Steve Thur Named Director of NOAA Research
community monitoring. In this role, he served as the co-chair of the steering committee for the interagency U.S. Coral Reef Task Force. His first role with NOAA was as an economist with NOAA’s Office of Response and Restoration, where he worked on assessing damages to natural resources following oil spills, vessel groundings and chemical releases into the marine environment.“Throughout my career I have partnered with NOAA Research labs and programs to address some of the most pressing challenges along our coasts, and I have been impressed with the ingenuity and passion of the staff,”
MarTID: The Global Survey of Maritime Training Practices Debuts
focus on the dominant training practices now being undertaken in the global maritime industry. In a world where mariners – despite being bombarded with the crushing weight of regulatory training and certification requirements – still seem to find trouble in way of collisions, allisions, oil spills and all manners of casualties, it is past time to stop and assess this important part of the global maritime industry. MarTID is already leading the way forward. Looking AheadThis initiative, founded and run by the three partner organizations, requires community involvement to succeed. This
USCG Guidance and Reporting Marine Casualties
Report Marine Accident Reporting, Investigations, and Enforcement in the USCG, dated May 23, 2013, noted: The purpose of the investigations program in the Coast Guard (USCG) is to ensure the safety of mariners and vessel passengers by preventing marine accidents, protecting the environment from oil spills, minimizing the property loss and disruptions to commerce. The USCG is responsible for identifying, investigating, and enforcing reporting requirements related to marine accidents involving commercial vessels…. The USCG does not have adequate processes to investigate, take corrective
Disasters at Sea & Their Impact on Shipping Regulation
to the first Port state establishment of policy with international repercussions - the Oil Pollution Act (OPA) of 1990 in the U.S., which mandated that all tankers entering U.S. waters be double hulled – a requirement that eventually became the rule internationally, especially following several oil spills in European waters. OPA greatly increased federal oversight of maritime oil transportation, toughened liability and provided greater environmental safeguards. It also put the spotlight on drug abuse in the merchant marine and led to related programs and reforms. Rounding out the list of accidents
