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www.marinelink.com MN 17 USDOT $4M to Combat Invasive Species The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) is provid- ing $4m to help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species found in cargo ships plying the Great Lakes and America’s inland waterways. The funding is part of the Administration’s Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, the largest fed- eral investment in the Great Lakes in 20 years. The initiative’s priorities for action — developed by a task force of 16 federal departments — are com- bating invasive species, cleaning up toxics, protecting wetlands from pol- lution and restoring wetland and habitats. Through a cooperative agreement with the Northeast Midwest Institute, MARAD is pro- viding funding and technical expert- ise to help upgrade the Great Ships Initiative (GSI) ballast water treat- ment technology testing facility. The GSI facility, located in the Duluth- Superior Harbor of Lake Superior and the only one in North America, is being used to test promising water treatment technologies designed to remove unwelcome species “hitch- hiking” in ballast water tanks onboard cargo ships. EBDG to Design Lightering Support Vessel AET’s new generation lightering support vessel (LSV), designed by Elliott Bay Design Group (EBDG), might look similar to a Gulf supply boat, but several characteristics set it apart. It is designed to be easily built and operated and features less piping, ballast and cargo tankage. Since the vessel is mission-specific to handle Yokohama fenders and small cargos for tankers, there is no need for dry- bulk tankage and associated pumps for systems such as fuel oil cargo and drill water. The design calls for hi-lift rudders and modest power. The ves- sel’s bow shows minimized flare and the side shell is canted inwards (known as tumble-home) to reduce appendages and surfaces. This mini- mizes the risk of damage in close- quarters maneuvering and promotes safety and ease of operations when working close-aboard tankers off- shore. EBDG’s LSV design measures 185 ft by 46 ft by 15 ft and estimated lightship weight is 1,670 tonnes. Currently, Leevac Industries is con- structing two LSVs with an option for additional vessels.
