Hofstra University News

Lately, I have been reading reports regarding the United States Coast Guard’s (USCG) escalating enforcement of ballast water discharge violations. In the first case, the USCG initiated a civil penalty proceeding against a bulk carrier for discharging ballast water in Washington State without using a USCG Type Approved Ballast Water Management System (BWMS) or other approved means. The USCG proposed the maximum penalty of $38,175. In a more recent case, the USCG issued a $5,000 fine for a similar unauthorized ballast water discharge in Oregon.

Ballast water treatment systems manufacturer Ecochlor, Inc. has named Steve Candito as its new CEO, effective August 8, 2017. Candito succeeds retiring CEO, Charlie Miller, who will assist during the transition. Tom Perlich, Ecochlor Founder and President, said, “Charlie has been instrumental in Ecochlor’s growth over the last 15 years. During his tenure, we have put together a skilled and experienced team, and find ourselves positioned as a global front-runner in the BWT industry.

The sVGP and recent ballast water treatment system approvals create another headache for small vessel owners. Steve Candito provides a primer. The long delayed Small Vessel General Permit (sVGP) legislation is scheduled to come into force on December 18, 2017. Despite some confusion and inconsistencies on this issue generally, there is currently no serious effort to delay the sVGP requirement. Thus, vessel owners should be preparing now for compliance. Although the deadline is still months away…

Steven Candito is the Founder, President and CEO of Foresea, which provides advisory services including strategic planning, regulatory compliance and crisis management to the maritime and environmental communities. Previously, Candito was President and CEO of NRC. He has extensive experience with OPA 90 compliance issues with particular focus on vessel owner and insurance matters. Before that, Candito was an attorney with Haight Gardner Poor & Havens, specializing in maritime and environmental law. Candito has also served as a marine engineer aboard Exxon USA’s domestic tanker fleet. He is a graduate of Hofstra University School of Law and the United States Merchant Marine Academy.

Many people today are frustrated with the current U.S. political process as we endure various government stalemates on budgets, Supreme Court appointments, and, of course, the Presidential election. The general theme is voters are angry with the political establishment and, as a result, outsiders like Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders are doing well in the polls. Much of this anger is directed at the influence big money donors and lobbyists have over the process. Thus, Trump who has committed to self-financing his campaign and Sanders…

This month’s featured INSIGHTS executive is Steven A. Candito, President and CEO of the National Response Corporation (NRC). He has extensive experience with OPA 90 compliance issues with particular focus on vessel owner and insurance matters. Candito was previously an attorney with Haight Gardner Poor & Havens, specializing in maritime litigation and environmental law. He also served as a marine engineer aboard Exxon USA’s domestic tanker fleet from 1980 to 1985. Candito is a graduate of Hofstra University School of Law and the United States Merchant Marine Academy.

NOAA’s Marine Debris Program provided $967,000 through its Restoration Center to support locally driven, community-based marine debris prevention and removal projects. Eleven groups across the country received funding to remove derelict fishing nets, litter, lumber, tires and other harmful marine debris from shorelines and coastal waters. “Marine debris plagues coastlines all over the country, and these communities have the expertise and motivation to address it,” said Nancy Wallace, Marine Debris Program director.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced the appointment of seven members to the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) Advisory Board. The USMMA Advisory Board serves as an independent body whose purpose is to examine the course of instruction and management at the Academy and advise the USMMA Superintendent and Maritime Administrator to ensure the best possible educational atmosphere for all midshipmen. “The Department is committed to providing every midshipman at Kings Point the highest-quality education possible,” said Secretary LaHood.

Dr. Arthur H. Sulzer, Captain USN (Ret), Sworn in as Member, Advisory Board of the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation. Dr. Dr. Arthur H. Sulzer, Captain USN (ret), is President of Arthur H. Sulzer Associates, Inc., a position he has held since 2001. From 1974 to 2005, Captain Sulzer served in the United States Navy. His active duty assignments included Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, where he commanded the U.S. Naval Ship COMET. In 2003, Captain Sulzer joined several colleagues from Philadelphia to open Maritime Academy Charter High School.

The U.S. Senate confirmed William J. Mielke and Arthur H. Sulzer as members of the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation Advisory Board on January 1. William J. Mielke is Chairman of the Board, President and CEO of Ruekert/Mielke, a consulting engineering company located in Pewaukee, Wisconsin. He has been a Director of Bank Mutual Corporation since 2000 and its subsidiary, Bank Mutual, since 1988. Mielke is also a Fellow of the American Consulting Engineers Council and has served as a diplomat of the American Academy of Environmental Engineers. From 2006 to 2007, he was a member of the Special Committee on the Great Lakes Water Resources Compact.

Responsibility includes:  finance, contracts, estimating & pricing, and business management of Ingall’s Shipbuilding Division. "Tom's extensive background in finance and contract administration forms a solid foundation for this important leadership role," said Ingalls Shipbuilding President Irwin F. Edenzon. In addition to his financial responsibilities, Stiehle will also lead Ingalls' IT function, which includes the internal IT services, IT strategy development and management of the shipyard's subcontract with CSC.

President Barack Obama ha announced his intent to nominate Captain Arthur H. Sulzer, USN (ret) as a Member, Advisory Board of the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation. Captain Arthur H. Sulzer, USN (ret), is President of Arthur H. Sulzer Associates, Inc., a position he has held since 2001. From 1974 to 2005, Captain Sulzer served in the United States Navy. His active duty assignments included Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, where he commanded the U.S. Naval Ship Comet.

Bouchard Transportation Co., Inc. announced that Matt Zash has joined its team in the capacity of Business Development / Sales.  Zash joins Bouchard after graduating from Duke University in 2006 with a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Hofstra University in 2008 with a master’s degree in Education. Zash’s contact information is: Office:     631-390-4900 Cell:          631-926-1721 Email:         [email protected] Address:    Bouchard Transportation Co., Inc. 58 South Service Road, Suite 150 Melville, New York 11747