Oversight Hearing News

A top U.S. Coast Guard official said at a recent congressional oversight hearing that the Coast Guard “has not been aggressively enforcing the compliance” of vessel response plans filed under federal Salvage and Marine Firefighting (SMFF) regulations. The rules, derived from the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, are meant to prevent a worst-case discharge resulting from fire or explosion aboard a vessel. “The shocking admission by the Coast Guard that it cannot, and is not, enforcing its own marine firefighting rules should be a warning to all ship owners…

The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation said in a news release that Chairman Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va) sent letters to the three largest cruise liners about their passenger safety, security, and health practices. Chairman Rockefeller’s letters to Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian follow a series of oversight letters that he sent in February 2012. “The cruise industry enjoys many advantages operating out of the United States but the advantages to American consumers and taxpayers are less clear,” said Rockefeller.

Two members of the Gulf Economic Survival Team testified at a U.S. House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy & Mineral Resources Oversight hearing. Two members of the Gulf Economic Survival Team – Chett Chiasson, Executive Director of the Greater Lafourche Port Commission and Cory Kief, Director of Business Development for Crosby Tugs – testified on behalf of the offshore industry.The hearing examined the economic importance and energy contribution of the industry, as well as the need to support industry growth through appropriate policies, including robust lease sales. Port Fourchon director Chiasson testified about the importance…

On September 16, the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure will conduct an oversight hearing on the Oil Spill in New Orleans in July 2008 and Safety on the Inland River System. Source: HK Law

On September 16, the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure will conduct an oversight hearing on the Oil Spill in New Orleans in July 2008 and Safety on the Inland River System. Source: HK Law

The Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure conducted an oversight hearing on the COSCO BUSAN incident and the USCG marine casualty investigation program. The Summary of Subject Matter focuses on the COSCO BUSAN incident and the ALASKA RANGER casualty in the Bering Sea. Rear Admiral Brian Salerno, US Coast Guard, testified about the marine casualty investigation program. He stated that the program generally works quite well, but that the program will be strengthened through addition of civilian positions and establishment of Centers of Expertise. Ms. Anne L. Richards…

On March 4, the Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety & Security of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation will conduct an oversight hearing on Protecting our Shores from Oil Spills. Source: HK Law

The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation issued a press release stating that, on March 4, the Committee will conduct an oversight hearing to review the President’s proposed Transportation Security Administration (TSA) budget for fiscal year 2009. Source: HK Law

On December 13, the House Armed Services Committee conducted an oversight hearing on A Cooperative Strategy for 21st Century Seapower. Committee Chairman Ike Skelton (D-MO) delivered an opening statement. Admiral Gary Roughead, Chief of Naval Operations, discussed the integrated capabilities of the three US maritime services and their major defense missions: forward presence; deterrence; sea control; power projection; maritime security; and humanitarian assistance/disaster response. Admiral Thad Allen, Commandant, US Coast Guard, testified concerning the national defense capabilities of the Coast Guard and implementation priorities. General James Conway, Commandant, US Marine Corps, opined that, by 2030, fresh water will be equally as important as oil products.

conducted an oversight hearing regarding transportation security. task. Mr. Jeffrey Shane, Under Secretary of Transportation Policy, discussed the role of the Department of Transportation regarding security and its coordination with the Department of Homeland Security. Admiral Thomas Collins, Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard, discussed the agency's strategy to reduce maritime security risks through: (1) increasing maritime domain awareness, (2) implementing preventative measures, (3) securing borders and protecting infrastructure, and (4) preparing to respond quickly if necessary.

The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation conducted an oversight hearing regarding transportation security. Senator John McCain (R-AZ), Committee Chair, noted that maritime security remains a daunting task. Mr. Jeffrey Shane, Under Secretary of Transportation Policy, discussed the role of the Department of Transportation regarding security and its coordination with the Department of Homeland Security. Admiral Thomas Collins, Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard, discussed the agency's strategy to reduce maritime security risks through: (1) increasing maritime domain awareness, (2) implementing preventative measures, (3) securing borders and protecting infrastructure, and (4) preparing to respond quickly if necessary.

On February 3, 2004, the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security of the House Committee on the Judiciary conducted an Oversight Hearing on Law Enforcement Efforts within the Department of Homeland Security. Chairman Howard Coble (R-NC) stated that the purpose of the hearing was to examine how the transfer of law enforcement agencies to the new Department has affected the non-terrorism missions of those agencies. Mr. W. Ralph Basham, Director, U.S. Secret Service, testified about how the agency’s traditional missions have merged with the new anti-terrorism mission. Admiral Thomas H. Collins, Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard, testified that the Coast Guard has always been a multi-mission organization and is adept at balancing competing priorities and creating synergies.

The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure will meet on March 18 where the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management will conduct an oversight hearing into homeland security emergency preparedness program budgets. Among other things, the Subcommittee will examine the proposed transfer of the port security grant program from the Transportation Security Administration to the newly-created Office of State and Local Government Coordination and Preparedness and the proposed reduction of port security grant funding from $124.5 million in FY2004 to only $46 million in FY2005. The witness will be the Honorable Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary for Emergency Preparedness and Response, Department of Homeland Security. (Source: HK Law)

The Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Claims of the House Committee on the Judiciary conducted an oversight hearing on the United States Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology (US-VISIT) program. This is the program, currently being phased in, that will process all non-citizens entering the United States, including crewmembers on foreign ships. Robert Jacksta, Executive Director of Border Security and Facilitation, Department of Homeland Security, discussed efforts of the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to secure U.S borders against terrorism. Robert Mocny, Deputy Director, US-VISIT Program, provided an overview of the program and its current status. Randolph C.

The Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works conducted an oversight hearing to examine the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The Chairman, Senator James M. Inhofe (R-OK), stated that the purpose of the hearing was to ensure that the Convention is consistent with protecting human health, the environment, and does not adversely affect the sovereignty of the United States. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) pointed out that only by ratifying the Convention will the United States have a seat at the table as the international community makes important decisions relating to issues covered by the Convention. Senator Ted Stevens (R-AK) testified that the Convention is largely consistent with current U.S. law, including fisheries conservation and management. John F.

The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation conducted an oversight hearing on The State of Maritime Security. The Chairman, Senator John McCain (R-AZ) generally complimented efforts of the various agencies in enhancing maritime security, but expressed concern over the lack of a comprehensive national maritime security plan and the seeming lack of coordination between the agencies. The Administration witnesses, Admiral Thomas Collins, USCG; Robert Bonner, Commissioner, U.S. Customs and Border Protection; and Rear Admiral David Stone, USN (ret), Acting Administrator, Transportation Security Administration, summarized the maritime strategy for homeland security…

The Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs conducted an oversight hearing on the terrorism risk insurance program. The Honorable Brian Roseboro, Under Secretary for Domestic Finance of the Treasury Department, testified about implementation of the program. He acknowledged that there has been little “up take” of terrorism insurance, but declined to speculate on the reason. Mr. Richard Hillman, General Accounting Office (GAO), testified that significant progress has been made in the implementation of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA), but that Treasury still has numerous tasks unfinished. Mr. John Degnan, The Chubb Corporation, recommended that the TRIA be extended for two additional years. Mr.

The Subcommittee on Border, Maritime & Global Counterterrorism of the House Committee on Homeland Security conducted an oversight hearing on Implementation of the SAFE Port Act. In his prepared statement, Committee Chair Bennie Thompson (D-MS) noted that the transportation worker identification credential (TWIC) program and the container security device regulations are far behind schedule. Subcommittee Chair Loretta Sanchez (D-CA) expressed her interest in the C-TPAT third party validator pilot program, the empty container security pilot program, long range vessel tracking, and the TWIC program. Ms. Maurine Fanguy, Transportation Security Administration (TSA), discussed recent progress in implementation of the TWIC program.

The House Committee on Homeland Security conducted an oversight hearing on the Implementation of the TWIC Program. In his prepared remarks, Committee Chair Bennie Thompson (D-MS) expressed his concern that the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program is far behind schedule and that the estimates of the number of workers affected are much understated. Testimony was for the record, as the hearing was interrupted by a floor vote. Rear Admiral Brian Salerno, USCG, explained how the program is being rolled out on a port-by-port basis and that progress is being made with regard to the card reader technology. Ms. Cathleen Berrick…

Implementation of the U.S. Coast Guard’s program to replace and modernize over 90 ships and 200 aircraft used in its offshore missions - including drug and migrant interdiction, homeland security and fisheries law enforcement - will be the topic of a Congressional oversight hearing on Wednesday. The hearing by the U.S. House Subcommittee on the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, chaired by U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ), is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, April 20th in 2167 Rayburn House Office Building. - Admiral Thomas A. Accompanied by Rear Admiral Patrick M. The Coast Guard began planning a recapitalization program to replace existing deepwater-capable assets in 1996.

The Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure conducted an oversight hearing on Deepwater Implementation. Chairman LoBiondo (R-NJ) expressed concern that the revised implementation plan is lacking in detail, but noted that acquisition should not be further delayed. Admiral Thomas H. Collins, Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard, testified that the enhanced capabilities requested in the revised plan are necessary to meet the agency’s expanded missions. Ms. Margaret T. Wrightson, Government Accountability Office (GAO), testified that the Coast Guard needs the new assets, but GAO is concerned that the acquisition strategy is not optimum. (HK Law)

The Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security of the House Committee on the Judiciary conducted an oversight hearing on U.S. port security. Representative Howard Coble (R-NC) stated that the purpose of the hearing was to focus on the operations and effectiveness of the agencies charged with inspecting ships and cargo entering U.S. ports and on methods used by the public and private sector to enhance the security of the ports. Jayson P. Ahern, Assistant Commissioner, Customs and Border Protection, testified regarding various activities utilized by the agency to target and inspect sea cargo, including the smart box initiative, non-intrusive inspection technology, and the automated targeting system.

The Subcommittee on Fisheries and Coast Guard of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation conducted an oversight hearing regarding the operational readiness, mission balance, and FY 2006 budget request of the U.S. Coast Guard. Senator Daniel Inouye (D-HI) expressed concern about whether the monies requested in the budget would be sufficient for the agency’s many missions. Admiral Thomas Collins, Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard reviewed the Coast Guard’s recent accomplishments and plans for the future. Master Chief Franklin Welch, USCG, discussed personnel issues and the service’s high retention rate. Margaret Wrightson…