Laid up OSVs

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JK
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Laid up OSVs

Post by JK »

600+ And counting laid up worldwide with new builds down 68%.
Clarksons Research say it is the worst downturn since the mid 80s.

Never mind the bulkier collapse, container ships laid up, reports that the mega container ships are not working out as expected, ships are going to the breakers at an increased rate. The tanker industry seems to not hitting the news, probably as they are serving as floating storage.

It makes for grim reading on the marine news. I'm glad I'm ashore with no plans to go back to sea.
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Re: Laid up OSVs

Post by The Dieselduck »

I kinda like what Davie said about the NSPS, it being able to supply ships quicker and cheaper than under NSPS.
From my perspective, there is a shitload of beautiful and capable ships laid up now, with some very motivated operators trying to offload them, perhaps it would be a great idea for the Government to look at acquiring some ASAP on the cheap for CCG... well what I'm I talking about, nothing the federal gov does is cheap, but you know, not 400$ million for a fishing boat cheap.
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Re: Laid up OSVs

Post by JK »

You'll never see it IMO
Buying outside the country takes that money outside the country into other hands.
I've given some consideration to government spending, after some tutoring about the gun registry, by a certain person who is a whole lot smarter then me.

When the government spends money, unlike what the opposition party would have us think, the money isn't "wasted". It is redistributed into the country.
For example the gun registry was located in the Mirimichi, an area that had been devastated by the collapse of the local economy. The registry put jobs and money there and allowed people to continue paying taxes. When the Harper government trashed the gun registry, there was a shitload of jobs gone. So they put the government pay centre there. Of course everyone who worked at the gun registry now weren't qualified, so most probably lost jobs, but the wages were still going into the area. It's the same as the building of the Bluenose, everyone here is screaming about the cost, but, I think, other then the very specialized wood for the hull,pretty well all the money went back into NS.

Those ships will be built hell or high water in those yards. Davies is doing a lot of work as well. There is a steady stream of ships going into their yard. However, I suspect, the profit isn't good enough. They have only got up and running a couple of years ago from their multiple closures and every time they closed they burnt suppliers. I wonder how that's working for them now.

It continually amazes me that BCFC is allowed to build ships out of country, then they go looking for federal and provincial monies.
I'm only an engineer not an economist though ;). Just some observations.

And, look at all the government ships. The newest were built in the 80s. Government built for a 40 year life span. Expensive, but immensely strong. Commercial jobs, 20 years max, and they change hands pretty quick once the bloom of youth is gone.

In government, it's the politicians who decide when infrastructure is replaced so you better build for the long haul. If they sniff the air and decide they might get the boot, then expensive things like ships are political suicide.
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Re: Laid up OSVs

Post by pac22ken »

There was a bidding war for engineers for G. of Mexico 2 years. I knew a guy had a steady job not prone to layoff.
He quit for a job in the Gulf with Edison Chouest and doubled his salary overnight to over $800/day. About 6 months later
the layoffs started..the last i heard he´s out of work. Doesnt look like the Offshore business will turn around any time soon.
Dont matter to me...apart from a possible 1-2 months relief during summer..thinkin its time to pack it in. Had thought
to do a Jens Trygstad (gotta admire the guy pushing 80 an still going out there) an keep going but the idea of doing
a week of STCW courses forces me into retirement.
Heard about all the Gringos retiring to Cuenca, Ecuador so came down for a few months to check it out. Met come happy
retirees here..this looks like the place. Bill from Edmonton says he could if needed live good on his CPP C$800/mth an he
says that would include a parttime maid/mistress. As im legally bound fulltime to one of them I´ll budget a few hundred$$$
more. Meanwhile learning Spanish an drinking good craft beer at Bandito Brewing in Quito.
I wont miss too much about the business. Wouldnt want to be startin those est 17,500 watches allover again.Having lived in
port cities all my life it will be a change being 10,000 ft up in the mountains... but if I do get a yearning to smell the sea air
or see a floating hulk of rusty iron, its only a 4 hour rollercoaster busride down the hill to Guayquil.
OK guys happy sailin.













s
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Re: Laid up OSVs

Post by The Dieselduck »

Sounds like you got it made now.

No worries the companies are wasting no time squeezing the wages down with the downturn. Reminds me of the gas prices, quick to go up, but trickle down, if ever. When there was a squeeze for engineers, sure they're might have been a "bidding war" which no company will admit to, but not in most markets. Now though all companies are using it to stall pay rates, if not pressure them down. Gotta love "Western Globalization".

BTW, i had to calculate my estimated amount of watches i've done, neato, but still a fair ways away from yours. Come to think of it, its been exactly 20 years this month that I started earning, being an engineer. How time flies.
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Re: Laid up OSVs

Post by JollyJack »

20 years? is that all? When do you start your second watch? :) Joined my first ship (Andalsnes) in 1966, left the last one (Erik Raude) in 2002, retired to goverment work in 2003 :)
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Re: Laid up OSVs

Post by Merlyn »

Gold watch on the way as we speak, please note the endorsement on the back for additional sea miles encountered ref specialised side slop work. ( Mark Eights Machine Honkers Onwards )
Remembering The Good Old days, when Chiefs stood watches and all Torque settings were F.T.
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Re: Laid up OSVs

Post by JK »

Lord save me from posturing engineers!
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Re: Laid up OSVs

Post by Merlyn »

True, but This is no ordinary engineer but a MARINE Engineer ? ( Different Type )
Remembering The Good Old days, when Chiefs stood watches and all Torque settings were F.T.
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Re: Laid up OSVs

Post by JollyJack »

Mark VIIIs? That's going back a bit, they were built in 44/45 Andalsnes was one
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Re: Laid up OSVs

Post by Merlyn »

I only had the 1966-2002 era to work from and in mitigation I did say onwards?
Remembering The Good Old days, when Chiefs stood watches and all Torque settings were F.T.
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