Port of New Orleans.
About 61% of passengers who cruise from New Orleans elect to spend time in the city before
or after their cruise.
“The cruise industry is a key driver of Louisiana’s economy, accounting for an average of $163
million in direct spending each year. This increase in cruise line passengers will enhance our
ability to create jobs while attracting more visitors,” said Mitch Landrieu, who oversees culture,
recreation and tourism as Louisiana’s Lieutenant Governor and is Mayor-Elect of the City of New
Orleans.
Stephen Perry, President and CEO of the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau, added,
“We have enjoyed a long strategic partnership with Norwegian Cruise Lines and we appreciate
their confidence in New Orleans. Cruises are vital to our allure as a destination and to the growth
of our tourism industry, which employs 70,000 citizens and creates billions of dollars in annual
economic impact.”
The Norwegian Spirit currently sails seven-day cruises that depart from New Orleans every
Sunday. The ship’s itinerary includes Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico; Santo Tomas De Castillo,
Guatemala; and Belize City, Belize. In 2011, Norwegian will replace Santo Tomas De Castillo,
Guatemala with Roatán, Honduras.
The Port and Norwegian currently have an agreement that the cruise line will sail 22 times from
New Orleans. By the time Norwegian Spirit’s 2009-2010 winter cruise season ends in April, it will
have completed 23 sailings from New Orleans. It will have one more hiatus, before resuming in
New Orleans year-round in November.
With a ship positioned year round, Norwegian will have the capacity to move an additional
58,500 passengers through New Orleans or roughly 117,000 passenger embarkations and
disembarkations. In 2009, Norwegian logged 103,392 passenger embarkations and
disembarkations through the Port of New Orleans.
Cruise industry spending generates more than 3,100 jobs and $121 million in income for
Louisiana workers, according to stats from the Cruise Lines International Association.
Crescent Pilots
The Crescent Pilots are
conducting
training
seminars in early March
with the USCG, Norwegien
Cruise Lines, and Carnival
Cruise Lines, in order to
develop “best practices” in
the two pilot scenerio
agreed on during times of
restricted visibility. The
pilots will coordinate with
the Vessel Traffic Center
and utilize the portable pilot
laptop units to enhance
safe navigation.
Lighthouse
(continued from page 4)
as an education center in
partnership with Southeastern Louisiana University. Stabilization of the lighthouse
began in 2007 and restoration continues today funded
by a grant from the Institute
of Museum and Library Services and the Southeastern
Museum Conference, a gift
from the Southeastern Louisiana University Development Fund, and contributions from private groups and
individuals. Visit the Lake
Pontchartrain Basin Maritime Museum at 133 Mabel
Drive, Madisonville, to learn
more about the history of the
lighthouse, the ecology of the
Tchefuncte Marsh, and the
history
of
Lake
Pontchartrain.
Donations to support restoration of the Tchefuncte
Light Station may me made
through
the
Lake
Pontchartrain Basin Maritime Museum. A lighthouse
fundraiser will occur on July
17th. For information call 985
845-9200
or
visit
www.lpbmm.org.