US Sanctions: Spotlight on Cuba
The U.S. maintains a comprehensive sanctions program against Cuba, generally prohibiting all trade between the two nations, subject to multiple exceptions. In a previous article we addressed U.S. comprehensive sanctions generally, focusing on Iran, Syria and North Korea. Because the Cuba sanctions program has several idiosyncrasies that are unique to Cuba we address the Cuba sanctions program on its own.Background to Cuba sanctionsThe Cuba sanctions program is the oldest U.S. sanctions program still in existence.
USMI: 35 Years and Going Strong
Spanning 35 exciting years, USMI’s core values of Family, Integrity and Quality have served the firm and its military customers well. The next 35 promise to be just as compelling.Little more than one month ago, on April 16, 2019, Gulfport, MS-based United States Marine Inc. (USMI) celebrated its 35th anniversary of continuous Department of Defense production, with hopes of many more years to come. According to CEO and President Barry Dreyfus, Jr., they’ll do just that by exceeding customer expectations by adhering to USMI’s core values of Family, Integrity and, of course, Quality. Over three and one-half decades, the firm has thrived, primarily by evolving into one of the nation’s premier military small craft builders.RootsThe company originally built World Class racing sailboats.
Offshore Wind – A Brief History
Happy 80th birthday Maritime Reporter & Engineering News! Eighty years is a significant publishing and business accomplishment!Birthdays always cause a look back. An 80-year review starts in 1939, the close of one very challenging decade, the start of events still reverberating today. History’s most important history is contained in the last 80 years.Energy dominated every one of those decades. Consider energy use, say, starting after World War II, from 1950 to 1975. There was power for everything…
OP/ED: The Capital Construction Fund
How to make the Capital Construction Fund work for all vessel owners and operators.The Red and White Fleet is a passenger vessel operator on San Francisco bay with roots back to 1892. We make no secret of the fact that we want to build new vessels with zero environmental signatures, all in an effort to increase employment for shipyard workers, provide new jobs for US mariners, and provide a training ground to support the growth of the U.S. flag deep sea ships. That mission is, today, unnecessarily difficult. The reasons why are easy to see.Not too long ago, H.
SCA Honors Former President George H.W. Bush
The Shipbuilders Council of America (SCA), the national trade association representing the U.S. shipyard and repair industry, honors the life and legacy of President George H.W. Bush, a true American hero.Matthew Paxton, President of SCA remarked, “President George H.W. Bush’s life was built on a foundation of loyalty and service to his nation. When Pearl Harbor was attacked by the Japanese during the Second World War, George H.W. Bush was irrevocably committed to serving his country and joined the United States Navy, becoming one of the youngest flying officers.
SUPSALV & Finding El Faro
Last month we were offered an in-depth discussion on marine salvage with Captain Gregg W. Baumann, U.S. Navy, Director of Ocean Engineering, Supervisor of Salvage and Diving. Captain Baumann and his team have a long history regarding difficult missions accomplished, including most recently the location and filming of the lost TOTE containership El Faro. What is the scope of the responsibility of the Supervisor of Salvage & Diving; Director of Ocean Engineering? The responsibilities of the Supervisor of Salvage & Diving…
Cuba Fears Invasion of US Yachtsmen
The rapprochement between the United States and Cuba could mean that tens of thousands of U.S. yachts could soon descend on the island, an influx for which the country's infrastructure is not prepared, Agence France-Presse reported. Cuban authorities believe that once U.S. President Barack Obama decides to hand down an executive order that will authorize private boats to sail to the Cuban Island, an influx of private American yachts and pleasure cruises would start arriving in the communist island. The U.S. embargo against the Communist nation, along with a 2004 executive order signed by then-President George W. Bush, currently prevent pleasure cruises from sailing from the United States to Cuba.
Mercy Ships Founder Receives Service Award
Mercy Ships, a global charity based in Garden Valley, Texas, operates the world’s largest civilian hospital ship. Mercy Ships founder Don Stephens was recognized this week with the Daily Point of Light Award from Points of Light, a U.S. organization dedicated to volunteer service. The national award was presented at a special event held at the River Oaks Country Club in Houston. The event, “Advancing Hope and Healing in Africa,” featured President George W. Bush and Laura Bush.
"The Future of Our Oceans"
On April 23, 2012, Dr. Stephen M. Coan delivered remarks entitled “The Future of Our Ocean”, part of the Open VISIONS Forum Lecture Series and presented at the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts, Fairfield University, Fairfield, Conn. Following is the text of his speech. Water sustains life on Earth, and the health of our oceans, lakes, rivers, streams and marshlands, which cover 70% of the planet’s surface, is critically important to global economic and human health. Imagine this vast environment and what it could mean for us if we were able to better harvest food…
Navy Completes Arctic Environmental Assessment
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Navy released an Arctic environmental assessment and outlook Aug. 15 that will be instrumental in developing future strategic plans and investments in a region that is becoming increasingly accessible to exploration and commercial enterprise. "In the past the Arctic was largely inaccessible, but increased seasonal melting of the sea ice is opening the region and creating opportunities for oil and gas exploration, maritime shipping, commercial fishing, and tourism," said Rear Adm. David Titley, director of the Navy's Task Force Climate Change. The assessment notes that the U.S. has close to a thousand miles of Arctic coastline in Alaska and significant coastal waters for resource exploitation. "With Alaska's coastline, the U.S.
NOL Group Board of Directors Appointments
Neptune Orient Lines Limited (NOL) announced the appointment of international business figure Robert J. Herbold to the company’s Board of Directors, effective 1 February 2010. From 1994 to 2001, Herbold was Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Microsoft Corporation. After retiring in 2001, Mr Herbold worked half-time for Microsoft until 2003 as Executive Vice President assisting in government, industry, and customer issues. Prior to joining Microsoft, Herbold spent 26 years at The Procter & Gamble Company (P&G). In his last five years with P&G he served as its Senior Vice President of Marketing. Currently, Herbold is the Managing Director of Herbold Group, LLC, a consulting business focused on profitability.
$30m for Washington State Port Security
April 8, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) announced that Washington state ports will receive $30.3m for port security efforts across the state this year. The funds, which will now begin to be distributed to state ports, will go toward infrastructure security improvements including chemical detectors, cameras, security gates, access controls, and training and exercises. “As we work to stabilize our economy and spur investment in Washington state, it is critically important that our ports remain secure and open for business,” Senator Murray said. The funding for these grants was included in the Fiscal Year 2009 Port Security Grant Program.
MARAD – War Risk Insurance
The Maritime Administration (MARAD) issued a notice stating that President Bush approved provision of vessel war risk insurance for trade by eligible vessels in the Black Sea. 73 Fed. Reg. 76096 (December 15, 2008). (Source: Holland & Knight)
President Bush Signs H.R. 6531
Finally We Can Drill Off Florida's Coast! Right?
WRONG! With oil prices reaching record highs and declines in production showing everywhere, there has never been a time that we needed to explore and produce the vast reserves in the Eastern Outer-Continental Shelf. President Bush ordered the lifting of the White House ban on offshore drilling on June 14, 2008. Assuming that Congress does what it should do, and finally lifts the ban on offshore drilling along US Coasts, one would think that we would be set to drill away. However, there is a serious hump that we have to overcome in order to be able to explore the deep-water regions of the Outer Continental Shelf. We simply do not have enough offshore platforms, drill-ships and rigs to do the job. The drill ships that are currently built are not available, and will not be for some time.
From Canines to Liquefied Natural Gas
For the past several years, maritime security has been on everyone's mind. From the halls of Congress to the longshoremen working the midnight shift, the threat of a possible terrorist attack on the maritime interests of the United States and dealing with new security requirements have kept this topic on the front burner. While most in the maritime industry are relatively aware of the legislation that has been promulgated since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, new evolving legislation continues to be implemented. In this regard, the most recent legislation that addresses the continuing implementation of the maritime security regime is the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2008, HR 2830 (the "Bill").
Louisiana Touts its Offshore Oil Drilling
— Flying in National Guard Black Hawk helicopters 500 feet above the bayous and marshes along the Mississippi River delta last week, officials tried to show visiting state lawmakers the benefits of offshore drilling for oil and gas. The $70 billion industry employs more than 320,000 people in the state. Unemployment rates in some coastal parishes hover around 3.5 percent, compared to 5.5 percent nationally. And the oil industry supports both the only deep-sea oil port in the and a Gulf of Mexico port that handles more vessels than even the . While states on the east and west coasts debate whether to drill for offshore oil and natural gas…
Maritime Pollution Prevention Act Signed into Law
President Bush has signed into law the Maritime Pollution Prevention Act of 2008 (H.R. 802). This law implements for the United States Annex VI to the MARPOL Convention (Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships). The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a news release discussing the new legislation.
George H.W. Bush Visits USS Ashland
Former President George H.W. Bush visited the amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48) to say thank you for the crew's service, June 15. Bush and some of his family members were on vacation in when they found out that would be visiting Rhodes, while the ship was returning from the . Bush quickly adjusted his schedule and made a detour just to stop by and talk with the crew. "I want you all to know it is a joy for us to see this ship, to be on board and be able to show the respect that we have for the Navy and those who serve there in," said Bush.
President Bush Honors Mariners
On National Maritime Day, America honors our highly skilled mariners who sail the high seas, support those on the front lines of the war on terror, and promote commerce around the world. Since 1775, the United States Merchant Marine has served our country, helping America become a great maritime power. During the Second World War, courageous mariners were among those who suffered greatly hundreds of ships were lost to enemy action, and many mariners made the ultimate sacrifice. We pay tribute to these heroes who answered the call to serve when our Nation needed them most. Today, our merchant mariners continue to protect our homeland, including by supporting our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.
President Bush Presents MSC Executive Director with Civil Service Award
Richard S. Haynes, executive director of the U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Command, was recognized by President Bush at an afternoon ceremony at the White House. Haynes and 45 other Senior Executives Service members received the nation’s highest civil service award - the 2007 Presidential Distinguished Rank Award. Less than one percent of the 7,550 members of the senior executive workforce who exemplify the ability to lead change and people; meet organizational goals; strategically manage human, financial, and information resources; and build coalitions are awarded this honor.
Navy Missile Likely Hit Fuel Tank on Disabled Satellite
Fire Controlman 2nd Class Andrew Jackson, a native of Ray Town, Mo., launches a Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) from the Combat Information Center aboard the Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG 70). Lake Erie fired a single modified tactical Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) and successfully impacted a non-functioning National Reconnaissance Office satellite approximately 247 kilometers (133 nautical miles) over the Pacific Ocean, as it traveled in space at more than 17,000 mph. U.S. By Gerry J. The missile fired from a U.S.
DHS Budget Request Up 6.8%
President Bush’s fiscal year 2009 budget request for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) represents $50.5 billion in funding, which is an increase of 6.8 percent over the 2008 fiscal year level – excluding funds provided in emergency supplemental funding. The request targets five areas, detailed in the following release of information from the DHS. The Department of Homeland Security’s main priority is to prevent terrorist attacks against the nation and to protect our nation from dangerous people. DHS will continue to prevent the entry of terrorists while facilitating the legitimate flow of people by strengthening border security efforts and continuing to gain effective control of America’s borders.