Towing Vessel Inspection Proposal Advances
A bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on April 30 that encompasses the policy provisions of the U.S. Coast Guard’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2005 legislative package, including a proposal that would establish a new inspection program for the towing industry. The bill, entitled the Maritime Transportation Amendments of 2004 (H.R. 4251), was quickly slated for action. On May 6, the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, chaired by Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ), convened a hearing on the authorization measure. During his opening remarks, Chairman LoBiondo stated, “Since the establishment of the Coast Guard, one of the Service’s primary duties has been to promote and protect the safety of life and property at sea. H.R.
Legal Briefs
Avondale Industries, Inc. has agreed to pay $357,750 in penalties for safety and health violations at its shipyard in Avondale, La., and implement a revised safety and health program as part of a settlement agreement announced by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). "We are pleased Avondale has agreed to resolve this matter," said Secretary of Labor Alexis M. Herman. "Avondale's new management has shown they are serious about eliminating safety hazards. OSHA originally inspected the shipyard in October 1998 following union complaints of possible imminent danger from falls, and other health issues. Based on that inspection, OSHA issued 60 citations against the shipbuilder last April and proposed fines of $537,000.
Push Made In Senate For $100M In Title XI Funding
A bipartisan group of 38 Senators have written to Senators Judd Gregg and Ernest Hollings, chairman and ranking member, respectively, of the Appropriations Committee's Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State and the Judiciary, requesting $100 million for the Title XI maritime loan guarantee program in Fiscal Year 2002. The Senators noted that "far from an unnecessary corporate subsidy, but rather a stabilizing force to the defense industrial base as it has grappled with major defense reductions over the past decade. "It is incomprehensible that anyone could define a program as a subsidy when the program generates more direct revenues to the U.S. Treasury than it expends," added Cynthia Brown, president of the American Shipbuilding Association. "For the past nine years … the U.S.
Jones Act Amendment Headed Off
Earlier this year, Senator Sam Brownback (R-Kan.) reintroduced a Jones Act reform bill. The legislation was essentially the same as the bill Sen. Brownback introduced in the last Congress. Billed as a change only in the U.S.-build requirement of the Jones Act, an analysis by the Maritime Cabotage Task Force showed the legislation would also alter the U.S. ownership requirements of the Jones Act. Prior to a Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee markup of authorization legislation for the Maritime Administration, Sen. Brownback signaled his intention to offer a Jones Act amendment. Opposition to the amendment among members of the committee became apparent.
