Apprenticeship Programs Are Key to the Future of Marine Welding
insights into emerging technologies and materials shaping the industry. weld.ng/saconference1 Eckstein, Megan. “US Navy ship programs face years-long delays amid labor, supply woes.” Defense News, April 2, 20242 “Navy Force Structure and Shipbuilding Plans: Background and Issues for Congress.” Congressional Research Service report RL32665. March 1, 202
No Shortage of Good Ideas to Address the Mariner Shortage
of factors including complications from the COVID-19 pandemic, the workforce is shrinking.”Both Administrator Phillips and Gen. Van Ovost pointed to the Maritime Workforce Working Group (MWWG) as a critical platform for developing answers to the shortage. MARAD was directed to form the MWWG by Congress under the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (NDAA FY 2024). The MWWG consists of representatives from MARAD, USCG, USTRANSCOM, the Navy, maritime labor, and U.S.-flag vessel operators in domestic and international trades, among others. The MWWG has numerous responsibilities
Texas A&M to Reduce Tuition For Merchant Mariner License Students
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.“The new fee structure demonstrates that we are listening to our industry partners and we are acting — Texas A&M is fully committed to helping recruit and
GAO: Coast Guard Should Address Workforce Recruitment and Retention Challenges
The Coast Guard has struggled for years to recruit and retain a sufficient workforce. The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), the non-partisan, fact-based arm of the Congress, has published multiple reports related to the Coast Guard’s workforce including recruitment and retention challenges. Three of these reports published in 2022 and 2023 have resulted in 17 GAO recommendations to address these issues, but as of today, 16 remain open and need to be addressed. Implementing these recommendations is key to the Coast Guard’s ability to recruit and retain the personnel necessary
HII Names Courtney Corporate VP of Legislative Affairs
will be responsible for ensuring compliance with all Federal Election Commission and all other legal and regulatory disclosure requirements regarding lobbying activity. Other duties include the shaping of legislative proposals and special authorities.“We are pleased to have Peter and his extensive congressional and federal budget experience continue to play a critical role in building and maintaining positive relationships with the legislative branch,” Holmes said. “We are equally pleased to have Betsy join the team who has nearly 25 years serving as a professional staff member for the
Structural Safeguards in Coast Guard Suspension and Revocation Proceedings
any monetary or honorary award or incentive to an ALJ. 5 C.F.R. §930.206(b). Awards or incentive pay can create the appearance of potential bias against the mariner. Removing possible awards to ALJs protects the mariner and buttresses ALJ independence. Sixth, Congress established a separate pay system for ALJs under 5 U.S.C. § 5372. OPM, not the agency, including the Coast Guard, sets and manages ALJ pay levels. 5 C.F.R. § 930.205. This safeguard protects the ALJ by creating a greater distance between the employing agency and ALJs
SUNY Maritime President to Retire in 2024
individual donors.The Admiral’s second priority of acquiring a new training ship was recently realized with the delivery of Empire State VII from Philly Shipyard. This long-awaited project involved years of conceptualizing, discussing, planning, letter writing, advocacy and testifying before U.S. Congress on the part of RADM Alfultis and many partners: alumni, students, parents, maritime industry partners, state maritime academies, Maritime Administration, elected officials, and other stakeholders. A unique shared effort contributed to the construction of the first U.S. training ship that will be
Robinson to Lead BAE Systems' Government Relations Team
BAE Systems, Inc. has named Reggie Robinson senior vice president for government relations, effective August 21.In this role, Robinson will assume responsibility of all government relations activities for the company, overseeing BAE Systems, Inc.’s relationships with members of Congress, the White House, the Department of Defense and other executive branch organizations, as well as state government leaders.Robinson will report to BAE Systems, Inc. president and CEO Tom Arseneault, and serve as a member of the Inc. senior leadership team. He will also serve as a director on the BAE Systems, Inc.
To Fight Sexual Assault and Harassment, Vessel Owners and Operators Must Comply with Heightened Reporting Requirements
In response to increased awareness of the prevalence of sexual assault and sexual harassment (SASH) in the maritime industry — and following a widely reported 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
Armstrong Joins WCI in Government Relations Role
mission, the Bureau of Reclamation, and the Department of Energy.Before that, she was a Professional Staff Member for the Senate E&W Appropriations Committee, responsible for the water portfolio of annual E&WD appropriations bill. She served as a subject matter expert and advisor to members of Congress on matters related to federal navigation, flood control, environmental restoration, water supply, and hydropower.Armstrong has worked with the Corps of Engineers from 2004-2016 in a variety of positions including Government Affairs Liaison/Program Manager at Corps’ Headquarters; Civil Works
Crowley Names Heil VP, Government Relations
, D.C., Heil will spearhead Crowley’s engagement with federal, state and local government partners and elected officials on policy and regulatory matters that support the company’s strategic growth. Heil joins Crowley with more than 25 years of legislative and legal experience. In Congress, he worked in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate for 12 years, holding senior roles including deputy staff director and general counsel for the Senate Appropriations Committee. Most recently, Heil was a partner in Taft’s Public Affairs Strategies Group, where he represented
Rodriguez Appointed Interim Director of MITAGS
and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW).Rodriguez began work at MM&P’s headquarters in 2001 where he was responsible for contract administration. He also represented MM&P and maritime labor on matters related to maritime security and safety at the International Maritime Organization, U.S. Congress and several federal advisory committees.In 2009, Rodriguez joined the staff of the House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation where he contributed to the enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010 and worked on issues related to the Deepwater Horizon casualty.As a
New Bill Aims to Address Sexual Misconduct in the Merchant Marine
that we can to protect students who have chosen the path of service and ensure they are able to continue their important work,” said Collins. “This legislation would strengthen sexual violence prevention, response, investigation, and accountability measures to improve cadets’ safety. Congress must remain committed to reducing the instances of sexual assault at our service academies and providing appropriate care for survivors.”"Sexual harassment, sexual assault and violence continue to plague both the maritime industry and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy,” said Gillibrand
Port of Gulfport Names Nass CEO
me to this position. I look forward to getting to work.”In addition to Jon’s port experience, he was the deputy commissioner at the Maine Department of Transportation, worked as a senior policy advisor in the State of Maine Governor’s Office, and served seven years in the U.S. Congress, most recently as counsel to the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security. Jon also served on a U.S. Department of State Provincial Reconstruction Team as a field officer embedded in a U.S. Army infantry battalion operating in the city of Baqubah, Iraq.The Port of Gulfport is a bulk, break-bulk
US Jobs from US Offshore Energy: A Goal 44 Years in the Making
in the same neighborhood as my wife, they all went to college together, and now our kids are friends. As a doctor, I’m sure he has little concern with the messy, yet mundane, intricacies of offshore energy and maritime policy. You can imagine my surprise then when one night while I was reading the Congressional Record from 1977—I’m a blast at parties—to see John’s grandfather testifying before the U.S. House of Representative’s Ad Hoc Select Committee on Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) issues.Mr. Guste and the other panelist testifying that day were urging Congress to recognize
New Bill Aims to Secure Grant Funding for Maritime Training
A new bill introduced in the U.S. aims to make available $200 million in grant funding for community and technical colleges offering training programs for maritime industry professions. The legislation H.R. 7456 was introduced by Congresswoman Sylvia R. Garcia (Texas-29) alongside Rep. Don Young (Alaska-At-Large), Rep. Anthony G. Brown (Md.-04), Rep. Brian Babin (Texas-36), and Rep. Steven Palazzo (Miss.-04).“Maritime industry jobs are a critical part of our nation’s economy. Yet research has shown that there may soon be a shortage of maritime industry workers,” said Congresswoman
The Emerging U.S. Offshore Wind Industry in a Post-COVID-19 World
include facilities that begin construction within 2020. The credits can be claimed where a project is placed into service within four years of starting construction – a timetable that may be increasingly challenging due to COVID-19-related delays. Recently, the Treasury Department has signaled to Congress that they will be looking at possible modifications to this rule.So what does all this mean for the maritime sector? Offshore wind has been tantalizing the industry for years now, and it’s no wonder why. The American Wind Energy Association predicts that the offshore wind projects could create
