Author: Stas Margaronis

PCNC Welcomes Congressman John Garamendi – Sep. 17, 2018

PCNC Welcomes Congressman John Garamendi – Sep. 17, 2018

At the Luncheon Congressman Garamendi discussed:

  • Maritime Items before Congress
  • H.R. 5893, the Energizing American Shipbuilding Act
  • H.R. 6206, the U.S. Coast Guard Blue Technology Center of Expertise Act
  • 2018 Champion of Maritime Award from the American Maritime Partnership

Rep Garamendi warns U.S. is vulnerable to Russian polar dominance of sea lanes

U.S. Congressman John Garamendi Receives ‘Champion of Maritime’ Award

A Message From U.S. Coast Guard To Towing Vessel Partners

Towing Vessel Industry Partners:

Please note and save the date for the following Subchapter M implementation industry outreach and education meetings:

Seattle, WA    – 12 September 2017 @ 1000 – Federal Center South
Portland, OR   – 14 September 2017 @ 1000 – Marine Safety Unit Portland
Alameda, CA    – 19 September 2017 @ 1000 – Coast Guard Island
Long Beach, CA – 21 September 2017 @ 1000 – Sector LA/LB

Building and maintaining a positive working relationship with our industry partners is a continued priority as we begin to sunset the Towing Vessel Bridging Program and transition to the Inspection of Towing vessels. The meetings we have planned are a continuation of efforts to communicate the policy, tools, and resources available to help you succeed in the transition to inspection.

While we intend for these meetings to be informative in nature, we hope to promote an open forum environment to hear and address questions and concerns you may have with regard to Sub M implementation and compliance. Coast Guard representation from PACAREA, regional Districts, local field units, and the Towing Vessel National Center of Expertise will be in attendance to emphasize our commitment to regional and national implementation consistency.

Tentative agenda items:
1. Subchapter M Policy and Guidance
2. Implementation tools and resources
3. COI Process and local expectations
4. Questions and concerns

If you have specific issues you would like to see addressed during the public meetings please contact your local Sector or District towing vessel representative.

A more formal invitation and detailed agenda will be communicated at a future date. Thank you for your continual efforts to operate safely.

USCG

JOC’s Bill Mongeluzzo Tuesday April 4th

JOC’s Bill Mongeluzzo Tuesday April 4th

The Journal of Commerce’s Bill Mongelluzzo addressed PCNC on Tuesday, April 4th and discussed :

*The new ocean carrier re-organizations and what they mean to U.S. Pacific Coast ports.

*The loss of U.S. Pacific Coast port business.

*No major changes to Port of Oakland business.

Please see April 4th luncheon photos below and Bill’s power point presentation.

2017 – An Eventful Year by Bill Mongelluzzo

 

PCNC November 17, 2016: Red & White/Sandia Fuel Cell Ferry Project

PCNC November 17, 2016: Red & White/Sandia Fuel Cell Ferry Project

By Joseph William Pratt, Sandia National Labs

The fuel cell ferry project  (SF-BREEZE) examined the technical, regulatory, and economic feasibility of a zero-emission, high-speed passenger ferry powered solely by hydrogen fuel cells and its associated hydrogen fueling infrastructure within the context of the San Francisco Bay. In conjunction with a naval architect, a realistic, feasible vessel design meeting all performance specifications was produced. Collaboration with and evaluation by both the US Coast Guard and the American Bureau of Shipping did not reveal any insurmountable regulatory obstacles to deployment. The supply of liquid hydrogen to the vessel was examined and viable sites were found at the Port of San Francisco and the Port of Redwood City. Industrial gas companies were consulted and provided technically viable fueling facility designs. The current design of the zero emission ferry has a cost premium compared to a conventional diesel ferry. Cost reduction strategies specific to the vessel and leverage of those expected in the fuel cell electric vehicle market may result in future cost parity.

For more information: http://maritime.sandia.gov

 

PCNC Welcomes Red and White Fleet & Its Fuel Cell Ferry Project November 17th

PCNC Welcomes Red and White Fleet & Its Fuel Cell Ferry Project November 17th

By Stas Margaronis

A new zero-emission fuel cell driven electric ferry is proposed for San Francisco Bay!

Thanks to the Red and White Fleet, Propeller Club of Northern California members will be hearing about this exciting new marine technology project at the PCNC luncheon on Thursday, November 17th at Scott’s Seafood, Oakland.

The two speakers will be: Red and White Fleet CEO, Tom Escher and Joe Pratt, Principal Member of the Technical Staff at Sandia National Laboratories:

Thomas C. Escher serves as the President, CEO and Chairman of the Red and White Fleet. The company was founded by Tom’s grandfather, Thomas Crowley in 1892, making Red and White Fleet the oldest continuing Bay cruise and sightseeing company on San Francisco Bay.  Tom began his maritime career as a sweeper, and has lived and worked in Asia and Europe. In 1997, Tom purchased 100{db7208756332b64820e32452d4dd3c17f07306fba093109b40ee1a7501f8ad6f} of the Red and White Fleet from other family members. Currently, Tom is a Director of the Fisherman’s Wharf Community Benefit District, the Port of San Francisco’s Maritime Commerce Advisory Committee, Fisherman’s and Seamen’s Memorial Chapel and the San Francisco National Maritime Park Association. He has served as a Trustee of Menlo College, Board member of the San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau, Director/Treasurer of the San Francisco Museum and Historical Society, was on the Market Street Railway Advisory Board and a Board member of the U.S. Travel Association – National Council of Attractions.

Dr. Joe Pratt is a Principal Member of the Technical Staff at the Department of Energy’s Sandia National Laboratories in Livermore, California. He received his Ph.D. from the University of California-Irvine at the National Fuel Cell Research Center. He has been involved in hydrogen and fuel cell research for nearly 15 years, and at Sandia he conducts research, development, and deployment activities to enable successful transitioning of hydrogen and fuel cell technology to commercially-viable products. His projects involve applying hydrogen and fuel cells in aircraft, in ports, on maritime vessels, for generators, construction equipment, material handling equipment and portable devices.

Background: Last year, the US Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) asked Sandia to examine the feasibility of implementing a zero emission, high speed passenger ferry.  The now-concluded SF-BREEZE project examined the technical, regulatory, and economic aspects of such a ferry powered solely by hydrogen fuel cells and its associated hydrogen fueling infrastructure for operating within the San Francisco Bay.  In conjunction with a naval architect, a realistic, feasible vessel design meeting all performance specifications was produced. Collaboration with and evaluation by both the U.S. Coast Guard and the American Bureau of Shipping validated the regulatory acceptance of the vessel. The supply of liquid hydrogen to the vessel was examined and viable sites were found. Industrial gas companies were consulted and provided technically viable fueling facility designs. The current design of the zero-emission Red and White Fleet ferry has a cost premium compared to a conventional diesel ferry. Cost reduction strategies specific to the vessel and leverage of those expected in the fuel cell electric vehicle market may result in future cost parity.  This presentation will provide an overview of these findings and opportunity for further discussion.

 

Fall Luncheon: MARAD Comes to Oakland

Fall Luncheon: MARAD Comes to Oakland

Wednesday, October 21, 2015 from 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM (PDT)
Oakland, CA

In furtherance of the Propeller Club’s mission to bring Washington, DC to Northern California the speaker will be Maritime Administrator (MARAD) Paul “Chip” Jaenichen. MARAD is the agency within the DOT dealing with waterborne transportation. MARAD works in many areas involving ships and shipping, shipbuilding, port operations, vessel operations, national security, environment, and safety. The agency also maintains the national defense reserve merchant fleet and the US Merchant Marine Academy.

Captain Jaenichen is a graduate of the US Naval Academy and spent 30 years in the Navy where he was the Commanding Officer of USS Albany (SSN 753) and Commander of Submarine Squadron Eleven in San Diego and other senior positions during his career.

He will outline MARAD’s current issues and how they are promoting the US flag fleet and the viability of the US Merchant Marine.

This is a prepay event. The deadline for reservations is October 14. Tickets may be purchased through Eventbrite.

Join Rosie the Riveter Day

Join Rosie the Riveter Day

The Rosie the Riveter/ WWII Home Front National Historical Park and the Rosie the Riveter Trust are working with the Richmond Convention & Visitor’s Bureau and The City of Richmond with support from the Spirit of ’45 and the American Rosie the Riveter Association to break the record!

When: 1:00 – 3:00 pm Saturday, August 15, 2015
Where: The Rosie the Riveter Memorial located in Marina Park (corner of Regatta Blvd and Melville Square), Richmond, CA 94804
Carpooling, biking, and public transportation encouraged

Break the Guinness World Record!

Help us break the Guinness World Record with 1,000 women and girls of ALL AGES dressed as iconic Rosie the Riveter! Men and women needed as volunteers!

Be a part of setting a new Guinness World Record for “The Largest Gathering of People Dressed as a Rosie the Riveter”! The current record was set last year when 776 Rosie and Rosie lookalikes gathered at the Willow Run Airport in Ypsilanti, MI.

Uniform REQUIRED: To be counted as a Rosie, you must wear the following:

  1. Red bandana with approximately 1″ diameter white polka-dots (hair should be pinned up, not down or in a ponytail).
  2. Dark blue long-sleeve workers coveralls, OR long-sleeve dark blue collared shirt and dark blue pants, OR very dark blue jeans (not faded). Long sleeves must be rolled up like the classic image.
  3. Red socks that cover calves (pants must be rolled up to reveal socks)
  4. Black work boots or work shoes (or as close as you can get, as long as they’re black) OR brown work boots.

Rosie the Riveter What to Wear

NOTE:

  • No faded denim jeans
  • No denim shirts
  • No bib overalls
  • No t-shirts
  • No sweats

Official “Rosie the Riveter” bandanas and red socks will be available at the event for $7 per pack. The first 100 people get a free official bandana provided by the Rosie the Riveter Trust.

For additional information or to volunteer:
Contact Allison Joyce at call 510-232-5050 x6632

Social Media:
Facebook: Rosie Rally on Facebook
#RosieRally

California-China Trade Luncheon

California-China Trade Luncheon

PETRILLA Kenneth Official Headshot

Tuesday, June 23, 2015 from 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM
Scott’s Seafood Grill & Bar
Oakland, CA

The Propeller Club of Northern California is delighted to host a luncheon featuring Kenneth J. Petrilla, Executive Director of California-China Office of Trade and Investment.

Ken was appointed executive director of the California-China Office of Trade and Investment on December 18, 2014. He leads dedicated experts in China and California in an effort to promote and facilitate Chinese investment into California and to help California companies doing business in China.

Ken will discuss the California-China trade and investment environment, opportunities and challenges with a few examples and anecdotes sprinkled in. Prior to the California-China Office of Trade and Investment, Ken was an executive vice president with Wells Fargo Bank. During a career that spanned over 30 years with Wells Fargo, he held many positions, including head of the China desk, regional manager of Europe, the Middle East and Africa, managing director of the Wells Fargo HSBC Trade Bank and other senior international banking positions.

Special thanks to PCNC Jim Maloney for arranging for this distinguished speaker.

Have questions about PCNC California-China Trade Luncheon? Contact John Amos, President, Propeller Club of Northern California.

Tickets available for purchase online via Eventbrite PCNC Luncheon.