Completed Applications News

The U.S. Coast Guard said it is seeking to fill 18 vacancies on the National Towing Safety Advisory Committee, which advises the Secretary of Homeland Security, via the Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard on matters relating to shallow-draft inland navigation, coastal waterway navigation, and towing safety.The Coast Guard said it will consider applications for the following 18 vacancies:Seven members to represent the barge and towing industry, reflecting a regional geographic balance.One…

American Waterways Operators (AWO), a 350-member trade association tells members to foster a cooperative relationship with the Coast Guard and to support the mariners, wherever possible. The American Waterways Operators (AWO), the 350-member trade association representing the nation’s tugboat, towboat and barge industry recently released recommended best practices to assist both companies and mariners in navigating the U.S. Coast Guard’s mariner credentialing and medical review process.

The Frank C. Munson Institute of American Maritime Studies at Mystic Seaport has been awarded a “We the People” grant of $166,094 from the National Endowment of the Humanities (NEH). The grant will support “The American Maritime People,” a six-week college and university teacher institute for 25 participants on American maritime history from the colonial era to the present. As the third NEH Institute offered at Munson, the 2010 course will build on the latest research in studies of the sea, providing teachers with the opportunity to enhance course offerings by studying the influence of maritime activities on U.S. history and culture.

The Passenger Vessel Association reminded its members that applications for Federal Ferry Boat Discretionary Grants are being accepted through Friday, June 12. This competitive solicitation is different than an earlier one involving funds contained in the Economic Stimulus Act. This second pot of funding was contained in the Omnibus Appropriations Act for fiscal 2009. That law provides $67m for these grants, but a significant portion of the money is set aside or earmarked for specific recipients. Nevertheless, slightly more than $19m will be awarded on a competitive basis. Federal Ferry Boat Discretionary Grants can be used for capital costs only (not for operating expenses).

The Passenger Vessel Association called member attention to the recently enacted economic stimulus bill contains $150m for a new round of financing for competitive Port Security Grants. Program Guidance and Application Kits are available online (www.fema.gov/grants). Many PVA members will be eligible to apply. Several changes from past grant rounds may make these grants potentially more attractive to PVA members. •    There will be no applicant cost share required. Federal grant funds will finance 100 percent of eligible projects. •    Any owner or operator of a MTSA-regulated vessel or facility is eligible to apply. This means that if a vessel or facility is required by the Coast Guard to have an approved security plan, the owner or operator can submit a grant application.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said that over $3 billion is being allocated for various homeland security grant programs in fiscal year 2008. As indicated in the Overview, the Port Security Grant Program (PSGP) is funded at $388.6 million for FY08. Eligible applicants for port security grants include: owners and operators of federally regulated terminals, facilities, or US inspected passenger vessels; port authorities or other state and local agencies that provide layered security protection to federally-regulated facilities; consortia of local stakeholders (such as river groups, ports, and terminal associations) representing federally-regulated ports…

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released a supplemental Fiscal Year (FY) 2007 grant guidance and application kits for three grant programs: the Port Security Grant Program (PSGP), Transit Security Grant Program (TSGP), and Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) Program. The supplemental announcement of $260 million is in addition to $567m awarded from the regular FY 2007 appropriations for these programs, totaling roughly $827m this fiscal year. The U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act of 2007 (P.L. 110-28) provided an additional $110 million for the PSGP, $100 million for the TSGP, and $50 million for the EMPG. Eligible applicants must apply for FY 2007 supplemental funding online.

The U.S. Coast Guard is seeking applications for appointment to the Commercial Fishing Industry Vessel Advisory Committee (CFIVAC). As a result of the Commercial Fishing Industry Vessel Safety Act of 1988, the Coast Guard established the CFIVAC to provide advice to the Coast Guard on commercial fishing safety-related issues. The CFIVAC is comprised of 17 members who serve a three-year term. Applications will be considered for five positions and will become vacant October 2001 in the following categories: Commercial Fishing Industry (two positions), General Public (one position), Education/training (one position), and Marine Insurance (one position). The committee meets at least once a year in various cities nationwide.

Hurricane Katrina forced the closure of Regional Examination Center (REC) New Orleans for an as yet, undetermined duration. The Coast Guard is expanding its services in Memphis to restore services to merchant mariners in need of credentials. Due to space limitations, a temporary facility will be opened up that will be staffed by employees from REC New Orleans. The space has been identified, and office equipment and computers are already in place. Employees are being directed to report to their temporary location in Memphis and this secondary facility should be open for full service no later than 30 September. Operating hours will be the same as those currently in place at REC Memphis. These operating hours and contact information will be published in a future press release.

The Coast Guard is opening temporary offices in Morgan City, La., and Memphis, Tenn., to provide services to mariners affected by the closure of the Regional Examination Center in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina. The Morgan City office, now open, accepts completed applications and offers fingerprinting services, identity verification, and administration of oaths for mariners. On Oct. 3, the Coast Guard will open a temporary full-service REC in Memphis, staffed by employees from the REC in New Orleans that flooded after Katrina. This office will be dedicated to restoring services to mariners from the Gulf Coast who were affected by Katrina. These new offices are being opened to quickly restore services to mariners from the areas affected by Hurricane Katrina.