AMO Currents - New AMO jobs aboard heavy-lift ship to be re-flagged for PGM-managed fleet

AMO Currents - Posted: July 24, 2009

New AMO jobs aboard heavy-lift ship to be re-flagged for PGM-managed fleet

Pacific-Gulf Marine (PGM) in August will add a new heavy-lift vessel to its managed fleet of U.S.-flagged ships, increasing the total number of commercial and U.S. government vessels operated by PGM to nine and opening new jobs for American Maritime Officers members.

The Ocean Charger, sister ship to the Ocean Atlas and Ocean Titan, will be the third U.S.-flagged heavy-lift/project-cargo ship operated by PGM for Intermarine Inc. and manned in all licensed positions by AMO.

“AMO is proud to be onboard with the expansion of the PGM-managed fleet,” said AMO National President Tom Bethel. “The addition of this new vessel reflects PGM’s strong and longstanding commitment to U.S.-flag shipping and provides new work for AMO officers in the commercial trades.”

The Ocean Charger is scheduled to be re-flagged into U.S. registry the first week of August in Houston, Texas. The ship will be engaged in the international trades, moving commercial, U.S. military and government-impelled cargoes.

“Given the current volatility in the market, the investment in this third heavy-lift vessel represents a major commitment by Intermarine,” said PGM President and Chief Executive Officer Todd Johnson. “PGM is very pleased to be a part of the Ocean Charger operation and what we hope will lead to further expansion in the U.S.-flag arena.”

The Ocean Atlas and Ocean Titan are operated by PGM in the Maritime Security Program fleet. Each of the 8,000 DWT heavy-lift sister ships is 393 feet long and each is equipped with two 200-ton electro-hydraulic deck cranes, bringing valuable capabilities to the U.S.-flag commercial fleet.