Weekly News Summary For May 12-18, 2008:
DHS Extends TWIC Compliance Deadline To April 15, 2009
The Department of Homeland Security has announced that the final compliance date for the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) has been postponed to April 15, 2009.
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Coast Guard Commandant Makes First Trip To Paducah
While area high school students were preparing to make a good impression on their dates for their annual spring proms taking place that weekend, Paducah area marine industry executives and local Coast Guard officials were trying to look their best for the arrival of Adm. Thad W. Allen when he arrived for a whirlwind tour of local facilities on May 2.
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Some Mariners Want Spillway To Stay Open
With its job of relieving pressure on the levees of New Orleans done, Corps of Engineers officials had planned to close the remaining bays of the Bonnet Carré Spillway by the weekend of May 10–11.
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Capt. Dennis Trone Killed In Small-Plane Crash
Capt. Dennis Trone, 77, of Petersburg, Ill., a pioneer in the modern day excursion boat field, died May 5 when a single-engine plane that he built and was piloting alone, crashed near Madison, Wis.
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National Maintenance Celebrates 20 Years In Business
Under a giant red-and-white beaver on the bulkhead, workers in hardhats and grimy Carhartt overalls filed in and out of the floating banquet hall where caterers served fried chicken, green beans, mashed potatoes and mostaccioli. National Maintenance and Repair in Hartford, Ill., near Alton, was celebrating 20 years of business. Outside, a fine drizzle fell on the drydock and shipyard as founder and owner Doug McGinnis shared tales with The Waterways Journal from his long and storied life on the inland waterways.
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WJ Editorial: Rep. Oberstar Should Butt Out Of Delta Queen Business
We wish we could tell readers what truly is behind the effort to prevent the Delta Queen from receiving a waiver that would allow it to continue operating on the inland waterways. Some say it’s opposition from unions. Others say the owners may not want to keep it operating due to its high cost of operation. Minnesota Democratic Congressman James L. Oberstar would like us to believe it is purely a matter of safety—that he is concerned for all those passengers. What we do know is that it is just another case of Big Brother trying to direct the lives of people in a manner fitting to his own wishes.
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