Ocean Energy Market and Jones Act Subject of Feb. 22 WorkBoat.com Webinar; Findings from Recent Market Research Report, Future Legal Considerations for Development of U.S. Ocean Energy to be Presented

    NEW ORLEANS, LA, February 16, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- How will the Jones Act impact the U.S. market for ocean energy? "Ocean Energy Service Vessel Requirements and the Jones Act" will be the topic of the next WorkBoat.com webinar on Wednesday, Feb. 22, at 1 p.m. (eastern).

"As the East Coast of the U.S. increases its activities in offshore energy, offshore service vessels will be extremely important," said David Krapf, editor in chief of WorkBoat magazine and WorkBoat.com. "This webinar will illustrate the projected U.S. market for ocean energy service and supply vessels, and how the Jones Act may impact that market and other developments related to ocean energy."

The Maine Wind Industry Initiative and Verril Dana LLP law firm will present findings from a recent market research report and future legal considerations for the development of U.S. ocean energy.

Speakers will include Harlan Doliner, environmental and maritime attorney, Verrill Dana LLP; Ben Ford, attorney, Verrill Dana LLP; and, Paul Williamson, director and industry coordinator, Maine Wind Industry.

To register for the webinar, visit www.WorkBoat.com. Cost to attend the webinar is $59. Individuals can also purchase the WorkBoat Professional Series Online Pass for $159 and get 12 months of webinars for one low price (includes 11 webinars). (As a bonus, when someone purchases the WorkBoat Professional Series Online Pass this month, they will receive a copy of the exclusive New Towing Vessel Inspection Regulations: Notice of Proposed Rulemaking 46 CFR Subchapter M Towing Vessel Inspections. This report is from the December WorkBoat.com webinar and is a $49 bonus value!)

Krapf noted that the business of extracting energy from the world's oceans involves working in a harsh environment. To make deepwater work more effective, specialized vessels designed for the work can result in greater cost efficiencies.

"One area of concern has been focused on the lack of and need for heavy lift jackup vessels," Krapf said. "However, there are a number of other offshore activities that require mid- and small-sized vessels for crew transportation, cable and mooring installation and service, and general platform O&M activities."

Krapf said that lessons learned in Europe show that a shortage of these vessels can often stall a project and add costs. Furthermore, Europe is continuing to find out that certain activities require specialized craft, and using vessels taken from other sectors may not solve the problem. "However, Jones Act implications will have an effect on the U.S. availability of such vessels, which could result in more demand for U.S. shipyards," Krapf said.

The popular WorkBoat.com webinar series allows the marine industry to stay on top of what's going on in the industry and what's in store for the future -- from business management to marine industry specific topics. The WorkBoat Professional Series Pass allows participants to get year-round 24/7 access to the same great face-to-face experience they get at the WorkBoat Professional Series Conference Program. The Pass also allows participants to see the upcoming live webinar schedule as well as view on-demand webinars.

The Pass can be used for individuals as well as groups (webinar participation must be from one location). This allows a company to educate an entire team.

About the WorkBoat Professional Series
The webinar is presented as a part of the WorkBoat Professional Series and is designed to keep the commercial marine business community informed and on top of what's going on in the industry today and what's in store for the future.

WorkBoat.com is the largest commercial marine member-supported website, with over 24,000 members. Each registrant for the webinar receives a free membership in WorkBoat.com.

For more information visit www.WorkBoat.com.

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