Capsule News Summary For January 3-9, 2005:

Security Funding Falls Far Short, Port Security Council Head Says

Jay B. Grant, director of the Port Security Council, said December 13 that despite accounting for more than one-quarter of U.S. gross domestic product, America's seaports and related industries "have been virtually cast adrift by the federal government when it comes to homeland security spending." In remarks at the annual meeting of the Information Sharing and Analysis Center Council at George Mason University in Arlington, Va., Grant said that the U.S. Coast Guard's own conservative estimates report that $1 billion was needed in port security funding for this fiscal year, with a multi-year estimate of $7 billion. "That number could be as high as $15 billion," Grant added. However, he said, the fiscal year 2005 homeland security bill passed by Congress and signed into law by President Bush authorized just about one-third of the $400 million the country's seaports say was the minimum necessary to protect their facilities from terrorist attack. "The current 'Band-Aid approach' to homeland security spending has to come to an end—the country cannot afford it," Grant said. "As we saw during the 2002 West Coast ports shutdown, a terrorist attack on one or more major maritime facilities could cripple the U.S. economy. Nonetheless, as dire as the needs are, and despite the rhetoric of the 2004 political campaign, Congress and the administration have not stepped up to the plate to make the kind of effort that is needed to protect the ports."…

Brescia Leaves MARC 2000 After More Than 12 Years At Helm

After 12 years at the helm of Midwest Area River Coalition (MARC) 2000, Chris Brescia, who was hired to lead the fledgling organization in 1992, left MARC 2000 on December 31 to assume a role in governmental affairs with Smurfit-Stone, a St. Louis-based container company. Brescia said after spending so much of his professional career with MARC 2000, it is bittersweet to leave the organization. At this time, though, he said he feels he is leaving it on strong ground. "I feel good about where we are with lock modernization right now," he said. "We came ever so close with congressional authorization…We had the buy-in from the House and the Senate. I think we are prepared to see authorization. There is strong bi-partisan support and our supporters have come back after the elections. I think at the next opportunity it will pass. I think this is a good way to leave an issue. Twelve years ago everyone thought it would take three of four years. Now it has taken 12, but that doesn't mean it is any less worthy." Paul Rohde, vice president of MARC 2000 who will assume Brescia's duties as acting president, said there are challenges ahead for the organization. As the original mission of the organization approaches realization, he said it is a good time to reassess what the industry and basin needs and how MARC 2000 can help….

Industry Veterans Make Waves With Versatility Marine

Bucking today's trend toward further consolidation, a new company has actually arrived on the scene. It is currently operating on the inland waterways, and much like the firm's principals—river industry veterans beginning a new venture—the start-up's first boat, built in 1950, is a vessel with many years of experience. Named Versatility Marine LLC, the new company is presently based in Gonzales, La., a suburb of Baton Rouge. It has purchased six small towboats so far, two of which were slated for charter in the fourth quarter of last year. Two others will go into service the first quarter of this year, and two will be exported to South America. Van Janssen, executive vice president of operations, said the company believes there is a need for "lower horsepower vessels in the specialty type trades. We're also looking at shippers who need dedicated tow work. We anticipate purchasing boats and either operating them or chartering them out on a fully found basis."…

Bollinger Delivers "Mini" Supply Boat

Bollinger Shipyards Inc. delivered the mv. Capt. Rudy to Seahorse Marine Inc. of Lockport, La. The vessel is the first of a new vessel concept that was modeled from the success of the original Bollinger 145-foot mini supply vessel design, which will provide greater capacity, better sea-keeping and has several design improvements. The mv. Capt. Rudy is a 163-foot mega mini supply boat named in honor of the captain of one of the first Bollinger 145-foot mini supply boats, Seahorse I, Capt. Rudy Lefort "Uncle Rudy." The concept design is a collaboration of Phillip Plaisance, president of Seahorse Marine, and Bollinger's design and production team….

WJ Editorial: Security Is Not The Only Issue With Container Handling

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