WheelHouse is proud to support Pacific Asian Enterprises, Inc., the builder of Nordhavn Yachts in celebrating their 40th anniversary.   We will be attending the anniversary gala, participating in the Nordhavn Rendezvous, as well as sponsoring a raffle to benefit Ocean Institute.  Ocean Institute is a non-profit dedicated to ocean conservancy and marine education that PAE partnered with for the event.

We recently signed the M/V Emerald Isle and M/V Beaver Islander, of Beaver Island Boat Company as a WheelHouse customer.  BIBCO is located in the northern end of Lake Michigan and due to the ice is a seasonal business.  With the boat out of service in the winter, the only option to get to the island is by air.  After a long wait due to a low ceiling, Ian finally made it out to Beaver Island for one of our more remote vessel walkdowns in the Continental United States.  There was a story in town that reminds us of the dangers of working on the water.  There was a commercial fisherman had ran out of fuel and was stuck in the ice. We passed him on Tuesday when flying over and he was still there last night. A Coast Guard helicopter dropped them food and water Wednesday morning around 5:30 am. A Coast Guard icebreaker arrived yesterday evening from Green Bay to get the boat out.  

We recently completed a walkdown of a Northern Marine 84' as part of the implementation of WheelHouse.  This particular vessel had not been cruising in a number of years but the new owner is looking forward to getting to sea with her for some active and adventurous cruising.  On a side note, It is always great to coordinate trips to California during blizzards in the Northeast.  

WheelHouse is exhibiting at Booth # 2353 in partnership with GPLink creating a comprehensive perspective on vessel upkeep through seamless integration to the WheelHouse marine maintenance system. Commercial vessel and fleet owners can now enjoy the benefits of real-time vessel monitoring, tracking and support, from GPLink along with a simple and easy-to-use interface; charting the course to proper vessel maintenance, spare parts management, and document tracking.

A Maritime Industry Tradition

Held every year in New Orleans, the show attracts 15,000 members of the commercial marine industry, who come together from around the world to network, learn, spot new industry trends, and uncover innovative products and solutions.

As attendees have been quoted saying, “everyone in the marine industry is here.”

That includes its most innovative suppliers and vendors, who for three days transform the Morial Convention Center exhibition hall into a small city of diverse trade show booths, exhibits, and product demonstrations.

This year dive deeper with the re-envisioned conference program, featuring high level education and networking opportunities custom designed to focus on three sectors of the WorkBoat industry: Shipyard, Offshore, and Inland/Passenger Vessel.

Also this year, attendees are invited to take part in Maintenance & Repair Day, the all new, re-envisioned version of WorkBoat Maintenance & Repair! This extensive one-day program will offer a myriad of key learnings from case study presentations and panel discussions, to roundtable talks and a networking happy hour all within The International WorkBoat Show.

Come prepared to experience many new and exciting additions to this year’s show. From the all new Collaboration Zone, “Back Deck Bar” and “Wheelhouse Tavern”, to the cutting edge “Supplier Solutions” and major upgrades within the WorkBoat Annual Conference, we promise you’ll find everything you need to give your business an edge in 2017 and beyond.

Don’t forget about after hours, that’s when attendees take to the famous restaurants, tap houses and music venues of New Orleans to experience the soulful, warm, and welcoming brand of Southern charm unique to the Crescent City.

It’s your annual chance to network, shop, connect, and get in the know among the best in the business. It’s a maritime industry tradition. And through good times and bad, this is the marine industry’s show.

WheelHouse Program Manager Daniel Adamski took a leave of absence to support the recovery effort after Hurricane: Irma; Harvey; and Maria aboard the Mass Maritime Training ship Kennedy as she was activated with MARAD. Below is a recap of his recent logs regarding the trip. As internet communication is very limited, we remain delayed on some of the updates but appreciate his support on this mission and the information and photographs.  

28 September 2017
Spent 3 hours loading Communications equipment for the Secret Service and White House Advance Team. POTUS to visit the Island on Tuesday.

More FEMA Employees showed up.

27 September 2017
Pilots ETA 0700 and Tugs at 0730. All Secured by 0900. Damage on the way in is tremendous. Off the STBD side there is trees with No Leaves. The landscape is brown. Over 80% of the Island is without power. Power Lines and Poles are down everywhere.

We had 57 government officials show up. A mix of Secret Service and White House Advance team members. As well as 120 FEMA Employees.

26 September 2017
In a holding pattern off Puerto Rico awaiting orders from the Pilot.

23 September 2017
1000 Finished with Engines. 1242 Fuel Barge Alongside. 1420 Start Fueling. 1930 Secured from Fueling. 2000 for 2030 All Hands. 2130 Last Line. Underway Making Way bound for St. Thomas.
While in Miami we took on an additional 5,500 bbls (approx 231,000 gallons) of Bunkers and gained a few more FEMA employees. 55 People on board.

24 September 2017
TS Kennedy off of the North Side of Cuba steaming towards St. Thomas.

21 September 2017
The Captain and Chief Engineer re-evaluated our fuel on hand and our current burn rate. They calculated that once on Station in either PR or the Islands we would only be able to stay approx. 15 days before we would have to either get underway, as Fuel Barges are not available in the Virgin Islands. Even though we could get a fuel barge in Puerto Rico, the decision was made to make a stop in Miami, FL for Bunkers, as we did not know what state Puerto Rico would be in.

20 September 2017
We have been secured at Ingleside, TX for 4 days now and have loaded 18 more pallets of bottled water and 11 pallets of MRE’s (Meal Ready to Eat, approx 12,000 meals). We prepared to get underway, as we were ordered to leave TX and proceed to Puerto Rico/ Virgin Islands as the people there were/ are in dire need of assistance.

At this point we were getting low on Bunker Fuel, but could make it to PR/ Virgin Islands with plenty in reserve. We tried to take on Bunkers in Corpus Christi, TX (Tanker Port and next to Ingleside) but they could not provide the proper blend of fuel that we need. So the decision was made to get underway.

1318 Last Line
Underway outbound for sea, 42 Crew members and 7 FEMA members aboard. Steaming towards the Islands.

TrawlerFest is PassageMaker’s stand-alone series of boat shows, specifically designed for cruising-under-power enthusiasts.

Strategically located in key cruising regions nationwide, TrawlerFest showcase the nation’s best in-water display of new & pre-owned cruising powerboats, first class boating courses and demos, the latest marine products & services, and rendezvous-style parties!

TrawlerFest is more than a boat show; it’s where industry, education, and community come together in a fun, relaxed, rendezvous-type atmosphere. TrawlerFest is an experience you simply won’t want to miss!

WheelHouse Program Manager, Dan Adamski had been employed as an officer for the Mass Maritime Training ship until he started working for WheelHouse in the summer of 2016.  Since then he still takes a couple weeks a year to go to sea.  Below are some excerpts on his recent trip with more to come.  

I recently boarded the USTS Kennedy, on a Orientation Mini Cruise for the incoming freshman class.   While in New York Harbor the training ship loaded 9,300 bbls of RME 180 Bunker C fuel oil, approx. 390,600 gallons, at this point their was significant talk about the Training Ship being activated for Disaster Relief efforts.  As we returned to the Academy the MARAD asked the school to keep the "Fires" in the boilers.

As of September first, MARAD took back the control of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy's training ship, the USTS Kennedy.  I was then approached by Captain Mike Campbell, Master USTS Kennedy, and Jeff Brown, MARAD Representative North East Region, where they requested that I stay aboard the ship as the 3rd Mate.  As we have all seen the coverage of the devastation from the recent hurricanes, relief efforts have been in the works through the Maritime Administration.  I accepted the temporary position since the people of this Great Nation need our help.   This activation will be for 1 Month, but they have the option of extending it by 1 month. 

We departed on Wednesday 06 September 2017 at the 1036 Slack High Water in Buzzards Bay, MA and begin our journey down to Texas, while Steaming South we felt effects of Hurricane IRMA..   During this trip we will be providing support for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) while they work on relief efforts.  The ship will house the FEMA employees and we will provide hot meals and berthing for them, as well as medical care.  

I do apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, but I feel that this is the right thing to do as the people need a tremendous amount of help and I appreciate the opportunity you have given me. Please note that we have now leaking Texas after a short stint and are preparing to head to Puerto Rico, St Thomas, or St. Croix and will be sure to update you along the way with stories and pictures from the trip.  

Thank You all and wish me well.  Bon Voyage

Dan