IN THIS ISSUE   Profile of HMM VP Bert Thompson TRANSOCEAN Semi-submersible Display Ship Modelers Meet at HMM The Evolution of Navigation  (click on title to read article) HMM Mission Statement Famous Quote In This New Century

Profile of Bert Thompson

Bert Thompson is a Vice President on the Board of the Houston Maritime Museum.   He retired as a Captain after spending 25 years at sea in ocean towing, shiphandling, and salvage and rescue.  Upon his first visit to the museum several years ago, his lifelong maritime history interest enabled him to give a tour to a visiting church group that same day.

He is also on the Board of the International Seafarers Ministry of Presbytery of New Covenant which serves the needs of seafarers who are far from their homes and families.  And, he is affiliated with the Restorative Justice Community, a pioneering program that aims to significantly reduce recidivism and crime in our cities.   Bert Thompson was instrumental in obtaining the John M. Luykx collection of navigation instruments for permanent display at the Houston Maritime Museum, as John Luykx was his mentor and dear friend.

TRANSOCEAN Semi-submersible Drilling Rig Models on Display   The Houston Maritime Museum is proud to announce that we now have on display five semi-submersible drilling unit models that we received from Transocean Inc.  The photo below shows one of the five models on display.

Transocean Inc. is the world's largest offshore drilling company.  Customers include global energy firms, national petroleum companies and independent operators. Transocean excels at constructing oil and natural gas wells in the deep waters and harsh environments.  Offshore drilling markets include the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and eastern Canada, Brazil, Trinidad, Caspian Sea, the U.K. and Norwegian sectors of the North Sea, West Africa, South Africa, Asia, including Australia, the Middle East, India and the Mediterranean. A Cayman Islands corporation, the company has more than 13,000 employees worldwide. For more information visit the Houston Maritime Museum and Transocean’s web site www.deepwater.com.

Ship Modelers Meet at HMM The Gulf Coast Historical Ship Modelers’ Society held its March meeting at the Houston Maritime Museum.  The group meets at the Museum every other month, the second Friday from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.  For additional information, call Charlie Cozewith at (713) 661-1807.

The picture above shows meeting attendees gathering around to view and discuss each other’s work.

The picture above shows the evening speaker, Charlie Cozewith, making a presentation on Joshua Slocum, the first man to single handedly sail around the world on his boat the SPRAY.   Cozewith’s presentation included a model of the SPRAY that he built.

World War II Merchant Marine Veterans   The World War II Merchant Marine Veterans meet every month.  For more information, contact Bob Thornton at (713) 665-1276.

Famous Quote   Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors.   African Proverb

In This New Century   In April 2000 Houston dared to open its first maritime museum and brought its maritime heritage to all its citizens.   The spirit and enthusiasm that built this museum is alive and well today.  It plans for future generations and is a vital contributor to the education of the Houston public.   The Port Authority and the maritime community have and are encouraging the broadening of the Houston Maritime Museum in all its endeavors.