Leveraging Human Factors for Safer Maritime Vessel Ops
A safety management system, while vital, can only take a company so far. The real change has to be cultural throughout an organization.Many maritime companies can operate effectively under the International Safety Management Code, which governs safety and pollution prevention for ships. Frameworks like these enable carriers to act compliant with basic safety standards, but there is a significant human element not quite covered by such standards. In 2012, Allianz looked at around a century of maritime incidents, estimating that 75% to 96% of marine accidents involved some human error. That's
NASSCO "Failed to follow Federal Wage Regs" for 36 Mexican Engineers
The U.S. Department of Labor recovered more than $1.4 million for 36 Mexican engineers employed in San Diego by a subsidiary of General Dynamics Corp., one of the world’s largest defense contractors, that paid them in Mexican pesos below the federal minimum wage rate in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act.The department’s Wage and Hour Division found National Steel and Shipbuilding Co. one of three shipyards in the Marine Systems group of General Dynamics that designs and builds auxiliary and support ships for the U.S. Navy used the L-1B visa program to bring the affected workers
OMSA’s Smith: Defending US-Flag Vessels is about Economic, National Security
of the conversation are below – including an update on the American Offshore Worker Fairness Act – the full interview can be seen on Maritime Reporter TV.Let’s talk a bit about the offshore energy industry today. What is the focus of OMSA?Aaron Smith: Right now is an exciting time for the offshore industry and for OMSA. One of the things we're really working on is called the American Offshore Worker Fairness Act, legislation says is that says, "When a foreign flag vessel works in the US sovereign waters, that vessel has to participate and work by the same rules that apply
Brothers Join Navy Nuclear Engineering Program
Brothers Jacob Wheeler, 17, and Mark Wheeler, 19, of Loveland enlisted in the U.S. Navy’s nuclear engineering program this summer through Navy Recruiting Station Fort Collins. The brothers joined the Delayed Entry Program within weeks of each other with Jacob enlisting in July and Mark in late August. While their parents are unaware that Mark has joined, the brothers plan to surprise them at graduation with help from their recruiter, Aviation Electronics Mate 2nd Class Erika Bravo.The Wheeler brothers, born in Greeley and raised in nearby Kersey, come from a family rooted in hard work. Their
Sorenson Joins St. Johns Ship Building in VP Role
St. Johns Ship Building announced it has appointed Jim Sorenson as vice president of government sales. Sorenson will spearhead all government-related sales efforts at the Palatka, Fla.-based shipyard and report directly to Joe Rella, president of St. Johns Ship Building.With over 20 years of experience in the maritime industry, Sorenson brings a wealth of expertise in government and commercial sales, project management and customer relations. Most recently, Sorenson served as director of sales at Willard Marine, Inc. Before his role at Willard Marine, Sorenson held key leadership positions at Lake
Port NOLA Names Beth Ann Branch President & CEO
as Acting President and CEO during a crucial transitional phase, advancing significant projects such as the $1.8 billion Louisiana International Terminal."After a comprehensive national search, it became clear that Beth Ann Branch is the visionary leader needed to help move Port NOLA and Louisiana forward," said Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry. "Her deep understanding of the commercial landscape and her track record of fostering rapid economic growth will ensure that our State remains a critical player in the global supply chain. With Beth at the helm, we’re poised to strengthen
DSC Dredge Promotes McMahon to VP of Product Support
McMahon to vice president of product support. He succeeds John “Sonny” Lightsey, who dedicated over 29 years to DSC.McMahon's journey at DSC began in 2011 in the hydraulic and mechanic shop, working under Troy Redwine and Carl Ulrich. His hands-on experience in the field and passion for problem-solving quickly propelled him through the ranks. Early in his career, he was sent to assist with the assembly of a dredge in Nebraska, where he came to the realization of his love for travel and fieldwork. From there, Stephen started working on numerous projects across the U.S., eventually
Columbia Group to Overhaul Its Crewing Department
Columbia Group has revealed plans to transform its traditional crewing department into a fully-fledged Maritime HR Department, in a move that aims to enhance its approach to crew management and development.At the helm of this transformation is Capt Faouzi Fradi, Columbia Group’s Director of Crewing and Training, who will take on the new role of Managing Director of the Maritime HR Department.Capt Fradi, said, “The maritime industry is undergoing rapid changes, and it is imperative that we adapt our approach to crewing and crew management. Our transition to a Maritime HR Department is not
Wilhelmsen Ship Management CEO Schou to Retire, Lenz Named Successor
Ship Management announced its chief operating officer Haakon Lenz will assume the role of CEO, succeeding Carl Schou, who is retiring after 19 years of service, including 16 years as CEO.Lenz will assume the role of CEO on January 1, 2025, and Carl Schou will remain with the company as a senior advisor for a period of six months.A naval architect with hands-on experience in ship management and global operations, Lenz, is a seasoned maritime leader with extensive experience across various operational and technical functions. He started his career in DNV before moving into ship management for V.ships
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
Steamship Authority GM Robert Davis to Step Down
the helm of the agency in approximately one year and transition into an advisory capacity.Davis, who was appointed general manager in 2016 and began in the role in 2017, made the announcement at the Board’s monthly meeting, which was held on Nantucket.The Authority said it has commenced its search for a successor.Davis will continue to serve as an advisor to the Authority following the fulfillment of his one-year notice period. He joined the Authority in 1986 and held several positions of increasing responsibility, including treasurer and comptroller, before being elevated to the general manager
NBBB and ESR Names Goedhard Sales and Marketing Director
Shared Ice Services LLC, responsible for the professional services of both Nichols Brothers Boat Builders (NBBB) and Everett Ship Repair (ESR), announced the appointment of Bart Goedhard as the new Director of Sales and Marketing.Goedhard brings more than 30 years of extensive experience in the international maritime and transportation industry, having held leadership positions across a diverse range of sectors, including -marine and energy solutions, shipbuilding and repair firms, terminal ownership and operations, transportation companies, stevedoring services, and tug and barge operations.In his
Canadian Shipbuilder Davie Names Maxie Lafleur President
Canadian shipbuilder Davie announced it has appointed Maxie Lafleur as president, bringing in a business executive from outside the shipbuilding sector to help drive growth.A Montréal native, Lafleur brings a wealth of experience in digital transformation, growth strategies, change management, mergers and acquisitions, and business development, both in Canada and abroad. Her career began at KPMG as an auditor, after which she joined CAE’s M&A team. She subsequently held various senior management positions, including CFO and CEO at Bus.com, where she led growth and transformation
AAPA Latam Appoints Juan Duarte as Executive President
America.Duarte comes to head AAPA Latin America after his role as CEO of DUAGA, a leading consultancy in the port sector in Latin America, and his active participation in the AAPA Professional Development Board in the United States, where he has contributed to the development of the training strategy for the new generation of port directors.In addition, the trade group confirmed that Zulma Dinelli will once again lead the organization of AAPA Latam, which will take place in June 2025 in Lima, Peru. As CEO of PR Ports, and with a long history in AAPA for Latin America, Dinelli is a key figure in the
Tamekia Flack Joins World Shipping Council as Director of US Government Relations
The World Shipping Council (WSC), a trade association representing the international liner shipping industry, announced it has appointed Tamekia Flack as its new Director of U.S. 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
Titan Taps Francesco Valente to Succeed Jim Marcotuli as CEO
20 years of experience running business operations globally, having previously served as CEO of Fincantieri Marine Group, the parent company’s U.S. shipbuilding and ship repair operation. He joins Titan from Beretta, where he has led U.S. operations since 2019.Marcotuli has led Titan since it was formed in 2019, furthering the integration of Titan’s three major ship repair entities: Vigor (Portland, Seattle, Ketchikan), MHI (Norfolk), and Continental Maritime (San Diego). He retires after nearly five decades as a leader and executive in the aerospace, defense and manufacturing sectors.&ldquo
C-Job Naval Architects Hires Heidi Landen-Greene to Lead US Operations
Heidi Landen-Greene as president of C-Job Houston, overseeing sales and engineering teams located in the company’s office in the city and overall U.S. operations.Prior to joining C-Job, Landen-Greene’s experience in the industry includes technology director and operations director roles for the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS). These titles are the most recent in a long and impressive 28-year career at ABS overseeing strategic projects, as an engineering director and in various manager positions. Landen-Greene earned her Bachelor of Science in naval architecture and marine engineering
