THE MARITIME GROUP (Pacific Projects)

  AMO STAR CENTER  (Dania, Florida)

TMG  has worked with American Marine Officers (AMO) at their maritime training center in Dania, Florida on the development of ship simulator port modeling for port development projects and training programs for ship officers/pilots.

Some of the benefits derived from the use of the simulators are:

• Assisted in port development planning process with the potential for realizing significant savings in port and harbor dredging and construction costs.
• Performed reliable assessment for various types of vessels and propulsion systems based on existing port limitations and confinements, and identifying areas of possible navigational enhancements. 
• Simulation under a diverse range of environmental conditions allowing an assessment of safety standards and procedures that permit safe access for ship traffic.
• Effective maritime training in manoeuvring procedures for pilots and ships' officers in a controlled environement. 
• Performing simulation training in varied conditons; daylight, night time and with reduced visibility.

 NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE / NOAA  (Weather Data Collection)

TMG has assisted National Weather Service and NOAA with program to report and collect weather data from commercial vessel through the establishment of a shipboard observation and reporting program from vessels at sea.

 U.S. ARMY CORPS of ENGINEERS  (NAVIGATIONAL IMPROVEMENTS)

TMG in concert with the Hawaii Pilots Association provided consulting assistance to the State DOT and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on navigational improvements that would assist large commercial in navigating the port's existing "S" shaped channel. The port of Nawiliwili is considered to be the most difficult of all Hawaii's commercial ports. The low channel width-to-ship beam ration, two (2) 70 degree turns and the frequent high ground swells and prevailing trade winds outside the harbor contribute to the navigational difficulty of this port.

Large commercial vessels, such as the large 965' panamax cruise ships exercise extreme judgmental caution when entering the port. Harbor pilots and ship masters have reported experiencing a northerly set in the vicinity of Ninini Point while on inbound/outbound tracks on the Nawiliwili harbor navigational range. The reverse turn, first around the breakwater and then around the inner harbor jetty,which must be made when approaching the designated harbor berths, is difficult for large vessels and is normally conducted only in favorable weather, acceptable wind thresholds and with the assistance of adequately powered ASD tug(s).

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is considering widening the turning basin and entrance channel, in addition to dredging the north side of the channel and lengthening the main entrance channel, and with additional funding, dredging an identified shoal area outside the main outer breakwater. 

 U.S. CRUISE SHIP PILOT PROGRAM

TMG participated in the authorization of the U.S. Cruise Ship Pilot Project as part of a 1997 U.S. Department of Defense spending bill. The congressional legislation that made this program possible was sponsored by Hawaii's senior Senator Daniel Inouye with the support of Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska, and Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott of Mississippi.

The U.S. Cruise Ship Pilot Project (known as "Project America", is anticipated to revitalize the U.S. flagged cruise ship industry, creating more than 5,000 jobs, increase federal and local tax revenues, and substantially boost Hawaii's tourism and expand consumer's leisure travel options. 

 DRY-DOCKING (SHIP REPAIR / VOYAGE REPAIRS)

TMG works with Hawaii based shipyard and ship repair contractors to ensure your scheduled dry-docking or voyage repair are performed in the most cost effective and timely manner.