MRS '24 - Panel 5: Identifying Risk, Measuring Success in the "Gray Zone"
.” iiThis panel will investigate how to identify and categorize gray zone activities and what types of responses are appropriate and necessary using the elements of national power and international bodies. The Department of Defense isn’t the only player in this arena. The United States Coast Guard offers that they will “provide a full spectrum of engagement in the grey zone as nation-states and transnational criminal organizations generate increased uncertainty and complexity in the maritime domain.” iiiPanelists from the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Navy, academia, and think
Texas A&M to Reduce Tuition For Merchant Mariner License Students
University at Galveston said it will reduce fees for current and future out-of-state students seeking a merchant mariner license from the Texas A&M Maritime Academy, in an effort that aims to help the maritime industry fill worsening labor gaps.Texas A&M Maritime Academy students earn their U.S. Coast Guard license while completing one of several license-option four-year bachelor’s degree programs at Texas A&M at Galveston.Effective September 1, under a new three-tiered fee structure approved by the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents, students from Louisiana, Mississippi
US Coast Guard Announces New Merchant Mariner Credential
The U.S. Coast Guard announced a new merchant mariner credential (MMC) set to launch on March 1, 2024, marking the first comprehensive revision of the mariner credential in nearly a decade.The Coast Guard is the exclusive source of U.S. MMCs, which are required for U.S. mariners who serve on commercially operated vessels such as passenger boats, tug and barges, offshore supply vessels, and deep draft ocean going cargo vessels throughout the nation and internationally.The Coast Guard said it is replacing the legacy MMC passport-style booklet (“Red Book”) with a new certificate size one page
Wiltshire Named Acting Director of Port Everglades
that Monica and the Board of County Commissioners have placed in me to step in as Acting Director, and I look forward to keeping the port on the progressive path set by Jonathan," Wiltshire said.Wiltshire joined Port Everglades in 2006 as the Deputy Port Director after his retirement from the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) as Captain of the Port for New York/New Jersey. He has successfully implemented several innovative programs to support increasing cargo, cruise and energy volumes, and has worked closely with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and other state and federal agencies to move the port forward
Bristol Harbor Group Promotes Eling
holds a Bachelor of Science in Ocean Engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in the Commonwealth of Virginia and the State of Rhode Island. Eling worked for 15 years as a naval architect in Washington, D.C. on numerous U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, commercial and international naval projects.At BHGI, Eling is a project manager for new construction and major conversion work on commercial and government passenger and work vessels. Some of his engineering specialties include stability, weights, distributed systems and design integration
Structural Safeguards in Coast Guard Suspension and Revocation Proceedings
This article examines 10 structural safeguards in Coast Guard Suspension and Revocation (S&R) Proceedings that ensure Coast Guard Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) decisional independence. These safeguards separate potential agency influences from the ALJ decision making process and are critical to mariner due process and fundamental fairness. We will start with an overview of Coast Guard S&R proceedings, followed by brief discussions of the Administrative Procedure Act, Administrative Law Judges, and U.S. Office of Personnel Management oversight. We will then examine the ten
USCG Eases Firefighting Training Requirements for Towboats
The U.S. Coast Guard has moved to ease firefighting training requirements for towing vessels operating on America's inland waterways.The agency this week issued a final rule revising the training requirements for national Merchant Mariner Credential endorsements as master of towing vessels (limited) or mate (pilot) of towing vessels on inland and western rivers routes, excluding the Great Lakes.Consistent with recommendations from the National Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee (NMERPAC) and the National Towing Safety Advisory Committee (NTSAC), this rule gives mariners seeking these
Johnson Joins Birdon as Ship Design Director
Spencer Johnson has joined Birdon as the ship design director building on his extensive career in shipbuilding, naval architecture and engineering. Johnson will lead Birdon’s engineering and integrated product teams to deliver 27 vessels to the U.S. Coast Guard for the Waterways Commerce Cutter (WCC) Program.“Spencer’s background leading large ship design and construction projects make him a great fit for Birdon’s team,” said Birdon president, Rob Scott. “Spencer’s extensive leadership and engineering experience will help Birdon grow its ship design team of
Birdon Adds Two to its US Board
Birdon, a defense contractor specializing in maritime solutions, announced it has expanded its U.S. Board of Outside Directors through the recent election of two members with extensive backgrounds with U.S. Navy and the U.S. Coast Guard shipbuilding and ship repair. Kevin Mooney and Ronald Rábago, (Rear Admiral, USCG-Ret.) have agreed to serve as Chairperson and Member, respectively.“Kevin and Ron will provide invaluable insight and guidance to our management team as Birdon continues to grow and deliver major programs to its customers,” said Birdon CEO and owner, Jamie Bruce.
To Fight Sexual Assault and Harassment, Vessel Owners and Operators Must Comply with Heightened Reporting Requirements
account by a U.S. Merchant Marine Academy cadet of sexual assault aboard a U.S.-flagged ship during her Sea Year training — Congress enacted into law the Safer Seas Act (SSA) in December 2022.Intended as a direct effort to prevent and punish SASH, the SSA, among other provisions:Requires the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) to revoke the license, certificate of registry, or merchant mariner’s credential of an individual who has been the subject of an “official finding” of sexual assault within the previous 10 years and to revoke or suspend any such credential of any individual who has
US Forms Council to Advise on USMMA Improvements
as recommend measures to ensure that the USMMA’s curriculum is keeping pace with the technological advances in the maritime industry.Appointees are drawn from academia, the maritime industry and maritime labor, the senior ranks of the U.S. military, and five federal agencies—including the Coast Guard, Military Sealift Command, Naval War College, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command. They include experts in administering institutions of higher learning; sexual assault and sexual harassment prevention and response; infrastructure
U.S. Offshore Vessel Owner Harvey Gulf Welcomes Philip Luongo as Executive VP
U.S.-based offshore vessel owner Harvey Gulf International Marine has said that Philip Luongo, a New York native and graduate of the United States Merchant Marine Academy, has joined the company. After graduating Kings Point, Luongo upgraded his Unlimited U.S. Coast Guard License by sailing on deep sea vessels and operating production platforms in the Gulf of Mexico. Luongo then transitioned shore side where he worked for BP for nine years, holding various leadership roles supporting the U.S Gulf of Mexico, Angola, Trinidad, Canada, and Brazil. Luongo joins Harvey Gulf as Executive Vice
Joey D’Isernia Named CEO of Eastern Shipbuilding Group
shipbuilding group in 2015 and has spent his entire career working in the shipyard with his father and brothers.As president, he oversaw Eastern’s recovery following Hurricane Michael in 2018, as well as achievements in its execution of the Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) project for the U.S. Coast Guard. Today, the company builds both commercial and government vessels, and it has produced more than 350 diverse vessels for domestic and international customers. It currently employs more than 1,600 people across three shipyards on the Florida Gulf Coast.Brian started his career as a lawyer, became
US Coast Guard Proposes New TWIC Delay
The U.S. Coast Guard announced in the Federal Register that it proposes to further delay the effective date for certain facilities affected by the final rule entitled “Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)—Reader Requirements,” published in the Federal Register on August 23, 2016.The current effective date for the final rule is May 8, 2023. The Coast Guard proposes delaying the effective date for: facilities that handle certain dangerous cargoes in bulk, but do not transfer those cargoes to or from a vessel; facilities that handle certain dangerous cargoes in bulk
TWIC Renewals Now Available Online
lawful permanent residents, and makes the five-year renewal process more convenient.TWIC is required by the Maritime Transportation Security Act for mariners and workers who need access to secure areas of the United States’ maritime facilities and vessels. Jointly administered by TSA and the U.S. Coast Guard, TSA conducts a background check to determine a person’s eligibility and issues the credential. The Coast Guard regulates the use of TWIC in the maritime environment.Nearly 60% of TWIC holders renew their card every five years, according to the TSA, who said renewing online eliminates
Austal USA Names Kruger VP of Global Services and Support
USA significantly expanded the company’s Services business in late 2021 with the establishment of a waterfront repair facility in the Port of San Diego adjacent to Naval Base San Diego. The 15-acre site will focus on ship repair for small combatant-size U.S. Navy, Military Sealift Command, and U.S. Coast Guard ships. The facility will be centered on a newly-built dry dock designed to efficiently dock small surface combatants and similar sized ships. The dry dock will have a 9,000 light ton lifting capacity. It will be 531 feet (162 meters) long, 154 feet (47 meters) wide, with a maximum draft of
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
