Is the US Prepared to Protect Its Arctic Interests?
The answer to this question is a resounding “no.” The U.S. is not prepared to protect its interests in the Arctic over the next decade. The primary legal regime that is being relied upon by all members of the Arctic fraternity, the Law of the Sea Convention, has not been adopted by the U.S. The operational resources needed to pursue our interests have not been funded and there is currently little prospect that they will be funded in the near future. U.S. interests in the Arctic are vast.
House Subcommittee Hearing Highlights “Dismal State” of U.S. Icebreaking Capability
At the July 23, 2014, hearing of the House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation on “Implementing U.S. Policy in the Arctic” the committee chairman, Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA), opened the proceedings by holding up a graphic of the icebreaker fleets of the world—which depicts nearly 40 Russian icebreakers—and then commented on the “dismal state” of the U.S. icebreaker situation. The hearing background paper noted that the United States presently has only two working polar class icebreakers…
From the Editor's Desk
Now clear of the holidays and into an already exciting 2014 on the waterfront, we find ourselves plowing ahead with the proverbial bone in our teeth. That’s because, beyond my questionable nautical metaphor, there are big things happening for the domestic workboat industry in the coming months. As you dig deeper into this issue of MarineNews, you will soon see that much of that revolves around the United States Coast Guard. As you do, look also look for the pace of regulatory rulemaking, boatbuilding and mariner credentialing to increase exponentially. While some industry stakeholders tend to view the Coast Guard as the bane of their compliance battles on so many fronts, the outreach of the nation’s first line of defense for homeland security are much more diverse than that.
U.S. Coast Guard Recapitalization Briefing
Uncertainty over budget talks leaves Coast Guard leadership to hedge their bets on future fleet mix, total numbers of hulls and operational capabilities. On Wednesday, members of the media were invited to join Coast Guard senior leadership for a discussion about recent acquisition efforts and the status of recapitalizing the service’s aging fleet. The briefing, which took place at Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, revealed little in terms of new developments but at the same time, underscored the increasing concerns amongst Coast Guard senior leaders that budget woes may soon force a scaling back of one or more aspects of their ambitious, multi-billion dollar recapitalization plans. The briefing coincided conspicuously with ongoing U.S.
Coast Guard Foundation Hosts 31st Annual Salute to USCG
Non-Profit’s Annual Gala Celebrates the United States Coast Guard Service Across the Nation. The Coast Guard Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to the education, welfare and morale of all Coast Guard members and their families, announced today that its 31st Annual Salute to the United States Coast Guard will take place on Thursday, October 13, 2011 in New York City. The event will honor the bravery and courage of the guardians who enforce maritime law, protect our homeland and preserve the environment.
Coast Guard Foundation Director Receives CG Award
The Coast Guard Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to the education, welfare and morale of all Coast Guard members and their families, announced that board member, Guy Edison Clay Maitland, was the recipient of the Coast Guard’s Distinguished Public Service Award. Presented by Coast Guard Commandant ADM Robert Papp, the honor for “personal and direct contributions” was bestowed following remarks at the Foundation’s 30th Annual Salute to the United States Coast Guard, which took place on Tuesday, October 5, 2010 in New York City.
This Day in Coast Guard History – August 19
1898-About 8 p.m. the keeper of life-saving station was notified by one of the crew of a quarantine boat that cries for help were heard coming from the channel opposite the station. The crew immediately launched the surfboat and pulled Into the darkness. As they proceeded they heard the cries for help and pulled in their direction until they found a boat capsized and one man clinging to her bottom. They hauled him in and he informed them that he and three others were returning from a hunting trip in the sloop, Jennie, when she capsized in a sudden squall. The other men were rescued by the yawl from the quarantine station. When she capsized the anchor went overboard, securely anchoring her; consequently the keeper decided not to attempt to right her until morning.
This Day in Coast Guard History – August 12
1982- Coast Guard vessels escorted the nation's first Trident submarine, the USS Ohio, into its home port at Naval Submarine Base Bangor, providing security for the sub's transit. Coast Guard units guided the sub past a Soviet spy ship and 400 anti-nuclear protesters. 1984-CGC Munro departed Honolulu for Tokyo, Japan to take part in a bilateral meeting between the Coast Guard and the Japanese Maritime Safety Agency. While en route, the cutter conducted a Hawaiian Island and Western Pacific Fisheries Enforcement Patrol -- the first of its type ever conducted in the western Pacific by a 378.
New USCG Leadership Team
The US Coast Guard issued a message announcing its new leadership team scheduled to assume their positions on 25 May 2010, subject to Senate confirmation. The team will be comprised of: Commandant ADM Robert Papp Vice Commandant VADM Sally Brice-O’Hara Commander, Atlantic Area VADM Robert Parker Commander, Pacific Area VADM Manson Brown Chief of Staff VADM John Currier (Source: Bryant’s Maritime News)
