Committee On Merchant Marine And Fisheries News

Waterways Council, Inc. (WCI) President and CEO Michael J. Toohey has revealed plans to retire, the group announced to its Board of Directors and members at its meeting in Washington, DC on Wednesday.“Having turned 71 this month, I believe it is time to focus on my faith, family, my golf handicap and my other interests,” Toohey said. “I remain committed to WCI’s continued achievement now and in the future once a successor is named.”WCI’s Executive Committee will select an executive search firm to begin the process to seek a successor.

The U.S. Senate has confirmed the nominations of three individuals to serve as Federal Maritime Commissioners: Rebecca F. Dye, Michael A. Khouri and Daniel B. Maffei. Dye and Khouri, both of whom currently serve as Commissioners, were renominated by the President to serve in terms that will last until 2020 and 2021 respectively. Maffei is new to the Commission and will serve a term that expires in 2017. “I applaud the action taken by the Senate yesterday. Each of these individuals is not only committed to public service, they also take the core mission of the Commission seriously,” said Federal Maritime Commission Chairman Mario Cordero. “The shipping industry is going through a period of significant change that dictates our close attention.

Today, Waterways Council, Inc.’s (WCI) Board of Directors unanimously elected Mike Toohey as the organization’s President and Chief Executive Officer. Toohey will assume his duties effective August 14. With more than 30 years of federal government expertise, Toohey most recently served as Consultant with The Livingston Group’s Transportation, Shipbuilding, Shipping and Ports practice area. Prior to that, he served as Vice President of Government Affairs for Ashland Inc., a chemical, energy and construction company.

Washington, DC – It was announced today that Mike Toohey has been selected to become President and CEO of Waterways Council, Inc. by the organization’s Search and Executive Committees. A special meeting of the WCI Board of Directors has been called for August 2, 2011 to formally consider his election to the organization’s presidency. With more than 30 years of federal government expertise, Mr. Toohey most recently served as Consultant with The Livingston Group’s Transportation, Shipbuilding, Shipping and Ports practice area. Prior to that, he served as Vice President of Government Affairs for Ashland Inc., a global chemical, energy and construction company. During his 19 years with the Ashland, Mr.

In 1988, Congress enacted the Abandoned Shipwreck Act (Pub. L. 100-298, 43 U.S.C. §§ 2101-2106), in an effort to give states more authority to protect the historical provenance of abandoned shipwrecks in state waters. It was one of the more controversial laws Congress passed that year because it pitted treasure salvors and divers, on the one hand, against states and historic preservationists on the other. In the end, the states won passage of the legislation, but some twelve years later, the question remains whether the Act has had the intended effect. Two significant decisions since 1988 have called into question the law's stated Congressional policy. First, a description of the Act itself.

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary E. Peters announced the appointment of Elizabeth Megginson as Chief Counsel for the Department’s Maritime Administration. Megginson served as Majority Chief Counsel to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives for six years beginning in 2001. She also served for five years as Majority Chief Counsel for the House Committee on Resources (now the Committee on Natural Resources) and served as a Senior Counsel as well. From 1990 until 1995, she was the Staff Director and Chief Counsel for the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Navigation, of the Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries, which was abolished in 1995. She moved to Washington, D.C.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has announced this year's recipients of the Walter B. Jones Memorial and NOAA Excellence Awards for Coastal and Ocean Resource Management. The awards honor excellence in unique coastal and ocean resource management programs, as well as in public and private endeavors to conserve America's coasts. Winners of these prestigious awards will be recognized on Oct. 21 in Washington, D.C. The Walter B. Jones Memorial and NOAA Excellence Award winners demonstrate the positive impact public and private organizations and citizens can have on coastal and ocean problems. The winners were chosen from a pool of more than 60 qualified nominees by an independent panel of judges.