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Thomas Collins News

28 Jan 2011

This Day in U.S. Coast Guard History – January 28

1885-Keeper Marcus Hanna of the Cape Elizabeth Light Station saved two men from the wrecked schooner Australia. For this rescue Hanna was awarded the Gold Lifesaving Medal. He was also awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions at Port Hudson in 1863. He is the only person to have ever received both awards. 1915- President Woodrow Wilson signed into law the "Act to Create the Coast Guard," an act passed by Congress on 20 January 1915 that combined the Life-Saving Service and Revenue Cutter Service to form the Coast Guard (38 Stat. L., 800). The Coast Guard, however, still considers the date of the founding of the Revenue Cutter Service, 4 August 1790, as its "official" birthday, even though the Lighthouse Service, absorbed in 1939, is even older than that, dating to 7 August 1789.

27 Jan 2010

This Day in Coast Guard History – Jan. 28

1885-Keeper Marcus Hanna of the Cape Elizabeth Light Station saved two men from the wrecked schooner Australia. For this rescue Hanna was awarded the Gold Lifesaving Medal. He was also awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions at Port Hudson in 1863. He is the only person to have ever received both awards. 1915- President Woodrow Wilson signed into law the "Act to Create the Coast Guard," an act passed by Congress on 20 January 1915 that combined the Life-Saving Service and Revenue Cutter Service to form the Coast Guard (38 Stat. L., 800). The Coast Guard, however, still considers the date of the founding of the Revenue Cutter Service, 4 August 1790, as its "official" birthday, even though the Lighthouse Service, absorbed in 1939, is even older than that, dating to 7 August 1789.

10 Sep 2003

Oversight Committee Discusses Marine Safety

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.

23 Oct 2003

News: Committee Discusses Marine Safety

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.

10 Feb 2004

Manitowoc Marine Group Lays Keel of Great Lakes Ice Breaker

The Manitowoc Company, Inc. held a keel laying ceremony yesterday at its Marinette Marine subsidiary for the Coast Guard's newest icebreaker, the Mackinaw.. The ceremony featured Admiral Thomas Collins, commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, as the keynote speaker, with Jean Hastert, wife of J. Dennis Hastert, Speaker of the House, serving as the ship's sponsor and authenticator. "The construction of this multi-mission vessel further demonstrates Manitowoc's superior technical and engineering capabilities," said Dennis McCloskey, president of Manitowoc Marine Group. "We are on schedule to deliver this innovative icebreaker in 2005. Not only is the Mackinaw the newest vessel we're building for the U.S. The Mackinaw will be approximately 240 ft. long, 60 ft. wide, and displace 3,500 long tons.

12 Feb 2004

LNG Safety Agreement Established

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Coast Guard and Department of Transportation announced an interagency agreement to provide for the comprehensive and coordinated review of land and marine safety and security issues at the nation’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminals. The agreement was signed by FERC Chairman Pat Wood III, Samuel Bonasso, Deputy Administrator of the Department of Transportation’s Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA), and Admiral Thomas Collins, Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG).

25 Mar 2004

The State of Maritime Security

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…

30 May 2002

Admiral Loy Appointed as Deputy Under Secretary for Transportation Security

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta today announced the appointment of retired Coast Guard Commandant James M. Loy to the newly created post of Deputy Under Secretary for Transportation Security and Chief Operating Officer of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). In his new position, Admiral Loy will report directly to Under Secretary for Transportation Security John Magaw, the head of the TSA. The secretary's announcement was included in remarks he gave at today's change of command ceremony, when Admiral Loy was succeeded by Admiral Thomas Collins as Coast Guard commandant. "Jim Loy is a world-class executive and an experienced transportation professional. TSA's already strong team will benefit from this phenomenal addition.

17 Jun 2002

Transportation Secretary Awards $92.3M in Grants

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta, marking a significant milestone in the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) ongoing port security efforts, today announced the award of $92.3 million in grants to 51 ports located throughout the nation to enhance the security of ports and other facilities. "Protecting seaports and port facilities against the threat of terrorism is imperative," said Secretary Mineta. At a press conference near New York City's Staten Island Ferry, the Secretary was joined by New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly and Port Authority of New York & New Jersey Vice Chairman Charles Gargano, as well as a host of federal representatives including Rep. Bill Young (FL), U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Thomas Collins and U.S.

01 Feb 2005

USCG Streamlines Ship Security Process

Beginning January 31, members of the maritime industry required to provide arrival and departure information to the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Customs and Border Protection will be able to do so through the submission of one report. The Coast Guard and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) require vessels to submit crew, passenger, vessel, voyage and cargo information for safety and security purposes and for the enforcement of U.S. immigration, import, and export laws, prior to arrival in a U.S port or place. In the past, vessels were required to submit this information separately to both the Coast Guard and Customs and Border Protection.

18 Mar 2005

Hearing on USCG Operational Readiness

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…

08 Jul 2005

USCG Fleet in Need of Replacement

Senator Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), chairwoman of a Senate Coast Guard subcommittee, is among several officials that are pushing to speed up a 20- to 25-year, multibillion-dollar program to replace the Coast Guard's "deepwater" fleet, the 88 large ships and 186 aircraft capable of operating many miles offshore. This is particularly important now that homeland security has been added to the Coast Guard's responsibilities. But some of the Coast Guard's ships are more than 50 years old, well beyond the recommended age for replacement. The Bush administration wants to increase the amount of time it will take to replace the fleet to 25 years, presumably as a cost-cutting measure. But Senator Snow wants to replace the deepwater fleet over 10 to 15 years.

04 Aug 2005

Collins Joins Snowe For Tour

The commandant of the Coast Guard, Adm. Thomas Collins, is in Maine Wednesday, joining U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe for a tour of the Coast Guard base in South Portland, according to WMTW.com, touring the recently established Coast Guard Sector Northern New England. Snowe chairs the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Fisheries and the Coast Guard.

23 Aug 2002

Admiral Collins Discusses Challenges of Security

Admiral Thomas Collins, Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard, delivered a speech to the Center for Strategic and International Studies on The Challenges of Maritime Security. He discussed the differences between seaports and airports, the need to push the borders out, controlling the movement of high interest vessels, protecting critical assets, and outreach.

18 Sep 2002

ADM Collins Delivers Speech to World Shipping Council

Admiral Thomas Collins, Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard delivered a Speech before a meeting of the World Shipping Council in Washington, DC. He discussed the maritime security strategy and the importance of promoting partnership and unity of effort. Source: HK Law

16 Sep 2002

NTSB and Coast Guard Agree on Rules

The National Transportation Safety Board and the U.S. Coast Guard have concluded a new agreement setting out each agency’s role in the investigation of major marine shipping accidents. With the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed yesterday by NTSB Chairman Marion C. Blakey and Admiral Thomas Collins, Commandant of the Coast Guard, the two agencies have resolved a long-standing uncertainty over how to determine which will lead the investigation of a major marine accident. The new agreement gives NTSB the right to elect to lead investigations of accidents that threatened high loss of life or substantial property damage. Major accidents are broadly defined as involving: the loss of six or more lives…

16 Sep 2002

Coast Guard To Present Award To Local Historian

The Coast Guard will honor an internationally known historian with one of the highest honors the military service can award members of the public at a Coast Guard unit in Philadelphia on September 17 at 10:30 a.m. William D. Wilkinson, director emeritus of the Mariner’s Museum in Newport News, Va., and the founding director of the international Association for Rescue at Sea, will receive the Meritorious Public Service Award at Coast Guard Marine Safety Office/Group Philadelphia. The award will be presented by Rear Adm. Kevin Eldridge, Assistant Commandant for Governmental and Public Affairs, on behalf of the Commandant of the United States Coast Guard, Adm. Thomas Collins. Wilkinson is being recognized for his decades of work supporting the Coast Guard’s history program.

29 Jan 2003

CG Commandant to Speak at Conference

More than 400 U.S. and Canadian government, commercial and environmental officials will meet for a two-day conference beginningWednesday, January 29 at the Sheraton Cleveland City Center. Known as Marine Community Days, this event brings together the U.S. and Canadian members of the Great Lakes/St. Lawrence Seaway marine community to discuss a broad range of issues. Discussion topics will include: Homeland Security, the Maritime Transportation System, maritime security, navigation, environmental issues and dredging. This year’s theme is “Canadian/US Partnership” and features quest speakers: Adm. Thomas Collins, Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard, Vice Adm. James Hull, Commander Atlantic Area, Julian Goodyear, Reginal Director, Central and Artic Region, Canadian Coast Guard, Maj. Gen.

06 Feb 2003

ADM Collins Delivers Speech on Security

The U.S. Coast Guard has posted the speech given by ADM Thomas Collins, Commandant, USCG at the International Maritime and Port Security Conference

11 Jun 2003

Secretary Ridge to Welcome Back Coast Guard Forces

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge will welcome back Coast Guard Patrol Forces Mediterranean in a ceremony at Nauticus in Norfolk on June 11 at 3 p.m. The crews of the Coast Guard Cutter Dallas and four 110-ft. patrol boats, two Coast Guard law enforcement detachments, and 45 support and Port Security personnel will be greeted by Secretary Ridge, Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Thomas Collins, and Atlantic Area Commander Vice Adm. James Hull. Dallas, homeported in Charleston, S.C., deployed Feb. 8 to work with the Navy’s 6th Fleet in the Strait of Gibraltar. In the months leading up to the war with Iraq, the 378-foot high-endurance cutter helped protect U.S. shipping there from terrorist threats.

05 Nov 2002

MPA Hosts International Conference

The Singapore Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) is hosting the International Maritime and Port Security Conference on January 21-23, 2003. The keynote speaker will be Admiral Thomas Collins, Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard.

30 Apr 2003

Coast Guard Awards Contracts for Development of New Cutter

The U.S. Coast Guard has awarded two contracts totaling $129 million to Northrop Grumman Corporations Ships Systems sector for initial development and delivery of the Coast Guard’s first new National Security Cutter, part of the Coast Guard’s Deepwater program, which is aimed at replacing its aging offshore fleet. “The Coast Guard and the American people urgently need the Deepwater Program,” said Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge. “The Department of Homeland Security is thrilled with the progress the Coast Guard has made to date with Deepwater. The Deepwater program will improve the Coast Guard’s overall mission performance and maritime homeland security capabilities.

07 May 2003

Admiral Collins Addresses Senate Homeland Security Subcommittee

The Senate Committee on Appropriations released the Statement of Admiral Thomas Collins