Gold Medal News

Fincantieri Marinette Marine and its board of directors announced that Mark Vandroff will be taking over as CEO effective July 7, replacing Jan Allman who has led the Wisconsin shipyard since 2014.“Our company’s continued growth afforded us an opportunity to expand our senior leadership team and to better organize to exceed our customer’s needs,” said Dario Deste, CEO of Fincantieri Marine Group. “Jan [Allman] has done a tremendous job working with partner Lockheed Martin and the Navy on the Littoral Combat Ship and Multi-mission Surface Combatant programs…

“I hold no branch in higher esteem, than the Merchant Marine…”That is a quote from General Douglas MacArthur, Supreme Allied Commander of the Pacific in WWII. That one sentence sums up National Maritime Day. Inasmuch if it were not for our glorious Merchant Marine and maritime industry, we may not even have been a nation at all.National Maritime Day is the day we honor our American Merchant Mariners for protecting our freedom and for their dedication to promoting American commerce together with the accomplishments of the U.S. maritime industry.

Bollinger Shipyards delivered the USCGC Frederick Hatch, the 166th vessel the Louisiana shipbuilder has delivered to the U.S. Coast Guard over a 35-year period and the 43rd Fast Response Cutter (FRC) delivered under the current program.The USCGC Frederick Hatch is the final of three FRCs to be home-ported in Apra Harbor, Guam, increasing the presence for the U.S. Coast Guard in the Indo-Pacific Theater. Additionally, in 2020, Bollinger delivered two of six FRCs that will be home-ported in Manama…

William A. O’Neil, Secretary-General Emeritus of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), has died in the United Kingdom, aged 93.O’Neil was elected Secretary-General of the IMO for a first term of Office beginning in 1990, a second term beginning in 1994, a third term beginning in 1998 and a further two-year term from 2002 to 31 December 2003. He was the second longest serving Secretary-General of IMO.Current IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim expressed his sincere condolences to the Canadian Government…

Trade group American Maritime Partnership (AMP) announced it is honoring Oscar-Winning actor Tom Hanks with the celebrated American Maritime Hero Award. The award recognizes individuals or groups of individuals who have added to the rich heritage of the United States as a maritime nation through their professional contributions, courage, outstanding achievements or noble qualities.Hanks has drawn global attention to the bravery of maritime heroes by starring in the film “Captain Phillips…

The U.S. maritime industry takes great pride in our motto: “In Peace and War.” It sums what we’re all about. From colonial times, through the Revolution, the Civil War, two World Wars, several regional conflicts, and many natural and humanitarian disasters, we got the cargo delivered because our economic security and our national security depend on it.Today, we confront a new kind of enemy: an invisible, debilitating, and too often deadly disease. Yet, just as the courageous merchant…

In recognition of National Maritime Day, held on May 22 each year, President Donald Trump issued a proclamation honoring the U.S. maritime industry. The full text is below.Since the founding of our great Nation, we have relied on merchant mariners to deliver goods to market and strengthen our national security. On National Maritime Day, we recognize the United States Merchant Marine for all it does to facilitate our commerce and protect our interests at sea.Our Nation’s merchant…

Rep. John Garamendi introduced House Resolution 550, aka the Merchant Mariners of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act, in Congress Tuesday.The bill aims to award a Congressional Gold Medal to merchant mariners who served in World War II. The Gold Medal is one of the highest honors awarded in the United States.“Throughout the Second World War, our armed forces relied on the Merchant Marine to ferry supplies, cargo and personnel into both theaters of operation, and they paid a heavy price in service to their country,” said Garamendi.“The Merchant Marine suffered the highest per capita casualty rate in the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II. An estimated 8,300 mariners lost their lives, and another 12,000 were wounded, to make sure our servicemembers could keep fighting.

Evergreen Group celebrated its 50th Anniversary at the Chang Yung-Fa Foundation, home of the charity set-up by Evergreen Group Founder and Chairman Dr. Y.F. Chang, said a press release from the company.In addition to senior executives and employees of the Group’s businesses, the event was also attended by public officials, customers and business agents from both the shipping and airline industries as well as representatives of supply chain partners from more than fifty countries.The celebration commenced with a performance by the choir of the Yihsing branch of Jiahsing Elementary School from Hsinchu County. The choir was a gold medal…

The submarine Romeo Romei was delivered at Fincantieri’s shipyard of Muggiano, La Spezia. It is the last of the four U212A Todaro class twin units ordered from Fincantieri by the Naval Armament Unit – NAVARM for the Italian Navy. Romeo Romei, as its twin unit Pietro Venuti delivered last July at the Muggiano shipyard, features highly innovative technological solutions. It is entirely built with amagnetic material, using the most modern silencing techniques to reduce its acoustic signature.

Howard Fireman, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, joined the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) in 2013. Fireman is responsible for leveraging the latest advancements in technology to drive the development of innovative products and services that promote safety and improve the delivery of class services in the marine and offshore industries. Since joining ABS, Fireman has also served as President of the ABS Nautical Systems Fleet Management Software product line where he has overseen significant advancements in the software and achieved growth in every sector.

Riva Trigoso (Genoa) shipyard celebrated the launch of the frigate Alpino, the fifth of a series of 10 FREMM vessels - Multi Mission European Frigates, ordered from Fincantieri by the Italian Navy within the framework of an Italo-French program of cooperation. Godmother to the ship was Maria Rosa Solimano, cousin of Francesco Solimano awarded with the Gold Medal of Military Valor. Present at the ceremony were, among others, Claudio Burlando, Governor of Liguria, Senator Nicola Latorre, Chairman of the 4^ Senate's Defense Committee, Admiral Luigi Binelli Mantelli, Italian Chief of Defense, Lieutenant General Claudio Graziano, Italian Army Chief of Staff…

An employee of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) won the gold medal in the Mechanical Device Control category at the 52nd National Skills Competition held in Aichi Prefecture from November 28 to December 1. Company employees also won silver and bronze medals in the Welding category. Including various "Fighting Spirit Awards," 10 MHI employees captured awards in five categories. The gold medal in the Mechanical Device Control category was won by 22-year-old Yuhei Hiyamizu, who works at the Takasago Machinery Works in the Energy & Environment business domain. A total of 14 employees participated in five categories this year: Mechanical Device Control, Welding, Construction Steel Work, Mechatronics and Turning.

Admiral Paul Zukunft, the new U.S. Coast Guard Commandant, could fill the BWT leadership void. Global efforts to combat the spread of invasive species in ballast water are hampered by a leadership void so serious that in April the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) discouraged further ratifications of the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) invasive species convention. Admiral Paul Zukunft, the new U.S. Coast Guard Commandant, could fill that void and get those efforts onto the right track. The United States has been blessed with strong Coast Guard Commandants.

Decision Sciences International Corporation (DSIC), an advanced technology provider of security and detection systems, today announced that The Honorable Jayson P. Ahern, former Acting Commissioner of U.S. Customs & Border Protection, was appointed to the company's Advisory Board, effective immediately. Ahern, is a Principal with The Chertoff Group, providing strategic consulting services on homeland and border security management and global commerce and supply chain matters. In 2010, Ahern retired after 33 years of federal service to both the U.S. Customs Service and U.S.

Join the American Society of Naval Engineers on Thursday, February 20, for the Annual ASNE Honors Gala. A reception will open the night in the exhibit hall from 6-7, p.m., followed by the Awards Ceremony from 7-8:30. The event will recognize the 2013 award winners and pause to remember the victims of the Navy Yard tragedy that took place in September. •    Frank G. Presented by CAPT Glenn M. Presented by ADM John M. Richardson, USN to Mr. Matthew J. Presented by RDML Bryant Fuller, USN to Mr. Glen R. •    Clifford G. Presented by TBA to Mrs. Anne P. •    Harold E. Presented by VADM Manson K.

Yusuke Shiomoto (20), an employee of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) who works at the Kobe Shipyard & Machinery Works in the Energy & Environment business domain, has won the gold medal in the Construction Steel Work category at the 51st National Skills Competition held at Makuhari Messe in Chiba and other venues in Japan. MHI participated in five categories this year: Construction Steel Work, Welding, Mechanical Device Assembly, Mechatronics and Turning. In the Construction Steel Work category, besides Mr.

Norway's Tekna (Technical and Scientific Association) awards its gold medal to Ulstein Group for creating opportunities in technology. Gunvor Ulstein, CEO of Ulstein Group, received Tekna’s Gold Medal at a recent ceremony. The medal is given as an honour and encouragement to Norwegian managers or companies for outstanding efforts in creating new opportunities for Norwegian technologists, both in Norway and internationally. It was last awarded in 2008. Gunvor Ulstein thanked Tekna by sharing the honour with all employees in Ulstein: 
“Together with all our talented employees…

Each year, the American Society of Naval Engineers (ASNE) celebrates excellence in naval engineering by recognizing individuals who have demonstrated exceptional achievement in one or more facets of the industry. 2012 Gold Medal Award (Engineering) Recipient - RADM Thomas J. Eccles, USN Presented annually since 1958, the Gold Medal is given to an individual who has made a significant naval engineering contribution in a particular area during the past five years. The 2012 Gold Medal Award will be presented by VADM Kevin M. McCoy, USN; Commander, NAVSEA, at the ASNE Honors Gala on Thursday, February 21, 2013. 2012 Harold E. Saunders Award (Lifetime Achievement) Recipient - Mr. Michael F. Tangora Presented annually since 1977, the Harold E.

Liquid Robotics, an ocean data service provider and developer of the Wave Glider, was named the 2013 Gold Medal winner for innovation in power generation and utilization. Presented at the 26th Edison Awards Ceremony and Gala event, Liquid Robotics was honored for the creation of its wave powered autonomous ocean robot, powered solely by the planet’s endless supply of wave and solar energy. This innovation transforms how the world can economically and pervasively observe, monitor and protect the world’s oceans.

International oilfield services company, Expro, has been recognized for the ninth consecutive year by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) for its outstanding global safety record. Expro has been awarded a RoSPA Commendation for excellence in health and safety at work within the oil and gas sector in the Society’s 2013 Awards. The company has received awards from RoSPA for the past nine years, achieving a gold award in 2005 and then winning the Oil & Gas sector award in 2006 and retaining it in 2007, 2008 and 2009.

Rear Adm.(lower half) Brian B. Brown relieved Rear Adm. Jonathan W. White as commander of the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command (NAVMETOCCOM) in a traditional Navy change of command ceremony on Aug. 3 at Stennis Space Center. "I am blessed to once again be part of the Navy's operational oceanography team and humbled to have been selected among so many talented officers to lead this command," Brown said to Naval Oceanography employees at the ceremony. For the past year, Brown has been the Executive Assistant to the Oceanographer and Navigator of the Navy in Washington, but he previously served at Stennis as commanding officer and executive officer of the Naval Oceanographic Office (NAVOCEANO) and on the NAVMETOCCOM staff. NAVOCEANO is NAVMETOCCOM's largest subordinate command.

The Association for Rescue at Sea, Inc. (AFRAS) will hold its annual awards ceremony and reception on 4 October 2012 on Capitol Hill. The event will be co-hosted by the Honorable Howard Coble, co-chairman, U.S. Congressional Coast Guard Caucus. AFRAS will award the Gold Medal, the Silver Medal and the Amver (Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue System) plaque for outstanding rescues made in 2011. The Gold Medal and a cash prize will be presented to Randall J. Rice, Chief Warrant Officer, US Coast Guard; the Silver Medal and a cash prize will be awarded to the crew of U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Facility 25371 and the Amver plaque will go to the Captain and crew of M/V Oleander. Chief Warrant Officer Randall J.