Editor’s Watch

from WorkBoat August 2021

by WorkBoat

Legal Talk: Onshore injury, offshore platform?

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Put up or shut up

As the ice at the top of the world melts, the Russians are trying to put themselves in position to control a new shipping route in the northern waters of the world. They say they have the right to collect escort tariffs and hope to freeze out the U.S., China and other countries with hopes of controlling global shipping routes never before available.

The U.S. has other ideas. It’s about time we catch up with the rest of the world when it comes to building new icebreakers to service the North and South poles. And that’s exactly what the U.S. is doing.

The Coast Guard is recapitalizing its polar icebreaker eet to ensure continued access to both polar regions and support the nation’s economic, com- Ken Hocke, Senior Editor mercial, maritime and national security needs. The plan is to build three heavy and three medium icebreakers.

Toward that end, VT Halter Marine, Pascagoula, was awarded a contract for the detail, design and construction of the lead Polar Security Cutter (PSC). Construction on the rst PSC is planned to begin this year with contract delivery planned for 2024. (Delivery may be moved up to 2023.)The contract includes nancial incentives for earlier delivery.

The rst 460'×88' PSC is progressing through the detailed design phase, and VT Halter is actively preparing for its construction, shipyard of cials said.

In July 2021, Halter Marine was scheduled to complete upgrades to the launch way area where the PSC will be built. The new icebreaker is the heaviest vessel per foot of length that Halter Marine has constructed at its Pascaai16109820207_editwatch_BPA_2021.pdf 1 1/18/21 10:00 AMkhocke@divcom.comgoula, Miss., shipyard. The launch way

has been forti ed to accommodate the PSC’s 19,000-ton launch weight.

The cutter is designed to break through ice of 6'6", independently break through a pressure ridge 21' thick, and be able to operate for 80 days without replenishment.

Meanwhile, the medium icebreaker should be able to break ice not less than 4'6" thick at 3 knots and operate for 80 days without replenishment. Both icebreakers will be capable of surface defense using removable weapons and will be able to be tted with additional sensors and weapons.

We’re back in the game, and it’s about time. (The full story begins on page 22.)

WORKBOAT® (ISSN 0043-8014) is published monthly by Diversified Communications, 121 Free St., P.O. Box 7438, Portland, ME 04112-7438. Editorial Office: P.O. Box 1348, Mandeville, LA 70470. Annual Subscription Rates: U.S. $39; Canada $55; International $103. When available, extra copies of current issue are $4, all other issues and special issues are $5. For subscription customer service call (978) 671-0444. The publisher reserves the right to sell subscriptions to those who have purchasing power in the industry this publication serves. Periodicals postage paid at Portland, ME, and additional mailing offices. Circulation Office: 121 Free St., P.O. Box 7438, Portland, ME 04112-7438. From time to time, we make your name and address available to other companies whose products and services may interest you. If you prefer not to receive such mailings, please send a copy of your mailing label to: WorkBoat’ s Mailing Preference Service, P.O. Box 7438, Portland, ME 04112. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to WORKBOAT, P.O. Box 1792, Lowell, MA 01853. Copyright 2021 by

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We know that the WorkBoat Show is your annual chance to network, shop, connect, and get in the know among the best in the business. It is a maritime industry tradition. And through good times and bad, this is the marine industry’s show. With many things changing in the world right now, we want you to know that the International WorkBoat Show will be held as scheduled, December 1-3, 2021. For over 40 years the WorkBoat Show has been here for you and this year, more than ever, we cannot wait to host you in New Orleans.

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EDITOR IN CHIEF David Krapf dkrapf@divcom.com

SENIOR EDITOR Ken Hocke khocke@divcom.com

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Kirk Moore kmoore@divcom.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS • Capt. Alan Bernstein • Bruce Buls • Michael Crowley • Dale K. DuPont • Pamela Glass • Betsy Frawley Haggerty • Max Hardberger • Joel Milton • Jim Redden • Kathy Bergren Smith

ART DIRECTOR Doug Stewart dstewart@divcom.com

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