National Mariners Association Formerly Gulf Coast Mariners Association Captain Richard Block - Secretary, Board of Directors: 1.985.851.2134
Captain David Miller - Site Administrator
Board of Directors:
1.563.514.1711
Fax: 1.985.879.3911

- Just Released -

NMA newsletter

# 56


New Research Reports:

R-429-O R-450  R-449 rev.1  

R-429-L  R-429-N


UNITED MARINER

Helping mariners

in the northeast U.S.

The Times Picayune
Sunday, August 10, 2008
By Jen DeGregorio

SPECIAL REPORT

Tugs operate under radar on river..

full story


Lack of checks allows problems

 This is the source for the latest news,  information, newsletters and research reports concerning the Coast Guard and many Industry issues, and how they affect your career.  View our library of newsletters and research reports. We're always glad to hear from you, so  email us  with your ideas, or give us a call.


THE MASTER of TOWING VESSELS ASSOCIATION represents USCG licensed masters and mates with the towing endorsement on their license. Obtaining this endorsement has become increasingly difficult in recent years. The pool of new recruits into the  industry has become almost non-existent. Also many of the existing masters will retire from towing in the next few years. In doing so they will take with them a valuable history of towing knowledge that cannot be learned in the classroom or through the USCG T.O.A.R program.

N
The Brownlist
- companies to avoid -
Marine Jobs Available Towboat Tripwork.com

Capt. David Whitehurst

Licensed Inland & Western Rivers,

Over Forty Years Experience,

Expert Witness, Maritime Consultant & USCG Certified Designated Examiner 

Ph;(985)518-3874

E-Mail capt.whitehurst@yahoo.com


 NMA is a Cosponsor for

"National Sleep-Awareness Week"


VADM CARD’S MARINE SAFETY ANALYSIS:

AN INDEPENDENT ASSESSMENT AND SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT

     Late in the summer of 2007, Admiral Thad Allen, Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard, asked Vice Admiral James Card, U.S. Coast Guard (Retired) – a Marine Safety expert with 40-plus years of service, well-known and highly-respected throughout industry - to candidly and independently assess and report on the Coast Guard's performance of the Maritime Safety Program.  [1]

     To assess all issues facing the Marine Safety Program, especially the concerns of the marine industry and from inside the Coast Guard, Vice Admiral Card conducted interviews with more than 170 people from the industry and the Coast Guard.     

     As noted in Vice Admiral Card’s report, those interviewed were promised that the information they provided was anonymous and not for attribution. All the people interviewed were eager to discuss Coast Guard Marine Safety issues and many candid comments and suggestions were gathered.

     Vice Admiral Card presented his findings to Coast Guard leadership on October 30, 2007 at the Coast Guard’s Annual Flag Officers Conference in New Orleans and subsequently delivered his final report to Admiral Allen on 20 November, 2007.  In addition, preliminary findings from Vice Admiral’s Card report were reviewed and addressed in the Coast Guard’s plan to enhance Marine Safety, which was published in September of 2007. 

     Admiral Allen is now posting Vice Admiral Card’s report on the internet to ensure an informed and transparent process as the Coast Guard continues to consider and respond to concerns regarding its execution of the Maritime Safety Mission. 

   To view Vice Admiral Card’s report or the Coast Guard’s plan to enhance Marine Safety, please go to: www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5

/cg54/marinesafety.asp

[1] The term Marine Safety Program used in the report means all programs related to inspections, investigations, and merchant mariner documentation (the old Commercial Vessel Safety Program.) While the report does not address the environmental response program, Vice Admiral Card stated many expressed similar concerns regarding loss of experience, resources, knowledge, and focus.

 

License or MMD not insured?

 


Protect your livelihood & profession from unforeseen  events

 

  Captain Bill Beacom

 

 

 

Spokesman for Limited Tonnage Mariners: Captain Bill Beacom