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Elijah E Cummings News

31 Aug 2023

NTSB Renews Call for US Coast Guard to Strengthen Passenger Vessel Safety

The fire-stricken Conception shortly before it sank off Santa Cruz Island in September 2019. All 33 passengers and one of six crewmembers died of smoke inhalation after they were trapped in the berthing area while a fire raged on the deck above. (Photo: Ventura County Fire Department)

Four years after the fire aboard the Conception dive boat claimed 34 lives, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) renewed its call for the U.S. Coast Guard to require safety management systems (SMS) for passenger vessels. The recommendation, which the NTSB reissued following its investigation of the September 2, 2019, fire aboard the Conception, remains open.NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy sent a letter to the Coast Guard Commandant today emphasizing the need to issue the…

01 Sep 2022

NTSB Calls for Action on Safety Following Conception Dive Boat Tragedy

The fire-stricken Conception shortly before it sank off Santa Cruz Island in September 2019. All 33 passengers and one of six crewmembers died of smoke inhalation after they were trapped in the berthing area while a fire raged on the deck above. (Photo: Ventura County Fire Department)

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) says more progress is needed on the safety recommendations it issued in the wake of the Conception dive boat tragedy.The Conception was anchored in Platts Harbor, off Santa Cruz Island, Calif., when it caught fire in the early morning of Sept. 2, 2019. The vessel burned to the waterline and sank less than 100 feet from shore. The 34 people asleep below deck were trapped in the bunk room: 33 passengers and one crew member lost their lives.Following the investigation, the NTSB issued 10 new safety recommendations: seven to the U.S.

28 Dec 2021

USCG Announces New Fire Safety Rules for Passenger Vessels

The 75-foot recreational diving vessel Conception was anchored in Platts Harbor off Santa Cruz Island when it caught fire in the early morning of Sept. 2, 2019. All 33 passengers and one of six crewmembers died of smoke inhalation after they were trapped in the berthing area while a fire raged on the deck above. Both exits from the berthing area led to the fire and smoke-filled enclosed area above. (Photo: Ventura County Fire Department)

The U.S. Coast Guard announced in the Federal Register that it is issuing an interim rule as the first step to implementing the statutorily mandated requirements for fire safety on certain covered small passenger vessels. This statutory mandate is in response to the fire and loss of life on the dive boat Conception off the coast of California on September 2, 2019. This interim rule adds additional fire safety requirements for small passenger vessels, including fire detection and suppression systems…

21 Jan 2021

Biden Administration Names Lessley as MARAD Deputy Administrator

© Felix Mizioznikov / Adobe Stock

Lucinda Lessley has been named Deputy Administrator of the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD), the Biden Administration announced Thursday among a number of key appointments to its Department of Transportation (DOT) leadership team.Lessley will lead MARAD until an Administrator is nominated by the Biden Administration and confirmed by the Senate. She takes over from Doug Burnett, MARAD's Chief Counsel, who had been serving as Acting Administrator following Mark Buzby's resignation in the wake of the Capitol intrusion earlier this month.

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…

22 Jul 2020

Congress Lines Up COVID-19 Relief for the Maritime Industry

© Christopher Boswell / Adobe Stock

New legislation passed through Congress aims to provide relief to the U.S. maritime industry during national emergencies such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic or natural disasters.Introduced July 9 by the Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) and Chair of the House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Sean Patrick Maloney (D-N.Y.), The Maritime Transportation System Emergency Relief Act (MTSERA) would establish…

17 Oct 2019

U.S. Congressman Elijah Cummings Passes Away at 68

Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (CREDIT: Congress.gov)

At approximately 6:20 AM this morning, the Office of Congressman Elijah E. Cummings Released the Following Statement:At approximately 2:30 A.M. on Thursday October 17, 2019, Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (MD-07) passed away at Gilchrist Hospice Care, a Johns Hopkins affiliate, due to complications concerning longstanding health challenges. More details will be forthcoming.The energetic Cummings was best known in maritime circles for his time spent as chair of the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation where…

30 Oct 2014

Rep. Cummings Receives Maritime Service Award

Elijah E. Cummings

On Wednesday, October 29, Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (D-MD) delivered keynote remarks at APL Maritime’s Senior Management Conference, and received an award recognizing his service to the maritime industry. “The U.S. flagged oceangoing fleet is vital to our nation’s security, as is ensuring the future of that fleet both through federal policy and support for the next generation of maritime workers,” Cummings said. “I’m honored to be recognized by APL Maritime, and I look forward to working with them and other stakeholders to sustain and strengthen the U.S.

16 Aug 2013

Mazda Comes to Port of Baltimore

Photo: Port of Baltimore

Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) became the Port of Baltimore newest auto customer after agreeing to a five -year contract with auto processor Amports that will bring approximately 65,000 vehicles a year to Maryland from its assembly plants in Japan. The vehicles will be handled at the Amports-owned Chesapeake Auto Terminal. The addition of Mazda will help to create 450 new jobs, including 160 direct jobs. “We are very happy to welcome Mazda to the Port of Baltimore,” said Transportation Secretary James T. Smith, Jr.

24 Apr 2013

Congressmen Request USMMA Prevention of Sexual Assault & Harassment Review

Two congress members seek review of sexual assault, harassment prevention policies, & reporting procedures at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA). Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (D-MD), Ranking Member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and Congresswoman Jackie Speier (D-CA), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Energy Policy, Health Care, and Entitlements, have asked the Inspector General of the Department of Transportation to review sexual assault and harassment prevention policies and reporting procedures established by the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. In response to surveys conducted in the 2009-2010 academic year…

24 Jul 2012

Cummings, Landry Lead Effort to Save American Maritime Jobs

U.S. Representatives Elijah E. Cummings (D, MD-07)

SEAS Act to Repeal Section 100124 of Highway Bill. U.S. Representatives Elijah E. Cummings (D, MD-07) and Jeff Landry (R, LA-03) today introduced the Saving Essential American Sailors (SEAS) Act, H.R. 6170, which would ensure American food aid is transported by American workers. The bill repeals Section 100124 of the highway bill, MAP-21. Additional original co-sponsors include Congress members Nick Rahall (D, WV-03), Rick Larsen (D, WA-02), Bennie Thompson (D, MS-02), Colleen Hanabusa (D…

01 Nov 2011

Cummings Supports Coast Guard’s Educational Partnership

Congressman Elijah E. Cummings, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

Congressman Elijah E. Cummings, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and former Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, will join Coast Guard senior leaders and the President of Morgan State University, Dr. David Wilson, on Tuesday, November 1st, aboard the newly delivered Coast Guard National Security Cutter STRATTON to sign a partnership agreement that will provide new academic opportunities to Morgan State University’s students and faculty…

14 Oct 2011

Bill Introduced To Protect American Maritime Jobs

Working to create and preserve American jobs, Congressmen Elijah E. Cummings (D, MD-7) and Jeff Landry (R, LA-3) today introduced the American Mariners Job Protection Act (H.R. 3202), a bill with bipartisan support that will increase government transparency surrounding the issuance of waivers allowing non-Jones Act-qualified vessels to carry cargo between U.S. ports. Under current law, when the head of the agency responsible for the administration of the Jones Act believes it necessary to waive the Act’s requirements in the interest of national defense, the agency must request the Maritime Administration to assess whether Jones Act-qualified vessels are available to carry the cargo under consideration.

01 Oct 2010

Cummings Investigates American Commercial Fleet

Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (MD-07), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, held a hearing today, to continue the discussion regarding U.S.-flagged vessels in the U.S. foreign trade. According to the Maritime Administration of the U.S. Department of Transportation, the U.S. flagged fleet consists of only 94 vessels, which carry two percent of American foreign traded goods. Many of the reasons for this shortfall concern the economic challenges that make such operations more costly than operations under so-called flags of convenience. A previous hearing addressed the criticality of the Maritime Security Program and cargo preference requirements to making operation under the U.S. flag economically viable.

30 Sep 2010

Cummings on Coast Guard Authorization Bill

Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (MD-07), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, was pleased with the passage of H.Res. 1665, concurring in Senate amendments to H.R. 3619, the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010. The bill authorizes slightly more than $10b in annual funding for the United States Coast Guard, and will make several major changes to the service. Cummings chaired four hearings on the Deepwater acquisition program and participated in multiple hearings of the full Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to consider Coast Guard acquisitions. Coast Guard procurement was heavily examined, including circumstances leading to initial failures in Deepwater procurements.

30 Aug 2010

Cummings Requests Further BP Investigation

Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (MD-07), a senior member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, sent a request to Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) on August 30, requesting that, in his role as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Domestic Policy, Rep. Kucinich convene a hearing to examine questions surrounding the extent of the oil that remains in the Gulf of Mexico following the spill from the BP Macondo well-site, as well as the adequacy of current government and private industry efforts to assess the danger that remnant oil in the waters of the Gulf poses to the environment and to the seafood harvested from the Gulf.

30 Aug 2010

Cummings Congratulates Coast Guard Academy

Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (MD-07), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, congratulated the United States Coast Guard Academy at New London, Conn., for being named one of the top institutions of higher learning by U.S. News & World Report, The Princeton Review and Forbes Magazine. The Coast Guard Academy was awarded first place in the Baccalaureate Colleges (North) category in the 2011 edition of U.S. News and World Report's Best Colleges issue. The Academy earned a perfect overall score of 100, the highest among more than 300 colleges which were ranked. The news comes only weeks after Cummings recognized the Academy for their improvement in diversity efforts. The Class of 2014 reported for training on June 28.

28 Jul 2010

Cummings Recognizes 100th Anniversary of USCG Academy

Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (MD-07) managed the passage of H.Con.Res. 258, Congratulating the Commandant of the Coast Guard and the Superintendent of the Coast Guard Academy and its staff for 100 years of operation of the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut. The School of Instruction to the U.S. Revenue Cutter Academy was established at Fort Trumbull in New London, Connecticut, in 1910, and later became known as the Coast Guard Academy after the consolidation of the Life Saving Service and the Revenue Cutter Service in 1915. The Academy moved to its present location along the banks of the Thames River in 1932. In1946, the former German Navy training vessel Horst Wessel was acquired by the United States for use by the Coast Guard and renamed Eagle…

11 Jun 2010

Cummings Hears Testimony on Oil Company Liability

Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (MD-07) took part in a hearing held by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, called to examine the liability requirements for oil spills that are imposed by the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA) and related statutes on offshore facilities and vessels operating in U.S. waters. The Committee also considered the potential impact on the offshore industry of the liability claims arising from the loss of the Deepwater Horizon in the Gulf of Mexico and the subsequent oil spill from the Macondo well site. To get more information on the issue of both claims and liability caps, Cummings and the Committee also questioned a panel of oil and insurance industry experts, hearing testimony regarding the potential of raising the liability cap.

24 Dec 2009

Cummings Congratulates CG Commandant Nominee

Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (MD-7) congratulated VADM Robert J. Papp Jr., President Obama’s choice to become the next Commandant of the United States Coast Guard. If he is confirmed by the Senate, Papp would replace Admiral Thad Allen as the 24th Commandant of the Coast Guard in May 2010. Cummings, in his role as Chairman of the House Subcommittee on the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, congratulated Papp and said he looked forward to helping him continue to move the Coast Guard into the future. “Admiral Allen and I have a great working relationship,” said Cummings. “I look forward to having a similar relationship with Vice Admiral Papp. This is an important time for the agency tasked with protecting our nation’s coasts and waterways.

03 Dec 2009

Cummings Congratulates RADM Stosz On Promotion

Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (MD-7) offered his congratulations this week to United States Coast Guard Rear Admiral (lower half) Sandy Stosz, on the occasion of her promotion to that rank. Stosz, who is from Ellicott City, in the Seventh District, is the first female graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy to be selected for promotion to flag rank. As the Chairman of the House Subcommittee on the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, Congressman Cummings took particular pride in the promotion of RADM Stosz. “This is a wonderful time for Sandy Stosz and her family,” said Congressman Cummings. “Other women have excelled in service to our nation and have attained a flag officer rank.

25 Oct 2009

Cummings Assists Passage of USCG Funding Bill

Congressman Elijah E. Cummings assisted in the U.S. House of Representatives passing of H.R. 3619, the “Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010.” Congressman Cummings was “floor manager” for the bill. Cummings, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, also sponsored the bill. The Coast Guard authorization, which passed 385-11, will allow the Coast Guard to add 1,500 additional personnel, bringing the total number of authorized service members to 47,000. Also, the number of authorized officer slots will increase to 6,700. “This authorization will hopefully allow the Coast Guard to shed their tradition of doing more with less,” said Congressman Cummings.

14 Oct 2009

Maritime Workforce Dev Act Passes House

Congressman Elijah E. Cummings praised the passage of the Maritime Workforce Development Act, H.R. 2651. The bill passed on a voice vote, with more than two-thirds of the House voting in favor. Congressman Cummings wrote this legislation to address the education and training needs of our nation’s merchant mariners. H.R. 2651 amends Title 46 of the United States Code, directing the Secretary of Transportation to establish a student loan program to attract the next generation of workers to good paying jobs available in the maritime industry. The loan program will also help those already in the industry obtain the certifications and training they need to move ahead in their careers. Many of those who currently work in the maritime industry are nearing retirement age.