MARINER
Coast Guard Establishes Mariner Website
The Coast Guard launched a website to provide merchant mariners with real-time information on the status of pending mariner credential applications. Merchant mariners can check the status of application packages throughout the verification and approval process by logging onto http://homeport.uscg.mil/, clicking on the Merchant Mariners tab and then clicking on Merchant Mariner Application Status. When application information is entered, Homeport will display the information submitted with the application package and current application status information. Mariner credentials that have already been issued will be displayed in Homeport as "issued" for a 120 day period. Mariners who need additional information after visiting the website can request additional information by telephone or email.
USCG Eases TWIC Requirements
The Coast Guard announced the publication of a policy letter that exempts a number of mariners from the requirement to obtain a Transportation Worker Identification Credential when renewing or obtaining a Coast Guard-issued merchant mariner credential. The policy letter provides immediate relief for mariners who otherwise would need to obtain a TWIC to get or renew their Merchant Mariner Credential. The policy letter also provides the Coast Guard with an expedient means to comply with a
Noble Drilling Reaches Agreement
Noble Drilling Corporation has negotiated a resolution to the dispute with Mariner Energy, Inc. regarding the use by Mariner of Noble's newly converted semisubmersible, Noble Homer Ferrington. As announced on January 10, 2000, Noble had previously filed suit against Mariner and Samedan Oil Corporation for breach of contract regarding the use of the rig. As part of the settlement, Mariner and Noble have executed agreements covering use of Noble Homer Ferrington at variable dayrates for 660
A New Floating Chapel: SCI’s CHAPLAINSBLOG
In the early nineteenth century, the Seamen’s Church Institute (SCI) lodged its mission to seafarers in a floating chapel in the waters of the Port of New York. SCI prioritized “mobile” spiritual care, meeting mariners where their work brought them. Today, SCI chaplains remain just as agile, climbing gangways and riding tender vessels to reach mariners on board busy ships. This month, however, SCI steps up its mobility to bring chaplains’ messages wherever there is an
CG Participates in Merchant Mariner's Memorial
The Reverend Jacques Girard and Megan Sanders of the Seamen's Church Institute deliver an invocation of prayer while Coast Guard Sector New York's color guard maintain a silent vigil during a wreath-laying ceremony at the Mariner's Memorial in Battery Park, N.Y., honoring mariners who have perished at sea on Mariner's Day May 19, 2009. The Seamens Church Institute of New York and New Jersey, founded in 1834, is affiliated with the Episcopal Church
Merchant Mariner Sentenced
Joseph A. Boevink (51) of Panama City, Fla., was sentenced by United States District Judge Thomas S. Zilly in Seattle to two months in custody, followed by up to 60 days in a halfway house, and two years of supervised release, for falsely claiming that he had never been convicted of a criminal offense on an application for Merchant Mariner license submitted to the U.S. Coast Guard in Seattle in January 2001. The U.S
USCG Remote Customer Assistance Office in Denver
The US Coast Guard said that it opened a Remote Customer Assistance Office in Denver to reduce time and travel costs for mariners in the area. The office will be open on the second and fourth Thursday of each month to assist mariners with obtaining new or renewed merchant mariner credentials. Source: HK Law
USCG – Certificate of Discharge to US Merchant Mariners
The US Coast Guard proposes to change the Certificate of Discharge to Merchant Mariners from a booklet format using carbon copies to one that can be downloaded from the Internet. The new version would still require signatures of the vessel master and the discharged mariner. Its availability on the Internet, though, would alleviate availability issues. Comments on this effort to bring the process into the 21st Century should be submitted by January 16, 2007.
USCG to Issue Tamper-Resistant Merchant Mariner Licenses
The U.S. Coast Guard issued a stating that the agency will immediately begin issuing new merchant mariner license certificates with anti-counterfeiting technology to provide for better security and centralized record keeping. The new licenses will be used to replace the old ones as they expire. At the same time, mariners who have not begun the process of requesting new or upgraded USCG licenses required by STCW may face delays.
USCG Looks for Invalid Licenses
Coast Guard Marine Safety Office (MSO) St. Louis is requesting the assistance of the marine industry, maritime unions, and individual mariners in helping to locate potentially invalid licenses issued from Regional Examination Center (REC) San Juan, Puerto Rico. Licenses containing the following serial numbers are in question: 765001 through 765100; 864001 through 864100; 878001 through 878100; 878601 through 878700; 919901 through 920000
AWO Urges Industry Awareness on National Maritime Day
The American Waterways Operators, the national trade association of the tugboat, towboat and barge industry, is using National Maritime Day to remind Americans about the many significant contributions of the nation’s domestic mariners. Established in 1933
Advice on Choosing Private Maritime Security Protection
Nexus Consulting release their updated best practice guidelines for maritime security firm selection by shipowners. “As the number of private maritime firms has grown from a handful just a few years ago to over a hundred today, we felt it was important to help shipping organizations get
Increased Demand for Trained Maritime Professionals
May 22 is National Maritime Day, an observance to recognize the contributions and sacrifices made by America's Merchant Marine. However, it is also a time to reflect on a growing industry that is facing needs for highly-skilled mariners. The total value of marine freight is estimated to
National Maritime Day Celebrates Role of Merchant Mariners
National Maritime Day is May 22; & this year celebrates the thousands of civilian mariners who support freedom as part of the Navy’s Military Sealift Command. Rear Adm. T.K. Shannon , commander, Military Sealift Command, wrote in honor of Maritime Week 2013 that began Sunday:
Insights: Rear Admiral Joseph A. Servidio
Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy United States Coast Guard Rear Admiral Joseph A. Servidio is Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy overseeing Inspections and Compliance, Marine Transportation Systems, and Commercial Regulations and Standards
UKHO Publish World's First Security Paper Charts
The United Kingdom Hydrographic Office's (UKHO) security charts are designed to protect against risks, including piracy. The two new Admiralty Maritime Security Charts, cover the waters around India and Southeast Asia, including the Malacca Straits.
Waste-water Treatment Firm Signs US Representation Agreements
Severn Trent De Nora sign agreements for distribution of marine & offshore water and wastewater treatment products in United States. The agreements are with Marine Systems Inc. (MSI) and AER Supply (AER) to serve as exclusive sales and promotional representatives for its electrolytic
Arctic Voyage Planning Guide Published
The Arctic Voyage Planning Guide (AVPG), published by Fisheries & Oceans Canada, is a strategic planning tool for vessels navigating the Canadian Arctic. The government publishers begin by explaining that the guide, a compilation of data and services relevant to mariners
'Navigator of the Seas' to Homeport Port of Galveston
Port of Galveston say that Royal Caribbean International is to base their Voyager-class ship year-round from Galveston, from November 2013. The Navigator of the Seas, due for an extensive drydock refit in January 2014, will replace Mariner of the Seas to offer Texas vacationers roundtrip
New, New York Harbor Current Meter
NOAA uses data from a new current meter in New York harbor operated by New Jersey’s Stevens Institute of Technology. The system provides enhanced real-time information to mariners travelling through the nation’s second busiest port.
MEBA Points to a US-crewed Cruise Ship
The Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association (MEBA) raises awareness of U.S. mariners in the cruise industry in light of recent media interest. MEBA say it is proud to represent U.S. Merchant Mariners on the only U.S.-flagged and U.S
M.E.B.A. Calls for Recognition of U.S. Cruise Industry Mariners
The Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association Raises Awareness of U.S. Mariners in the Cruise Industry in Light of Media Coverage The Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association (M.E.B.A.) will represent U.S. Merchant Mariners on the only U.S.-flagged and U.S
Mariner to Supply CommandBridge to MASC
The Maritime Association of South Carolina (MASC) contracts the Mariner Group's system for its port & stakeholder securtiy & operations management. CommandBridge™ has been choses as the cornerstone of MASC's Maritime Command and Control & Situational Awareness project.
Hill Dickinson Adds Partner to London Office
International law firm Hill Dickinson has appointed Ian MacLean as a partner to its London office, where he will focus on his international client base of ship owners, ship managers and their insurers. This appointment provides the firm with five former mariners at partner level
Keeper of New York Harbor's Spring Ritual
As the Hudson River begins to melt the Coast Guard buoy tender 'Katherine Walker' heads north towards Albany, N.Y. The Katherine Walker is a 175-foot buoy tender, homeported in Bayonne, N.J. Its major mission includes the servicing of aids to navigation throughout New York Harbor