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Coast Guard Academy News

26 Dec 2023

Maritime Innovation: Fostering Creativity and Working to Make Bright Ideas Work

© Yellow Boat / Adobe Stock

This is the dawning of the age of AI and Big Data, huge agglomerations of new and transformative energy; almost self-generating, always strengthening and pulling at the reins, seeking to break free and run, a prospect both exciting and terrifying. That image can imply a human is holding the reins. How quaint: these days, AI itself may be holding the reins.In a review of innovation in 2023 – across any industrial or economic sector, not just maritime – AI looms large, a game-changer equivalent to IBM’s programming advances in the 1940s.

17 Nov 2023

New Council Aims to Improve US Government Shipbuilding and Repair

U.S. Coast Guard shipyard in Baltimore (Photo: Kristen Soper / U.S. Coast Guard)

A new council aiming to improve the way U.S. government does business in ship acquisition and ship maintenance convened at the Coast Guard Yard in Baltimore on Thursday.In kicking off the inaugural meeting of the Government Shipbuilders Council (GSC), Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro underscored the council’s mission to address common and singular challenges among those that contract in shipbuilding; identify opportunities to leverage each organization’s resources to maximize government savings in costs…

28 Aug 2023

14th Annual Maritime Risk Symposium to be Held Nov. 14-16 at SUNY Maritime

The 2023 Maritime Risk Symposium (MRS) will be held Nov. 14-16, 2023, as an in-person event, hosted by Maritime College, State University of New York (SUNY) at the Maritime Academic Center. The theme of the 14th annual event is â€śManaging Impacts of Supply Chain Disruptors, Renewable Energy, Emerging Technology on the Maritime Transportation System (MTS)” with a focus on offshore infrastructure risk and disruptors. Founded in 1874, Maritime College is the oldest maritime college in the United States, providing mariner training for 150 years.

20 Jun 2023

Change of Command at USCG R&D Center

Image courtesy USCG RDC

The U.S. Coast Guard Research and Development Center (RDC) held a Change of Command on June 16, 2023, at 10 a.m. at Fort Trumbull in New London. Current RDC Commanding Officer, Capt. Dan Keane, was relieved by Capt. Michael Chien. Capt. Keane held command since May 1, 2020. He retires with 24 years of service.During Capt. Keane’s tenure, the command operated seamlessly during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Research continued and the approved portfolio was executed. Highlights included the command celebrating its 50th anniversary…

12 Nov 2022

Rear Adm Nunan First Woman Appointed USMMA Superintendent

Rear Adm. Joanna Nunan stands for a portrait, Sept. 27, 2017.U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Lauren Steenson.

The U.S. Department of Transportation and the Maritime Administration announced the appointment of Rear Admiral Joanna M. Nunan (U.S. Coast Guard, Ret.) as the next superintendent of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA). Nunan, who spent more than three decades in the U.S. Coast Guard, has commanded units at every level both afloat and ashore. She will begin work at the Academy in a few weeks.Rear Admiral Nunan retired earlier this year as the Coast Guard’s Deputy for Personnel Readiness.

02 Nov 2022

US Mid-term Elections Bring Changes, Uncertainty in Congressional Maritime Leadership

© chris / Adobe Stock

Regardless of whether the Republicans seize or the Democrats maintain control of the House and Senate, there is a guarantee that changes in leadership will occur in some of the key Congressional leadership positions that will impact the maritime industry. Two of the most significant Congressional committees of jurisdiction are the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee (House T&I) and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation (Senate Commerce). Both committees have jurisdiction over the U.S.

31 Oct 2022

Russell Tapped to Lead USCG's Center for Arctic Study and Policy

(File photo: Diolanda Caballero / U.S. Coast Guard)

Capt. Tony Russell (CG Ret.) has been named as the Executive Director for the Center for Arctic Study and Policy (CASP) at the Coast Guard Academy.CASP serves as a Coast Guard-focused academic think tank to promote research, broaden partnerships, and educate future leaders about the complexities of the Arctic region. Through interdisciplinary efforts across the Academy, and in collaboration with U.S. Coast Guard sponsors and external partners, the Center promotes effective solutions…

12 May 2022

Linda Fagan Confirmed as First Woman USCG Commandant

Adm. Linda L. Fagan (Photo: U.S. Coast Guard)

Adm. Linda L. Fagan has been confirmed as the 27th Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, clearing way for her to be the first woman top officer in one of the military services. The Senate on Wednesday approved Fagan’s promotion, along with those of five other senior Coast Guard officers, by unanimous consent.Nominated for the role by President Joe Biden in April, Fagan will succeed Adm. Karl Schultz as head of the Coast Guard. Schultz, who has been Coast Guard Commandant since 2018, will retire at the end of this month.

21 Oct 2021

Maritime Academies Work Toward Inclusion

U.S. Coast Guard Academy cadets aboard USCGC Eagle (WIX 327), "America's Tall Ship," during summer 2021. (Photo: Kristjan Petersson / U.S. Embassy Reykjavik)

Last May, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy (CGA) announced that 240 new officers made up its 140th graduating class.The Academy’s announcement referenced additional, important highlights. Women made up 34% of the Class of 2021, and 34% of the graduates were from underrepresented minority groups. Even more focused was the statement that 22 African Americans “walked the stage,” the largest number in Academy history, and 2021 included the second highest number of Asian American and Pacific Islanders.To make the ceremony even more memorable, President Biden delivered the keynote address.

14 Sep 2021

Cotta Named Supply Chain Manager for Mayflower Wind

Will Cotta (Photo: Mayflower Wind)

Massachusetts offshore wind developer Mayflower Wind announced it has hired Will Cotta as its supply chain manager.Cotta, who has experience working with the Mass Clean Energy Center and the offshore wind industry, is charged with growing Mayflower’s supply chain in the New Bedford and Fall River area as well as across Massachusetts.“Will has the knowledge, insights and experience that enables him to make sure that offshore wind development is done in a manner that is fully compatible with existing ocean uses and with environmental stewardship in mind.

15 Jul 2021

Change of Command for U. S. Coast Guard Cutter Vigilant

Coast Guard Cutter Vigilant (WMEC 617). U.S. COAST GUARD PHOTO

The crew of the U. S. Coast Guard Cutter Vigilant conducted a formal change of command ceremony in Port Canaveral, Thursday.During the ceremony, Cmdr. Jay Guyer relieved Cmdr. Fred Bertsch of the duties of commanding officer of the vessel.Bertsch served as Vigilant’s commanding officer since 2019 and led the crew through six patrols.According to the U.S. Coast Guard, under Bertsch’s leadership, Vigilant interdicted 10 drug smuggling vessels seizing over 30,952 kilograms of cocaine and detaining 30 suspected smugglers.

20 May 2021

US Coast Guard Academy Graduates 240 Officers

The Coast Guard Academy graduated 240 new officers along with seven international students. (Photo: Matthew Thieme / U.S. Coast Guard)

The U.S. Coast Guard Academy graduated 240 new officers along with seven international students with keynote speaker President Joseph R, Biden Jr. in attendance, Wednesday.The Class of 2021 consists of 34% women and 34% from underrepresented minority groups. The class includes 22 African Americans who walked the stage, which marks the largest number of African American graduates to do so in Academy history. This year also marked the second highest number of Asian American and Pacific Islanders in a single graduating class.Next month…

29 Apr 2021

Coast Guard Cutter Eagle Gearing Up for Summer Training

(Photo: U.S. Coast Guard)

The U.S. Coast's training barque is gearing up to begin summer training for more than 130 Coast Guard Academy cadets.At 295 feet in length, the Coast Guard Cutter Eagle, known as “America’s Tall Ship,” is the largest tall ship flying the U.S. flag and the only active square-rigger in U.S. government service.Scheduled to depart New London, Conn. on Saturday, May 8, Eagle will resume foreign port calls for the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.“We are extremely excited to be getting back underway for a full summer training season,” said Capt.

19 Apr 2021

Fagan Nominated as USCG Vice Commandant

Vice Adm. Linda L. Fagan (Photo: U.S. Coast Guard)

Vice Adm. Linda L. Fagan has been nominated by the White House to be the next Vice Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard. She would become the first Coast Guard female four-star admiral and the third woman to serve as Vice Commandant.Pending confirmation, Fagan is expected to relieve current Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard Adm. Charles W. Ray on June 18.“Vice Adm. Fagan is an outstanding leader with 36 years of Coast Guard operations, policy-making, joint service, and interagency experience,” said Adm. Karl L. Schultz, Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard.

15 Dec 2020

American Pilots’ Association Names Diamond as Executive Director

Clay Diamond (Photo: APA)

The American Pilots’ Association (APA) announced Clayton L. “Clay” Diamond will assume the duties of Executive Director and General Counsel effective January 1.Diamond succeeds Paul Kirchner, who has been APA Executive Director-General Counsel since 1992. Kirchner will continue with APA as Senior Counsel focusing on issues and projects related to State pilotage and international matters.Diamond, who has been APA’s Deputy Director-Associate General Counsel since 2008, is a graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.

08 Sep 2020

Congress Eyes Maritime Economic Relief

© Ruslan / Adobe Stock

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act enacted in March 2020, provided relief to numerous industries impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Air carriers, for example, benefitted from the creation of a $25 billion Treasury direct loan program, in addition to a $25 billion worker support program that provides a mix of grants and loans to cover employee wages, salaries and benefits. In addition, Congress waived the small business affiliation rules for businesses…

01 Jun 2020

Elliott Bay Design Group Promotes Reeves

John Reeves (Photo: EBDG)

Elliott Bay Design Group (EBDG) announced that Senior Engineer, John Reeves has been promoted to Director of Business Development to oversee business development, generate leads and provide leadership to the sales and marketing team.Reeves joined EBDG in 2015 bringing field experience gained through 23 years of operating and maintaining some of the most complex vessels in the U.S. Coast Guard fleet. His background includes five years as port engineer and manager of four industrial repair facilities, serving as an Associate Professor at the U.S.

26 May 2020

Wärtsilä Upgrades USCG Academy's Training Simulator

(Photo: NavSim Services)

The technology group Wärtsilä has completed replacement of the Ship Analytics simulator solution at the United States Coast Guard Academy’s Ship Control and Navigation Training System (SCANTS) facility. The original simulator system was installed at the Academy in the 1990s, and the replacement work was carried out primarily by, and in partnership with, NavSim Services, Inc., the prime contractor. The upgrade was accomplished in two stages to accommodate the operational training schedule of the Academy…

08 May 2020

Coast Guard Academy Cadet Receives Fulbright Award

Owen Gibson (Photo: USCG)

First Class Cadet Owen Gibson, a Civil Engineering major from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, has received a Fulbright Award to pursue a two-year Master of Science degree in Water Resource Engineering and Management at the University of Stuttgart, Germany.Gibson’s Fulbright research project will focus on climate change and soil erosion models. The goal of his research is to develop a model for assessing coastal soil erosion rates. The model will address the uncertainty of climate change using probability analysis and will be tested throughout coastal regions in Northern Germany.

01 May 2020

Rear Adm. Bert Makes History with New USCG Role

Rear Adm. Melissa Bert (Photo: USCG)

The U.S. Coast Guard announced Friday Rear Adm. Melissa Bert has been invested as judge advocate general and chief counsel of the Coast Guard. Bert is the service’s first woman to hold that office.Bert was most recently the director of Governmental and Public Affairs for the Coast Guard, where she was responsible for external engagement with Congress, the media and other inter-governmental entities.As judge advocate general and chief counsel, Bert will lead a group of legal professionals who are responsible for the delivery of all legal services in support of the Coast Guard's missions…

14 Apr 2020

Coast Guard Academy to Hold Virtual Graduation

File photo: The cadets of the class of 2019 throws their covers into the air as they officially become ensigns during the 138th commencement exercises at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn., May 22, 2019. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Matthew Thieme)

The U.S. Coast Guard Academy announced it is preparing to hold a virtual graduation ceremony on Wednesday, May 20 due to the coronavirus pandemic.The graduating Class of 2020, along with the rest of the Academy Corps of Cadets were on spring break when travel restrictions were imposed and they were ordered to remain home. The Corps then shifted to virtual remote classes which are ongoing.During the virtual ceremony, Chad Wolf, the acting Secretary of Homeland Security is scheduled to deliver the keynote address. Adm.

09 Apr 2020

Adm. James Steele Gracey, 17th USCG Commandant, Passes Away

Admiral James Steele Gracey (Photo: U.S. Coast Guard)

Admiral James Steele Gracey, USCG (retired), 17th Commandant of the Coast Guard, passed away on Sunday, April 5, 2020, in Falls Church, Va., at the age of 92.Born in Newton, Mass. in 1927, Adm. Gracey graduated from the United States Coast Guard Academy in 1949. Adm. Gracey was a 1956 graduate of the Harvard Graduate School where he earned a Masters Degree in Business Administration.His career included diverse tours both ashore and afloat, including Commanding Officer, LORAN Station Ocean Cape…

20 Mar 2020

Coast Guard Cadet Tests Positive for COVID-19

(File photo: Cory D. Payne, USCG)

A U.S. Coast Guard Academy Cadet has tested positive for COVID-19 after returning from a spring break trip to Europe.The cadet, a 20-year-old male, was in Spain along with six other cadets and a civilian friend when they were ordered to return to the U.S. based on the Presidential Proclamation suspending travel from Europe.Upon returning home to Florida, the cadet became symptomatic and sought treatment and screening and was confirmed as positive for the novel coronavirus based on test results received Thursday from a Florida Department of Health Facility.

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