The Accelerator for Innovation in the Maritime Ecosystem (AIME) will promote acceleration of innovation through collaboration within the maritime ecosystem

Virginia Beach, VA, May 11, 2022 — Ocean Craft Marine, the world’s premiere purpose-built rigid hull inflatable boat builder and maritime solution provider, today announced it will invest more than a quarter billion dollars over the next ten years establishing the industry’s first independent maritime innovation laboratory. The goal of the laboratory, called the Accelerator for Innovation in the Maritime Ecosystem or AIME, will be to enable ideation, collaboration, cross-pollination and integration amongst and between maritime industry peers in order to accelerate industry innovation especially within, but not limited to, the professional and military segments. The announcement was made at the MARSEC/RBX Conference.

“AIME may be the single most important development in the maritime industry since sails gave way to steam engines,” said Roy Nourha, Ocean Craft Marine CEO. “Not only will it help us explore and define the future of the maritime industry, it will change the way the industry operates, speeding the process significantly because we will all be choosing collaboration over siloed work, transparency over secrecy and partnership over competition.”

“We have long been dedicated to being a solution provider for our professional, military and recreational users,” said Todd Salus, Vice President of Operations at Ocean Craft Marine. “This initiative is just the latest way we are driving that mission forward. We are accelerating the innovation process by giving everyone a place to experiment, learn and grow together faster than anyone could do on their own, including the U.S. Military.”

Ocean Craft Marine is inviting any and all maritime companies, including its existing partners, associates and peers, to collaborate in AIME. Ocean Craft Marine also seeks players from other industries who see a maritime application for their product.

Nourha added, “We work in a collaborative environment and we’re inviting anyone who wants to come play in our sandbox to do so. Innovation has been moving at a slow pace. If you make a maritime solution and you’re interested in driving the industry forward, we hope you will partner with us to accelerate innovation.”

The AIME Lab is part of Ocean Craft Marine’s larger initiative to provide thought leadership to the global professional and military maritime community. Now with AIME, Ocean Craft Marine is available for all professional and military maritime consulting opportunities.

For additional information on Ocean Craft Marine, visit oceancraftmarine.com. Stay connected with Ocean Craft Marine on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

For collaboration opportunities, contact Jo Stapleton, Director of Sales and Marketing for the Americas Region at jo@oceancraftmarine.com.

About Ocean Craft Marine   Based in Annapolis, Maryland, Ocean Craft Marine helps professional and recreational boaters successfully accomplish their individual boating missions by providing t

Weirton city council Monday approved the purchase of a new Sutphen fire truck for $825,783 as well as equipment for the city’s fire department.

The truck will replace its 16-year-old predecessor, which officials say is in need of replacing. It has a 250-gallon foam tank and is expected to take two years for delivery.

Also approved was the purchase of four new sets of gear for $15,080.

“A Resolution to Enter into Contract for the Purchase of Protective Fire Fighting Coats and Pants for Structural Firefighting in the Amount of $15,080.00,” the city council agenda reads.

“A Resolution to Authorize the City Manager to Enter into an Interlocal Contract with H-GAC for Participation in their HGACBUY Cooperative Purchasing Program for the Purchase of One (1) Sutphen Firetruck in the Amount of Eight Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand, Seven Hundred Eighty-Three Dollars and Zero Cents ($825,783.00) to be Financed for Up to One Hundred Eighty (180) Months, with Down Payment as Required by the Lender (825,783.00).”

The Fort Atkinson Fire Department is set to acquire two new vehicles by year’s end and then another in 2024 for $718,671 total, as the department gets ready to begin EMS services in early 2023, reports dailyunion.com.

The new apparatus include a light rescue vehicle and equipment for $425,223; a used ambulance for $30,000; and a new ambulance for $263,448. All the purchases will be made using budgeted department money, the report says.

The department ixnayed its previous heavy rescue in 2021 as it was unsafe. The city allocated funds to purchase a new rescue vehicle in 2023, but supply-chain issues complicated things with regards to the new chassis and the earliest it can arrive is 2024.

The department is also set to purchase a 2004 GMC Kodiak Osage ambulance from OH with a bit more than 65,000 miles on it, the report says. It also found a demo ambulance with about 10,000 miles on it at the Wisconsin State Firefighters Association’s convention in March.

Webb County officials recently approved a seven-year lease agreement with Pierce Financing Solutions to replace 10 frontline units for the Webb County Fire Department.

The lease dictates that in seven years the 10 apparatus will be replaced with new ones. The deal includes certified mechanics fixing the units if/when needed.

“Discussion and possible action on entering into a Fleet Financing Plan with Siddons Martin Emergency Group, LLC through Pierce Financing Solutions for the Webb County Fire Department’s Emergency Response Vehicles,” council agenda reads. “Front Line Fire Department Emergency Response Apparatus (nine-9) & Ambulance (one-1) will be on a seven (7) year replacement cycle in an effort to keep units response ready and maintenance costs low; and any other matters incident thereto.”

Also approved was 55 breathing masks for the firefighter volunteers.

“Discussion and possible action to accept funding from Safety National in the amount of $19,690.00 to Casco Industries for the purchase of 55 face pieces for the Webb County Volunteer Fire Department, per NFPA 1500 Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety, Health, and Wellness Program which requires each individual possess their own properly fitted mask (Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus, SCBA). No expense will be conducted by Webb County,” council agenda reads.

The entire meeting can be seen here.

Five apartments were destroyed in an early morning, two-alarm fire Tuesday in Kelso. No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire is under investigation. The fire was reported at 4:14 a.m. in the 100 block of Beacon Hill Drive, according to Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue. Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue was on scene first and crews attacked the fire from the back yard.
- PUB DATE: 5/10/2022 12:11:00 PM - SOURCE: The Daily News