In August, a local Houma company had a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the opening of its new facility in Schriever that will handle defense work for the U.S. Navy, as well as other government entities.The company, Flow Line Valve and Controls’ new facility, called “Flow Line Defense”, will manufacture butterfly valves for Naval vessels under strict specifications and standards, according to Drew Boquet, owner and president.Said Boquet, “We're committed from the Navy to build a special building...

As part of an agreement signed by Plaquemines Parish and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, some material dredged from the lower Mississippi for navigational reasons might be used in marsh creation projects.Several groups have long requested that more of the dredged material be used to create coastal wetlands, rather than released back into the Mississippi or into the Gulf of Mexico.According to Plaquemines Parish President, Billy Nungesser, this recent agreement is yet another step toward...

Last Monday, three global shipping organizations issued guidance on the risks faced by vessel crews calling in countries where the Ebola virus has been confirmed. Those organizations are as follows: International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) International Maritime Employers’ Council (IMEC) International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) Guidelines for vessels traveling to effected ports The organizations advised that on all vessels traveling to areas affected by the virus, the following...

This month, the USCG issued a reminder to all mariners and vessel owner operators to always use the proper replacement parts for all Emergency Equipment.Why stick to the manufacturer’s recommendations?While conducting a yearly inspection recently, a USCG inspector found that a ring buoy’s water light was heavier than it should be due to the battery having been replaced with a battery that was heavier than the manufacturer’s recommended battery. Even though the light’s labeled instructions...