Capt. Alexandra Hagerty conducts a ship visit with Navy Capt. Janice G. Smith aboard the LMSR USNS SHUGHART. Capt. Smith is recently appointed to Military Sealift Command Commodore for MSC Atlantic.
ANNOUNCEMENT : Houston based Ocean Shipholdings, Inc. announces that they have signed a General Agency Agreement with the U.S. Department of Transportation / Maritime Administration. The agreement enables Marad to contract with OSI for a full range of ship operating services over a five year contract term. Services can include fully turn-key ship management including crewing, maintenance, cargo transportation and other vital services including project management.
OSI offers a full range of ship management services and is proud to count Marad as a customer.
The OSI operated T-AGS vessel USNS MAURY participated in a security exercise with the UK Counter-Terrorism Special Firearms Officer (CTSFO) Force, during a recent port call in the UK.
The USNS MAURY served as a boarding platform providing the CTSFO a venue in which to become familiar with ships, while training for their counter-terrorism role. The CTSFO Team practiced boarding the vessel, clearing spaces, searching for adversaries and effecting hostage rescue.
The vessel’s crew participated in the exercise by providing instruction to the CTSFO Team on how to read name plates and placards in order to determine their whereabouts and direction of movement while onboard. In addition, several crewmembers acted as adversary forces and, using their knowledge of the ship, provided a challenge to the CTSFO Team in clearing spaces, locating adversaries and rescuing hostages.
The NCIS Special Agent liaison between the ship and the CTSFO Team stated, “This was a great opportunity between our two nations to continue good relations with each other and work together in order to prepare to combat a threat aboard ship. Being able to observe the CTSFO’s tactics, provide them with input, and to have members of the ship’s crew aid and teach them the complexity of moving around in tight, congested quarters aboard ship were beneficial to all those involved.”
This exercise provided the CTSFO with realistic maritime threat training while providing the crew with a tactics demonstration that will assist them with onboard security going forward. The ship’s Master stated that he looks forward to working with the CTSFO again in the future.
The Military Sealift Command vessel USNS WATERS T-AGS 45, which is operated and managed by Ocean Ships, Inc., a subsidiary of Houston based Ocean Shipholdings, Inc., recently completed a successful 75-day dry dock availability in Bayonne, New Jersey. The vessel is shown here departing the New York/New Jersey harbor for sea. The vessel conducted her multi-million dollar regularly scheduled overhaul period at the Bayonne Dry Dock and Repair company facilities. The USNS WATERS is one of seven T-AGS class vessels awarded under an operating contract to Ocean Ships, Inc.
The USNS Montford Point, after completing dry docking and surveys at a Singapore shipyard, has relocated to the Indian Ocean for prepositioned service. This special-purpose float-on float-off ship is a key component of the Navy/Marine Corps Sea Basing expeditionary capability. OSI has operated ships at Diego Garcia for many years and the company is highly dedicated to safety of crew, ship, and the ocean environment. The company will provide crewing, logistics, maintenance, and operational management to the vessel.
On July 2, 2018 USNS Maury received a distress message from RCC Miami concerning S/V Miss Kitty who was low on fuel and in distress. Maury broke survey and reported to the U.S. Coast Guard that they were heading to the last known position for search and rescue operations. While in transit they encountered the vessel M/V Minerva Nike who was also looking for the sail vessel. Second Mate Aloysius Vita tried hailing S/V Miss Kitty on the VHF radio with no response. He then called Minerva Nike to ask them if they had seen the distressed vessel which was negative. Upon arrival, Maury’s Captain Scott Spears assumed command of the search and rescue and commenced an expanding cone search pattern in a downwind direction from the last known position. M/V Minerva Nike reported to the Maury that they did not have a visual on the vessel and that they needed to continue on with their voyage. The Captain informed the Minerva Nike that Maury would continue the search and thanked them for their assistance.
Having not found Miss Kitty, Radio Officer Joseph Waller contacted the Coast Guard and was given a new position 23 miles away. Miss Kitty was now reported as disabled, adrift, and in distress. Maury headed towards the position at top speed and located the vessel a little less than 3 hours later. Communications could not be established until the vessel was about 3 miles away. The Captain of Miss Kitty was the only person aboard and was not confident in his ability to speak English so the ship used Petty Officer Second Class Jonathan Salgado, USN as a Spanish translator. The decision was made to send and engineering team to aid Miss Kitty using the stbd lifeboat as a transport. Chief Mate Michael Coulbourne aided by Bosun Kwesi Adu-Gyamfi and Able Seaman George Fababier launched the lifeboat with Second Mate Aloysius Vita, STOS John Hodges and STOS Terrance Paige serving as boat crew. The boat made its way across 3 foot seas and swell over to the distressed vessel. The Engineering Team consisting of Chief Engineer Steven Chapates and Third Assistant Engineer Aaron Haley boarded Miss Kitty to effect repairs.
After boarding, the engineers had a small introduction with the Captain of the vessel and about his current situation. They examined the fuel system and found the return valves from the system closed. The Third Engineer opened the valves, primed the filters and got the port engine running again. It was apparent that the port engine had some issues with the fuel being drawn from the tank to the water separator. The vessel was not well equipped for sea and with limited spares and materials they had to be creative. Lucky for the Captain of the Miss Kitty the alternator to charge batteries was on the starboard engine which had a disabled shaft due to fish nets wrapped around the screw. Miss Kitty had battery charging capabilities but no propulsion. QMED Daniel Resultan who was sent over to relieve the Third Engineer helped the Chief Engineer bypass the port engine’s water separator with some tubing, zip-strips, and clamps. The starboard shaft was not able to be fixed because of the amount fishing net tangled around it and the current sea conditions. The boat was taken for a short sea trial and the engine ran perfectly. Miss Kitty came along side of USNS Maury and was given 100 gallons of fuel so that he could continue his journey. The Captain had the Radio Officer contact the Coast Guard and report that repairs were complete, vessel was given fuel and Maury’s service was no longer required. The Coast Guard thanked the Officers and Crew of the Maury for their efforts and Miss Kitty continued on her way.
On July 3, 2018 the USNS Maury received the following message from Commander of MSC Norfolk, VA.
FM COMSC NORFOLK VA
TO USNS MAURY
INFO COMUSFLTFORCOM NORFOLK VA
CTF 80
CTF 83
BT
UNCLAS
SUBJ/BRAVO ZULU//
MSGID/GENADMIN/COMSC/N00/JUN//
POC/FLAG SEC/LTJG/TABITHA CALLOWAY/TEL:757-443-3981/EMAIL:
*********(AT)NAVY.MIL//
RMKS/1. Congratulations to the crew of USNS MAURY (T-AGS 66) for your exceptional performance during response to a distress call from M/V MISS KITTY on 2 July 2018.
2. The ability of your team to safely conduct open ocean small boat operations and successfully repair the M/V MISS KITTYs power plant is a tribute to your crews training and professionalism. Your actions were consistent with the highest ideals of our Navy and our nation. Please accept my congratulations for a job well done.
3. United We Sail! Mewbourne sends.//
OSI has increased the size of its ship management business with the delivery of four Large Medium Speed Roll-on Roll-off vessels. These four ships are integral to the Military Sealift Command of the Navy and its Surge Sealift Program. OSI will be providing crewing, maintenance and repairs, and operational management. The vessels will be managed using the OSI Integrated Management Systems, including the Safety Management System certified by the ISM standards.
OSI will increase the company’s management fleet by delivery of seven special mission ocean survey ships for the Navy Military Sealift Command. The company announced the award of a highly competitive contract to crew, maintain, and operate the special ships worldwide, conducting operations for the Naval Oceanographic Office.
Houston based Ocean Ships, Inc. was recently awarded a contract with the Navy Military Sealift Command to operate three new mobile landing platform (MLP) vessels. The first of this new ship-type USNS Montford Point was christened at the General Dynamics NASSCO shipyard in San Diego by Mrs. Alexis Bolden, wife of NASA Administrator and retired Marine Corps Major General Charles Bolden. The MLP will join the Maritime Prepositioning Force squadron strategically located around the world to enable rapid response in a crisis.
MLPs will provide a "pier at sea" capability that will become the core of the Navy and Marine Corps seabasing concept. OSI will provide crews from the American Maritime Officers and the Seafarers International Union.
Annually, Ocean Shipholdings, Inc. honors a “Seaman of the Year” to show our appreciation for the hard work and dedication that embodies the same work ethic found in OSI’s former Chief Mate, Peter Cornelus Hulsebosch.
He started sailing with OSI in 1985 as an AB when he helped delivered the Gianella from the yard. He returned to the Gianella during the Gulf War in 1991 as a Bosun and worked his way up through the officer ranks and in 1998 returned as the Chief Mate of the Gianella. A fitting place for Pete to end his career.
During this year’s 2010 “Seaman of the Year” Award there were three men selected: Adam Jacob Brown, Colin Michael Adler and James Muldowney.
The USNS POMEROY, operated by Ocean Shipholdings, Inc. for the Military Sealift Command and manned in all licensed positions by American Officers, was one of several vessels honored with ship safety awards at a ceremony hosted July 7 by the U.S. Navy in Washington D.C.
The large medium-speed roll-on /roll-off vessel USNS POMEROY earned the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Afloat Safety Award which recognizes outstanding contributions to fleet readiness, increased morale, efficiency and economical use of resources through safety. “The way crew members from the POMEROY took the initiative toward safety and developed their own programs aboard these ships truly made them stand out,” said Military Sealift Command Safety Officer Kevin Kohlmann. “These awards promote safety and motivate their crews on other MSC ships to earn the same recognition.”
The USNS POMEROY was recognized, in part, because of its implementation of "Safety Sunday,” a weekly program to enhance training and perform equipment checks.
Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus presented the awards. Rear Adm. Mark Busby, commander of Military Sealift Commander, also participated in the ceremony.
The Maritime Administration (MarAd), Department of Transportation has awarded to Ocean Duchess, Inc (ODI) a contract for the operation and maintenance of two fast sealift ships. These MarAd owned and operator contracted ships are known as part of FSS-fleet. The ships are the Algol and Capella and are currently located in Alameda, CA. This contract award adds two additional ships to the ODI operational fleet which are the Cape May and the Cape Mohican. Private sector personnel are provided under Collective Bargaining Agreements with the American Maritime Officers (AMO) and Seafarers International Union, AFL-CIO.
The company provides full service ship operations on a world-wide basis. OSI operates with Quality, Security and Safety Management Systems certified by the American Bureau of Shipping for ISO9001:2000 Quality Management System, ISM Safety Management System and MTSA/ISPS Shipboard Security System.
Point of Contact: Linda Turnbow
281-579-3700
Email: ljt@oceanshipholdings.com
The United States Department of the Navy, Military Sealift Command (MSC) has awarded Ocean Ships, Inc. (OSI) a contract for the Operation & Maintenance of eight Large Medium Speed Roll On/Roll Off Ships (LMSR). This Navy owned and contractor operated fleet is known as the Watson Class LMSRs. The ships are the USNS CHARLTON, USNS DAHL, USNS POMEROY, USNS RED CLOUD, USNS SISLER, USNS SODERMAN, USNS WATKINS and USNS WATSON. The LMSRs are a component of the MSC Afloat Prepositioning Program which provides for military readiness to project U.S. forces abroad in time of national contingency.
Shipboard personnel will be provided under Collective Bargaining Agreements with the American Maritime Officers Union and the Seafarers International Union, AFL-CIO. The awarded contract is a one year firm contract with four one-year options, which if exercised, will bring the total estimated contract amount to $220,275,409.
Ocean Ships, Inc.(OSI) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ocean Shipholdings, Inc. with corporate headquarters in Houston, Texas. OSI, a Small Business with a Navy ship operating and maintenance experience that spans over 23 years, already operates the MSC owned fleet of T-5 Class petroleum fuel tankers under a Small Business Set Aside Contract. The company provides full service ship operations on a worldwide basis. OSI operates with Quality, Security and Safety Management Systems certified by the American Bureau of Shipping for ISO9001:2000 Quality Management System, ISM Safety management System and MTSA/ISPS Shipboard Security System.
Ocean Duchess, Inc, an affiliate of Ocean Shipholdings, Inc., operates two SEABEE Class ships for the U.S. Maritime Administration Ready Reserve Force, the CAPE MAY and CAPE MOHICAN . OSI also has offices in Norfolk, Virginia and Alameda, California.
Point of Contact: Linda Turnbow
281-579-3700
Email: ljt@oceanshipholdings.com
During the recent Awards Luncheon hosted by the Chamber of Shipping in Houston Texas , two ships the USNS Richard G. Matthiesen and USNS Paul Buck, operated and managed by Ocean Shipholdings were honored for operating a total of 1750 days without any lost-time accident or injuries to the crew. Additionally, a Citation of Merit was issued to the USNS Lawrence H. Gianella for actions in keeping with the highest tradition of the sea – aid to those in peril.
The Captain and crew of these ships are commended for their hard work, due diligence and professionalism of the Merchant Mariner.
Jones F. Devlin Award
Issued on June 5, 2008 by the Chamber of Shipping of America
To: USNS Richard G Matthiesen
For: Operating 934 consecutive days without a lost-time accident.
Jones F. Devlin Award
Issued on June 5, 2008 by the Chamber of Shipping of America
To: USNS Paul Buck
For: Operating 816 consecutive days without a lost-time accident.
Jones F. Devlin Award
Issued on June 5, 2008 by the Chamber of Shipping of America
To: Ocean Shipholdings, Inc. Attesting that the vessels USNS Paul Buck and USNS Richard G Matthiesen received Jones F. Devlin awards on June 5, 2008 And the USNS Paul Buck and USNS Richard G. Matthiesen vessels operated a total of four years with no lost-time injuries.
Management Systems Consulting LLC (MSC) has completed the design, development, and integration of the Accounts Payable Interface from the ABS NS5 operational software to their Solomon financial system for Ocean Shipholdings, Inc. (OSI). This development makes OSI the first MARAD Ship Manager to have the interface fully integrated and operating in production.
This interface allows OSI to streamline their business process in procuring and accounting for the items that they use to operate their vessels by completely integrating the two systems. “The interface greatly reduces the workload of the procurement and accounting staff, allowing us to concentrate on the efficient operation of the vessels” says John James, Vice President, Treasurer and Controller of OSI.
“The interface is designed to evolve with OSI’s business Rules, which are configurable in the interface, as well as satisfy all requirements of the auditors when integrating disparate systems” says Michael Johnson, Principal, MSC. One notable addition to the interface is the daily report that is provided which isolates potential data problems in the operational software, long before it has any detrimental effect on the financial software. “These ‘pre-checks’ allow for OSI to better manage their process and invoke corrective actions in a timely manner” says Johnson.
Management Systems Consulting is a leading marine services provider that specializes in implementing, extending, developing, and integrating operational systems of all types. Ocean Shipholdings, Inc. is a leading Ship Manager with a wide range of marine services.
Ocean Shipholdings, Inc. (OSI) has signed an agreement with ConocoPhillips [NYSE:COP] and Samsung Heavy Industries [HM.JXL]. This agreement grants OSI the rights to the GoMAX 550 shuttle tanker design for transporting crude oil from the deep-water Gulf of Mexico directly to U.S. refineries.
The diesel-electric powered, dynamically positioned 80,000 dwt double-hulled tanker design will have a capacity of 550,000 barrels of oil which can be loaded from various floating systems including Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels. The GoMAX will be constructed to meet the Common Structural Rules (CSR) for Tankers.
"We see many benefits to our customers in the GoMAX that make this the optimum design for servicing floating systems in the deep-water Gulf of Mexico," said Jim McGregor, President and Chief Operating Officer of OSI. "This shuttle tanker will provide the capacity and efficiency improvements needed for the scale of crude oil production we expect in the Lower Tertiary trend. ConocoPhillips and Samsung will serve as our advisors in this effort."
Designed by Samsung specifically for production in U.S. shipyards, the new shuttle tankers will meet the Jones Act requirement that vessels operating in the deep-water GOM be constructed in the U.S., U.S. owned, and crewed with U.S. citizens.
For additional information please contact Kyle Durden 281-579-3700 x 8121.