MarAd Enhancement Act Moves Along
The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation unanimously reported The Maritime Administration Enhancement Act of 2005. The bill establishes a grant program to assist small shipyards for capital improvements and improve maritime training programs for small communities largely served by the maritime industry. The bill also allows the Maritime Administration (MarAd) to use a portion of funds for the operation of the National Defense Reserve Fleet (NDRF) and proceeds recovered from vessel accident litigation and arbitration to be placed in a reserve fund to cover the costs of vessel maintenance, repairs, and replacements.
Maritime Administrator To Address USMMA Alumni Foundation
United States Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao and Sean Connaughton, the new U. S. Maritime Administrator, will be guest speakers at the United States Merchant Marine Academy Alumni Foundation dinner in New York on Wednesday, September 27 honoring America's Deep-Sea Domestic fleet. The gala dinner will benefit the American Merchant Marine Museum located on the Academy's campus in Kings Point, Long Island. Secretary Chao, whose career has spanned international transportation issues on many levels, will be the keynote speaker and Mr. Connaughton, a 1983 graduate of the Academy who also served in the U. S. Coast Guard, will give a special address at his first New York-area public engagement.
