Pettengill Tapped to Lead Maine Port Authority
Chelsea Pettengill has been selected to serve as interim Executive Director Maine Port Authority (MPA), taking over for Matthew Burns, who has decided to leave his position at the helm of the MPA to return to the Maine Department of Transportation in a new role.Beginning on September 23, Burns became the Deputy Director of MaineDOT's Office of Freight and Business Logistics. Under the leadership and guidance of Nathan Moulton, Director of Office of Freight and Business Logistics, Burns will expand his scope of work to include all freight modes, including freight rail, trucking, and ports. Burns
Tamekia Flack Joins World Shipping Council as Director of US Government Relations
, effective immediately. Flack will lead WSC’s efforts to advance key safety, security and environmental priorities in the U.S.Flack brings a wealth of experience from her career in maritime transportation law and policy, having most recently served as the Deputy Administrator of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) following a period as MARAD’s Chief Counsel. Prior to MARAD, Flack was a civilian attorney for the U.S. Coast Guard. Flack is a U.S. Army veteran, having served in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General Corps. She holds a Juris Doctorate from
MARAD’s Centers of Excellence: Addressing Maritime Workforce Needs and Preparing the Next Generation
, and provide sufficient levels of professional development, all while competing with other industries of similar nature. In today’s global and domestic market, such a task is not easy.In an effort to assist the industry and meaningfully address this pressing and complex issue, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) created a designation program with the goal to help recruit, train and sustain the future workforce of America’s maritime industry. This program designates qualified training facilities as Centers of Excellence for Domestic Maritime Workforce
Texas A&M to Reduce Tuition For Merchant Mariner License Students
recruitment efforts from our neighbor states on the Gulf Coast, soon helping to ease the pressure of the labor shortage in the industry.”The merchant mariner workforce is declining as workers age and retire, and the industry continues to suffer from a lack of awareness and exposure. The Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD), responsible for America’s waterborne transportation systems, and the U.S. Coast Guard testified before Congress last year that the country is facing a national security crisis due to the workforce shortage that has only worsened post-COVID
Steve Nevey Tapped to Lead Washington State Ferries
to serve as assistant secretary for the Washington State Ferries Division, the state's Secretary of Transportation Roger Millar announced on Thursday. Nevey will succeed Patty Rubstello, who is stepping down as head of WSF after more than 33 years of service with the Washington State Department of Transportation.A career mariner, Nevey progressed directly from high school to a maritime academy in the U.K. For the past two years he has served as director of marine operations for WSF and has been instrumental in the development of programs that address ongoing staff shortages in the industry.WSF
Jonathan Daniels to Lead Port of Baltimore
Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld has announced Jonathan Daniels as the new executive director of the Maryland Department of Transportation’s Maryland Port Administration. Daniels comes to Maryland after serving as chief executive officer and director at Port Everglades in Broward County, Fla., and has more than 30 years of port and economic development experience.Daniels will begin in his new position February 5, taking over from Brian Miller, who has been serving as interim acting executive director at the port following the resignation of previous executive director William P.
Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding Expands Partnership with Local Technical College
large hull sections of Constellation-class frigates for the U.S. Navy. FBS is seeking more candidates for its skilled trades, supporting labor, engineering and management positions.NWTC is designated a Center of Excellence for Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and Education, by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD)—the only designated Center of Excellence on the Great Lakes. The college also operates the North Coast Marine Manufacturing Training Center, offers maritime safety training and contracts training for Fincantieri Marinette Marine in Marinette
Cultivating Tomorrow’s Waterways Workforce
recruitment and retention. Legalization at the state level is increasing the number of applicants who cannot pass a federal drug test, which still prohibits cannabis but is required for entry into the maritime workforce. To help companies navigate this complex issue, AWO is advocating for the Department of Transportation and the Coast Guard to approve oral fluid specimen testing as a more flexible, less onerous and still effective testing method that provides a more reasonable time window for detection. We are also exploring opportunities to partner with similarly situated transportation modes and organizations
US Forms Council to Advise on USMMA Improvements
The U.S. Department of Transportation has formed a new advisory council to help drive improvements at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA), a service academy in Kings Point, N.Y.According to the DOT, establishment of the USMMA Advisory Council fulfills a key recommendation from the National Academy of Public Administration’s (NAPA) November 2021 report entitled “Organizational Assessment of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy: A Path Forward.” Specifically, NAPA’s report recommended that the DOT charter an advisory council to advise the Secretary of Transportation on matters
MGBW Workers Complete In-house Welding Program
(MGBW), a family-owned boat repair and construction facility, is pleased to announce that 30 of its boatbuilders recently graduated from MGBW’s in-house Welding Certification Program. The Welding Program was launched in 2021 with support from a Small Shipyards Grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration (MARAD). In total, $859,250 was spent to develop the curriculum, secure an instructor, equip the welding classroom and sustain the vital program with a cost share of 67% covered by the grant with the remaining expenses covered by MGBW.Welding Department Supervisor
Advisory Committee to Address Issues Impacting Filipino Seafarers
of Filipino seafarers across the globe,” Migrant Workers Secretary Susan Ople said during the signing ceremony of DMW with its international partners.The Secretary assured the IACGMA’s international partners that other relevant government agencies in the Philippines such as the Department of Transportation and its attached agency, Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) have expressed support to the goals and vision of the newly-formed advisory body.The formation of the IACGMA follows a meeting that took place on 13 December 2022 where shipping industry leaders met with His Excellency President
Rear Adm Nunan First Woman Appointed USMMA Superintendent
The U.S. Department of Transportation and the Maritime Administration announced the appointment of Rear Admiral Joanna M. Nunan (U.S. Coast Guard, Ret.) as the next superintendent of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA). Nunan, who spent more than three decades in the U.S. Coast Guard, has commanded units at every level both afloat and ashore. She will begin work at the Academy in a few weeks.Rear Admiral Nunan retired earlier this year as the Coast Guard’s Deputy for Personnel Readiness. In that role, she oversaw the Coast Guard’s entire personnel enterprise, including the recruitment
Tindall-Schlicht Named Seaway Administrator
announced President Biden's appointment of former Milwaukee port director, Adam Tindall-Schlicht, as the next Administrator of the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (GLS). Tindall-Schlicht resigned his position at Port Milwaukee on October 19.An agency of the U.S. Department of Transportation, the GLS is responsible for operation of U.S. portions of the St. Lawrence Seaway. It works in partnership with it's Canadian counterpart to maintain a safe, reliable and environmentally responsible deep draft waterway connecting Great Lakes ports with world markets and global trade
JAXPORT Promotes Infrastructure Development Leader Bennett to COO
projects, including the 47-foot harbor deepening project, a $100 million berth modernization project, and renovations to improve operational efficiencies at the JAXPORT Cruise Terminal.He has extensive experience in senior transportaion positions, including more than 20 years with the Florida Department of Transportation, where he served as planning manager for District Two, encompassing 18 counties throughout North Florida. Prior to joining JAXPORT, Bennett was the senior engineer for RS&H in Jacksonville, working directly with port personnel on the engineering, planning, design and permitting of
Maritime Training: MARAD Accepting Applications for Centers of Excellence
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) announced Tuesday that it is accepting applications for Centers of Excellence (CoE) designations to recognize and support community or technical colleges and maritime training centers that prepare Americans for careers in the maritime industry.The effort, which comes amid challenges presented by supply chain disruptions and climate change, aims to expand equitable opportunities for good paying jobs and prepares workers for successful future careers in the maritime industry, MARAD said.“These Centers of Excellence are
Ann Phillips Confirmed as Next MARAD Administrator
The U.S. Senate on Tuesday confirmed Ann C. Phillips as Administrator of the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD), filling a position that has been left vacant at the Department of Transportation (DOT) since January 2021. Phillips was confirmed by a vote of 75-22.Phillips, a retired U.S. Navy rear admiral, takes over as head of the DOT's maritime agency amid continued shipping and supply chain disruption as well as historic levels of government funding for maritime and port infrastructure projects. She succeeds Mark Buzby, who resigned from the role in the wake of the insurrection at the U.S.
New Bill Aims to Address Sexual Misconduct in the Merchant Marine
paused at-sea training for the second time in five years amid ongoing struggles to grapple with sexual assault and misconduct against its cadets at sea.The new bill would result in improved conditions and reduced risk to all mariners, including USMMA Midshipmen, the lawmakers said.“The Department of Transportation’s knee-jerk reaction to pause Sea Year is not an effective way to prevent future incidents of abuse and harassment,” said Wicker. “It will have a negative impact on the professional development of current Midshipmen and increase pressure and scrutiny on survivors of assault
